Patents by Inventor Taofang Zeng
Taofang Zeng 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: 9828251Abstract: Silica aerogels with improved properties are disclosed together with methods for synthesizing such aerogels. The improved properties include lower thermal conductivity (better insulating capacity), lower acoustic velocity, lower dielectric constant and improved ductility. Greater tunability of the refractive index can also be achieved. The silica aerogels are prepared by a sol-gel processing method that provides better control of the formation or aerogel structures. Generally speaking, the improvements arise from control of the synthesis to create a morphology of primary clusters and diverse-sized secondary clusters of dense silica aerogels separated by less densely packed regions. By providing a broader range of secondary clusters and/or pore sizes and loose connectivity between clusters, reductions can be achieved in thermal conductivity and flexural modulus.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Taofang Zeng, Yanjia Zuo, Gang Chen
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Publication number: 20150321921Abstract: Silica aerogels with improved properties are disclosed together with methods for synthesizing such aerogels. The improved properties include lower thermal conductivity (better insulating capacity), lower acoustic velocity, lower dielectric constant and improved ductility. Greater tunability of the refractive index can also be achieved. The silica aerogels are prepared by a sol-gel processing method that provides better control of the formation or aerogel structures. Generally speaking, the improvements arise from control of the synthesis to create a morphology of primary clusters and diverse-sized secondary clusters of dense silica aerogels separated by less densely packed regions. By providing a broader range of secondary clusters and/or pore sizes and loose connectivity between clusters, reductions can be achieved in thermal conductivity and flexural modulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Taofang Zeng, Yanijia Zuo, Gang Chen
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Patent number: 9073759Abstract: Silica aerogels with improved properties are disclosed together with methods for synthesizing such aerogels. The improved properties include lower thermal conductivity (better insulating capacity), lower acoustic velocity, lower dielectric constant and improved ductility. Greater tunability of the refractive index can also be achieved. The silica aerogels are prepared by a sol-gel processing method that provides better control of the formation of aerogel structures. Generally speaking, the improvements arise from control of the synthesis to create a morphology of primary clusters and diverse-sized secondary clusters of dense silica aerogels separated by less densely packed regions. By providing a broader range of secondary clusters and/or pore sizes and loose connectivity between clusters, reductions can be achieved in thermal conductivity and flexural modulus.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Taofang Zeng, Yanjia Zuo, Gang Chen
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Publication number: 20120128958Abstract: Silica aerogels with improved properties are disclosed together with methods for synthesizing such aerogels. The improved properties include lower thermal conductivity (better insulating capacity), lower acoustic velocity, lower dielectric constant and improved ductility. Greater tunability of the refractive index can also be achieved. The silica aerogels are prepared by a sol-gel processing method that provides better control of the formation of aerogel structures. Generally speaking, the improvements arise from control of the synthesis to create a morphology of primary clusters and diverse-sized secondary clusters of dense silica aerogels separated by less densely packed regions. By providing a broader range of secondary clusters and/or pore sizes and loose connectivity between clusters, reductions can be achieved in thermal conductivity and flexural modulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Taofang Zeng, Yanjia Zuo, Gang Chen
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Patent number: 8088193Abstract: A method for making nanoparticles includes the steps of dipping a metal element in a solution that contains metallic ions or ions with a metal, wherein the metal element has a lower electronegativity or redox potential than that of the metal in the ions, and rubbing the metal element to make nanoparticles. Another method for making nanoparticles includes the steps of dipping a metal element in a solution that contains metallic ions or ions with a metal, wherein the metal element has a lower electronegativity or redox potential than that of the metal in the ions, and applying sonic energy to at least one of the metal element and solution. A further method for making copper nanoparticles includes the step of adding ascorbic acid to a copper salt solution.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Inventors: Taofang Zeng, Chunwei Wu
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Patent number: 7913632Abstract: A method of combustion for pulverized hydrocarbonaceous fuel includes injecting a concentrated fuel and air stream into a burner, causing a low-pressure zone; directing a flow of a high-temperature combustion gas from a combustion chamber into the low-pressure zone in the burner; mixing the high-temperature combustion gas with the injected concentrated stream to heat the injected concentrated stream; injecting the heated concentrated stream from the burner to the combustion chamber, wherein the concentrated stream is rapidly devolatilized and combusted in a flame that has a fuel-rich flame zone; sensing a combustion parameter; and, based on the sensed combustion parameter, controlling combustion to achieve at least one of a desired NOx reduction and a desired distance from the burner to a flame front.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Clean Combustion Technologies LLCInventors: Zhen Jia, Taofang Zeng, Xiaoguang Jia, Xing Li
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Publication number: 20090178933Abstract: A method for making nanoparticles or fine particles includes (1) in an electrolysis cell, supplying a power (potentiostat) to an element that acts as a counter electrode, and another element that is working electrode; and rubbing the working electrode to make nanoparticles or fine particles. Another method for making nanoparticles or fine particles includes (1) in an electrolysis cell, supplying a power (potentiostat) to an element that acts as a counter electrode, and another element that is working electrode; and (2) mechanically vibrating the working electrode to make nanoparticles or fine particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventor: Taofang Zeng
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Publication number: 20080264310Abstract: A method of combustion for pulverized hydro-carbonaceous fuel includes the steps of injecting an oxidant/fuel stream into a burner, causing a low-pressure zone; directing a flow of a high-temperature combustion gas from a combustion chamber into the low-pressure zone in the burner; mixing the high-temperature combustion gas with the injected oxidant/fuel stream to heat the injected oxidant/fuel stream, and injecting the heated oxidant/fuel stream from the burner to the combustion chamber, wherein the oxidant/fuel stream is rapidly devolatilized and combusted in a flame that has a high temperature; sensing a combustion parameter; and based on the sensed combustion parameter, controlling combustion to achieve at least one of a desired NOx reduction and a desired distance from the burner to a flame front.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: Clean Combustion Technologies, LLCInventors: Zhen Jia, Taofang Zeng, Xiaoguang Jia, Xing Li
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Publication number: 20080264205Abstract: A method for making nanoparticles includes the steps of dipping a metal element in a solution that contains metallic ions or ions with a metal, wherein the metal element has a lower electronegativity or redox potential than that of the metal in the ions, and rubbing the metal element to make nanoparticles. Another method for making nanoparticles includes the steps of dipping a metal element in a solution that contains metallic ions or ions with a metal, wherein the metal element has a lower electronegativity or redox potential than that of the metal in the ions, and applying sonic energy to at least one of the metal element and solution. A further method for making copper nanoparticles includes the step of adding ascorbic acid to a copper salt solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Taofang ZENG, Chunwei Wu
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Publication number: 20080250990Abstract: A method of combustion for pulverized hydrocarbonaceous fuel includes the steps of injecting an air/fuel stream into a burner, causing a low-pressure zone; directing a flow of a high-temperature combustion gas from a combustion chamber into the low-pressure zone in the burner; mixing the high-temperature combustion gas with the injected air/fuel stream to heat the injected air/fuel stream, and injecting the heated air/fuel stream from the burner to the combustion chamber, wherein the air/fuel stream is rapidly devolatilized and combusted in a flame that has a high temperature; sensing a combustion parameter; and based on the sensed combustion parameter, controlling combustion to achieve at least one of a desired NOx reduction and a desired distance from the burner to a flame front.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2006Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: Clean Combustion Technologies, LLCInventors: Zhen Jia, Taofang Zeng, Xiaoguang Jia, Xing Li
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Publication number: 20060191451Abstract: A method of combustion for pulverized hydrocarbonaceous fuel includes injecting a concentrated fuel and air stream into a burner, causing a low-pressure zone; directing a flow of a high-temperature combustion gas from a combustion chamber into the low-pressure zone in the burner; mixing the high-temperature combustion gas with the injected concentrated stream to heat the injected concentrated stream; injecting the heated concentrated stream from the burner to the combustion chamber, wherein the concentrated stream is rapidly devolatilized and combusted in a flame that has a fuel-rich flame zone; sensing a combustion parameter; and, based on the sensed combustion parameter, controlling combustion to achieve at least one of a desired NOx reduction and a desired distance from the burner to a flame front.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: CLEAN COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Zhen Jia, Taofang Zeng, Xiaoguang Jia, Xing Li