Patents by Inventor Russell James MacDonald

Russell James 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).

  • Patent number: 11904278
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge)+/?10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Barber, Wojciech Gutowski, Yongchang Zheng, Russell James MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20230017973
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge)+/?10%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: John H. BARBER, Wojciech GUTOWSKI, Yongchang ZHENG, Russell James MACDONALD
  • Patent number: 11484839
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge) +/?10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Barber, Wojciech Gutowski, Yongchang Zheng, Russell James MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20200156007
    Abstract: An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Yan GAO, Russell James MACDONALD, Kai ZHANG, Yonghong ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20200070095
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge) +/?10%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: John H. BARBER, Wojciech GUTOWSKI, Yongchang ZHENG, Russell James MACDONALD
  • Publication number: 20200071462
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymerizing method where (i) an ionic crosslinker that includes a quaternary ammonium group and (ii) a non-ionic crosslinker, is polymerized in a reaction solution whose solvent is substantially a mixture of propylene glyocol (PG) and an aprotic amide-based solvent. The polymerization makes an anion-exchange polymer composition. The PG and the aprotic amide-based solvent are present in a weight ratio of from about 25:75 to about 70:30, and the reactants and solvents are present in amounts to generate the anion-exchange polymer composition with a theoretical water content from about 35% to about 60% (wt/wt).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghong ZHAO, Russell James MACDONALD, John H. BARBER
  • Patent number: 10576424
    Abstract: An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yan Gao, Russell James MacDonald, Kai Zhang, Yonghong Zhao
  • Publication number: 20200048421
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of producing a cation exchange polymer, the method includes polymerizing an anionic monomer in the presence of a polymerizable crosslinker having a cationic functional group. A sufficient amount of anionic monomer is used to provide both the anionic charges necessary for cation exchange, and the anionic charges necessary to pair with the cationic functional groups in the crosslinker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Kai ZHANG, Li May GOH, Seng Yong GOH, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Yonghong ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20190358589
    Abstract: An ion conductive spacer for use in an electrodialysis reversal stack is disclosed, which includes a plastic netting and a polymeric coating coated on the plastic netting and containing charged groups. The morphology of the polymeric coating has interconnected ionic clusters which allow continuous and macroscopic ion transportation throughout a surface of the plastic netting. An electrodialysis reversal stack using the above ion conductive spacer and a process for preparing the above ion conductive spacer are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: BL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei LU, Hongchen DONG, Jiyang XIA, Yongchang ZHENG, Su LU, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD
  • Patent number: 10486151
    Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane is disclosed here including ion-permeable layers impregnated with an ion-exchange material and arranged in an order from one face of the membrane to the opposite face of the membrane such that opposing layers in the supporting membrane substrate provide sufficiently identical physical properties to substantially avoid irregular expansion when in a salt solution. The ion-permeable layers including at least one non-woven layer and at least one reinforcing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Kai Zhang, Yonghong Zhao
  • Patent number: 10328426
    Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Russell James MacDonald, Chakravarthy S Gudipati, Kai Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190153176
    Abstract: This specification describes an ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kai ZHANG, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao
  • Patent number: 10273338
    Abstract: A self-supported ion exchange membrane including a polymerized and crosslinked monomer, where the monomer includes: a least one ionic group, a polymerized group, and a silicate group; and a polymer chemically bonded to crosslinked monomer through the silicate group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: BL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao
  • Patent number: 10221289
    Abstract: This specification describes an ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao
  • Publication number: 20180169646
    Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Russell James MacDonald, Chakravarthy S Gudipati, Kai Zhang
  • Patent number: 9925534
    Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: Russell James MacDonald, Chakravarthy S Gudipati, Kai Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180043345
    Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane is disclosed here including ion-permeable layers impregnated with an ion-exchange material and arranged in an order from one face of the membrane to the opposite face of the membrane such that opposing layers in the supporting membrane substrate provide sufficiently identical physical properties to substantially avoid irregular expansion when in a salt solution. The ion-permeable layers including at least one non-woven layer and at least one reinforcing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Kai ZHANG, Yonghong ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20170355827
    Abstract: A self-supported ion exchange membrane including a polymerized and crosslinked monomer, where the monomer includes: a least one ionic group, a polymerized group, and a silicate group; and a polymer chemically bonded to crosslinked monomer through the silicate group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Kai ZHANG, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Li May GOH, Yan GAO, Yonghong ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20170266627
    Abstract: This specification describes an ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kai ZHANG, John H. BARBER, Russell James MACDONALD, Yongchang ZHENG, Li May GOH, Yan GAO, Yonghong ZHAO
  • Patent number: 9700850
    Abstract: An ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, John H. Barber, Russell James MacDonald, Yongchang Zheng, Li May Goh, Yan Gao, Yonghong Zhao