Patents by Inventor John Slack

John Slack 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: 12212007
    Abstract: Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Patent number: 12132239
    Abstract: An ink for forming nanofiber fuel cell electrodes, and methods of ink formulations, and membrane-electrode-assemblies for electrochemical devices. The ink includes a first amount of a catalyst, a second amount of an ionomer in a salt form, and a third amount of a carrier polymer dispersed in one or more solvents, where a weight ratio of the first amount to the second and third amounts is in a range of about 1-1.5, and a weight ratio of the second amount to the third amount is in a range of about 1-3. The ink has a solids concentration in a range of about 1-30 wt %. Preferably, the solids concentration is in a range of about 10-15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peter N. Pintauro, John Slack
  • Patent number: 11984629
    Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: John Slack, Andrew Baker
  • Patent number: 11894589
    Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: John Slack, Andrew Baker
  • Publication number: 20230106972
    Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: John Slack, Andrew Baker
  • Publication number: 20220131170
    Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: John Slack, Andrew Baker
  • Patent number: 11283097
    Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: John Slack, Andrew Baker
  • Patent number: 11283083
    Abstract: Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Publication number: 20220052366
    Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: John Slack, Andrew Baker
  • Publication number: 20220013790
    Abstract: Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Patent number: 11158864
    Abstract: Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Publication number: 20200365909
    Abstract: Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Publication number: 20200365910
    Abstract: Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Publication number: 20190245233
    Abstract: An ink for forming nanofiber fuel cell electrodes, and methods of ink formulations, and membrane-electrode-assemblies for electrochemical devices. The ink includes a first amount of a catalyst, a second amount of an ionomer in a salt form, and a third amount of a carrier polymer dispersed in one or more solvents, where a weight ratio of the first amount to the second and third amounts is in a range of about 1-1.5, and a weight ratio of the second amount to the third amount is in a range of about 1-3. The ink has a solids concentration in a range of about 1-30 wt %. Preferably, the solids concentration is in a range of about 10-15%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Peter N. Pintauro, John Slack
  • Publication number: 20180244237
    Abstract: A cargo alarm system has an alarm housing mounted to a vehicle. An alarm unit is contained by the alarm system housing. A first electrical connector is electrically connected to the alarm unit. A second electrical connector is electrically connected to the alarm unit. An electrical cable is electrically connectable at one end to the first electrical connector and at the opposite end to the second electrical connector. The alarm unit operates to detect cutting or unplugging of the electrical cable and generating an alarm signal in response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Patent number: 8477021
    Abstract: A proximity warning and collision avoidance for a machine on a worksite operating near obstacles is disclosed. The proximity warning system includes an operator interface including first group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, a second group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, an audio indicator operable at a first volume and at a second volume, and operator inputs configured to receive selections from an operator. The proximity warning system is configured to provide both low level and high level alarms to an operator when an obstacle approaches or enters a safe zone, and when the machine approaches and enters a hazard zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: John Slack
  • Publication number: 20120098653
    Abstract: A proximity warning and collision avoidance for a machine on a worksite operating near obstacles is disclosed. The proximity warning system includes an operator interface including first group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, a second group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, an audio indicator operable at a first volume and at a second volume, and operator inputs configured to receive selections from an operator. The proximity warning system is configured to provide both low level and high level alarms to an operator when an obstacle approaches or enters a safe zone, and when the machine approaches and enters a hazard zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: JOHN SLACK
  • Patent number: D243645
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: World Carpets
    Inventor: John Slack