Patents by Inventor Rex E. Gerald

Rex E. Gerald 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: 20030173967
    Abstract: A novel NMR principal detector element of the present invention comprises a NMR-active inductor in a radio frequency (RF) resonance circuit, and mitigates the distortions in a static magnetic field caused by the introduction of a toroid cavity NMR detector. The RF resonance circuit includes a novel principal detector element, capacitor elements, and a sample chamber (the cavity). The novel principal detector element defines the NMR active portion of the inductance of the electronic resonance circuit. In one embodiment of the invention, the novel principal detector element includes two hemispheres connected by a central rod. The central rod can be of any length and diameter, and the hemispheres can be of any diameter. A typical embodiment of the invention would include a rod that is 2 cm long having a diameter of 1 mm, and hemispheres having a diameter of 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Publication number: 20030138702
    Abstract: A solid state ion conducting electrolyte and a battery incorporating same. The electrolyte includes a polymer matrix with an alkali metal salt dissolved therein, the salt having an anion with a long or branched chain having not less than 5 carbon or silicon atoms therein. The polymer is preferably a polyether and the salt anion is preferably an alkyl or silyl moiety of from 5 to about 150 carbon/silicon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, Jerome W. Rathke, Robert J. Klingler
  • Publication number: 20030117141
    Abstract: A novel NMR detector of the present invention comprises a radio frequency (RF) resonance circuit. The RF resonance circuit includes a principal detector element and a sample chamber. The principal detector element defines an inductor of the electronic resonance circuit. In one embodiment of the invention the sample chamber containing the inductor is a stainless steel sample chamber. The stainless steel sample chamber is a modified toroid cavity detector (TCD). The inductor is formed by an atomically flat metallic disk, such as, a mercury pool, with a predefined surface area, such as a surface area of 7.5 cm2. Liquid mercury is incorporated into a toroid cavity detector as the inductor of the resonance circuit, and as the base of the cavity. Self-assembled molecular structures (monolayers and multilayers) are formed using long-chain alkane thiols, which are known to chemically react with silver, gold, platinum, palladium, and mercury surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, Lennox E. Iton, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Publication number: 20030052678
    Abstract: A detecting method and detector expands the capabilities of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis. A Rotational Exchange Gradient Imager (REGI) allows for real-time, in situ investigation of materials subjected to the effects of centrifugal force by NMR analysis. The REGI comprises a cylindrical stator formed of an electrically conductive, non-magnetic material, a rotor contained in the cylindrical stator formed of an electrically non-conductive, non-magnetic material, and a conductor located along a central axis of the cylindrical stator. A sample is contained within the rotor. The stator and central conductor serve to generate the RF magnetic field for NMR analysis. The rotor containing the sample is rotated within a stable air bearing formed between the cylindrical stator and rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Publication number: 20030020474
    Abstract: A two dimensional B1-gradient NMR imager and methods for non-invasive spectroscopic investigations and imaging of the internal distribution and speciation of materials of fluid, solid, and semisolid objects in two spatial dimensions utilizing a toroid cavity detector. An RF signal transmitter/receiver generates a magnetic field B1 within the toroid cavity and receives a sample response to the magnetic fields B0 and B1. A pivot angle position controller adjusts a pivot angle position of the toroid cavity and enclosed sample to vary an angle between the magnetic field B0 and the central axis of said toroid cavity. A positional rotation controller positions the toroid cavity and enclosed sample at variable angular orientations relative to an initial position and a plane formed by the externally applied static main magnetic field B0 and the central axis of the toroid cavity. A computer sequentially receives and processes sample responses to produce a two-dimensional image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, Rafael L. Greenblatt, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Publication number: 20030016019
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus are used in a toroid cavity detector for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis to hold samples relative to a principal detector element which is a flat metal conductor, the plane of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toroid cavity. A sample is held adjacent to or in contact with the principal detector element so that the sample can be subjected to NMR analysis when a static main homogeneous magnetic field (B0) produced by a NMR magnetic device is applied to the toroid cavity and an RF excitation signal pulse is supplied from a potentiostat to the principal detector element so that an alternately energized and de-energized magnetic field (B1) is produced in the sample and through the toroid cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke