Patents by Inventor Michael Markels

Michael Markels 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).

  • Publication number: 20080124446
    Abstract: A method of production of a biofuel from the open ocean surface by testing the ocean surface waters to determine the nutrients that are missing and testing the currents to determine a suitable area for the application of the missing nutrients so that the increased production of biomass created can be harvested and the harvested biomass processed to obtain a biofuel suitable for energy production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Markels
  • Publication number: 20080057177
    Abstract: A method for the production of biofuels from the open ocean comprises the steps: testing the currents to determine that a biomass remains in a zone suitable for harvesting; harvesting a portion of the biomass; and processing a portion of the harvested biomass to produce useful components of biofuels. An improved method of production of a biofuel comprises the additional steps of testing the ocean surface waters to determine any nutrients that are missing, and applying a fertilizer with any missing nutrients. The currents should be such that the biomass created stays in the ocean waters suitable for harvest rather than washed up on shores, or dispersed to other areas of the ocean. Suitable currents include ocean gyres such as the Sargasso Sea. Suitable biomass includes seaweeds that float in the open ocean and aggregate together in floating patches, such as the Sargassum weed in the Sargasso Sea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Markels
  • Publication number: 20040093785
    Abstract: A method of increasing the fish catch in the ocean is to fertilize the ocean surface, creating a short-term phytoplankton bloom, which forms a fish attractive device (FAD). The FAD attracts the fish to a planned location for fishing boats to catch with reduced fishing effort. The bloom may be created by the short-term addition of a chelated iron fertilizer to the ocean surface, and may have a duration of from about 1 to about 2 months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Markels
  • Publication number: 20030012691
    Abstract: A method of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) in an ocean comprises testing an area of the surface of a deep open ocean in order to determine both the nutrients that are missing and the diffusion coefficient, applying to the area in a spiral pattern a first fertilizer that comprises a missing nutrient, and measuring the amount of carbon dioxide that has been sequestered. The fertilizer preferably comprises an iron chelate that prevents the iron from precipitating to any significant extent. The preferred chelates include lignin, and particularly lignin acid sulfonate. The method may further comprise applying additional fertilizers, and reporting the amount of carbon dioxide sequestered. The method preferably includes applying a fertilizer in pulses. Each fertilizer releases each nutrient over time in the photic zone and in a form that does not precipitate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Markels
  • Publication number: 20020023593
    Abstract: A method of increasing seafood production in the oceans comprises testing the water at the surface of the ocean in order to determine the nutrients that are missing, applying to the surface of the ocean a first fertilizer that comprises an iron chelate, and harvesting the increased production of seafood that results. The method may further comprise applying a microorganism that fixes nitrogen such as phytoplankton, applying additional fertilizers, and seeding the ocean with fish. Each fertilizer releases the nutrient(s) over time in the photic zone and in a form that does not precipitate before use by the phytoplankton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Markels
  • Publication number: 20010002983
    Abstract: A method of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) in an ocean comprises testing an area of the surface of a deep open ocean in order to determine both the nutrients that are missing and the diffusion coefficient, applying to the area in a spiral pattern a first fertilizer that comprises a missing nutrient, and measuring the amount of carbon dioxide that has been sequestered. The fertilizer preferably comprises an iron chelate that prevents the iron from precipitating to any significant extent. The preferred chelates include lignin, and particularly lignin acid sulfonate. The method may further comprise applying additional fertilizers, and reporting the amount of carbon dioxide sequestered. The method preferably includes applying a fertilizer in pulses. Each fertilizer releases each nutrient over time in the photic zone and in a form that does not precipitate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Markels