Patents by Inventor Marshall C. Smart

Marshall C. Smart 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: 7147958
    Abstract: A catalyst ink for a fuel cell including a catalytic material and poly(vinylidene fluoride). The ink may be applied to a substrate to form an electrode, or bonded with other electrode layers to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Surya Prakash, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Anthony Atti, George Olah, Marshall C. Smart
  • Publication number: 20030207167
    Abstract: A catalyst ink for a fuel cell including a catalytic material and poly(vinylidene fluoride). The ink may be applied to a substrate to form an electrode, or bonded with other electrode layers to form a membrane electrode assembly (MEA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Surya Prakash, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Anthony Atti, George Olah, Marshall C. Smart
  • Patent number: 6492064
    Abstract: Multi-component organic solvent systems, electrolytes and electrochemical cells characterized by good low temperature performance are provided. In one embodiment, an improved organic solvent system contains a ternary mixture of ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. In other embodiments, quaternary systems include a fourth component, i.e, an aliphatic ester, an asymmetric alkyl carbonate or a compound of the formula LiOX, where X is R, COOR, or COR, where R is alkyl or fluoroalkyl. Electrolytes based on such organic solvent systems are also provided and contain therein a lithium salt of high ionic mobility, such as LiPF6. Reversible electrochemical cells, particularly lithium ion cells, are constructed with the improved electrolytes, and preferably include a carbonaceous anode, an insertion type cathode, and an electrolyte interspersed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, Subbarao Surampudi, Chen-Kuo Huang
  • Patent number: 6444343
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane composed of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) crosslinked within a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix is provided. This membrane exhibits low methanol crossover which translates to higher fuel and fuel cell efficiencies. A fuel cell comprising a PSSA-PVDF membrane is also provided. Further, methods of decreasing the fuel crossover rate, enhancing fuel cell efficiency, and enhancing electrical performance of a fuel cell are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: G. K. Surya Prakash, George A. Olah, Marshall C. Smart, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Qungie J. Wang, Subbarao Surumpudi, Gerald Halpert