Patents by Inventor Jeffrey L. Bahr
Jeffrey L. Bahr 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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Patent number: 8455583Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites, i.e., nanocomposites, wherein the CNTs in such nanocomposites are highly dispersed in a polymer matrix, and wherein the nanocomposites comprise a compatibilizing surfactant that interacts with both the CNTs and the polymer matrix. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these nanocomposites. In some such methods, the compatibilizing surfactant provides initial CNT dispersion and subsequent mixing with a polymer. The present invention is also directed to methods of using these nanocomposites in a variety of applications.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: University of HoustonInventors: Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Cynthia A. Mitchell, Jeffrey L. Bahr
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Publication number: 20120312560Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses useful for forming a seal in a subterranean wellbore and methods for using the disclosed apparatuses for forming a seal in a wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicants: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Nanocomposites Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Bahr, S. Gina Butuc, Manuel Quevedo-Lopez
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Publication number: 20120312102Abstract: Disclosed are polymer nanocomposites that can serve as piezoresistive compositions. Also disclosed are sensors comprising the disclosed piezoresistive compositions and methods for using the disclosed sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicants: The University of Texas System, Nanocomposites Inc.Inventors: Noe T. alvarez, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Manuel Quevedo-Lopez
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Publication number: 20120240452Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of improved biodiesel fuel from feedstocks containing both fatty acids and glycerides by reactive distillation. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of improved biodiesel fuels meeting or exceeding the ASTM D6751-10 Specification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Kenneth L. Erdoes, JR., Jeffrey L. Bahr
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Patent number: 7892517Abstract: Methods for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications, and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions, thermally induced reactions, and photochemically induced reactions. Moreover, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the derivatized nanotubes are chemically compatible with a polymer matrix, allowing transfer of the properties of the nanotubes (such as, mechanical strength or electrical conductivity) to the properties of the composite material as a whole.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: William Marsh UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Jiping Yang
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Patent number: 7691359Abstract: The invention incorporates new processes for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes. Such processes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications, and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions, thermally induced reactions (via in-situ generation of diazonium compounds or pre-formed diazonium compounds), and photochemically induced reactions. The derivatization causes significant changes in the spectroscopic properties of the nanotubes. The estimated degree of functionality is ca. 1 out of every 20 to 30 carbons in a nanotube bearing a functionality moiety.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Jiping Yang
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Publication number: 20090301896Abstract: Methods for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications, and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions, thermally induced reactions, and photochemically induced reactions. Moreover, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the derivatized nanotubes are chemically compatible with a polymer matrix, allowing transfer of the properties of the nanotubes (such as, mechanical strength or electrical conductivity) to the properties of the composite material as a whole.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2007Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Jiping Yang
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Patent number: 7488875Abstract: A carbon nanotube material that comprises carbon nanotubes, a magnesia support and a catalyst metal can be purified by contacting it with a mixture comprising carbon dioxide and water. At least some of the magnesia support is reacted to form water-soluble compounds.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Unidym, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Bahr, Yuemei Yang, Kenneth O. McElrath, Martin P. Grosboll, Aurelie Mayeux
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Publication number: 20090030090Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites, i.e., nanocomposites, wherein the CNTs in such nanocomposites are highly dispersed in a polymer matrix, and wherein the nanocomposites comprise a compatibilizing surfactant that interacts with both the CNTs and the polymer matrix. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these nanocomposites. In some such methods, the compatibilizing surfactant provides initial CNT dispersion and subsequent mixing with a polymer. The present invention is also directed to methods of using these nanocomposites in a variety of applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2005Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: University of HoustonInventors: Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Cynthia A. Mitchell, Jeffrey L. Bahr
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Patent number: 7384815Abstract: The present invention is directed towards processes for covalently attaching molecular wires and molecular electronic devices to carbon nanotubes and compositions thereof. Such processes utilize diazonium chemistry to bring about this marriage of wire-like nanotubes with molecular wires and molecular electronic devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Jiping Yang
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Patent number: 7304103Abstract: The present invention incorporates new processes for blending derivatized carbon nanotubes into polymer matrices to create new polymer/composite materials. When modified with suitable chemical groups using diazonium chemistry, the nanotubes can be made chemically compatible with a polymer matrix, allowing transfer of the properties of the nanotubes (such as mechanical strength) to the properties of the composite material as a whole. To achieve this, the derivatized (modified) carbon nanotubes are physically blended with the polymeric material, and/or, if desired, allowed to react at ambient or elevated temperature. These methods can be utilized to append functionalities to the nanotubes that will further covalently bond to the host polymer matrix, or directly between two tubes themselves.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Jiping Yang
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Patent number: 7250147Abstract: The invention incorporates new processes for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes. Such processes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions thermally induced reactions (via in-situ generation of diazonium compounds or pre-formed diazonium compounds), and photochemically induced reactions. The derivatization causes significant changes in the spectroscopic properties of the nanotubes. The estimated degree of functionality is ca. 1 out of every 20 to 30 carbons in a nanotube bearing a functionality moiety.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Inventors: James M. Tour, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Jiping Yang
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Publication number: 20040197638Abstract: Electrodes for polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cells comprise carbon nanotubes and catalytically active metal. In one embodiment, anode electrodes are prepared by depositing catalytic metal on carbon nanotubes, and forming the carbon nanotubes into a membrane. Anode electrodes comprising carbon nanotubes provide higher fuel cell performance with a much lower platinum loading than conventional carbon-based electrode material having a much higher platinum loading. In another embodiment, a catalyst ink comprising carbon nanotubes and a catalytic metal-loaded carbon powder was used to form an electrode membrane. The catalyst ink comprising carbon nanotubes and catalyst-loaded carbon powder can optionally comprise an ionically conductive polymer, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer. In another embodiment, a fuel cell electrode comprising carbon nanotubes and catalytically active metal is a free-standing electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Kenneth A. Smith, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Thomas J. Wainerdi, David A. Karohl, Daniel T. Colbert, Michael Andrew Miller, Henry Wayne Oviatt, Eric D. Cline
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Publication number: 20040071624Abstract: The invention incorporates new processes for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes. Such processes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions thermally induced reactions (via in-situ generation of diazonium compounds or pre-formed diazonium compounds), and photochemically induced reactions. The derivatization causes significant changes in the spectroscopic properties of the nanotubes. The estimated degree of functionality is ca. 1 out of every 20 to 30 carbons in a nanotube bearing a functionality moiety.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: James M. Tour, Jeffrey L. Bahr, Jiping Yang