Patents by Inventor Jan Fransaer

Jan Fransaer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240175156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering platinum group metals from a feed containing one or more precursor compounds of one or more platinum group metal ions, wherein the process comprises the steps of (i) supplying to a cathode compartment of an electrochemical cell equipped with a cathode comprising a gas diffusion electrode with a porous electrochemically active material, the feed containing the one or more precursor compounds to form a liquid phase in the cathode compartment, (ii) supplying a CO2 containing gas to the cathode compartment, (iii) applying a potential to the cathode which is such as to cause electrochemical reduction of the CO2 to CO, (iv) and recovering from the liquid phase precipitated particles of the one or more platinum group metals in clemental form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicants: VITO NV, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Jan Fransaer, Omar Martinez-Mora, Xochitl Dominguez
  • Patent number: 11121422
    Abstract: Ionic compounds containing an anion, and a cation having the following structural formula (1): R1R2R3N+-(linker1)-O-(linker2)-(FC)??(1) wherein: R1 and R2 either linear or branched alkyl groups or together form a N-heterocylic ring with the nitrogen atom to which they are joined; R3 is linear or branched alkyl group; linker1 and linker2 are alkylene chains or polyether chains; and the group FC is a fluorinated alkyl group, as well as an electrolyte material comprising such an ionic compound and a metal salt, and metal-air batteries using such an electrolyte material. The invention also relates to a metal-air battery containing an electrolyte material, wherein the electrolyte material comprises at least one ionic compound and a metal salt, and wherein at least one ionic compound contains an anion CnF2n+1COO? or CnF2n+1SO3?, where in each case n is at least 1 and at most 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN, K.U. LEUVEN R&D
    Inventors: Fanny Barde, Gijs Vanhoutte, Sandra Dorota Hojniak-Thyssen, Koen Binnemans, Jan Fransaer
  • Publication number: 20190190104
    Abstract: Ionic compounds containing an anion, and a cation having the following structural formula (1): R1R2R3N+-(linker1)-O-(linker2)-(FC)??(1) wherein: R1 and R2 either linear or branched alkyl groups or together form a N-heterocylic ring with the nitrogen atom to which they are joined; R3 is linear or branched alkyl group; linker1 and linker2 are alkylene chains or polyether chains; and the group FC is a fluorinated alkyl group, as well as an electrolyte material comprising such an ionic compound and a metal salt, and metal-air batteries using such an electrolyte material. The invention also relates to a metal-air battery containing an electrolyte material, wherein the electrolyte material comprises at least one ionic compound and a metal salt, and wherein at least one ionic compound contains an anion CnF2n+1COO? or CnF2n+1SO3?, where in each case n is at least 1 and at most 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN, K.U. LEUVEN R&D
    Inventors: Fanny BARDE, Gijs VANHOUTTE, Sandra Dorota HOJNIAK-THYSSEN, Koen BINNEMANS, Jan FRANSAER
  • Publication number: 20150292105
    Abstract: Nano-sized particles of carbon black and various metal ions are mixed to form substantially homogenous solutions or dispersions. The nano-sized particles of carbon black and metal ions are electroplated on various types of substrates as composites of one or more metals and substantially uniformly dispersed nano-sized particles of carbon black within the metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Wan Zhang-Beglinger, Linda Stappers, Jan Fransaer, Michael P. Toben
  • Publication number: 20110266504
    Abstract: A method to electrodeposit or electroless deposit material onto substrates from ionic liquids in vacuum or in a protective atmosphere after exposing the ionic liquid to vacuum and the resulting material. According to the invention, dense layers, free of unwanted components, can be produced in vacuum or in a protective atmosphere after exposing the ionic liquid to vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventor: Jan Fransaer
  • Patent number: 8025838
    Abstract: The invention provides a process of making porous structures or materials, including the colloidal processing (e.g. slip casting, pressure casting, tape casting or electrophoretic deposition) of solid particle emulsions to form a green body that can be directly sintered without a de-binding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: K.U. Leuven Research & Development
    Inventors: Bram Neirinck, Jozef Vleugels, Jan Fransaer, Omer Van Der Biest
  • Publication number: 20110168558
    Abstract: From an environmental, safety and economic perspective water should be the solvent of choice for electrophoretic deposition under industrial circumstances. However, because of the electrolytic decomposition of water, the majority of EPD is carried out in non-aqueous solvents. Approaches of the art for aqueous deposition involve the separation of the reaction and deposition front by means of a membrane, the use of palladium electrodes to absorb the formed hydrogen, addition of chemicals to suppress the electrolysis reaction, or lowering voltages below the threshold for water electrolysis. With the first two solutions, the production of coatings is impractical since the deposit is not formed on the electrode, or the electrode material is not suitable since the substrate is usually prescribed by the application. The use of specialty chemicals is expensive and difficult to control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Jan Fransaer, Bram Neirinck, Omer Van Der Biest, Jozef Vleugels
  • Publication number: 20110139617
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a new process for depositing a thick compact layer of biomolecules for instance such a layer with thickness in the ?m scale and, for depositing a thick compact layer of cells in the ?m scale. The deposited layer is made by application of an unbalanced (asymmetrical) alternating voltage polarization between two electrodes to a dissolved biomolecule or cell from low conductivity solutions. The process allows the rapid manufacturing of sensors and the coating of devices with functional cells and biomolecules. Examples are provided on the preparation of functional sensors such as a glucose, a lactose sensor, a hydrogen peroxide sensor and a glutamate sensor. Examples are also provided on the deposition of eukaryoric cells such as saccharomyces cerevisiae. The examples demonstrate a process that can be applied to coat devices with biomolecules and biological cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U.Leuven R&D
    Inventors: Jan FRANSAER, Malika Ammam
  • Patent number: 7803665
    Abstract: Manufacturing a semiconductor device involves forming (200) a sacrificial layer where a micro cavity is to be located, forming (210) a metal layer of thickness greater than 1 micron over the sacrificial layer, forming (220) a porous layer from the metal layer, the porous layer having pores of length greater than ten times their breadth, and having a breadth in the range 10 nm-500 nanometers. The pores can be created by anodising, electrodeposition or dealloying. Then the sacrificial layer can be removed (230) through the porous layer, to form the micro cavity, and pores can be sealed (240). Encapsulating MEMS devices with a porous layer can reduce costs by avoiding using photolithography for shaping the access holes since the sacrificial layer is removed through the porous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&D
    Inventors: Ann Witvrouw, Chris Van Hoof, Raquel Consuelo Hellin Rico, Anthony Joseph Muscat, Jan Fransaer, Jean-Pierre Celis
  • Publication number: 20100233009
    Abstract: The invention provides a process of making porous structures or materials, including the colloidal processing (e.g. slip casting, pressure casting, tape casting or electrophoretic deposition) of solid particle emulsions to form a green body that can be directly sintered without a de-binding step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: K.U. LEUVEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Bram Neirinek, Jozef VLEUGELS, Jan FRANSAER, Omer VAN DER BIEST
  • Publication number: 20100210073
    Abstract: Manufacturing a semiconductor device involves forming (200) a sacrificial layer where a micro cavity is to be located, forming (210) a metal layer of thickness greater than 1 micron over the sacrificial layer, forming (220) a porous layer from the metal layer, the porous layer having pores of length greater than ten times their breadth, and having a breadth in the range 10 nm-500 nanometers. The pores can be created by anodising, electrodeposition or dealloying. Then the sacrificial layer can be removed (230) through the porous layer, to form the micro cavity, and pores can be sealed (240). Encapsulating MEMS devices with a porous layer can reduce costs by avoiding using photolithography for shaping the access holes since the sacrificial layer is removed through the porous membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: IMEC, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN, K.U. LEUVEN R&D
    Inventors: Ann Witvrouw, Chris Van Hoof, Jan Fransaer, Jean-Pierre Celis, Raquel Consuelo Hellin Rico, Anthony Joseph Muscat
  • Publication number: 20100074787
    Abstract: The invention provides a process of making porous structures or materials, including the colloidal processing (e.g. slip casting, pressure casting, tape casting or electrophoretic deposition) of solid particle emulsions to form a green body that can be directly sintered without a de-binding step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: K.U. LEUVEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Bram NEIRINCK, Jozef VLEUGELS, Jan FRANSAER, Omer VAN DER BIEST
  • Publication number: 20090252635
    Abstract: The invention provides a process of making porous structures or materials, including the colloidal processing (e.g. slip casting, pressure casting, tape casting or electrophoretic deposition) of solid particle emulsions to form a green body that can be directly sintered without a de-binding step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: K.U.LEUVEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Bram Neirinck, Jozef Vleugels, Jan Fransaer, Omer Van Der Biest
  • Publication number: 20080159899
    Abstract: The invention provides a process of making porous structures or materials, including the colloidal processing (e.g. slip casting, pressure casting, tape casting or electrophoretic deposition) of solid particle emulsions to form a green body that can be directly sintered without a de-binding step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: K.U.LEUVEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Bram Neirinck, Jozef Vleugels, Jan Fransaer, Omer Van Der Biest
  • Publication number: 20080135998
    Abstract: Manufacturing a semiconductor device involves forming (200) a sacrificial layer where a micro cavity is to be located, forming (210) a metal layer of thickness greater than 1 micron over the sacrificial layer, forming (220) a porous layer from the metal layer, the porous layer having pores of length greater than ten times their breadth, and having a breadth in the range 10 nm-500 nanometers. The pores can be created by anodising, electrodeposition or dealloying. Then the sacrificial layer can be removed (230) through the porous layer, to form the micro cavity, and pores can be sealed (240). Encapsulating MEMS devices with a porous layer can reduce costs by avoiding using photolithography for shaping the access holes since the sacrificial layer is removed through the porous membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicants: INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICROELEKTRONICA CENTRUM (IMEC), KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Ann Witvrouw, Chris Van Hoof, Jan Fransaer, Jean-Pierre Celis, Anthony Joseph Muscat, Raquel Consuelo Hellin Rico