Patents by Inventor Kurt Star

Kurt Star 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).

  • High performance high temperature thermoelectric composites with metallic inclusions
    Patent number: 9640746
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite thermoelectric material. The composite thermoelectric material can include a semiconductor material comprising a rare earth metal. The atomic percent of the rare earth metal in the semiconductor material can be at least about 20%. The composite thermoelectric material can further include a metal forming metallic inclusions distributed throughout the semiconductor material. The present invention also provides a method of forming this composite thermoelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: James M. Ma, Sabah K. Bux, Jean-Pierre Fleurial, Vilupanur A. Ravi, Samad A. Firdosy, Kurt Star, Richard B. Kaner
  • HIGH PERFORMANCE HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMOELECTRIC COMPOSITES WITH METALLIC INCLUSIONS
    Publication number: 20160111619
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite thermoelectric material. The composite thermoelectric material can include a semiconductor material comprising a rare earth metal. The atomic percent of the rare earth metal in the semiconductor material can be at least about 20%. The composite thermoelectric material can further include a metal forming metallic inclusions distributed throughout the semiconductor material. The present invention also provides a method of forming this composite thermoelectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: James M. Ma, Sabah K. Bux, Jean-Pierre Fleurial, Vilupanur A. Ravi, Samad A. Firdosy, Kurt Star, Richard B. Kaner
  • Chemical protection of metal surface
    Patent number: 8840688
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode having a metal material having an oxygen containing layer. The electrochemical cell also includes a cathode and an electrolyte. The anode includes a chemically bonded protective layer formed by reacting a D or P block precursor with the oxygen containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kurt Star, John Muldoon, Filippo Marchioni, Fred Wudl, Bruce Dunn, Monique N. Richard, Kimber L. Stamm Masias
  • CHEMICAL PROTECTION OF METAL SURFACE
    Publication number: 20140141157
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode having a metal material having an oxygen containing layer. The electrochemical cell also includes a cathode and an electrolyte. The anode includes a chemically bonded protective layer formed by reacting a D or P block precursor with the oxygen containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Star, John Muldoon, Filippo Marchioni, Fred Wudl, Bruce Dunn, Monique N. Richard, Kimber L. Stamm Masias
  • FABRICATION OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE THERMOELECTRIC COUPLE
    Publication number: 20100307551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-temperature thermoelectric couple and the method for making the same. The method requires a very small number of fabrication steps. It includes an act of fabricating an n-type leg that, in a stacked configuration, includes a low electrical contact resistance metallization foil that is connected to each of the two sides of Lanthanum Telluride via a thin metallic adhesion layer. Additionally, a p-type leg is fabricated that, in a stacked configuration, includes a low electrical contact resistance metallization foil that is connected to each of the two sides of 14-1-11 Zintl. Finally, CTE-matched, low electrical and thermal resistance plate interconnects are used for each of the two legs to interface with the heat source and heat sink and form an electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Vilupanur A. Ravi, Billy Chun-Yip Li, Jean-Pierre Fleurial, Kurt Star
  • CHEMICAL PROTECTION OF METAL SURFACE
    Publication number: 20070082268
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode having a metal material having an oxygen containing layer. The electrochemical cell also includes a cathode and an electrolyte. The anode includes a chemically bonded protective layer formed by reacting a D or P block precursor with the oxygen containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Kurt Star, John Muldoon, Filippo Marchioni, Fred Wudl, Bruce Dunn, Monique Richard, Kimber Stamm