Patents by Inventor Richard J. Saykally

Richard J. Saykally 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).

  • Thermally driven electrokinetic energy conversion with liquid water microjects
    Patent number: 10404193
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to materials, methods to prepare, and methods of use of a thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus. The electrokinetic microjet apparatus includes a reservoir; a jet assembly fluidly communicating with at least the reservoir; and a target electrode spaced from at least the jet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard J Saykally, Stephen J Harris
  • Method and apparatus for electrokinetic co-generation of hydrogen and electric power from liquid water microjets
    Patent number: 8372374
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing both a gas and electrical power from a flowing liquid, the method comprising: a) providing a source liquid containing ions that when neutralized form a gas; b) providing a velocity to the source liquid relative to a solid material to form a charged liquid microjet, which subsequently breaks up into a droplet spay, the solid material forming a liquid-solid interface; and c) supplying electrons to the charged liquid by contacting a spray stream of the charged liquid with an electron source. In one embodiment, where the liquid is water, hydrogen gas is formed and a streaming current is generated. The apparatus comprises a source of pressurized liquid, a microjet nozzle, a conduit for delivering said liquid to said microjet nozzle, and a conductive metal target sufficiently spaced from said nozzle such that the jet stream produced by said microjet is discontinuous at said target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Richard J. Saykally, Andrew M. Duffin, Kevin R. Wilson, Bruce S. Rude
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROKINETIC CO-GENERATION OF HYDROGEN AND ELECTRIC POWER FROM LIQUID WATER MICROJETS
    Publication number: 20100101934
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing both a gas and electrical power from a flowing liquid, the method comprising: a) providing a source liquid containing ions that when neutralized form a gas; b) providing a velocity to the source liquid relative to a solid material to form a charged liquid microjet, which subsequently breaks up into a droplet spay, the solid material forming a liquid-solid interface; and c) supplying electrons to the charged liquid by contacting a spray stream of the charged liquid with an electron source. In one embodiment, where the liquid is water, hydrogen gas is formed and a streaming current is generated. The apparatus comprises a source of pressurized liquid, a microjet nozzle, a conduit for delivering said liquid to said microjet nozzle, and a conductive metal target sufficiently spaced from said nozzle such that the jet stream produced by said microjet is discontinuous at said target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Richard J. Saykally, Andrew M. Duffin, Kevin R. Wilson, Bruce S. Rude