Patents by Inventor Subbarao Surampudi

Subbarao Surampudi 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: 7488548
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous. The fuel cell system also comprises a fuel supplying part including a meter which meters an amount of fuel which is used by the fuel cell, and controls the supply of fuel based on said metering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 7470478
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 7445859
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eugene Vamos, Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 7425384
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 7416809
    Abstract: An improved direct liquid-feed fuel cell having a solid membrane electrolyte for electrochemical reactions of an organic fuel. Improvements in interfacing of the catalyst layer and the membrane and activating catalyst materials are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Subbarao Surampudi
  • Publication number: 20060216576
    Abstract: An improved direct liquid-feed fuel cell having a solid membrane electrolyte for electrochemical reactions of an organic fuel. Improvements in interfacing of the catalyst layer and the membrane and activating catalyst materials are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Sekharipuram Karayanan, Subbarao Surampudi
  • Publication number: 20060204810
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram Narayanan, Eugene Vamos, Harvey Frank, Gerald Halpert, George Olah, G. K. Prakash
  • Publication number: 20060105210
    Abstract: Improvements to non-acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20060046133
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20050214629
    Abstract: Coating materials for coating the electrodes of a fuel cell are disclosed. In one embodiment, the coating materials comprise perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids having the general formula F3C—(CF2)n—SO3H, wherein n ranges from 8 to 17. In another embodiment, the coating materials comprise perfluoroalkanesulfonimides having the general formula CnF2n+1SO2NHO2SF2m+1Cm, wherein the sum of m and n ranges from 8 to 17. These long chain sulfonic acids and imides impart improved electrode performance and decrease polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Sekharipuram Narayanan, Marshall Smart, Subbarao Surampudi, G. K. Prakash, Qun-jie Wang, George Olah
  • Publication number: 20050042487
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20050003254
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6821659
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™ binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Eugene Vamos, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Publication number: 20040224214
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Eugene Vamos, Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 6740434
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Eugene Vamos, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 6703150
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6589684
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6492064
    Abstract: Multi-component organic solvent systems, electrolytes and electrochemical cells characterized by good low temperature performance are provided. In one embodiment, an improved organic solvent system contains a ternary mixture of ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. In other embodiments, quaternary systems include a fourth component, i.e, an aliphatic ester, an asymmetric alkyl carbonate or a compound of the formula LiOX, where X is R, COOR, or COR, where R is alkyl or fluoroalkyl. Electrolytes based on such organic solvent systems are also provided and contain therein a lithium salt of high ionic mobility, such as LiPF6. Reversible electrochemical cells, particularly lithium ion cells, are constructed with the improved electrolytes, and preferably include a carbonaceous anode, an insertion type cathode, and an electrolyte interspersed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, Subbarao Surampudi, Chen-Kuo Huang
  • Patent number: 6420059
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6391486
    Abstract: An improved direct liquid-feed fuel cell having a solid membrane electrolyte for electrochemical reactions of an organic fuel. Improvements in interfacing of the catalyst layer and the membrane and activating catalyst materials are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sekharipuram Narayanan, Subbarao Surampudi