Patents by Inventor Paul A. Menchhofer
Paul A. Menchhofer 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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Patent number: 11970764Abstract: A method for producing a structure containing an array of MWCNTs on a metal substrate, comprising: (i) subjecting a metal substrate to a surface oxidation process at a first elevated temperature in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and under a first reduced pressure; (ii) subjecting the metal substrate to a surface reduction process at a second elevated temperature in a reducing atmosphere and under a second reduced pressure of at least 0.01 atm and less than 1 atm to result in reduction of the surface of said metal substrate, wherein the reducing atmosphere contains hydrogen gas; (iii) subjecting the metal substrate to a third reduced pressure of no more than 0.1 atm; and (iv) contacting the metal substrate, while at the third reduced pressure and under an inert or reducing atmosphere, with an organic substance at a third elevated temperature for suitable time to produce the MWCNTs on the metal substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Chanaka Kapila Kumara Ihala Gamaralalage, Jun Qu, Paul A. Menchhofer
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Patent number: 11724310Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures comprising a titanium, zirconium, or hafnium powder particle with titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, or hafnium carbide (respectively) nano-whiskers grown directly from and anchored to the powder particle. Also disclosed are methods for fabrication of such structures, involving heating the powder particles and exposing the particles to an organic gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Paul A. Menchhofer, Roland D. Seals, James O. Kiggans, Jr.
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Patent number: 11154843Abstract: Methods of producing a nano-catalyst material including forming a plurality of nano-scale features on a surface of a substrate material. The nano-catalyst material may be used for forming anchored nanostructure materials by heating the nano-catalyst material under a protective atmosphere to a temperature ranging from about 450° C. to about 1500° C. and exposing the heated nano-catalyst to an organic vapor to affix a separate nanostructure to each of the plurality of nano-scale features. The nano-scale features may be formed on the surface of the substrate material by mechanical or thermal processes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Paul A. Menchhofer, Roland D. Seals, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20210222290Abstract: A method for producing a structure containing an array of MWCNTs on a metal substrate, comprising: (i) subjecting a metal substrate to a surface oxidation process at a first elevated temperature in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and under a first reduced pressure; (ii) subjecting the metal substrate to a surface reduction process at a second elevated temperature in a reducing atmosphere and under a second reduced pressure of at least 0.01 atm and less than 1 atm to result in reduction of the surface of said metal substrate, wherein the reducing atmosphere contains hydrogen gas; (iii) subjecting the metal substrate to a third reduced pressure of no more than 0.1 atm; and (iv) contacting the metal substrate, while at the third reduced pressure and under an inert or reducing atmosphere, with an organic substance at a third elevated temperature for suitable time to produce the MWCNTs on the metal substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Chanaka Kapila Kumara lhala Gamaralalage, Jun Qu, Paul A. Menchhofer
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Patent number: 10850324Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures comprising a titanium, zirconium, or hafnium powder particle with titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, or hafnium carbide (respectively) nano-whiskers grown directly from and anchored to the powder particle. Also disclosed are methods for fabrication of such structures, involving heating the powder particles and exposing the particles to an organic gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, James O. Kiggans, Jr.
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Patent number: 10239046Abstract: A fluffy nano-material and method of manufacture are described. At 2000× magnification the fluffy nanomaterial has the appearance of raw, uncarded wool, with individual fiber lengths ranging from approximately four microns to twenty microns. Powder-based nanocatalysts are dispersed in the fluffy nanomaterial. The production of fluffy nanomaterial typically involves flowing about 125 cc/min of organic vapor at a pressure of about 400 torr over powder-based nano-catalysts for a period of time that may range from approximately thirty minutes to twenty-four hours.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignees: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Paul A. Menchhofer, Roland D. Seals, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20180154435Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures comprising a titanium, zirconium, or hafnium powder particle with titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, or hafnium carbide (respectively) nano-whiskers grown directly from and anchored to the powder particle. Also disclosed are methods for fabrication of such structures, involving heating the powder particles and exposing the particles to an organic gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Paul A. Menchhofer, Roland D. Seals, James O. Kiggans, JR.
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Patent number: 9878307Abstract: Methods of fabricating nano-catalysts are described. In some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a powder-based substrate material and is some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a solid-based substrate material. In some embodiments the substrate material may include metal, ceramic, or silicon or another metalloid. The nano-catalysts typically have metal nanoparticles disposed adjacent the surface of the substrate material. The methods typically include functionalizing the surface of the substrate material with a chelating agent, such as a chemical having dissociated carboxyl functional groups (—COO), that provides an enhanced affinity for metal ions. The functionalized substrate surface may then be exposed to a chemical solution that contains metal ions. The metal ions are then bound to the substrate material and may then be reduced, such as by a stream of gas that includes hydrogen, to form metal nanoparticles adjacent the surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Patent number: 9732445Abstract: A method for producing a carbon fiber, the method comprising: (i) subjecting a continuous carbon fiber precursor having a polymeric matrix in which strength-enhancing particles are incorporated to a stabilization process during which the carbon fiber precursor is heated to within a temperature range ranging from the glass transition temperature to no less than 20° C. below the glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix, wherein the maximum temperature employed in the stabilization process is below 400° C., for a processing time within said temperature range of at least 1 hour in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of a magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla, while said carbon fiber precursor is held under an applied axial tension; and (ii) subjecting the stabilized carbon fiber precursor, following step (i), to a carbonization process. The stabilized carbon fiber precursor, resulting carbon fiber, and articles made thereof are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Orlando Rios, Michael Alan McGuire, Karren Leslie More, Wyatt Evan Tenhaeff, Paul A. Menchhofer, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
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Publication number: 20160258082Abstract: A method for producing a carbon fiber, the method comprising: (i) subjecting a continuous carbon fiber precursor having a polymeric matrix in which strength-enhancing particles are incorporated to a stabilization process during which the carbon fiber precursor is heated to within a temperature range ranging from the glass transition temperature to no less than 20° C. below the glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix, wherein the maximum temperature employed in the stabilization process is below 400° C., for a processing time within said temperature range of at least 1 hour in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of a magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla, while said carbon fiber precursor is held under an applied axial tension; and (ii) subjecting the stabilized carbon fiber precursor, following step (i), to a carbonization process. The stabilized carbon fiber precursor, resulting carbon fiber, and articles made thereof are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Orlando Rios, Michael Alan McGuire, Karren Leslie More, Wyatt Evan Tenhaeff, Paul A. Menchhofer, Felix Leonard Paulauskas
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Patent number: 9017598Abstract: A metal-bonded graphite foam composite includes a ductile metal continuous phase and a dispersed phase that includes graphite foam particles.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Paul A. Menchhofer, James W. Klett
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Publication number: 20150104646Abstract: A fluffy nano-material and method of manufacture are described. At 2000× magnification the fluffy nanomaterial has the appearance of raw, uncarded wool, with individual fiber lengths ranging from approximately four microns to twenty microns. Powder-based nanocatalysts are dispersed in the fluffy nanomaterial. The production of fluffy nanomaterial typically involves flowing about 125 cc/min of organic vapor at a pressure of about 400 torr over powder-based nano-catalysts for a period of time that may range from approximately thirty minutes to twenty-four hours.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Paul A. Menchhofer, Roland D. Seals, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Patent number: 8974719Abstract: A method of forming nano-structure composite materials that have a binder material and a nanostructure fiber material is described. A precursor material may be formed using a mixture of at least one metal powder and anchored nanostructure materials. The metal powder mixture may be (a) Ni powder and (b) NiAl powder. The anchored nanostructure materials may comprise (i) NiAl powder as a support material and (ii) carbon nanotubes attached to nanoparticles adjacent to a surface of the support material. The process of forming nano-structure composite materials typically involves sintering the mixture under vacuum in a die. When Ni and NiAl are used in the metal powder mixture Ni3Al may form as the binder material after sintering. The mixture is sintered until it consolidates to form the nano-structure composite material.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Patent number: 8945691Abstract: A fluffy nano-material and method of manufacture are described. At 2000× magnification the fluffy nanomaterial has the appearance of raw, uncarded wool, with individual fiber lengths ranging from approximately four microns to twenty microns. Powder-based nanocatalysts are dispersed in the fluffy nanomaterial. The production of fluffy nanomaterial typically involves flowing about 125 cc/min of organic vapor at a pressure of about 400 torr over powder-based nano-catalysts for a period of time that may range from approximately thirty minutes to twenty-four hours.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLCInventors: Paul A. Menchhofer, Roland D. Seals, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20140037978Abstract: Anchored nanostructure materials and methods for their fabrication are described. The anchored nanostructure materials may utilize nano-catalysts that include powder-based or solid-based support materials. The support material may comprise metal, such as NiAl, ceramic, a cermet, or silicon or other metalloid. Typically, nanoparticles are disposed adjacent a surface of the support material. Nanostructures may be formed as anchored to nanoparticles that are adjacent the surface of the support material by heating the nano-catalysts and then exposing the nano-catalysts to an organic vapor. The nanostructures are typically single wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Patent number: 8591988Abstract: Methods for fabricating anchored nanostructure materials are described. The methods include heating a nano-catalyst under a protective atmosphere to a temperature ranging from about 450° C. to about 1500° C. and contacting the heated nano-catalysts with an organic vapor to affix carbon nanostructures to the nano-catalysts and form the anchored nanostructure material.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20130195708Abstract: A metal-bonded graphite foam composite includes a ductile metal continuous phase and a dispersed phase that includes graphite foam particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: James W. Klett, Paul A. Menchhofer, James A. Hunter
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Patent number: 8377840Abstract: Methods of fabricating nano-catalysts are described. In some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a powder-based substrate material and is some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a solid-based substrate material. In some embodiments the substrate material may include metal, ceramic, or silicon or another metalloid. The nano-catalysts typically have metal nanoparticles disposed adjacent the surface of the substrate material. The methods typically include functionalizing the surface of the substrate material with a chelating agent, such as a chemical having dissociated carboxyl functional groups (—COO), that provides an enhanced affinity for metal ions. The functionalized substrate surface may then be exposed to a chemical solution that contains metal ions. The metal ions are then bound to the substrate material and may then be reduced, such as by a stream of gas that includes hydrogen, to form metal nanoparticles adjacent the surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20130029836Abstract: A method of forming nano-structure composite materials that have a binder material and a nanostructure fiber material is described. A precursor material may be formed using a mixture of at least one metal powder and anchored nanostructure materials. The metal powder mixture may be (a) Ni powder and (b) NiAl powder. The anchored nanostructure materials may comprise (i) NiAl powder as a support material and (ii) carbon nanotubes attached to nanoparticles adjacent to a surface of the support material. The process of forming nano-structure composite materials typically involves sintering the mixture under vacuum in a die. When Ni and NiAl are used in the metal powder mixture Ni3Al may form as the binder material after sintering. The mixture is sintered until it consolidates to form the nano-structure composite material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20120321892Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures comprising a titanium, zirconium, or hafnium powder particle with titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, or hafnium carbide (respectively) nano-whiskers disposed adjacent and anchored to the powder particle. Also disclosed are methods for fabrication of such structures, involving heating the powder particles and exposing the particles to an organic gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLCInventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, James O. Kiggins, JR.