Patents by Inventor Rodolfo Cruz

Rodolfo Cruz 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).

  • Patent number: 11958038
    Abstract: A group of reductive 2D materials (R2D) with extended reactive vacancies and a method for making the R2D with extended reactive vacancies are provided, especially the example of the reductive boron nitride (RBN). To create defects such as vacancies, boron nitride (BN) powders are milled at cryogenic temperatures. Vacancies are produced by milling, and the vacancies can be used to reduce various metal nanostructures on RBN. Due to the thermal stability of the RBN and the enhanced catalytic performance of metal nanostructures, RBN-metals can be used for different catalysts, including electrochemical catalysts and high temperature catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mauricio Terrones, Yu Lei, He Liu, Kazunori Fujisawa, Ana Laura Elias Arriaga, Tianyi Zhang, Rodolfo Cruz-Silva, Morinobu Endo, Xiaoxing Wang, Cynthia Guerrero-Bermea
  • Publication number: 20200360867
    Abstract: Provided is a water treatment flow channel member in which the occurrence of fouling is suppressed. A water treatment flow channel member 1 of the present invention is formed from a molded product containing a synthetic resin and a nanocarbon material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroki KITANO, Akio YAMAGUCHI, Morinobu ENDO, Rodolfo CRUZ SILVA
  • Patent number: 9284193
    Abstract: We report a method of preparation of highly elastic graphene oxide films, and their transformation into graphene oxide fibers and electrically conductive graphene fibers by spinning. Methods typically include: 1) oxidation of graphite to graphene oxide, 2) preparation of graphene oxide slurry with high solid contents and residues of sulfuric acid impurities. 3) preparation of large area films by bar-coating or dropcasting the graphene oxide dispersion and drying at low temperature. 4) spinning the graphene oxide film into a fiber, and 5) thermal or chemical reduction of the graphene oxide fiber into an electrically conductive graphene fiber. The resulting films and fiber have excellent mechanical properties, improved morphology as compared with current graphene oxide fibers, high electrical conductivity upon thermal reduction, and improved field emission properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, SHINSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rodolfo Cruz-Silva, Aaron Morelos, Mauricio Terrones, Ana Laura Elias, Nestor Perea-Lopez, Morinobu Endo
  • Publication number: 20150111449
    Abstract: We report a method of preparation of highly elastic graphene oxide films, and their transformation into graphene oxide fibers and electrically conductive graphene fibers by spinning. Methods typically include: 1) oxidation of graphite to graphene oxide, 2) preparation of graphene oxide slurry with high solid contents and residues of sulfuric acid impurities. 3) preparation of large area films by bar-coating or dropcasting the graphene oxide dispersion and drying at low temperature. 4) spinning the graphene oxide film into a fiber, and 5) thermal or chemical reduction of the graphene oxide fiber into an electrically conductive graphene fiber. The resulting films and fiber have excellent mechanical properties, improved morphology as compared with current graphene oxide fibers, high electrical conductivity upon thermal reduction, and improved field emission properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Rodolfo Cruz-Silva, Aaron Morelos, Mauricio Terrones, Ana Laura Elias, Nestor Perea-Lopez, Morinobu Endo
  • Patent number: 8968525
    Abstract: A method of reducing a film of graphite oxide. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a film of graphite oxide with a thickness d0; and delivering optical energy in a single pulse to the film of graphite oxide at a distance no more than 1.0 cm away from the film of graphite oxide to reduce the film of graphite oxide to a film of graphene with a thickness d, wherein the optical energy has a radiant exposure in the range of between 0.1 and 2 J/cm2, and wherein the thickness d is greater than the thickness d0. In one embodiment, the thickness d?10×d0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Jiaxing Huang, Laura Cote, Rodolfo Cruz Silva
  • Publication number: 20100221508
    Abstract: A method of reducing a film of graphite oxide. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a film of graphite oxide with a thickness d0; and delivering optical energy in a single pulse to the film of graphite oxide at a distance no more than 1.0 cm away from the film of graphite oxide to reduce the film of graphite oxide to a film of graphene with a thickness d, wherein the optical energy has a radiant exposure in the range of between 0.1 and 2 J/cm2, and wherein the thickness d is greater than the thickness d0. In one embodiment, the thickness d?10×d0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jiaxing Huang, Laura Cote, Rodolfo Cruz Silva
  • Patent number: 7100449
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for coupling ultrasound between an ultrasonic transducer and an object. A fluid cavity in an upper chamber has an inlet for receiving a flow of coupling fluid, a first aperture for admitting the ultrasonic transducer into the fluid cavity and a second aperture for dispensing coupling fluid from the fluid cavity to the object. The first and second apertures may be sized to restrict flow of coupling fluid from the fluid cavity. The focus of the ultrasound transducer may be varied by moving the ultrasonic transducer relative to the upper chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Busch, James C. McKeon, Rodolfo Cruz
  • Publication number: 20050119571
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for coupling ultrasound between an ultrasonic transducer and an object. A fluid cavity in an upper chamber has an inlet for receiving a flow of coupling fluid, a first aperture for admitting the ultrasonic transducer into the fluid cavity and a second aperture for dispensing coupling fluid from the fluid cavity to the object. The first and second apertures may be sized to restrict flow of coupling fluid from the fluid cavity. The focus of the ultrasound transducer may be varied by moving the ultrasonic transducer relative to the upper chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Ralph Busch, James McKeon, Rodolfo Cruz