Patents by Inventor Ruaridh R. MacDonald

Ruaridh R. MacDonald 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).

  • Energy-Harvesting Reactor Based on Diffusion of Aluminum in Gallium
    Publication number: 20130276769
    Abstract: Aluminum may be used as a fuel source to power small vehicles, unmanned vehicles or underwater vehicles, other small robotics, backup or regular underwater power sources (e.g., for oil rigs), or as an emergency power source in flooded or disaster areas. Reactors are described that harvest energy produced by the exothermic oxidative reaction of aluminum or an aluminum alloy with water, with the assistance of liquid gallium as a depassivating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ian S. McKay, Ruaridh R. MacDonald, Erich J. Brandeau