Patents by Inventor Randall Morgan Erb
Randall Morgan Erb 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: 11820880Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for composites, including carbon fiber-metal composites. In some cases, the composites may be formed from one, two, or more layers of metals or other substrates, sandwiching a plurality of aligned fibers. The fibers may be substantially aligned, and may be present at relatively high densities within the composite. The composites may be prepared, in some aspects, by dispersing fibers by neutralizing the electrostatic interactions between the fibers, for example using aqueous liquids containing the fibers that are able to neutralize the electrostatic interactions that typically occur between the fibers. In some cases, the fibers may be aligned using techniques such as shear flow and/or magnetism. Other aspects are generally directed to methods of using such composites, kits including such composites, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Boston Materials, Inc.Inventors: Anvesh Gurijala, Randall Morgan Erb, Rasam Soheilian
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Publication number: 20210008840Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for composites, including carbon fiber-metal composites. In some cases, the composites may be formed from one, two, or more layers of metals or other substrates, sandwiching a plurality of aligned fibers. The fibers may be substantially aligned, and may be present at relatively high densities within the composite. The composites may be prepared, in some aspects, by dispersing fibers by neutralizing the electrostatic interactions between the fibers, for example using aqueous liquids containing the fibers that are able to neutralize the electrostatic interactions that typically occur between the fibers. In some cases, the fibers may be aligned using techniques such as shear flow and/or magnetism. Other aspects are generally directed to methods of using such composites, kits including such composites, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Boston Materials, Inc.Inventors: Anvesh Gurijala, Randall Morgan Erb, Rasam Soheilian
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Patent number: 10834854Abstract: In an embodiment, a process for making a thermal interface article comprises shaping a flowable composite comprising a flowable matrix composition, a plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles having an average length greater than a thickness or diameter, wherein the plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles have magnetic or superparamagnetic nanoparticles attached thereto, to provide the flowable composite in a shape comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, and having a Z-axis perpendicular to the first surface and the opposing second surface; subjecting the flowable composite to a rotating magnetic field and to a vibrational force in an amount and for a time effective to align the average length of the plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles along the Z-axis; and solidifying the flowable matrix composition to provide the thermal interface, wherein the thermal interface has a Z-direction thermal conductivity of at least 1.0 W/mK.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Northeastern UniversityInventors: Li Zhang, Randall Morgan Erb, Jabulani R. T. Barber, Anvesh Gurijala, Qiaochu Han
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Patent number: 10675819Abstract: The use of magnetic fields in the production of porous articles is generally described. Certain embodiments are related to methods of producing porous articles in which magnetic fields are applied to an emulsion to align emulsion droplets. In some embodiments, after the emulsion droplets have been aligned, the emulsion droplets and/or the medium surrounding the emulsion droplets can be removed to leave behind a porous article. According to certain embodiments, polyvinyl alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the emulsion droplets and/or bind together components of the porous article. In some embodiments, water-soluble liquid alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the suspension of electronically conductive material within a phase of the emulsion.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern UniversityInventors: Linsen Li, Jonathan Samuel Sander, Yet-Ming Chiang, Randall Morgan Erb
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Patent number: 10596757Abstract: Augmented three-dimensional (3D) printing systems and methods for constructing and mineralizing a hydrogel structure with defined geometry are disclosed. One example embodiment is a system for three-dimensional printing and mineralizing a polymer. The system includes a three-dimensional printer unit with a syringe extruder, a fluid delivery system operatively coupled to the three-dimensional printer unit, and a control unit. The control unit is operatively coupled to the three-dimensional printer unit and fluid delivery system, and is configured to (i) cause the three-dimensional printer unit to print a portion of a three-dimensional polymer object, (ii) cause the fluid delivery system to flush the portion of the three-dimensional polymer object with a fluid to mineralize the portion of the three-dimensional polymer object, and (iii) cause the three-dimensional printer unit to print a subsequent portion of the three-dimensional polymer object.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignees: Northeastern University, Colorado School of MinesInventors: Randall Morgan Erb, Melissa Krebs, Tyler Hall, Kelli Ann Lynch, Conor Michael Doyle, Isabel Welch, Peter Christensen
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Patent number: 10569480Abstract: The use of magnetic fields in the production of porous articles is generally described. Certain embodiments comprise exposing a matrix to a magnetic field such that particles within the matrix form one or more elongated regions (e.g., one or more regions in which the particles chain). In some embodiments, after the magnetic field has been applied, the particles and/or a liquid within the matrix can be at least partially removed. Removal of the particles and/or the liquid can leave behind anisotropic pores within the remainder of the matrix material.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern UniversityInventors: Jonathan Samuel Sander, Yet-Ming Chiang, Randall Morgan Erb
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Publication number: 20190077661Abstract: A method of preparing a boron nitride foam includes flowing a gaseous medium along a flow path; introducing into the flow path a flowable composition that includes boron nitride sheets, a suspending agent, and optionally a surfactant to foam the flowable composition in the flow path; outputting the foamed flowable composition from the flow path; and solidifying the outputted flowable composition to provide the boron nitride foam; wherein the boron nitride foam has a structure defined by a three-dimensional network of interconnected cells defined by cell walls, wherein the cell walls include the boron nitride sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: RANDALL MORGAN ERB, ANVESH GURIJALA, LI ZHANG, QIAOCHU HAN
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Publication number: 20180249593Abstract: In an embodiment, a process for making a thermal interface article comprises shaping a flowable composite comprising a flowable matrix composition, a plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles having an average length greater than a thickness or diameter, wherein the plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles have magnetic or superparamagnetic nanoparticles attached thereto, to provide the flowable composite in a shape comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, and having a Z-axis perpendicular to the first surface and the opposing second surface; subjecting the flowable composite to a rotating magnetic field and to a vibrational force in an amount and for a time effective to align the average length of the plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles along the Z-axis; and solidifying the flowable matrix composition to provide the thermal interface, wherein the thermal interface has a Z-direction thermal conductivity of at least 1.0 W/mK.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Li Zhang, Randall Morgan Erb, Jabulani R.T. Barber, Anvesh Gurijala, Qiaochu Han
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Publication number: 20180243980Abstract: Augmented three-dimensional (3D) printing systems and methods for constructing and mineralizing a hydrogel structure with defined geometry are disclosed. One example embodiment is a system for three-dimensional printing and mineralizing a polymer. The system includes a three-dimensional printer unit with a syringe extruder, a fluid delivery system operatively coupled to the three-dimensional printer unit, and a control unit. The control unit is operatively coupled to the three-dimensional printer unit and fluid delivery system, and is configured to (i) cause the three-dimensional printer unit to print a portion of a three-dimensional polymer object, (ii) cause the fluid delivery system to flush the portion of the three-dimensional polymer object with a fluid to mineralize the portion of the three-dimensional polymer object, and (iii) cause the three-dimensional printer unit to print a subsequent portion of the three-dimensional polymer object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Randall Morgan Erb, Melissa Krebs, Tyler Hall, Kelli Ann Lynch, Conor Michael Doyle, Isabel Welch, Peter Christensen
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Publication number: 20170173893Abstract: The use of magnetic fields in the production of porous articles is generally described. Certain embodiments are related to methods of producing porous articles in which magnetic fields are applied to an emulsion to align emulsion droplets. In some embodiments, after the emulsion droplets have been aligned, the emulsion droplets and/or the medium surrounding the emulsion droplets can be removed to leave behind a porous article. According to certain embodiments, polyvinyl alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the emulsion droplets and/or bind together components of the porous article. In some embodiments, water-soluble liquid alcohol can be used, for example, to stabilize the suspension of electronically conductive material within a phase of the emulsion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern UniversityInventors: Linsen Li, Jonathan Samuel Sander, Yet-Ming Chiang, Randall Morgan Erb
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Publication number: 20160096334Abstract: The use of magnetic fields in the production of porous articles is generally described. Certain embodiments comprise exposing a matrix to a magnetic field such that particles within the matrix form one or more elongated regions (e.g., one or more regions in which the particles chain). In some embodiments, after the magnetic field has been applied, the particles and/or a liquid within the matrix can be at least partially removed. Removal of the particles and/or the liquid can leave behind anisotropic pores within the remainder of the matrix material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern UniversityInventors: Jonathan Samuel Sander, Yet-Ming Chiang, Randall Morgan Erb
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Publication number: 20100279887Abstract: A method of separating a target biological analyte from a mixture of substances in a fluid sample employs nonlinear magnetophoresis. Magnetic particles having the capacity to bind to the target analyte are contacted with the fluid sample so that the analyte is immobilized on the surface of at least some of the particles. The magnetic particles are provided adjacent an array of micromagnets patterned on a substrate so that the particles are attracted the micromagnets. The magnetic particles are then subjected to a traveling magnetic field operating at or above a frequency effective to sweep those particles not bound to analyte to an adjacent micromagnet. Those magnetic particles bound to analyte have a larger size or smaller magnetic moment that prevents them from being moved to adjacent micromagnets, thereby affording separation of the analyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2008Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventors: Gil U. Lee, Benjamin Yellen, Randall Morgan Erb