Patents by Inventor James R. Akse

James R. Akse has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6419837
    Abstract: The process of this invention destroys contaminants in a contaminant-containing aqueous stream. The subject process comprises providing a contaminant-containing aqueous feed stream including an initial amount of at least one of a group of contaminants including perchlorates, nitrates, and nitrites. The contaminant-containing aqueous feed stream includes a reducing agent. Next the reducing agent-containing, contaminant-containing aqueous stream is heated. Finally, the heated contaminant-containing aqueous stream is contacted with an oxidation-reduction catalyst for a period of time sufficient for reducing the excess amount of any of the perchlorates, nitrates, and nitrites contaminants by at least about 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Umpqua Research Company
    Inventor: James R. Akse
  • Patent number: 5910448
    Abstract: The process of this invention comprises providing a membrane for separating CO.sub.2 into a first CO.sub.2 sample phase and a second CO.sub.2 analyte phase. CO.sub.2 is then transported through the membrane thereby separating the CO.sub.2 with the membrane into a first CO.sub.2 sample phase and a second CO.sub.2 analyte liquid phase including an ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.2 species. Next, the concentration of the ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.2 species in the second CO.sub.2 analyte liquid phase is chemically amplified using a water-soluble chemical reagent which reversibly reacts with undissociated CO.sub.2 to produce conductivity changes therein corresponding to fluctuations in the partial pressure of CO.sub.2 in the first CO.sub.2 sample phase. Finally, the chemically amplified, ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.2 species is introduced to a conductivity measuring instrument. Conductivity changes in the chemically amplified, ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Umpqua Research Company
    Inventors: James E. Atwater, James R. Akse, Jeffrey DeHart
  • Patent number: 5882937
    Abstract: Ammonia monitor and method of use are disclosed. A continuous, real-time determination of the concentration of ammonia in an aqueous process stream is possible over a wide dynamic range of concentrations. No reagents are required because pH is controlled by an in-line solid-phase base. Ammonia is selectively transported across a membrane from the process stream to an analytical stream under pH control. The specific electrical conductance of the analytical stream is measured and used to determine the concentration of ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Richard L. Sauer, James R. Akse, John O. Thompson, James E. Atwater
  • Patent number: 5792621
    Abstract: A "reagentless" chemiluminescent biosensor and method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide, ethanol and D-glucose in water. An aqueous stream is basified by passing it through a solid phase base bed. Luminol is then dissolved in the basified effluent at a controlled rate. Oxidation of the luminol is catalyzed by the target chemical to produce emitted light. The intensity of the emitted light is detected as a measure of the target chemical concentration in the aqueous stream. The emitted light can be transmitted by a fiber optic bundle to a remote location from the aqueous stream for a remote reading of the target chemical concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Charles E. Verostko, James E. Atwater, James R. Akse, Jeffrey L. DeHart, Richard R. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5643799
    Abstract: The process of this invention comprises providing a membrane for separating CO.sub.2 into a first CO.sub.2 sample phase and a second CO.sub.2 analyte phase. CO.sub.2 is then transported through the membrane thereby separating the CO.sub.2 with the membrane into a first CO.sub.2 sample phase and a second CO.sub.2 analyte liquid phase including an ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.2 species. Next, the concentration of the ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.2 species in the second CO.sub.2 analyte liquid phase is chemically amplified using a water-soluble chemical reagent which reversibly reacts with undissociated CO.sub.2 to produce conductivity changes therein corresponding to fluctuations in the partial pressure of CO.sub.2 in the first CO.sub.2 sample phase. Finally, the chemically amplified, ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.2 species is introduced to a conductivity measuring instrument. Conductivity changes in the chemically amplified, ionized, conductive, dissociated CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Umpqua Research Company
    Inventors: James E. Atwater, James R. Akse, Jeffrey DeHart
  • Patent number: 4571276
    Abstract: The strength of end terminations on multilayer capacitors employing base metal electrodes is increased by heating the terminations, subsequent to firing in a reducing atmosphere, in an atmosphere in which the oxygen partial pressure is at least equal to that of air for a period of at least 15 minutes at a temperature of 375.degree. C.-600.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Akse
  • Patent number: 4511601
    Abstract: A method of providing a copper metallization on a dielectric or semiconductive body, and a dielectric or semiconductive body having a metallization consisting essentially of copper. According to the method, a mixture of copper oxide powder and 0 to 15 weight percent reduction-resistant glass frit is dispersed in an organic vehicle and a solvent to produce a paste. The paste is applied to the body to provide a coating thereon. The coating is dried to remove the solvent, and then the coated body is fired in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature below the melting temperature of the glass frit to remove the organic vehicle. Finally, the coated body is fired a second time in an atmosphere which is reducing to the copper oxide but substantially nonreducing to the glass frit. The second firing is at a temperature from 700.degree. to 1050.degree. C. for from 120 to 15 minutes to convert the copper oxide to copper metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Akse, Stanley A. Long