Patents by Inventor Mark A. Rodriguez

Mark A. Rodriguez 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: 11840459
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to variable composition ceramics. Zr(2?x)Hf(x)WP2O12 and Hf2WP2O12 exhibit large negative thermal expansion that is linear over a large temperature range up to at least 900° C., These new ceramic material particles may be mixed with polymers to make a composite suitable for use in backsheets for photovoltaic modules or in other applications. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite can be tailored to match that of the solar cell in order to reduce stress resulting from daily thermal cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Margaret Ellen Gordon, Clay Payne, Charles R. Bryan, Mark A. Rodriguez, Ashley Maes
  • Patent number: 11545723
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the modification of sodium electrochemical interfaces to improve performance of NaSICON-type ceramics in a variety of electrochemical applications. Enhanced mating of the separator-sodium interface by means of engineered coatings or other surface modifications results in lower interfacial resistance and higher performance at increased current densities, enabling the effective operation of molten sodium batteries and other electrochemical technologies at low and high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Erik David Spoerke, Martha Gross, Stephen Percival, Mark A. Rodriguez, Leo J. Small
  • Publication number: 20210167462
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the modification of sodium electrochemical interfaces to improve performance of NaSICON-type ceramics in a variety of electrochemical applications. Enhanced mating of the separator-sodium interface by means of engineered coatings or other surface modifications results in lower interfacial resistance and higher performance at increased current densities, enabling the effective operation of molten sodium batteries and other electrochemical technologies at low and high temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Erik David Spoerke, Martha Gross, Stephen Percival, Mark A. Rodriguez, Leo J. Small
  • Patent number: 10889506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vanadium oxide and methods of controlling reaction processes for making such materials (e.g., powders). In particular embodiments, the method includes control of oxygen partial pressure in order to kinetically control the oxidation species of the crystalline vanadium oxide material. Other methods, uses, systems, protocols, and coatings are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Rodriguez, Nelson S. Bell, Paul G. Clem, Cynthia Edney, James Griego
  • Publication number: 20190071319
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vanadium oxide and methods of controlling reaction processes for making such materials (e.g., powders). In particular embodiments, the method includes control of oxygen partial pressure in order to kinetically control the oxidation species of the crystalline vanadium oxide material. Other methods, uses, systems, protocols, and coatings are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. Rodriguez, Nelson S. Bell, Paul G. Clem, Cynthia Edney, James Griego
  • Patent number: 10160660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vanadium oxide and methods of controlling reaction processes for making such materials (e.g., powders). In particular embodiments, the method includes control of oxygen partial pressure in order to kinetically control the oxidation species of the crystalline vanadium oxide material. Other methods, uses, systems, protocols, and coatings are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Rodriguez, Nelson S. Bell, Paul G. Clem, Cynthia Edney, James Griego
  • Patent number: 10059625
    Abstract: The present invention relates to glass-ceramic compositions, as well as methods for forming such composition. In particular, the compositions include various polymorphs of silica that provide beneficial thermal expansion characteristics (e.g., a near linear thermal strain). Also described are methods of forming such compositions, as well as connectors including hermetic seals containing such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Xunhu Dai, Mark A. Rodriguez, Nathanael L. Lyon
  • Patent number: 9878944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to glass-ceramic compositions, as well as methods for forming such composition. In particular, the compositions include various polymorphs of silica that provide beneficial thermal expansion characteristics (e.g., a near linear thermal strain). Also described are methods of forming such compositions, as well as connectors including hermetic seals containing such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Xunhu Dai, Mark A. Rodriguez, Nathanael L. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20180002227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to glass-ceramic compositions, as well as methods for forming such composition. In particular, the compositions include various polymorphs of silica that provide beneficial thermal expansion characteristics (e.g., a near linear thermal strain). Also described are methods of forming such compositions, as well as connectors including hermetic seals containing such compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Steve Xunhu Dai, Mark A. Rodriguez, Nathanael L. Lyon
  • Patent number: 8772566
    Abstract: A waste form for and a method of rendering hazardous materials less dangerous is disclosed that includes fixing the hazardous material in nanopores of a nanoporous material, reacting the trapped hazardous material to render it less volatile/soluble, and vitrifying the nanoporous material containing the less volatile/soluble hazardous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Huizhen Gao, Yifeng Wang, Mark A. Rodriguez, Denise N. Bencoe
  • Patent number: 8334421
    Abstract: A method of rendering hazardous materials less dangerous comprising trapping the hazardous material in nanopores of a nanoporous composite material, reacting the trapped hazardous material to render it less volatile/soluble, sealing the trapped hazardous material, and vitrifying the nanoporous material containing the less volatile/soluble hazardous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Huizhen Gao, Yifeng Wang, Mark A. Rodriguez, Denise N. Bencoe
  • Publication number: 20110307230
    Abstract: One or more methods for optimizing reservoir development planning include a source of characterized input data, an optimization model, a baseline model for simulating the reservoir, a modified model, and one or more solution routines interfacing with the optimization model. The optimization model can consider unknown parameters having uncertainties directly within the optimization model. The modified model can systematically address uncertain data, for example comprehensively or even taking all uncertain data into account. Accordingly, the modified model is optimized to flexible or robust solutions. Final reservoir development plans are generated based on optimized model results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Li-Bong W. Lee, Richard T. Mifflin, Kevin C. Furman, Vikas Goel, Mark A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6231666
    Abstract: A process for forming an epitaxial perovskite-phase thin film on a substrate. This thin film can act as a buffer layer between a Ni substrate and a YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor layer. The process utilizes alkali or alkaline metal acetates dissolved in halogenated organic acid along with titanium isopropoxide to dip or spin-coat the substrate which is then heated to about 700° C. in an inert gas atmosphere to form the epitaxial film on the substrate. The YBCO superconductor can then be deposited on the layer formed by this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Paul G. Clem, Mark A. Rodriguez, James A. Voigt, Carol S. Ashley
  • Patent number: 6153317
    Abstract: The present invention comprises perovskite-phase thin films, of the general formula A.sub.x B.sub.y O.sub.3 on a substrate, wherein A is selected from beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium or a combination thereof; B is selected from niobium and tantalum or a combination thereof; and x and y are mole fractions between approximately 0.8 and 1.2. More particularly, A is strontium or barium or a combination thereof and B is niobium or tantalum or a combination thereof. Also provided is a method of making a perovskite-phase thin film, comprising combining at least one element-A-containing compound, wherein A is selected from beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium, with at least one element-B-containing compound, wherein B niobium or tantalum, to form a solution; adding a solvent to said solution to form another solution; spin-coating the solution onto a substrate to form a thin film; and heating the film to form the perovskite-phase thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Boyle, Mark A. Rodriguez