Patents by Inventor Richard T. Mayes
Richard T. Mayes 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: 11247191Abstract: A method of producing a functionalized material that extracts metal ions from solution, the method comprising: (i) providing a precursor material having nitrile groups appended to its surface; and (ii) reacting said nitrile groups with hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of 60-80° C. for at least 1 hour, to convert at least a portion of said nitrile groups to amidoxime and imide dioxime groups, followed by reaction with a base capable of hydrolyzing any remaining nitrile groups to carboxylic acid groups; wherein said functionalized material has a higher uranium absorption capacity than a functionalized material produced under same conditions except that the nitrile groups are reacted with hydroxylamine in only a protic solvent. The invention is also directed to functionalized materials produced by the above-described method, and methods for using the functionalized material for extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Christopher J. Janke, Richard T. Mayes, Sadananda Das, Sheng Dai
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Patent number: 11251433Abstract: The invention is directed in a first aspect to electron-conducting porous compositions comprising an organic polymer matrix doped with nitrogen atoms and having elemental sulfur dispersed therein, particularly such compositions having an ordered framework structure. The invention is also directed to composites of such S/N-doped electron-conducting porous aromatic framework (PAF) compositions, or composites of an S/N-doped mesoporous carbon composition, which includes the S/N-doped composition in admixture with a binder, and optionally, conductive carbon. The invention is further directed to cathodes for a lithium-sulfur battery in which such composites are incorporated.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Sheng Dai, Xiao-Guang Sun, Xiqing Wang, Richard T. Mayes
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Publication number: 20210222042Abstract: A heat transfer (exchange) composition comprising a halide salt matrix having dispersed therein nanoparticles comprising elemental carbon in the absence of water and surfactants, wherein said halide is fluoride or chloride, wherein the halide salt may be an alkali halide salt (e.g., lithium fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, rubidium fluoride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, rubidium chloride, and eutectic mixtures thereof) or an alkaline earth halide salt (e.g., fluoride or chloride salt of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium), and wherein the nanoparticles comprising elemental carbon may be solid or hollow, and wherein the composition may further include nanoparticles comprising a fissile material (e.g., U, Th, or Pu) dispersed within the composition. Molten salt reactors (MSRs) containing these heat transfer compositions in coolant loops in thermal exchange with a reactor core, as well operation of such MSRs, are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Sheng Dai, Carter W. Abney, Richard T. Mayes, Dmitriy Dolzhnikov, Huimin Luo
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Patent number: 11050094Abstract: A heat transfer (exchange) composition comprising a halide salt matrix having dispersed therein nanoparticles comprising elemental carbon in the absence of water and surfactants, wherein said halide is fluoride or chloride, wherein the halide salt may be an alkali halide salt (e.g., lithium fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, rubidium fluoride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, rubidium chloride, and eutectic mixtures thereof) or an alkaline earth halide salt (e.g., fluoride or chloride salt of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium), and wherein the nanoparticles comprising elemental carbon may be solid or hollow, and wherein the composition may further include nanoparticles comprising a fissile material (e.g., U, Th, or Pu) dispersed within the composition. Molten salt reactors (MSRs) containing these heat transfer compositions in coolant loops in thermal exchange with a reactor core, as well operation of such MSRs, are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Sheng Dai, Carter W. Abney, Richard T. Mayes, Dmitriy Dolzhnikov, Huimin Luo
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Publication number: 20200306724Abstract: A method of producing a functionalized material that extracts metal ions from solution, the method comprising: (i) providing a precursor material having nitrile groups appended to its surface; and (ii) reacting said nitrile groups with hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of 60-80° C. for at least 1 hour, to convert at least a portion of said nitrile groups to amidoxime and imide dioxime groups, followed by reaction with a base capable of hydrolyzing any remaining nitrile groups to carboxylic acid groups; wherein said functionalized material has a higher uranium absorption capacity than a functionalized material produced under same conditions except that the nitrile groups are reacted with hydroxylamine in only a protic solvent. The invention is also directed to functionalized materials produced by the above-described method, and methods for using the functionalized material for extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Christopher J. JANKE, Richard T. MAYES, Sadananda DAS, Sheng DAI
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Patent number: 10702852Abstract: A method of producing a functionalized material that extracts metal ions from solution, the method comprising: (i) providing a precursor material having nitrile groups appended to its surface; and (ii) reacting said nitrile groups with hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of 60-80° C. for at least 1 hour, to convert at least a portion of said nitrile groups to amidoxime and imide dioxime groups, followed by reaction with a base capable of hydrolyzing any remaining nitrile groups to carboxylic acid groups; wherein said functionalized material has a higher uranium absorption capacity than a functionalized material produced under same conditions except that the nitrile groups are reacted with hydroxylamine in only a protic solvent. The invention is also directed to functionalized materials produced by the above-described method, and methods for using the functionalized material for extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Christopher J. Janke, Richard T. Mayes, Sadananda Das, Sheng Dai
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Patent number: 10626028Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic component, (iii) a dione component in which carbonyl groups are adjacent, and (iv) an acidic component, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity comprised of mesopores and macropores. Also described are the resulting hierarchical porous carbon material, a capacitive deionization device in which the porous carbon material is incorporated, as well as methods for desalinating water by use of said capacitive deionization device.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Richard T. Mayes, Sheng Dai
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Publication number: 20180370824Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic component, (iii) a dione component in which carbonyl groups are adjacent, and (iv) an acidic component, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity comprised of mesopores and macropores. Also described are the resulting hierarchical porous carbon material, a capacitive deionization device in which the porous carbon material is incorporated, as well as methods for desalinating water by use of said capacitive deionization device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Richard T. Mayes, Sheng Dai
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Publication number: 20180309130Abstract: The invention is directed in a first aspect to electron-conducting porous compositions comprising an organic polymer matrix doped with nitrogen atoms and having elemental sulfur dispersed therein, particularly such compositions having an ordered framework structure. The invention is also directed to composites of such S/N-doped electron-conducting porous aromatic framework (PAF) compositions, or composites of an S/N-doped mesoporous carbon composition, which includes the S/N-doped composition in admixture with a binder, and optionally, conductive carbon. The invention is further directed to cathodes for a lithium-sulfur battery in which such composites are incorporated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Sheng Dai, Xiao-Guang Sun, Bingkun Guo, Xiqing Wang, Richard T. Mayes, Teng Ben, Shilun Qiu
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Patent number: 10044039Abstract: The invention is directed in a first aspect to electron-conducting porous compositions comprising an organic polymer matrix doped with nitrogen atoms and having elemental sulfur dispersed therein, particularly such compositions having an ordered framework structure. The invention is also directed to composites of such S/N-doped electron-conducting porous aromatic framework (PAF) compositions, or composites of an S/N-doped mesoporous carbon composition, which includes the S/N-doped composition in admixture with a binder, and optionally, conductive carbon. The invention is further directed to cathodes for a lithium-sulfur battery in which such composites are incorporated.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: UT-Batelle, LLCInventors: Sheng Dai, Xiao-Guang Sun, Bingkun Guo, Xiqing Wang, Richard T. Mayes, Teng Ben, Shilun Qiu
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Patent number: 10023480Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic component, (iii) a dione component in which carbonyl groups are adjacent, and (iv) an acidic component, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity comprised of mesopores and macropores. Also described are the resulting hierarchical porous carbon material, a capacitive deionization device in which the porous carbon material is incorporated, as well as methods for desalinating water by use of said capacitive deionization device.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Richard T. Mayes, Sheng Dai
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Publication number: 20170361304Abstract: A method of producing a functionalized material that extracts metal ions from solution, the method comprising: (i) providing a precursor material having nitrile groups appended to its surface; and (ii) reacting said nitrile groups with hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of 60-80° C. for at least 1 hour, to convert at least a portion of said nitrile groups to amidoxime and imide dioxime groups, followed by reaction with a base capable of hydrolyzing any remaining nitrile groups to carboxylic acid groups; wherein said functionalized material has a higher uranium absorption capacity than a functionalized material produced under same conditions except that the nitrile groups are reacted with hydroxylamine in only a protic solvent. The invention is also directed to functionalized materials produced by the above-described method, and methods for using the functionalized material for extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Christopher J. JANKE, Richard T. MAYES, Sadananda DAS, Sheng DAI
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Publication number: 20160365581Abstract: The invention is directed in a first aspect to electron-conducting porous compositions comprising an organic polymer matrix doped with nitrogen atoms and having elemental sulfur dispersed therein, particularly such compositions having an ordered framework structure. The invention is also directed to composites of such S/N-doped electron-conducting porous aromatic framework (PAF) compositions, or composites of an S/N-doped mesoporous carbon composition, which includes the S/N-doped composition in admixture with a binder, and optionally, conductive carbon. The invention is further directed to cathodes for a lithium-sulfur battery in which such composites are incorporated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: UT-Batelle, LLCInventors: Sheng Dai, Xiao-Guang Sun, Bingkun Guo, Xiqing Wang, Richard T. Mayes, Teng Ben, Shilun Qiu
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Patent number: 9455439Abstract: The invention is directed in a first aspect to electron-conducting porous compositions comprising an organic polymer matrix doped with nitrogen atoms and having elemental sulfur dispersed therein, particularly such compositions having an ordered framework structure. The invention is also directed to composites of such S/N-doped electron-conducting porous aromatic framework (PAF) compositions, or composites of an S/N-doped mesoporous carbon composition, which includes the S/N-doped composition in admixture with a binder, and optionally, conductive carbon. The invention is further directed to cathodes for a lithium-sulfur battery in which such composites are incorporated.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Sheng Dai, Xiao-Guang Sun, Bingkun Guo, Xiqing Wang, Richard T. Mayes, Teng Ben, Shilun Qiu
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Patent number: 9249241Abstract: A functionalized mesoporous carbon composition comprising a mesoporous carbon scaffold having mesopores in which polyvinyl polymer grafts are covalently attached, wherein said mesopores have a size of at least 2 nm and up to 50 nm. Also described is a method for producing the functionalized mesoporous composition, wherein a reaction medium comprising a precursor mesoporous carbon, vinyl monomer, initiator, and solvent is subjected to sonication of sufficient power to result in grafting and polymerization of the vinyl monomer into mesopores of the precursor mesoporous carbon. Also described are methods for using the functionalized mesoporous carbon, particularly in extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Sheng Dai, Joanna Gorka, Richard T. Mayes
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Publication number: 20150306570Abstract: A method of forming a metal-carbon composite, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a phenolic component, (ii) a crosslinkable aldehyde component, (iii) a polymerization catalyst, and (iv) metal-containing particles, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature of at least 300° C. for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to said metal-carbon composite. The produced metal-carbon composite, devices incorporating them, and methods of their use (e.g., in capacitive deionization and lithium ion batteries) are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Richard T. Mayes, James O. Kiggans, Jr., Sheng Dai, David William DePaoli, Constantinos Tsouris, William H. Peter
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Publication number: 20150047983Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic component, (iii) a dione component in which carbonyl groups are adjacent, and (iv) an acidic component, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity comprised of mesopores and macropores. Also described are the resulting hierarchical porous carbon material, a capacitive deionization device in which the porous carbon material is incorporated, as well as methods for desalinating water by use of said capacitive deionization device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Richard T. Mayes, Sheng Dai
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Patent number: 8920622Abstract: An electrolyte system includes a reactor having a pair of electrodes that may sorb ions from an electrolyte. The electrolyte system also includes at least one power supply in electrical communication with the reactor. The at least one power supply may supply a DC signal and an AC signal to the pair of electrodes during sorption of the ions. In addition, the power supply may supply only the AC signal to the pair of electrodes during desorption of the ions.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: UT Battelle, LLCInventors: David William DePaoli, James O. Kiggans, Jr., Costas Tsouris, William Bourcier, Robert Campbell, Richard T. Mayes
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Patent number: 8865351Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic component, (iii) a dione component in which carbonyl groups are adjacent, and (iv) an acidic component, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity comprised of mesopores and macropores. Also described are the resulting hierarchical porous carbon material, a capacitive deionization device in which the porous carbon material is incorporated, as well as methods for desalinating water by use of said capacitive deionization device.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Richard T. Mayes, Sheng Dai
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Publication number: 20140294701Abstract: A functionalized mesoporous carbon composition comprising a mesoporous carbon scaffold having mesopores in which polyvinyl polymer grafts are covalently attached, wherein said mesopores have a size of at least 2 nm and up to 50 nm. Also described is a method for producing the functionalized mesoporous composition, wherein a reaction medium comprising a precursor mesoporous carbon, vinyl monomer, initiator, and solvent is subjected to sonication of sufficient power to result in grafting and polymerization of the vinyl monomer into mesopores of the precursor mesoporous carbon. Also described are methods for using the functionalized mesoporous carbon, particularly in extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Sheng Dai, Joanna Gorka, Richard T. Mayes