Patents by Inventor Matteo Pasquali
Matteo Pasquali 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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Publication number: 20120063988Abstract: Methods for dissolving carbon materials such as, for example, graphite, graphite oxide, oxidized graphene nanoribbons and reduced graphene nanoribbons in a solvent containing at least one superacid are described herein. Both isotropic and liquid crystalline solutions can be produced, depending on the concentration of the carbon material The superacid solutions can be formed into articles such as, for example, fibers and films, mixed with other materials such as, for example, polymers, or used for functionalization of the carbon material. The superacid results in exfoliation of the carbon material to produce individual particles of the carbon material. In some embodiments, graphite or graphite oxide is dissolved in a solvent containing at least one superacid to form graphene or graphene oxide, which can be subsequently isolated. In some embodiments, liquid crystalline solutions of oxidized graphene nanoribbons in water are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: James M. Tour, Matteo Pasquali, Natnael Behabtu, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Amanda Duque, Micah J. Green, A. Nicholas Parra-Vasquez, Colin Young
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Patent number: 8097141Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for separating a first fraction of a single wall carbon nanotubes and a second fraction of single wall carbon nanotubes includes, but is not limited to: flowing a solution comprising the nanotubes into a dielectrophoresis chamber; applying a DC voltage, in combination with an AC voltage, to the dielectrophoresis chamber; and collecting a first eluent from the dielectrophoresis chamber, wherein the first eluent comprises the first fraction and is depleted of the second fraction, wherein the first and second fractions differ by at least one of conductivity, diameter, length, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Haiqing Peng, Manuel Joao Mendes, Matteo Pasquali
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Publication number: 20110318248Abstract: We have discovered that size dependent solubility of large fullerenes in strong acids is dependent on acid strength. This provides a scalable method for separating large fullerenes by size. According to some embodiments, a method for processing a fullerene starting material comprises large fullerenes comprises mixing the starting material with a first concentrated sulfuric acid solution so as to obtain a first dispersion comprising a first portion of the large fullerenes solubilized in the first concentrated sulfuric acid solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Pradeep K. Rai, A. Nicholas Parra-Vasquez, Haiqing Peng, Robert Hauge, Matteo Pasquali
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Publication number: 20110262772Abstract: Methods for preparing carbon nanotube layers are disclosed herein. Carbon nanotube layers may be films, ribbons, and sheets. The methods comprise preparing an aligned carbon nanotube array and compressing the array with a roller to create a carbon nanotube layer. Another method disclosed herein comprises preparing a carbon nanotube layer from an aligned carbon nanotube array grown on a grouping of lines of metallic catalyst. A composite material comprising at least one carbon nanotube layer and prepared by the process comprising a) compressing an aligned single-wall carbon nanotube array with a roller, and b) transferring the carbon nanotube layer to a polymer is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Robert Hauge, Cary Pint, Ya-Qiong Xu, Matteo Pasquali
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Patent number: 7998271Abstract: New methods for the synthesis of nanocrystals/quantum dots are disclosed. The methods comprise use of reasonably-priced and commercially available heat transfer fluids (such as Dowtherm® A) as solvents to synthesize CdSe nanocrystals. Separation of nucleation and growth is achieved by quenching the reaction solution with relatively cold (room temperature) solvent to lower the solution temperature. Quenching may be followed by raising the solution temperature, to allow controlled growth to take place.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniverstiyInventors: Ammar S. Alkhawaldeh, Matteo Pasquali, Michael S. Wong
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NEAT CARBON NANOTUBE ARTICLES PROCESSED FROM SUPER ACID SOLUTIONS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF
Publication number: 20110110843Abstract: Articles comprising neat, aligned carbon nanotubes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The articles and methods comprise extrusion of a super acid solution of carbon nanotubes followed by removal of the super acid solvent. The articles may be processed by wet-jet wet spinning, dry-jet wet spinning, and coagulant co-flow extrusion techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Matteo Pasquali, Wen-Fang Hwang, Howard K. Schmidt, Natneal Behabtu, Virginia Davis, A. Nicholas G. Parra-Vasquez, Micah J. Green, Richard Booker, Colin c. Young, Hua Fan -
Publication number: 20100283008Abstract: Compositions comprising at least one type of carbon nanotube, at least one surfactant, and at least one polymer are disclosed. The compositions provide stable fluorescence over a wide range of pH in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the compositions are biocompatible. Methods for preparing the compositions from at least one pre-formed polymer are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compositions from at least one monomer are disclosed. Heating methods utilizing the compositions are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Juan G. Duque, Matteo Pasquali, Howard K. Schmidt, Laurent Cogent, A. Nicholas G. Parra-Vasquez
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Publication number: 20100139946Abstract: The present invention relates in general to nanostructured materials and processes for making same. More particularly, the present inventions relates to a nanoscale composite structure and methods for making same involving a conductive nanorod comprising a tip at each of the nanorod extrema; and a material deposited on at the least the tips, wherein the material comprises a reduced form of a redox species, wherein the redox species is adapted for electrochemical reaction with the conductive nanorod when the conductive nanorod is stimulated as an antenna by an electric field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Juan G. Duque, Matteo Pasquali
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Publication number: 20090283405Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for separating a first fraction of a single wall carbon nanotubes and a second fraction of single wall carbon nanotubes includes, but is not limited to: flowing a solution comprising the nanotubes into a dielectrophoresis chamber; applying a DC voltage, in combination with an AC voltage, to the dielectrophoresis chamber; and collecting a first eluent from the dielectrophoresis chamber, wherein the first eluent comprises the first fraction and is depleted of the second fraction, wherein the first and second fractions differ by at least one of conductivity, diameter, length, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2007Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Haiqing Peng, Manuel Joao Mendes, Matteo Pasquali
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Patent number: 7288238Abstract: The present invention involves alewives of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), process for making the same and compositions thereof. The present invention provides a method for effectively making carbon alewives, which are discrete, acicular-shaped aggregates of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and resemble the Atlantic fish of the same name. Single-wall carbon nanotube alewives can be conveniently dispersed in materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, metal oxides and liquids. The process for preparing the alewives comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring, and slowly introducing water into the single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture to form the alewives. The alewives can be recovered, washed and dried. The properties of the single-wall carbon nanotubes are retained in the alewives.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Richard E. Smalley, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Ramesh Sivarajan, Robert H. Hauge, Virginia Angelica Davis, Matteo Pasquali, Lars Martin Ericson, Satish Kumar, Sreekumar Thaliyil Veedu
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Publication number: 20070204790Abstract: New methods for the synthesis of nanocrystals/quantum dots are disclosed. The methods comprise use of reasonably-priced and commercially available heat transfer fluids (such as Dowtherm® A) as solvents to synthesize CdSe nanocrystals. Separation of nucleation and growth is achieved by quenching the reaction solution with relatively cold (room temperature) solvent to lower the solution temperature. Quenching may be followed by raising the solution temperature, to allow controlled growth to take place.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2004Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Ammar Alkhawaldeh, Matteo Pasquali, Michael Wong
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Patent number: 7125502Abstract: The present invention involves fibers of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and a process for making the same. The present invention provides a method for effectively dispersing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The process for dispersing the single-wall carbon nanotubes comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring under an inert, oxygen-free environment. The single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture is wet spun into a coagulant to form the single-wall carbon nanotube fibers. The fibers are recovered, washed and dried. The single-wall carbon nanotubes were highly aligned in the fibers, as determined by Raman spectroscopy analysis.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Richard E. Smalley, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Ramesh Sivarajan, Robert H. Hauge, Virginia Angelica Davis, Matteo Pasquali, Lars Martin Ericson
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Patent number: 6962092Abstract: The present invention is directed to at least one method and at least one apparatus for determining the length of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The method generally comprises the steps of: dispersing a sample of SWNTs into a suitable dispersing medium to form a solvent-suspension of solvent-suspended SWNTs; determining the mean SWNT diameter of the solvent-suspended SWNTs; introducing the solvent-suspended SWNTs into a viscosity-measuring device; obtaining a specific viscosity for the SWNT solvent-suspension; and determining the length of the SWNTs based upon the specific viscosity by solving, for example, the Kirkwood-Auer equation corrected by Batchelor's formula for the drag on a slender cylinder for “L,” to determine the length of the SWNTs.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Matteo Pasquali, Virginia A. Davis, Ingrid Stepanek-Basset, A. Nicholas G. Parra-Vasquez, Robert H. Hauge
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Publication number: 20050160798Abstract: The present invention is directed to at least one method and at least one apparatus for determining the length of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The method generally comprises the steps of: dispersing a sample of SWNTs into a suitable dispersing medium to form a solvent-suspension of solvent-suspended SWNTs; determining the mean SWNT diameter of the solvent-suspended SWNTs; introducing the solvent-suspended SWNTs into a viscosity-measuring device; obtaining a specific viscosity for the SWNT solvent-suspension; and determining the length of the SWNTs based upon the specific viscosity by solving, for example, the Kirkwood-Auer equation corrected by Batchelor's formula for the drag on a slender cylinder for “L,” to determine the length of the SWNTs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Matteo Pasquali, Virginia Davis, Ingrid Stepanek-Basset, A. Nicholas Parra-Vasquez, Robert Hauge
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Publication number: 20030170166Abstract: The present invention involves fibers of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and a process for making the same. The present invention provides a method for effectively dispersing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The process for dispersing the single-wall carbon nanotubes comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring under an inert, oxygen-free environment. The single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture is wet spun into a coagulant to form the single-wall carbon nanotube fibers. The fibers are recovered, washed and dried. The single-wall carbon nanotubes were highly aligned in the fibers, as determined by Raman spectroscopy analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Richard E. Smalley, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Ramesh Sivarajan, Robert H. Hauge, Virginia Angelica Davis, Matteo Pasquali, Lars Martin Ericson
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Publication number: 20030133865Abstract: The present invention involves alewives of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), process for making the same and compositions thereof. The present invention provides a method for effectively making carbon alewives, which are discrete, acicular-shaped aggregates of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and resemble the Atlantic fish of the same name. Single-wall carbon nanotube alewives can be conveniently dispersed in materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, metal oxides and liquids. The process for preparing the alewives comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring, and slowly introducing water into the single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture to form the alewives. The alewives can be recovered, washed and dried. The properties of the single-wall carbon nanotubes are retained in the alewives.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Richard E. Smalley, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Ramesh Sivarajan, Robert H. Hauge, Virginia A. Davis, Matteo Pasquali, Lars Martin Ericson, Satish Kumar, Sreekumar Thaliyil Veedu