Patents by Inventor M. Ashraf Imam
M. Ashraf Imam 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: 11325185Abstract: A multi-step method to produce materials, and coatings of materials, which has three key characteristics. The first is that the density of the resulting materials or coatings can be controllably and widely variable from less than ten percent of normal density up to normal density. The second key characteristic of the invention is the use of starting materials having powders that have grains (particles) with one, two or three dimensions on the size scales of nanometers or micrometers. The third major characteristic part of the invention is the use of microwave radiation or induction heating to quickly raise the temperature of the powders to produce materials or coatings before deleterious diffusion and densification can occur. These features produce new types of materials with properties favorable to many applications, such as chemical and other catalysis, electrolysis in batteries and fuel cells, and light weight structural components.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: The George Washington UniversityInventors: David Joseph Nagel, M. Ashraf Imam
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Publication number: 20200139438Abstract: A multi-step method to produce materials, and coatings of materials, which has three key characteristics. The first is that the density of the resulting materials or coatings can be controllably and widely variable from less than ten percent of normal density up to normal density. The second key characteristic of the invention is the use of starting materials having powders that have grains (particles) with one, two or three dimensions on the size scales of nanometers or micrometers. The third major characteristic part of the invention is the use of microwave radiation or induction heating to quickly raise the temperature of the powders to produce materials or coatings before deleterious diffusion and densification can occur. These features produce new types of materials with properties favorable to many applications, such as chemical and other catalysis, electrolysis in batteries and fuel cells, and light weight structural components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: David Joseph Nagel, M. Ashraf Imam
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Patent number: 9120679Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method of making silicon carbide involving adding agricultural husk material to a container, creating a vacuum or an inert atmosphere inside the container, applying conventional heating or microwave heating, heating rapidly, and reacting the material and forming silicon carbide (SiC).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Syed B Qadri, Arne W Fliflet, M Ashraf Imam, Bhakta B Rath, Edward P Gorzkowski, III
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Publication number: 20140287907Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method of making silicon carbide involving adding agricultural husk material to a container, creating a vacuum or an inert atmosphere inside the container, applying conventional heating or microwave heating, heating rapidly, and reacting the material and forming silicon carbide (SiC).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Syed B. Qadri, Arne W. Fliflet, M. Ashraf Imam, Bhakta B. Rath, Edward P. Gorzkowski, III
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Publication number: 20130272947Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method of making silicon carbide involving adding one from the group of rice husk material, sorghum, peanuts, maple leaves, and/or corn husk material to a container, creating a vacuum or an inert atmosphere inside the container, applying conventional heating or microwave heating, heating rapidly, and reacting the material and forming silicon carbide (SiC).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Syed B. Qadri, Arne W. Fliflet, M. Ashraf Imam, Bhakta B. Rath, Edward P. Gorzkowski, III
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Patent number: 8431071Abstract: A method of sintering by: placing a compacted metal powder inside a cylindrically-shaped susceptor and in an inert atmosphere or a vacuum, and applying microwave or millimeter-wave energy to the powder until the powder is sintered.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: M Ashraf Imam, Arne W Fliflet
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Publication number: 20120051962Abstract: A method of sintering by: placing a compacted metal powder inside a cylindrically-shaped susceptor and in an inert atmosphere or a vacuum, and applying microwave or millimeter-wave energy to the powder until the powder is sintered.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVYInventors: M. Ashraf Imam, Arne W. Fliflet
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Patent number: 7824576Abstract: A composite material includes lithium hydride particles dispersed within lithium to form a lithium-lithium hydride composite. The lithium-lithium hydride composite has increased strength over pure lithium and similar soft X-ray transmission characteristics as pure lithium. A soft X-ray blast window may be made from the lithium-lithium hydride composite with increased reliability and cost effectiveness. A method for making a composite material includes dispersing lithium hydride into lithium metal using a variety of dispersion techniques.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Nino R Pereira, M Ashraf Imam
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Publication number: 20100176348Abstract: A composite material includes lithium hydride particles dispersed within lithium to form a lithium-lithium hydride composite. The lithium-lithium hydride composite has increased strength over pure lithium and similar soft X-ray transmission characteristics as pure lithium. A soft X-ray blast window may be made from the lithium-lithium hydride composite with increased reliability and cost effectiveness. A method for making a composite material includes dispersing lithium hydride into lithium metal using a variety of dispersion techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Inventors: Nino R. Pereira, M. Ashraf Imam
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Patent number: 7632565Abstract: Metal foams are impregnated with resins. The metal foam/polymer composite formed upon curing has excellent acoustic dampening and structural properties. Foams of various metals, such as aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, iron, zinc, lead, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum, and alloys based on these metals, may be used. The polymer component may be any polymeric resin, for example, epoxy, natural rubber, acrylic, or phenolic.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: M. Ashraf Imam, Bhakta B. Rath, Teddy M. Keller
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Patent number: 7381368Abstract: A palladium-boron composition and methods of making and using same are provided. In one aspect, the invention comprises an alloy comprising palladium and boron, the boron being in solid solution in the palladium and the alloy having a two-phase structure, wherein each phase of the two-phase structure has the same crystal structure as the other phase and has a different set of lattice parameters from the other phase such that the palladium is greatly hardened by the presence of the smaller phase crystals within the spaces between the larger phase crystals. The composition is carefully prepared by a process wherein palladium and an amount of boron sufficient to place the boron in solid solution, but insufficient to combine with the palladium, are placed together and repeatedly are melted, cooled and turned over until sufficiently mixed.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Melvin H. Miles, M. Ashraf Imam
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Publication number: 20080093585Abstract: A composite material includes lithium hydride particles dispersed within lithium to form a lithium-lithium hydride composite. The lithium-lithium hydride composite has increased strength over pure lithium and similar soft X-ray transmission characteristics as pure lithium. A soft X-ray blast window may be made from the lithium-lithium hydride composite with increased reliability and cost effectiveness. A method for making a composite material includes dispersing lithium hydride into lithium metal using a variety of dispersion techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Nino R. Pereira, M. Ashraf Imam
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Patent number: 6764561Abstract: A palladium-boron composition and methods of making and using same are provided. In one aspect, the invention comprises an alloy comprising palladium and boron, the boron being in solid solution in the palladium and the alloy having a two-phase structure, wherein each phase of the two-phase structure has the same crystal structure as the other phase and has a different set of lattice parameters from the other phase such that the palladium is greatly hardened by the presence of the smaller phase crystals within the spaces between the larger phase crystals. The composition is carefully prepared by a process wherein palladium and an amount of boron sufficient to place the boron in solid solution, but insufficient to combine with the palladium, are placed together and repeatedly arc melted, cooled and turned over until sufficiently mixed.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Melvin H. Miles, M. Ashraf Imam
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Patent number: 6700067Abstract: A high temperature superconducting composite rod, wire or tape is formed by filling the open cells of a reticulated foam structure made of silver, silver alloy, gold or gold alloy with a superconducting ceramic oxide or precursor, compacting the filled structure and forming it into a rod, wire or tape and heating it to melt and/or texture the superconducting ceramic oxide. The resulting composite has continuous ligaments of metal throughout a continuous region of superconducting ceramic oxide.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: The Secretary of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Donald U. Gubser, M. Ashraf Imam
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Publication number: 20020114725Abstract: A palladium-boron composition and methods of making and using same are provided. In one aspect, the invention comprises an alloy comprising palladium and boron, the boron being in solid solution in the palladium and the alloy having a two-phase structure, wherein each phase of the two-phase structure has the same crystal structure as the other phase and has a different set of lattice parameters from the other phase such that the palladium is greatly hardened by the presence of the smaller phase crystals within the spaces between the larger phase crystals. The composition is carefully prepared by a process wherein palladium and an amount of boron sufficient to place the boron in solid solution, but insufficient to combine with the palladium, are placed together and repeatedly arc melted, cooled and turned over until sufficiently mixed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Melvin H. Miles, M. Ashraf Imam
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Patent number: 6185810Abstract: A high temperature superconducting composite rod, wire or tape is formed by filling the open cells of a reticulated foam structure made of silver, silver alloy, gold or gold alloy with a superconducting ceramic oxide or precursor, compacting the filled structure and forming it into a rod, wire or tape and heating it to melt and/or texture the superconducting ceramic oxide. The resulting composite has continuous ligaments of metal throughout a continuous region of superconducting ceramic oxide.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Donald U. Gubser, M. Ashraf Imam
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Patent number: 5895726Abstract: Metal foams are impregnated with a phthalonitrile prepolymer. The metal f/polymer composite formed upon curing has excellent acoustic damping, structural properties, oxidative stability, and flame resistance. Foams of various metals, such as aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, iron, zinc, lead, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum, and alloys based on these metals may be used.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: M. Ashraf Imam, Satya B. Sastri, Teddy M. Keller
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Patent number: 5333667Abstract: A metal composite material provides improved strength at all temperatures, in particular at those temperatures greater half the melting point of its matrix. The metal composite material is at least 50 volume percent hard particulate material in a matrix which is significantly more ductile than the hard particulate material. At or above 50 volume percent hard particulate material, each particle is surrounded by a thin film of the matrix material. This thin film resists deformation by converting sliding motion between particles into the rotational motion of the particles about each other. The matrix may be made by infiltrating a powder of the particulate material with a charge of the matrix material, for example, by hot isostatically pressing the matrix material into the powder or by melting a block of matrix material on top of the powder and thus infiltrating the powder by gravitational flow of the melted matrix material into the powder.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1992Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Norman P. Louat, Virgil Provenzano, M. Ashraf Imam, Kuntimaddi Sadananda