Patents by Inventor Michael S. Wong
Michael S. Wong 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: 20240087738Abstract: A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an imaging system, and a mapping module. The mapping module may access a plan view map of an area and tags associated with the area. In various embodiments, each tag may include tag coordinates and tag information, which may include a tag annotation. A tag identification system may identify tags within a predetermined range of the current position and the control system may execute an action based on an identified tag whose tag information comprises a telepresence robot action modifier. The telepresence robot may rotate an upper portion independent from a lower portion. A remote terminal may allow an operator to control the telepresence robot using any combination of control methods, including by selecting a destination in a live video feed, by selecting a destination on a plan view map, or by using a joystick or other peripheral device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Yulun Wang, Charles S. Jordan, Tim Wright, Michael Chan, Marco Pinter, Kevin Hanrahan, Daniel Sanchez, James Ballantyne, Cody Herzog, Blair Whitney, Fuji Lai, Kelton Temby, Eben Christopher Rauhut, Justin H. Kearns, Cheuk Wah Wong, Timothy Sturtevant Farlow
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Publication number: 20210293741Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive substrate with a coating containing boron-doped diamond (BDD) nanoparticles. Fabricating the electrode can include dispersing BDD nanoparticles in a solvent to yield a suspension, coating a conductive substrate with the suspension, and drying the suspension to yield the electrode. In some cases, fabricating the electrode includes combining BDD nanoparticles with a polymeric resin precursor to yield a mixture including a metal oxide, coating a conductive substrate with the mixture to yield a coated substrate, and calcining the coated substrate to yield a metal oxide coating including BDD nanoparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Paul K. Westerhoff, Sergio Garcia-Segura, Shahnawaz Sinha, Rishabh Bansal, Rafael Verduzco, Michael S. Wong
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Patent number: 10364265Abstract: Improved methods of making anhydrosugars by pyrolysis of a substrate sugar to remove at least one water molecule thereby producing a desired anhydrosugar and side products, the improvement being either 1) protecting one hydroxyl group of the substrate sugar before pyrolysis; or (2) pretreating the substrate sugar with a metal salt and optional acid before pyrolysis, wherein lower amounts of said side products are produced by said improved method.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Li Chen, Michael S Wong, Zongchao Zhang
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Publication number: 20180353893Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of removing heteroatoms from a fluid by associating the fluid with one or more adsorbents, where the association results in the removal of the heteroatoms from the fluid. The association may occur by associating the fluid with a single adsorbent or a plurality of adsorbents in a sequential manner that maximizes heteroatom removal efficacy. The methods may be utilized to remove heteroatom-containing compounds from various fluids, such as fuels, hydrocarbons, alcohols, water, organic solvents, and combinations thereof. The one or more adsorbents may include, without limitation, activated carbon, zeolites, ion exchanged zeolites, ion impregnated zeolites, alumina, alumina nanowires, carbon-based supports, and combinations thereof. The methods of the present disclosure can be utilized to reduce heteroatoms in the fluid by more than about 50%, by more than about 80%, or by more than about 99%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Mayank Gupta, Priscilla Dias da Silva, Scott L. Wellington, Michael S. Wong, Kyriacos Zygourakis
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Patent number: 9947918Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to porous silicon particulates and anode materials that contain them. In some embodiments, each of the porous silicon particulates include a plurality of macropores, mesopores and micropores such that the micropores and mesopores are within the macropores. The porous silicon particulates also contain: a coating associated with the porous silicon particulates; and a binding material associated with the porous silicon particulates. The binding material can include binders, carbon materials, polymers, metals, additives, carbohydrates, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Sibani Lisa Biswal, Michael S. Wong, Madhuri Thakur, Steven L. Sinsabaugh
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Publication number: 20160344016Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles by: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution (e.g., hydrofluoric acid solution) to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. The methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of preparing porous silicon particles and anode materials that may be derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Sibani Lisa Biswal, Madhuri Thakur, Michael S. Wong, Steven L. Sinsabaugh, Mark Isaacson
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Publication number: 20160303530Abstract: An improved process for converting an oil suspension of nanoparticles (NPs) into a water suspension of NPs, wherein water, surfactant and a non-surfactant salt is used instead of merely water and surfactant, leading to greatly improved NP aqueous suspensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Michael S. WONG, Hitesh Ghanshyam BAGARIA, Gautam Chandrakanth KINI, Wen Yin Lynn KO
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Publication number: 20160293935Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of preparing porous silicon particulates by: (a) electrochemically etching a silicon substrate, where electrochemical etching comprises exposure of the silicon substrate to an electric current density, and where electrochemical etching produces a porous silicon film over the silicon substrate; (b) separating the porous silicon film from the silicon substrate, where the separating comprises a gradual increase of the electric current density in sequential increments; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) a plurality of times; (d) electrochemically etching the silicon substrate in accordance with step (a) to produce a porous silicon film over the silicon substrate; (e) chemically etching the porous silicon film and the silicon substrate; and (f) splitting the porous silicon film and the silicon substrate to form porous silicon particulates.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Sibani Lisa Biswal, Michael S. Wong, Madhuri Thakur, Steven L. Sinsabaugh
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Patent number: 9377449Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to nanocomposites for detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. In some embodiments, the nanocomposites include: a core particle; a polymer associated with the core particle; a sulfur-based moiety associated with the polymer; and a releasable probe molecule associated with the core particle, where the releasable probe molecule is releasable from the core particle upon exposure to hydrocarbons. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure by utilizing the nanocomposites of the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: James M. Tour, Chih-Chau Hwang, Wei Lu, Gedeng Ruan, Mason B. Tomson, Amy Kan, Lu Wang, Michael S. Wong, Gautam Kini, George J. Hirasaki, Clarence Miller
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Patent number: 9340894Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides novel methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles for lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to anode materials derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Sibani Lisa Biswal, Madhuri Thakur, Michael S. Wong, Steven L. Sinsabaugh, Mark Isaacson
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Patent number: 9321021Abstract: An improved process for converting an oil suspension of nanoparticles (NPs) into a water suspension of NPs, wherein water and surfactant and a non-surfactant salt is used instead of merely water and surfactant, leading to greatly improved NP aqueous suspensions.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Michael S. Wong, Hitesh Ghanshyam Bagaria, Gautam Chandrakanth Kini, Wen Yin Lynn Ko
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Publication number: 20160030880Abstract: An improved method of CO2 capture is described. Typically, CO2 is absorbed by an aqueous solution of amines at a first temperature to form a CO2-amine reaction product, and desorbed at a second higher temperature. The improvement described herein adds a catalyst to the CO2-amine reaction product in an amount such that the CO2 desorption occurs at a lower temperature than the second higher temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Michael S. WONG, Jerimiah FORSYTHE, Mayank GUPTA, Colin SHAW, George HIRASAKI, Kenneth R. COX
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Patent number: 9068109Abstract: A method for the encapsulation and triggered-release of water-soluble or water-dispersible materials. The method comprises a) providing an amount of electrolyte having a charge, b) providing an amount of counterion having a valence of at least 2, c) combining the polyelectrolyte and the counterion in a solution such that the polyelectrolyte self-assembles to form aggregates, d) adding a compound to be encapsulated, and e) adding nanoparticles to the solution such that nanoparticles arrange themselves around the aggregates. Release of the encapsulated species is triggered by disassembly or deformation of the microcapsules though disruption of the charge interactions. This method is specifically useful for the controlled viscosity reduction of the fracturing fluids commonly utilized in the oil field.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Rohit K. Rana, Vinit S. Murthy, Michael S. Wong, Lewis R. Norman
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Patent number: 9061268Abstract: The invention generally relates to the ultrasmall MOx nanoparticles that are made in a solvothermal method using water soluble inorganic ammonium salt precursors of the MOx and organic amines, and slow heating to generate uniform ultrasmall MOx nanoparticles of 5 nm or less, as well as methods to make and use same.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Nikolaos Soultanidis, Michael S. Wong
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Publication number: 20150050741Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to nanocomposites for detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. In some embodiments, the nanocomposites include: a core particle; a polymer associated with the core particle; a sulfur-based moiety associated with the polymer; and a releasable probe molecule associated with the core particle, where the releasable probe molecule is releasable from the core particle upon exposure to hydrocarbons. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure by utilizing the nanocomposites of the present disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Chih-Chau Hwang, Wei Lu, Gedeng Ruan, Mason B. Tomson, Amy Kan, Lu Wang, Michael S. Wong, Gautam Kini, George J. Hirasaki, Clarence Miller
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Publication number: 20140193711Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of preparing porous silicon particulates by: (a) electrochemically etching a silicon substrate, where electrochemical etching comprises exposure of the silicon substrate to an electric current density, and where electrochemical etching produces a porous silicon film over the silicon substrate; (b) separating the porous silicon film from the silicon substrate, where the separating comprises a gradual increase of the electric current density in sequential increments; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) a plurality of times; (d) electrochemically etching the silicon substrate in accordance with step (a) to produce a porous silicon film over the silicon substrate; (e) chemically etching the porous silicon film and the silicon substrate; and (f) splitting the porous silicon film and the silicon substrate to form porous silicon particulates.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicants: Lockheed Martin Corporation, William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Sibani Lisa Biswal, Michael S. Wong, Madhuri Thakur, Steven L. Sinsabaugh
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Patent number: 8663690Abstract: Methods of nanoencapsulation are described herein. Embodiments of the method utilize the coacervation of a cationic polyelectrolyte with an anionic polyelectrolyte to form a novel capsular matrix. In particular, the novel methods may be used to encapsulate a suspension of a hydrophobic material such as a carotenoid. The disclosed methods do not require lengthy pH adjustments nor do they require the use of any toxic crosslinking agents. In one embodiment, a method of encapsulation comprises dispersing a hydrophobic compound in an organic solvent to form a solution. The method also comprises admixing an anionic polyelectrolyte and a cationic polyelectrolyte with the suspension to form a mixture. In addition, the method comprises quiescently cooling the mixture so as to cause self-crosslinking of a capsular matrix encapsulating the hydrophobic particles.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Muhammed K. Gheith, Yu-Lun Fang, Michael S. Wong
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Publication number: 20130345099Abstract: A method for the encapsulation and triggered-release of water-soluble or water-dispersible materials. The method comprises a) providing an amount of electrolyte having a charge, b) providing an amount of counterion having a valence of at least 2, c) combining the polyelectrolyte and the counterion in a solution such that the polyelectrolyte self-assembles to form aggregates, d) adding a compound to be encapsulated, and e) adding nanoparticles to the solution such that nanoparticles arrange themselves around the aggregates. Release of the encapsulated species is triggered by disassembly or deformation of the microcapsules though disruption of the charge interactions. This method is specifically useful for the controlled viscosity reduction of the fracturing fluids commonly utilized in the oil field.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Rohit K. RANA, Vinit S. MURTHY, Michael S. WONG, Lewis R. NORMAN
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Publication number: 20130090511Abstract: The invention generally relates to the ultrasmall MOx nanoparticles that are made in a solvothermal method using water soluble inorganic ammonium salt precursors of the MOx and organic amines, and slow heating to generate uniform ultrasmall MOx nanoparticles of 5 nm or less, as well as methods to make and use same.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Nikolaos Soultanidis, Michael S. Wong
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Publication number: 20130045420Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides novel methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles for lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to anode materials derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Sibani Lisa Biswal, Madhuri Thakur, Michael S. Wong, Steven L. Sinsabaugh, Mark Isaacson