Patents by Inventor Michael Lefenfeld

Michael Lefenfeld 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: 8501036
    Abstract: The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or alloy, wherein Group 1 metals or alloys are absorbed into the silica gel pores. The invention relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition reacts with dry O2. The invention also relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition produced does not react with dry O2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc., Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye
  • Patent number: 8372371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making alkali metal silicide compositions, and the compositions resulting from the method, comprising mixing an alkali metal with silicon and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature below about 475° C. The resulting compositions do not react with dry O2. Also, the invention relates to sodium silicide compositions having a powder X-ray diffraction pattern comprising at least three peaks with 2Theta angles selected from about 18.2, 28.5, 29.5, 33.7, 41.2, 47.4, and 56.2 and a solid state 23Na MAS NMR spectra peak at about 18 ppm. Moreover, the invention relates to methods of removing a volatile or flammable substance in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the alkali metal silicide compositions of the invention react with water to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Signa Chemistry, Inc., Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye
  • Publication number: 20120282166
    Abstract: A water reactive hydrogen generation system includes devices and methods to combine reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen is used in a fuel cell or other application. The water reactive hydrogen generation system includes a reactant fuel chamber, a reactor chamber (zone), a water solution inlet, a hydrogen output port, and a material delivery device. The material delivery device can include a drive screw and a sliding piston to move the fuel material into the reactor zone when a reaction is initiated. As the reaction takes place, the reaction waste product is removed from the reaction zone to allow additional reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to be introduced and to continue the hydrogen-generating reaction. A reaction waste product created is exchanged for additional reactant fuel material at determined intervals to allow the reaction to continue until the reactant fuel is exhausted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew P. WALLACE, John M. MELACK, Michael LEFENFELD
  • Publication number: 20120235084
    Abstract: The invention relates to lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions. These lithium metal compositions are prepared by mixing liquid lithium metal with a porous metal oxide in an inert atmosphere under exothermic conditions sufficient to absorb the liquid lithium metal into the porous metal oxide pores. The lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions of the invention are preferably loaded with lithium metal up to about 40% by weight, with about 20% to 40% by weight being the most preferred loading. The invention also relates to lithium reagent-porous metal oxide compositions having RLi absorbed into a porous oxide. In formula RLi, R is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an alkaryl group, or an NR1R2 group; R1 is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an alkaryl group; and R2 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, and an alkaryl group. The preparation and use of these compositions are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SIGNA CHEMISTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael LEFENFELD, James L. DYE, Partha NANDI, James JACKSON
  • Patent number: 8263808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing an alkyl sulfonyl or aryl sulfonyl protecting group from a primary or secondary amine by contacting an alkyl sulfonamide or an aryl sulfonamide with a Stage 0 or Stage I alkali metal-silica gel material in the presence of a solid proton source under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding amine. The invention also relates to a method for removing an alkyl sulfonyl or aryl sulfonyl protecting group from a primary or secondary amine by a) reacting an alkyl sulfonamide or an aryl sulfonamide with a Stage 0 or Stage I alkali metal-silica gel material, and b) subsequently reacting the reaction product from step a) with an electrophile or a proton source. Preferred Stage 0 or Stage I alkali metal-silica gel materials include Na, K2Na, and Na2K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye, Partha Nandi, James Jackson
  • Publication number: 20120220796
    Abstract: A catalytic process for dehydration of an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol to its corresponding olefin is disclosed. The process continuously flows through a reaction zone a liquid phase containing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol to contact a non-volatile acid catalyst at a reaction temperature and pressure to at least partially convert the aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol in the liquid phase to its corresponding olefin. The reaction pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure and the reaction temperature is above the boiling point of the olefin at reaction pressure, but below the critical temperature of the alcohol, and the olefin product is substantially in the gaseous phase. After the contacting step, the olefin containing gaseous phase is separated from the liquid phase. The invention also relates to catalytic processes such as a hydrolysis of an olefin to an alcohol, an esterification, a transesterification, a polymerization, an aldol condensation or an ester hydrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, Robert Hoch
  • Publication number: 20120199789
    Abstract: The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or alloy, wherein Group 1 metals or alloys are absorbed into the silica gel pores. The invention relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition reacts with dry O2. The invention also relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition produced does not react with dry O2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, SIGNA CHEMISTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael LEFENFELD, James L. Dye
  • Publication number: 20120201734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making alkali metal silicide compositions, and the compositions resulting from the method, comprising mixing an alkali metal with silicon and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature below about 475° C. The resulting compositions do not react with dry O2. Also, the invention relates to sodium silicide compositions having a powder X-ray diffraction pattern comprising at least three peaks with 2Theta angles selected from about 18.2, 28.5, 29.5, 33.7, 41.2, 47.4, and 56.2 and a solid state 23Na MAS NMR spectra peak at about 18 ppm. Moreover, the invention relates to methods of removing a volatile or flammable substance in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the alkali metal silicide compositions of the invention react with water to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, SIGNA CHEMISTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael LEFENFELD, James L. DYE
  • Patent number: 8197707
    Abstract: The invention relates to lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions. These lithium metal compositions are prepared by mixing liquid lithium metal with a porous metal oxide in an inert atmosphere under exothermic conditions sufficient to absorb the liquid lithium metal into the porous metal oxide pores. The lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions of the invention are preferably loaded with lithium metal up to about 40% by weight, with about 20% to 40% by weight being the most preferred loading. The invention also relates to lithium reagent-porous metal oxide compositions having RLi absorbed into a porous oxide. The preparation and use of these compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Signa Chemistry LLC
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye, Partha Nandi, James Jackson
  • Publication number: 20120115054
    Abstract: A water reactive hydrogen fueled power system includes devices and methods to combine reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen is converted in a fuel cell to provide electricity. The water reactive hydrogen fueled power system includes a fuel cell, a water feed tray, and a fuel cartridge to generate power for portable power electronics. The removable fuel cartridge is encompassed by the water feed tray and fuel cell. The water feed tray is refillable with water by a user. The water is then transferred from the water feed tray into the fuel cartridge to generate hydrogen for the fuel cell which then produces power for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew P. WALLACE, John M. MELACK, Michael LEFENFELD
  • Publication number: 20120027827
    Abstract: A method and composition for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled by a user by placing a composition comprising a delivery vehicle and a carbon dioxide sequestering agent into a user's mouth and allowing the carbon dioxide sequestering agent to react with the carbon dioxide present in the user's breath thereby reducing the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, Tuhin Ganguly
  • Patent number: 8007762
    Abstract: The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or alloy, wherein Group 1 metals or alloys are absorbed into the silica gel pores. The invention relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition reacts with dry O2. The invention also relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition produced does not react with dry O2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc., Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye
  • Patent number: 7932329
    Abstract: Stage I Group 1 metal/porous metal oxide compositions or Stage II Group 1 metal/porous metal oxide compositions are shown to be useful to remove impurities and act as drying agents for various types of solvents and for olefinic monomers used in anionic polymerizations. One important advantage of these compositions is their ability to dry simultaneously solvent and monomers, without inducing a significant polymerization of the latter. Another important characteristic is the capacity of the compositions to be totally inactive toward conventional anionic polymerization which allows them to be left in situ during the polymerization itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Signa Chemistry, Inc., Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymeres Organiques
    Inventors: Mana Ito, Stephane Carlotti, Alain Deffieux, Michael Lefenfeld
  • Publication number: 20100316917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making alkali metal silicide compositions, and the compositions resulting from the method, comprising mixing an alkali metal with silicon and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature below about 475° C. The resulting compositions do not react with dry O2. Also, the invention relates to sodium silicide compositions having a powder X-ray diffraction pattern comprising at least three peaks with 2Theta angles selected from about 18.2, 28.5, 29.5, 33.7, 41.2, 47.4, and 56.2 and a solid state 23Na MAS NMR spectra peak at about 18 ppm. Moreover, the invention relates to methods of removing a volatile or flammable substance in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the alkali metal silicide compositions of the invention react with water to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: SIGNA CHEMISTRY, INC., Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael LEFENFELD, James L. DYE
  • Patent number: 7820061
    Abstract: The invention relates to Group 1 metal/porous metal oxide compositions comprising porous metal oxide selected from porous titanium oxide and porous alumina and an alkali metal or an alkali metal alloy. The compositions of the inventions are described as Stage 0 and I materials. These materials differ in their preparation and chemical reactivity. Each successive stage may be prepared directly using the methods described below or from an earlier stage material. Stage 0 materials may, for example, be prepared using liquid alloys of Na and K which are rapidly absorbed by porous metal oxide under isothermal conditions, preferably at or just above room temperature, to form loose black powders that retain much of the reducing ability of the parent metals. When the low melting Group 1 metals are absorbed into the porous metal oxide at about 150° C., an exothermic reaction produces Stage I material, loose black powders that are stable in dry air. Further heating forms higher stage materials of unknown composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignees: Signa Chemistry, Inc., Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye
  • Patent number: 7811541
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making alkali metal silicide compositions, and the compositions resulting from the method, comprising mixing an alkali metal with silicon and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature below about 475° C. The resulting compositions do not react with dry O2. Also, the invention relates to sodium silicide compositions having a powder X-ray diffraction pattern comprising at least three peaks with 2Theta angles selected from about 18.2, 28.5, 29.5, 33.7, 41.2, 47.4, and 56.2 and a solid state 23Na MAS NMR spectra peak at about 18 ppm. Moreover, the invention relates to methods of removing a volatile or flammable substance in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the alkali metal silicide compositions of the invention react with water to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Signa Chemistry, Inc., Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye
  • Publication number: 20100249476
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a new class of isomorphously metal-substituted aluminophosphate materials with high phase purity that are capable of performing selective Brönsted acid catalyzed chemical transformations, such as transforming alcohols to olefins, with high conversions and selectivities using mild conditions. Isomorphous substitutions of functional metal ions for both the aluminum ions and the phosphorous ions were successful in various AlPO structures, along with multiple metal substitutions into a single aluminum site and/or a phosphorous site. This invention can be used towards the catalytic conversion of hydroxylated compounds of linear and/or branched moiety with the possibility of being substituted to their respective hydrocarbon products, preferably light olefins containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, among other chemistries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael LEFENFELD, Robert RAJA, Alexander James PATERSON, Matthew Edward POTTER
  • Publication number: 20100247426
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods combine reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The reactant materials can sodium silicide or sodium silica gel. The hydrogen generation devices are used in fuels cells and other industrial applications. One system combines cooling, pumping, water storage, and other devices to sense and control reactions between reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. Multiple inlets of varied placement geometries deliver aqueous solution to the reaction. The reactant materials and aqueous solution are churned to control the state of the reaction. The aqueous solution can be recycled and returned to the reaction. One system operates over a range of temperatures and pressures and includes a hydrogen separator, a heat removal mechanism, and state of reaction control devices. The systems, devices, and methods of generating hydrogen provide thermally stable solids, near-instant reaction with the aqueous solutions, and a non-toxic liquid by-product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Wallace, John M. Melack, Michael Lefenfeld
  • Publication number: 20100166648
    Abstract: The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or alloy, wherein Group 1 metals or alloys are absorbed into the silica gel pores. The invention relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition reacts with dry O2. The invention also relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition produced does not react with dry O2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael LEFENFELD, James L. Dye
  • Patent number: 7709410
    Abstract: The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or an alkali metal alloy. The compositions of the inventions are described as Stage 0, I, II, and III materials. These materials differ in their preparation and chemical reactivity. Each successive stage may be prepared directly using the methods described below or from an earlier stage material. Stage 0 materials may, for example, be prepared using liquid alloys of Na and K which are rapidly absorbed by silica gel (porous SiO2) under isothermal conditions, preferably at or just above room temperature, to form loose black powders that retain much of the reducing ability of the parent metals. When the low melting Group 1 metals are absorbed into the silica gel, a mild exothermic reaction produces Stage I material, loose black powders that are indefinitely stable in dry air. Subsequent heating to 400° C. produces Stage II materials, which are also loose black powders. Further heating above 400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye