Patents by Inventor Jan D. Miller
Jan D. Miller 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).
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Publication number: 20210210782Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte (410) for lithium batteries can include a solid polymer (440), a lithium salt (450) distributed in the solid polymer (440), and lithium iron phosphate (460) distributed in the solid polymer (440). A solid state lithium battery cell (400) can include a composite solid electrolyte layer (410), an anode (420) containing lithium in contact with a first surface of the composite solid electrolyte layer (410); and a cathode (430) in contact with a second surface of the composite solid electrolyte layer (410), The composite solid electrolyte layer (410) can include a solid polymer (440), a lithium salt (450) distributed in the solid polymer N (440), and lithium iron phosphate (460) distributed in the solid polymer (440).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2019Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Jan D. Miller, Xuming Wang, Qinyu Zhu
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Patent number: 10873106Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte (100) for lithium batteries can include a solid polymer (110), phyllosilicate nanoparticles (120) distributed in the solid polymer, and a lithium salt (130) distributed in the solid polymer. In one example, the composite solid electrolyte can be used in a solid state lithium battery cell (400) made up of composite solid electrolyte, an anode (420) containing lithium in contact with a first surface of the composite solid electrolyte, and a cathode (430) in contact with a second surface of the composite solid electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, Xuming Wang, Yue Lin, Jin Liu
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Publication number: 20190097261Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte (100) for lithium batteries can include a solid polymer (110), phyllosilicate nanoparticles (120) distributed in the solid polymer, and a lithium salt (130) distributed in the solid polymer. In one example, the composite solid electrolyte can be used in a solid state lithium battery cell (400) made up of composite solid electrolyte, an anode (420) containing lithium in contact with a first surface of the composite solid electrolyte, and a cathode (430) in contact with a second surface of the composite solid electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Jan D. Miller, Xuming Wang, Yue Lin
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Publication number: 20150165408Abstract: A fluid-sparged helical channel reactor can include a constrained flow unit located within a reactor body. The unit has an inner wall and an outer wall which produces a helical constrained flow along a substantially enclosed helical flow path around an axial interior volume. At least part of the outer wall includes a sparging portion to allow fluid reactant to be sparged into the helical constrained flow. A liquid inlet fluidly connected to the reactor body and configured to allow addition of a liquid into the enclosed helical flow path. A sparging fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the reactor body which supplies a sparging fluid to the sparging portion of the constrained-flow unit. A liquid outlet fluidly is connected to the reactor body to allow removal of liquid from the constrained-flow unit. A gas outlet is fluidly associated with the enclosed helical flow path to allow removal of gases from the enclosed helical flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Wlodzimierz W. Zmierczak, Jan D. Miller, Raj Rajamani, Steven Messiter, Nicholas B. Drinnan, Edward Choros
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Patent number: 8871004Abstract: A method for making an agglomerate of an ore is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the ore with an acid solution and a stucco binder. The stucco binder may include calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The ore agglomerate may include ore, acid solution, and stucco-derived gypsum.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, Xuming Wang, Chen-Luh Lin, Phanindra Kodali
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Patent number: 8313716Abstract: A spinning fluids reactor, includes a reactor body (24) having a circular cross-section and a fluid contactor screen (26) within the reactor body (24). The fluid contactor screen (26) having a plurality of apertures and a circular cross-section concentric with the reactor body (24) for a length thus forming an inner volume (28) bound by the fluid contactor screen (26) and an outer volume (30) bound by the reactor body (24) and the fluid contactor screen (26). A primary inlet (20) can be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce flow-through first spinning flow of a first fluid within the inner volume (28). A secondary inlet (22) can similarly be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce a second flow of a second fluid within the outer volume (30) which is optionally spinning.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: University Of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, Jan Hupka, Robert Aranowski
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Patent number: 8299310Abstract: Processes for conversion of lignin to products such as phenolic compounds and biofuels prepared from such phenolic compounds are disclosed and described. A process for conversion of a lignin material to bio-fuels can include subjecting the lignin material to a base catalyzed depolymerization reaction to produce a partially depolymerized lignin. The partially depolymerized lignin can then be subjected to a stabilization/partial hydrodeoxygenation reaction to form a partially hydrodeoxygenated product. Following partial hydrodeoxygenation, the partially hydrodeoxygenated product can be reacted in a hydroprocessing step to form a bio-fuel. Each of these reaction steps can be performed in single or multiple steps, depending on the design of the process. The production of an intermediate partially hydrodeoxygenation product and subsequent reaction thereof can significantly reduce or eliminate reactor plugging and catalyst coking.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Wlodzimierz W. Zmierczak, Jan D. Miller
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Publication number: 20120128554Abstract: A method for making an agglomerate of an ore is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the ore with an acid solution and a stucco binder. The stucco binder may include calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The ore agglomerate may include ore, acid solution, and stucco-derived gypsum.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Jan D. Miller, Xuming Wang, Chen-Luh Lin, Phanindra Kodali
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Patent number: 8097185Abstract: A composition of and method for forming activated carbon with magnetic properties for magnetic separation of the activated carbon from a liquid being treated is disclosed wherein a solution iron magnetic precursor is intimately mixed or absorbed into a porous carbon precursor or mixed with a solution or meltable carbon precursor to form an essentially homogeneous mixture or solution that when dried and pyrolized forms activated carbon particles with magnetic material evenly dispersed throughout the activated carbon material. The activated carbon particles may be of fine particle size, even powdered, and still retain magnetic properties sufficient for magnetic separation. In a particular aspect of the invention, a carbon precursor of soft wood is soaked in a solution of a ferric salt, dried, pyrolized and activated.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, Gustavo A. Munoz, Saskia Duyvesteyn
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Publication number: 20110237838Abstract: Processes for conversion of lignin to products such as phenolic compounds and biofuels prepared from such phenolic compounds are disclosed and described. A process for conversion of a lignin material to bio-fuels can include subjecting the lignin material to a base catalyzed depolymerization reaction to produce a partially depolymerized lignin. The partially depolymerized lignin can then be subjected to a stabilization/partial hydrodeoxygenation reaction to form a partially hydrodeoxygenated product. Following partial hydrodeoxygenation, the partially hydrodeoxygenated product can be reacted in a hydroprocessing step to form a bio-fuel. Each of these reaction steps can be performed in single or multiple steps, depending on the design of the process. The production of an intermediate partially hydrodeoxygenation product and subsequent reaction thereof can significantly reduce or eliminate reactor plugging and catalyst coking.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Wlodzimierz W. Zmierczak, Jan D. Miller
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Publication number: 20110223091Abstract: A spinning fluids reactor, includes a reactor body (24) having a circular cross-section and a fluid contactor screen (26) within the reactor body (24). The fluid contactor screen (26) having a plurality of apertures and a circular cross-section concentric with the reactor body (24) for a length thus forming an inner volume (28) bound by the fluid contactor screen (26) and an outer volume (30) bound by the reactor body (24) and the fluid contactor screen (26). A primary inlet (20) can be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce flow-through first spinning flow of a first fluid within the inner volume (28). A secondary inlet (22) can similarly be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce a second flow of a second fluid within the outer volume (30) which is optionally spinning.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2009Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Jan D. Miller, Jan Hupka, Robert Aranowski
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Patent number: 7964761Abstract: Processes for conversion of lignin to liquid products such as bio-fuels and fuel additives are disclosed and described. A process for conversion of a lignin material to bio-fuels can include subjecting the lignin material to a base catalyzed depolymerization reaction to produce a partially depolymerized lignin. The partially depolymerized lignin can then be subjected to a stabilization/partial hydrodeoxygenation reaction to form a partially hydrodeoxygenated product. Following partial hydrodeoxygenation, the partially hydrodeoxygenated product can be reacted in a hydroprocessing step to form a bio-fuel. Each of these reaction steps can be performed in single or multiple steps, depending on the design of the process. The production of an intermediate partially hydrodeoxygenation product and subsequent reaction thereof can significantly reduce or eliminate reactor plugging and catalyst coking.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Wlodzimierz W. Zmierczak, Jan D. Miller
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Publication number: 20100176053Abstract: A modified bioreactor support material having high surface area for removing a contaminant (16) from fluids can include a substrate (10) having a functionalized surface, The functionalized surface can have inorganic or organic non-living functional groups, such that the functional groups bind to or chemically alter the contaminant. A method for making a modified bioreactor support material can include activating a suitable substrate (10) and attaching a biologically-derived functional group carrier such as living microbes (18) or non-living materials (14) derived from living materials to the activated substrate (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Inventors: D. Jack Adams, Jan D. Miller
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Patent number: 7429621Abstract: A method of synthesizing and reacting compounds in a cyclone reactor (10) is disclosed and described. A liquid carrier can be provided which can include solid catalyst particles, liquid catalysts, and/or liquid reactants. The liquid carrier can be formed into a swirl layer (38) within the cyclone reactor (10). A reactant composition including at least one reactant can also be injected through at least a portion of the swirl layer (38) such that at least a portion of the reactant is converted to a reaction product.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, Jan Hupka, Wlodzimierz W. Zmierczak
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Publication number: 20040147397Abstract: A composition of and method for forming activated carbon with magnetic properties for magnetic separation of the activated carbon from a liquid being treated is disclosed wherein a solution iron magnetic precursor is intimately mixed or absorbed into a porous carbon precursor or mixed with a solution or meltable carbon precursor to form an essentially homogeneous mixture or solution that when dried and pyrolized forms activated carbon particles with magnetic material evenly dispersed throughout the activated carbon material. The activated carbon particles may be of fine particle size, even powdered, and still retain magnetic properties sufficient for magnetic separation. In a particular aspect of the invention, a carbon precursor of soft wood is soaked in a solution of a ferric salt, dried, pyrolized and activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Jan D. Miller, Gustavo A Munoz, Saskia Duyvesteyn
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Patent number: 6341697Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating phosphate minerals from a mineral mixture, particularly from high-dolomite containing phosphate ores. The method involves conditioning the mineral mixture by contacting in an aqueous in environment with a collector in an amount sufficient for promoting flotation of phosphate minerals. The collector is a hydroxamate compound of the formula; wherein R is generally hydrophobic and chosen such that the collector has solubility or dispersion properties it can be distributed in the mineral mixture, typically an alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms. M is a cation, typically hydrogen, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, Xuming Wang, Minhua Li
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Patent number: 5318185Abstract: A froth flotation method is disclosed for separating fine particles of fossil resin from by use of frothing reagents which include an aliphatic organic compound having a polar group and containing not more than four carbon atoms. Butanol is an effective frothing reagent in this method.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Inventors: Jan D. Miller, Ye Yi, Qiang Yu
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Patent number: 5068028Abstract: A process for recovering molybdenite from feed materials containing copper sulfide and molybdenite (e.g. copper/molybdenum concentrates from flotation processes) wherein the feed material is treated with ozone and then floated to recover molybdenite.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1990Date of Patent: November 26, 1991Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Yi Ye, Woo-Hyuk Jang
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Patent number: 5008006Abstract: A method for separating ash and sulfur (including pyritic sulfur) contaminants from coal in a flotation process. The method comprises the steps of grinding the coal to small particlate size, forming a slurry of the ground coal and mixing the slurry with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of peroxy compounds, peroxides and superoxides the preferred compound being oxone which is a mixture of potassium monopersulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate. This slurry is allowed to react to condition the particulate coal and develop increased hydrophobicity for the coal while depressing the sulfur contaminants and ash during froth flotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1989Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Inventors: Jan D. Miller, Yi Ye
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Patent number: 4904373Abstract: disclosed is a process for separating resin from a mixture of resin-bearing coal particles by increasing the pH of a froth flotation process to a value of at least 12. Particles of reduced size resin-bearing coal are preferably mixed with water to from a slurry. The pH of the slurry is then adjusted with a chemical agent to about 12. The slurry is then subjected to froth flotation. The coal particles aggregate to one another allowing the remaining resin-rich particles to attach to the bubbles formed during the flotation process. A much improved separation efficiency for resin flotation from coal is observed.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1989Date of Patent: February 27, 1990Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Qiang Yu, Ye Yi