Patents by Inventor Kenneth O. McElrath
Kenneth O. McElrath 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: 7811542Abstract: A method for making carbon nanotube particulates involves providing a catalyst comprising catalytic metals, such as iron and molybdenum or metals from Group VIB or Group VIIIB elements, on a support material, such as magnesia, and contacting the catalyst with a gaseous carbon-containing feedstock, such as methane, at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient contact time to make small-diameter carbon nanotubes having one or more walls and outer wall diameters of less than about 3 nm. Removal of the support material from the carbon nanotubes yields particulates of enmeshed carbon nanotubes that retain an approximate three-dimensional shape and size of the particulate support that was removed. The carbon nanotube particulates can comprise ropes of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube particulates disperse well in polymers and show high conductivity in polymers at low loadings. As electrical emitters, the carbon nanotube particulates exhibit very low “turn on” emission field.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Unidym, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Yuemei Yang, Kenneth A. Smith, Xiaodong Hu
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Publication number: 20100254886Abstract: A method for making carbon nanotube particulates involves providing a catalyst comprising catalytic metals, such as iron and molybdenum or metals from Group VIB or Group VIIIB elements, on a support material, such as magnesia, and contacting the catalyst with a gaseous carbon-containing feedstock, such as methane, at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient contact time to make small-diameter carbon nanotubes having one or more walls and outer wall diameters of less than about 3 nm. Removal of the support material from the carbon nanotubes yields particulates of enmeshed carbon nanotubes that retain an approximate three-dimensional shape and size of the particulate support that was removed. The carbon nanotube particulates can comprise ropes of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube particulates disperse well in polymers and show high conductivity in polymers at low loadings. As electrical emitters, the carbon nanotube particulates exhibit very low “turn on” emission field.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2006Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Yuemei Yang, Kenneth A. Smith, Xiaodong Hu
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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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Patent number: 7226962Abstract: The invention provides a method for increasing the viscosity of halogenated (brominated) elastomeric copolymers of a C4 to C7 isomonoolefin (isobutylene) and a para-alkylstryrene (p-methylstyrene) by mixing the copolymer with a silica or clay particulate filler which has been contacted with an aminosilane containing at least one C1 to C4 alkoxy group and at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine group. The resulting elastomer compositions are used to prepare thermoplastic elastomer blend compositions, containing more finely dispersed elastomers which results in compositions having improved mechanical properties.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Tsou, Hsien-Chang Wang, Kenneth O. McElrath, Ilan Duvdevani, Michael K. Lyon, Mun Fu Tse
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Patent number: 6936653Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a weight fraction of single-wall carbon nanotubes and at least one polar polymer wherein the composite has an electrical and/or thermal conductivity enhanced over that of the polymer alone. The invention also comprises a method for making this polymer composition. The present application provides composite compositions that, over a wide range of single-wall carbon nanotube loading, have electrical conductivities exceeding those known in the art by more than one order of magnitude. The electrical conductivity enhancement depends on the weight fraction (F) of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the composite. The electrical conductivity of the composite of this invention is at least 5 Siemens per centimeter (S/cm) at (F) of 0.5 (i.e. where single-wall carbon nanotube loading weight represents half of the total composite weight), at least 1 S/cm at a F of 0.1, at least 1×10?4 S/cm at (F) of 0.004, at least 6×10?9 S/cm at (F) of 0.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Carbon NanoTechnologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Kenneth A. Smith, Thomas M. Tiano, Margaret E. Roylance
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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: 20040150312Abstract: A carbon nanotube electron emitter comprises carbon nanotube particulates on a surface, wherein the carbon nanotube particulates comprise entangled small-diameter carbon nanotubes having one, two, three or four walls and having an outer wall diameter in the range of about 0.5 nm and about 3 nm. The carbon nanotube particulate electron emitter has a cross-sectional dimensional in a range of about 0.1 micron and about 100 microns, preferably about 0.1 micron to about 3 microns. The carbon nanotube particulate electron emitters can comprise ropes of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube particulates are easily dispersed in polymers and other media. The carbon nanotube particulates can be dispersed in a viscous media and applied to a surface by various means. The carbon nanotube particulate electron emitter exhibits very low “turn-on” emission field and can be used in a variety of field emission devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Yuemei Yang, Kenneth A. Smith
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Publication number: 20040147639Abstract: The invention provides a method for increasing the viscosity of halogenated (brominated) elastomeric copolymers of a C4 to C7 isomonoolefin (isobutylene) and a para-alkylstryrene (p-methylstyrene) by mixing the copolymer with a silica or clay particulate filler which has been contacted with an aminosilane containing at least one C1 to C4 alkoxy group and at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine group. The resulting elastomer compositions are used to prepare thermoplastic elastomer blend compositions, containing more finely dispersed elastomers which results in compositions having improved mechanical properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Andy H Tsou, Hsien-Chang Wang, Kenneth O McElrath, Ilan Duvdevani, Michael K Lyon, Mun Fu Tse
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Publication number: 20040013598Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, processes and materials comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes serve to transport heat to or from a nanometer scale region wherein that heat is generated or dissipated. Because of their small physical size, excellent heat conductivity, and relatively large surface area, single-wall carbon nanotubes are novel in their function as nanometer-scale agents for heat transport. Appropriately configured in association with a source of heat such as the catalyst for an exothermic polymerization reaction, single wall carbon nanotubes can effectively conduct heat away from the reaction site. This thermal management on a molecular level enables a new class of materials and processes in all areas where heat transport is important. Additionally, new materials such as improved polymer compositions are produced by processes that are thermally-managed at the molecular level by the objects of this invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Kenneth A. Smith
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Publication number: 20030216502Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a weight fraction of single-wall carbon nanotubes and at least one polar polymer wherein the composite has an electrical and/or thermal conductivity enhanced over that of the polymer alone. The invention also comprises a method for making this polymer composition. The present application provides composite compositions that, over a wide range of single-wall carbon nanotube loading, have electrical conductivities exceeding those known in the art by more than one order of magnitude. The electrical conductivity enhancement depends on the weight fraction (F) of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the composite. The electrical conductivity of the composite of this invention is at least 5 Siemens per centimeter (S/cm) at (F) of 0.5 (i.e. where single-wall carbon nanotube loading weight represents half of the total composite weight), at least 1 S/cm at a F of 0.1, at least 1×10−4 S/cm at (F) of 0.004, at least 6×10−9 S/cm at (F) of 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Kenneth A. Smith, Thomas M. Tiano, Margaret E. Roylance
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Patent number: 6624220Abstract: Transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions are provided. The transparent elastomeric compositions can be covulcanized with rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber or natural rubber. The colorable rubber compositions have sufficient properties to function as a reinforcing member in an automobile tire. Preferably, both the transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions include at least one copolymer of a C4 to C7 isoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene, silica and a coupling agent.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Walter H Waddell, Robert R. Poulter, Kenneth O. McElrath, John E. Rogers, Wai K. Wong, Hsien C. Wang, Timothy A. Mills
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Patent number: 5591551Abstract: A lithographic coating and method of framing a lithographic image are disclosed. The method comprises coating at least a portion of a surface of an article with a radiation-crosslinkable polymer, and exposing the coated surface to a pattern of radiation to crosslink the polymer in a lithographic image. The functionalized polymer is a copolymer of an isoolefin of 4 to 7 carbon atoms and para-alkylstyrene, wherein the para-alkylstyrene is functionalized with a radiation reactive group at the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Jay D. Audett, Kenneth O. McElrath
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Patent number: 5587261Abstract: A lithographic coating and method of framing a lithographic image are disclosed. The method comprises coating at least a portion of a surface of an article with a radiation-crosslinkable polymer, and exposing the coated surface to a pattern of radiation to crosslink the polymer in a lithographic image. The functionalized polymer is a copolymer of an isoolefin of 4 to 7 carbon atoms and para-alkylstyrene, wherein the para-alkylstyrene is functionalized with a radiation reactive group at the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Jay D. Audett, Kenneth O. McElrath
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Patent number: 5585225Abstract: A lithographic coating and method of framing a lithographic image are disclosed. The method comprises coating at least a portion of a surface of an article with a radiation-crosslinkable polymer, and exposing the coated surface to a pattern of radiation to crosslink the polymer in a lithographic image. The functionalized polymer is a copolymer of an isoolefin of 4 to 7 carbon atoms and para-alkylstyrene, wherein the para-alkylstyrene is functionalized with a radiation reactive group at the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Jay D. Audett, Kenneth O. McElrath
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Patent number: 5585416Abstract: A lithographic coating and method of framing a lithographic image are disclosed. The method comprises coating at least a portion of a surface of an article with a radiation-crosslinkable polymer, and exposing the coated surface to a pattern of radiation to crosslink the polymer in a lithographic image. The functionalized polymer is a copolymer of an isoolefin of 4 to 7 carbon atoms and para-alkylstyrene, wherein the para-alkylstyrene is functionalized with a radiation reactive group at the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Jay D. Audett, Kenneth O. McElrath
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Patent number: 5376503Abstract: A lithographic coating and method of framing a lithographic image are disclosed. The method comprises coating at least a portion of a surface of an article with a radiation-crosslinkable polymer, and exposing the coated surface to a pattern of radiation to crosslink the polymer in a lithographic image. The functionalized polymer is a copolymer of an isoolefin of 4 to 7 carbon atoms and para-alkylstyrene, wherein the para-alkylstyrene is functionalized with a radiation reactive group at the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1992Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Jay D. Audett, Kenneth O. McElrath
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Patent number: 5317070Abstract: A hot melt adhesive including syndiotactic polypropylene having a polymer chain of at least 80% racemic dyads and having a melting point of about 100.degree. C. to 180.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1992Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Brant, Kenneth O. McElrath, Jr., Martha H. Robertson
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Patent number: 5294678Abstract: A grafted and/or functionalized macromolecule comprises entanglement-inhibited architecture wherein the polymer exhibits reduced melt viscosity. In one embodiment, the macromolecule comprises a polymer of an isoolefin having about 4 to about 7 carbon atom and a para-alkylstyrene, wherein a grafted macromonomer such as a terminally functionalized polystyryl chain of very narrow molecular weight distribution is attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene such that entanglement of adjacent chains in the melt are inhibited. In addition to distributed macromonomer grafts, other functionality may be attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene to introduce other desirable properties such as radiation curability. In another embodiment the macromolecule comprises a polymer of one or more simple olefinic monomers wherein a macromolecule is attached to pendent functionality and/or copolymerized into the polymer backbone.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1993Date of Patent: March 15, 1994Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Mun-Fu Tse, Anthony J. Dias, Prasadarao Meka, Kenneth O. McElrath
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Patent number: 5227426Abstract: An adhesive is disclosed. The adhesive is a blend of a tackifier and a polymer, having an elastomeric main chain and incorporating thermoplastic macromonomer side chain grafts, which can exhibit enhanced shear thinning and allow spray application of the adhesive onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the polymer main chain comprises a polymer of an isoolefin having about 4 to about 7 carbon atoms and a para-alkylstyrene, and the side chains comprise a grafted macromonomer, such as a terminally functionalized polystyryl chain of very narrow molecular weight distribution, attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene. In another embodiment, the polymer comprises a polyolefin main chain and a norbornene terminated macromolecule copolymerized to introduce the side chains.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1990Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Man-Fu Tse, Anthony J. Dias, Jean M. Tancrede, Kenneth O. McElrath
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Patent number: 5206303Abstract: A grafted and/or functionalized macromolecule comprises entanglement-inhibited architecture wherein the polymer exhibits reduced melt viscosity. In one embodiment, the macromolecule comprises a polymer of an isoolefin having about 4 to about 7 carbon atom and a para-alkylstyrene, wherein a grafted macromonomer such as a terminally functionalized polystyryl chain of very narrow molecular weight distribution is attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene such that entanglement of adjacent chains in the melt are inhibited. In addition to distributed macromonomer grafts, other functionality may be attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene to introduce other desirable properties such as radiation curability. In another embodiment the macromolecule comprises a polymer of one or more simple olefinic monomers wherein a macromolecule is attached to pendent functionality and/or copolymerized into the polymer backbone.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1990Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Mun-Fu Tse, Anthony J. Dias, Prasadarao Meka, Kenneth O. McElrath