Patents by Inventor Karl Anton Starz

Karl Anton Starz 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: 8361921
    Abstract: Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Dan Goia, Joachim Koehler, Volker Bänisch
  • Publication number: 20120301606
    Abstract: Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Anton STARZ, Dan GOIA, Joachim KOEHLER, Volker BÄNISCH
  • Publication number: 20120077671
    Abstract: Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Dan Goia, Joachim Koehler, Volker Bänisch
  • Patent number: 8071259
    Abstract: Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Dan Goia, Joachim Koehler, Volker Bänisch
  • Patent number: 7754369
    Abstract: An ink is disclosed for producing membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells which contains a catalyst material, an ionomer, water and an organic solvent. The ink is characterized in that the organic solvent is at least one compound from the group of linear dialcohols with a flash point higher than 100° C. and is present in the ink in a concentration between 1 and 50 wt. %, with respect to the weight of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Ralf Zuber, Anita Krämer, Knut Fehl, Joachim Köhler, Sandra Wittpahl
  • Patent number: 7141270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a membrane electrode assembly comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane with two opposing membrane surfaces and a cathode and an anode electrode each comprising a catalyst layer and a gas distribution layer. Each catalyst layer is interposed between a membrane surface and the corresponding gas distribution layer. The catalyst layer of the cathode and/or the catalyst layer of the anode comprise at least two sub-layers. According to the present invention at least one of the sub-layers of the cathode electrode and/or the anode electrode is applied directly to the surface of the membrane while the remaining sub-layers are applied to the corresponding gas distribution layers. Finally the assembly of the coated membrane and the coated gas distribution layers is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sandra Wittpahl, Markus Robert Vogt, Karl-Anton Starz, Joachim Köhler
  • Patent number: 7109145
    Abstract: The invention provides a noble metal-containing supported catalyst which contains one of the noble metals from the group Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os or alloys of one or more of these noble metals in the form of noble metal particles on a powdered support material. The particles deposited on the support material have a degree of crystallinity, determined by X-ray diffraction, of more than 2 and an average particle size between 2 and 10 nm. The high crystallinity and the small particle size of the noble metal particles lead to high catalytic activity for the catalyst. It is particularly suitable for use in fuel cells and for the treatment of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karsten Ruth, Peter Biberbach, Karl-Anton Starz
  • Publication number: 20060188772
    Abstract: Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Dan Goia, Joachim Koehler, Volker Banisch
  • Publication number: 20060177727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst-containing gas diffusion layer for fuel cells, in particular low-temperature fuel cells, e.g. PEMFCs and DMFCs. The gas diffusion layer is used on the anode side of the fuel cell and contains catalyst components which effect removal of carbon monoxide (in the PEMFC) or oxidation of methanol (in the DMFC). The catalyst components are produced directly in the porous substrate material from suitable precursor compounds by heat treatment and are distributed uniformly over the entire volume of the gas diffusion layer. As a result, the catalyst components have a particularly high activity. Furthermore, a process for producing a catalyst-containing gas diffusion layer is described. The gas diffusion layers are used in membrane-electrode units (MEUs) for low-temperature fuel cells, in particular for PEM fuel cells operated using a CO-containing reformate gas. They can also be used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Karsten Ruth, Karl-Anton Starz, Marco Lopez
  • Patent number: 6998149
    Abstract: A process for producing a membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells containing a polymer electrolyte membrane having a first and a second surface parallel to each other. The first surface forms a firm composite with a first catalyst layer and a first water repellent gas distribution layer and said second surface form a firm composite with a second catalyst layer and a second water repellent gas distribution layer. The catalyst layers are prepared by using inks containing electrocatalysts, one or more solvents, proton-conducting ionomer and optionally water repelling agents and pore-forming agents. In the process the two catalyst layers are applied to or contacted with the respective surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane successively, wherein during the application or contacting process to one surface always the opposite surface of the membrane is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Köhler, Karl-Anton Starz, Sandra Wittpahl, Manfred Diehl
  • Patent number: 6893761
    Abstract: The invention comprises a process for making a membrane electrode assembly comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane having two opposite faces, on each face of which is applied a catalyst layer and a gas distribution layer. The two gas distribution layers in the membrane electrode assembly are formed by hydrophobized carbon substrates which, using appropriate inks containing at least one catalyst, dissolved ionomer and solvent, are each coated with a catalyst layer and are then laid on opposite faces of the polymer electrolyte membrane with the catalyst layers still in the moist state. Afterwards, a firm bond between electrolyte membrane, catalyst layers and carbon substrates is produced by treating the membrane electrode assembly at elevated temperature under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Köhler, Anita Krämer, Karl-Anton Starz, Knut Fehl, Armin Bayer
  • Patent number: 6861387
    Abstract: The invention provides a noble metal-containing supported catalyst which contains one of the noble metals from the group Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os or alloys of one or more of these noble metals in the form of noble metal particles on a powdered support material. The particles deposited on the support material have a degree of crystallinity, determined by X-ray diffraction, of more than 2 and an average particle size between 2 and 10 nm. The high crystallinity and the small particle size of the noble metal particles lead to high catalytic activity for the catalyst. It is particularly suitable for use in fuel cells and for the treatment of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karsten Ruth, Peter Biberbach, Karl Anton Starz
  • Publication number: 20040248731
    Abstract: Furnace carbon black which has a hydrogen (H) content of greater than 4000 ppm and a peak integral ratio of non-conjugated H atoms (1250-2000 cm−1) to aromatic and graphitic H atoms (1000-1250 cm−1 and 750-1000 cm−1) of less than 1.22. The furnace carbon black is produced by injecting the liquid carbon black raw material and the gaseous carbon black raw material at the same point in a furnace carbon black process. The furnace carbon black may be used in the preparation of electrocatalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Degussa-Huls AG
    Inventors: Karl Vogel, Emmanuel Auer, Karl-Anton Starz, Peter Albers, Klaus Bergemann, Conny Vogler
  • Patent number: 6797667
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a platinum-ruthenium catalyst and the catalyst prepared therewith. The catalyst can be supported on a support material in powder form or may also be unsupported. To prepare the supported catalyst, the support material is suspended in water and the suspension is heated to at most the boiling point. While keeping the temperature of the suspension the same, solutions of hexachloroplatinic acid and ruthenium chloride are then added to the suspension, then the pH of the suspension is increased to a value between 6.5 and 10 by adding an alkaline solution and the noble metals are thus precipitated onto the support material. Afterwards, one or more organic carboxylic acids and/or their salts are added to the suspension and the catalyst is chemically reduced, washed, dried and optionally subsequently calcined under an inert or reducing atmosphere at a temperature between 300 und 1000° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karsten Ruth, Peter Biberbach, Karl-Anton Starz, Ralph McIntosh
  • Patent number: 6656290
    Abstract: A soldering paste for hard-soldering and coating working parts made of aluminum or aluminum alloys, which contains 25 to 35 percent in weight of a water-miscible organic binding agent on the basis of aliphatic glycols, 25 to 45 percent in weight of an aluminum hard-soldering powder, 25 to 45 percent in weight of an aluminum fluxing agent and, as an additive to influence the rheological properties, 0.01 to 0.2 percent by weight with respect to the total amount of one or several fatty acids with 10 to 20 C atoms and/or their ammonium salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Degussa Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Koch, Leander Staab, Wolfgang Kohlweiler, Karl-Anton Starz
  • Publication number: 20030118890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a membrane electrode assembly comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane with two opposing membrane surfaces and a cathode and an anode electrode each comprising a catalyst layer and a gas distribution layer. Each catalyst layer is interposed between a membrane surface and the corresponding gas distribution layer. The catalyst layer of the cathode and/or the catalyst layer of the anode comprise at least two sub-layers. According to the present invention at least one of the sub-layers of the cathode electrode and/or the anode electrode is applied directly to the surface of the membrane while the remaining sub-layers are applied to the corresponding gas distribution layers. Finally the assembly of the coated membrane and the coated gas distribution layers is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: OMG AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sandra Wittpahl, Markus Robert Vogt, Karl-Anton Starz, Joachim Kohler
  • Patent number: 6558746
    Abstract: A coating composition for producing electrically conductive coatings, containing one or more electrically conductive pigments and an organic binder, as well as, optionally, additives and auxiliary agents, in an aqueous solvent, which organic binder contains a copolymer dispersible in water and based on (meth)acrylate- and silylated, unsaturated monomers. The total content of organic solvents in the composition does not exceed 0.5% by weight. The coatings thus obtained are especially well-bonded and resistant to mechanical influences and to solvents, and exhibit suitable conductivity (sheet resistivity) values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ferro GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Willi Peter
  • Publication number: 20030059658
    Abstract: The invention comprises a process for making a membrane electrode assembly comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane having two opposite faces, on each face of which is applied a catalyst layer and a gas distribution layer. The two gas distribution layers in the membrane electrode assembly are formed by hydrophobized carbon substrates which, using appropriate inks containing at least one catalyst, dissolved ionomer and solvent, are each coated with a catalyst layer and are then laid on opposite faces of the polymer electrolyte membrane with the catalyst layers still in the moist state. Afterwards, a firm bond between electrolyte membrane, catalyst layers and carbon substrates is produced by treating the membrane electrode assembly at elevated temperature under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: OMG AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Kohler, Anita Kramer, Karl-Anton Starz, Knut Fehl, Armin Bayer
  • Publication number: 20030045425
    Abstract: The invention provides a noble metal-containing supported catalyst which contains one of the noble metals from the group Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os or alloys of one or more of these noble metals in the form of noble metal particles on a powdered support material. The particles deposited on the support material have a degree of crystallinity, determined by X-ray diffraction, of more than 2 and an average particle size between 2 and 10 nm. The high crystallinity and the small particle size of the noble metal particles lead to high catalytic activity for the catalyst. It is particularly suitable for use in fuel cells and for the treatment of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: OMG AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karsten Ruth, Peter Biberbach, Karl Anton Starz
  • Publication number: 20030017378
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a platinum-ruthenium catalyst and the catalyst prepared therewith. The catalyst can be supported on a support material in powder form or may also be unsupported. To prepare the supported catalyst, the support material is suspended in water and the suspension is heated to at most the boiling point. While keeping the temperature of the suspension the same, solutions of hexachloroplatinic acid and ruthenium chloride are then added to the suspension, then the pH of the suspension is increased to a value between 6.5 and 10 by adding an alkaline solution and the noble metals are thus precipitated onto the support material. Afterwards, one or more organic carboxylic acids and/or their salts are added to the suspension and the catalyst is chemically reduced, washed, dried and optionally subsequently calcined under an inert or reducing atmosphere at a temperature between 300 und 1000° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: OMG AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karsten Ruth, Peter Biberbach, Karl-Anton Starz, Ralph McIntosh