Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Libera

Joseph A. Libera 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: 20150031157
    Abstract: A system and method for continuous atomic layer deposition. The system and method includes a housing, a moving bed which passes through the housing, a plurality of precursor gases and associated input ports and the amount of precursor gases, position of the input ports, and relative velocity of the moving bed and carrier gases enabling exhaustion of the precursor gases at available reaction sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Angel Yanguas-Gil, Joseph A. Libera
  • Publication number: 20140235436
    Abstract: A high surface area catalyst with a mesoporous support structure and a thin conformal coating over the surface of the support structure. The high surface area catalyst support is adapted for carrying out a reaction in a reaction environment where the thin conformal coating protects the support structure within the reaction environment. In various embodiments, the support structure is a mesoporous silica catalytic support and the thin conformal coating comprises a layer of metal oxide resistant to the reaction environment which may be a hydrothermal environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Argonne National Laboratory
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Christopher L. Marshall, Joseph A. Libera, James A. Dumesic, Yomaira J. Pagan-Torres
  • Patent number: 8741800
    Abstract: A high surface area catalyst with a mesoporous support structure and a thin conformal coating over the surface of the support structure. The high surface area catalyst support is adapted for carrying out a reaction in a reaction environment where the thin conformal coating protects the support structure within the reaction environment. In various embodiments, the support structure is a mesoporous silica catalytic support and the thin conformal coating comprises a layer of metal oxide resistant to the reaction environment which may be a hydrothermal environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Christopher L. Marshall, Joseph A. Libera, James A. Dumesic, Yomaira J. Pagan-Torres
  • Publication number: 20140053779
    Abstract: The invention is directed to QCM measurements in monitoring ALD processes. Previously, significant barriers remain in the ALD processes and accurate execution. To turn this exclusively dedicated in situ technique into a routine characterization method, an integral QCM fixture was developed. This new design is easily implemented on a variety of ALD tools, allows rapid sample exchange, prevents backside deposition, and minimizes both the footprint and flow disturbance. Unlike previous QCM designs, the fast thermal equilibration enables tasks such as temperature-dependent studies and ex situ sample exchange, further highlighting the feasibility of this QCM design for day-to-day use. Finally, the in situ mapping of thin film growth rates across the ALD reactor was demonstrated in a popular commercial tool operating in both continuous and quasi-static ALD modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Alex B. F. Martinson, Joseph A. Libera, Jeffrey W. Elam, Shannon C. Riha
  • Patent number: 8318248
    Abstract: Methods for the selective deposition of materials within a porous substrate. The methods use the passivating effects of masking precursors applied to the porous substrate. A portion of a pore surface within the substrate is masked by exposing the substrate to one or more masking precursors. The depth of the pore surface that is masked is controllable by regulating the exposure of the substrate to the masking precursor. Application of the masking precursor prevents adsorption of one or more subsequently applied metal precursors about a portion of the pore surface coated by the masking precursor. Less than an entirety of the unmasked pore surface is coated by the metal precursor, forming a metal stripe on a portion of the pore surface. The depth of the metal stripe is controllable by regulating exposure of the porous substrate to the metal precursor. Subsequent exposure of the substrate to a saturating water application oxidizes the deposited precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Joseph A. Libera, Michael J. Pellin, Peter C. Stair
  • Publication number: 20120021898
    Abstract: A high surface area catalyst with a mesoporous support structure and a thin conformal coating over the surface of the support structure. The high surface area catalyst support is adapted for carrying out a reaction in a reaction environment where the thin conformal coating protects the support structure within the reaction environment. In various embodiments, the support structure is a mesoporous silica catalytic support and the thin conformal coating comprises a layer of metal oxide resistant to the reaction environment which may be a hydrothermal environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Christopher L. Marshall, Joseph A. Libera, James A. Dumesic, Yomaira J. Pagan-Torres
  • Publication number: 20110206846
    Abstract: A method of preparing light transmitting conducting metal oxide (TCO) films using atomic layer deposition (ALD) of a metal precursor multiple oxidizing reactants. The multiple metal oxidizing reactants may be selected to enhance growth of the TCO film. In a particular embodiment, an indium oxide TCO film is prepared using a cyclopentadienyl indium precursor and a combination of water and oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. ELAM, Joseph A. Libera
  • Patent number: 7972569
    Abstract: A catalyst includes a carrier body and a catalytic portion carried by the carrier body. The catalytic portion includes a plurality of distinct layers of catalytic material, which layers may be deposited through atomic layer deposition techniques. The catalyst may have a selectivity for the conversion of alkanes to alkenes of over 50%. The catalyst may be incorporated in a reactor such as a fluidized bed reactor or a single pass reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Michael J. Pellin, Joseph A. Libera, Peter C. Stair, Gerry Zajac, Steven A. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20090304920
    Abstract: Methods for the selective deposition of materials within a porous substrate. The methods use the passivating effects of masking precursors applied to the porous substrate. A portion of a pore surface within the substrate is masked by exposing the substrate to one or more masking precursors. The depth of the pore surface that is masked is controllable by regulating the exposure of the substrate to the masking precursor. Application of the masking precursor prevents adsorption of one or more subsequently applied metal precursors about a portion of the pore surface coated by the masking precursor. Less than an entirety of the unmasked pore surface is coated by the metal precursor, forming a metal stripe on a portion of the pore surface. The depth of the metal stripe is controllable by regulating exposure of the porous substrate to the metal precursor. Subsequent exposure of the substrate to a saturating water application oxidizes the deposited precursors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. ELAM, Joseph A. Libera, Michael J. Pellin, Peter C. Stair
  • Publication number: 20090191101
    Abstract: A catalyst includes a carrier body and a catalytic portion carried by the carrier body. The catalytic portion includes a plurality of distinct layers of catalytic material, which layers may be deposited through atomic layer deposition techniques. The catalyst may have a selectivity for the conversion of alkanes to alkenes of over 50%. The catalyst may be incorporated in a reactor such as a fluidized bed reactor or a single pass reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. ELAM, Michael J. Pellin, Joseph A. Libera, Peter C. Stair, Gerry Zajac, Steven A. Cohen
  • Patent number: 6740403
    Abstract: Isolated graphitic polyhedral crystal and methods for their isolation are provided wherein the crystals have graphite sheets arranged in a plurality of layers to form an elongated structure having a long axis and a diameter and having 7 or more external facets running substantially the length of the long axis, and take a variety of forms, such as needles, giant nanotubes, nanorods, whiskers, rings, cones, double tipped pyramids and others, as well as their use in a variety of nanoscale devices and endproducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yury Gogotsi, Joseph A. Libera, Masahiro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20020141934
    Abstract: Isolated graphitic polyhedral crystal and methods for their isolation are provided wherein the crystals have graphite sheets arranged in a plurality of layers to form an elongated structure having a long axis and a diameter and having 7 or more external facets running substantially the length of the long axis, and take a variety of forms, such as needles, giant nanotubes, nanorods, whiskers, rings, cones, double tipped pyramids and others, as well as their use in a variety of nanoscale devices and endproducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yury Gogotsi, Joseph A. Libera, Masahiro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 5882432
    Abstract: A method of cleaning polyurethane foams where the material is transported through a wash station while alternately soaking the polyurethane foam in an organic solvent and squeezing solvent from the polyurethane foam a number of times. Then the polyurethane foam is sent through a rinse or solvent transfer station for reducing the concentration of solvent in the foam. The rinsed polyurethane foam is sent to a drying station wherein the foam is repeatedly squeezed while being exposed to hot air to remove wet air from the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Bassam Jody, Edward Daniels, Joseph A. Libera