Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Spitler

Timothy M. Spitler 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: 7713504
    Abstract: A process to produce mixed metal oxides and metal oxide compounds. The process includes evaporating a feed solution that contains at least two metal salts to form an intermediate. The evaporation is conducted at a temperature above the boiling point of the feed solution but below the temperature where there is significant crystal growth or below the calcination temperature of the intermediate. The intermediate is calcined, optionally in the presence of an oxidizing agent, to form the desired oxides. The calcined material can be milled and dispersed to yield individual particles of controllable size and narrow size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka
  • Patent number: 6982073
    Abstract: A process to produce stabilized zirconia from a solution of zirconium salt and a stabilizing agent. The zirconium salt may include zirconium oxysulfate, zirconium oxychloride, zirconium oxynitrate, zirconium nitrate, and other water-soluble zirconium salts. The stabilizing agent may include calcium, magnesium, yttrium salts of oxides and rare earth oxides. The process is conducted by evaporation of the solution above the boiling point of the solution but below the temperature where there is significant crystal growth. The evaporation step is followed by calcination to produce the desired nano-sized structure. Further processing by sintering may be applied to produce solid structures or by milling and classification to produce material for thermal spray coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler
  • Patent number: 6974566
    Abstract: A process to produce mixed metal oxides and metal oxide compounds. The process includes evaporating a feed solution that contains at least two metal salts to form an intermediate. The evaporation is conducted at a temperature above the boiling point of the feed solution but below the temperature where there is significant crystal growth or below the calcination temperature of the intermediate. The intermediate is calcined, optionally in the presence of an oxidizing agent, to form the desired oxides. The calcined material can be milled and dispersed to yield individual particles of controllable size and narrow size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka
  • Patent number: 6890510
    Abstract: A process is provided for making lithium titanate of closely controlled particle size in the range 5 nm to 2000 nm. The process includes re-firing lithium titanate under controlled conditions so that crystallites of the desired particle size are grown. The lithium titanate may be derived from any suitable source. A suitable source of lithium titanate can be from a process that includes evaporation of a blend that contains lithium and titanium to form a mixture containing lithium and titanium compounds that are subsequently calcined to form lithium titanate. The blend of titanium and lithium may be derived from a variety of titanium and lithium precursor materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka
  • Patent number: 6881393
    Abstract: A process is provided for making nano-sized or sub-micron sized oxides of lithium and a transition metal. The desired size is generally in the range 10 nm to 1000 nm and preferably in the range 10 nm to 100 nm. The particles have a narrow size distribution. The process includes milling and re-firing under controlled conditions so that crystallites of the desired particle size are grown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka
  • Patent number: 6689716
    Abstract: A process for making microporous structures that can be used as a catalyst support. The microporous structures have high porosity and high thermal stability, combined with good mechanical strength and relatively high surface area. The process is useful for making titanium dioxide for catalyst structures for use for fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical cells and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler
  • Publication number: 20030228464
    Abstract: A process is provided for making nano-sized or sub-micron sized oxides of lithium and a transition metal. The desired size is generally in the range 10 nm to 1000 nm and preferably in the range 10 nm to 100 nm. The particles have a narrow size distribution. The process includes milling and re-firing under controlled conditions so that crystallites of the desired particle size are grown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka
  • Publication number: 20030086865
    Abstract: A process to produce stabilized zirconia from a solution of zirconium salt and a stabilizing agent. The zirconium salt may include zirconium oxysulfate, zirconium oxychloride, zirconium oxynitrate, zirconium nitrate, and other water-soluble zirconium salts. The stabilizing agent may include calcium, magnesium, yttrium salts of oxides and rare earth oxides. The process is conducted by evaporation of the solution above the boiling point of the solution but below the temperature where there is significant crystal growth. The evaporation step is followed by calcination to produce the desired nano-sized structure. Further processing by sintering may be applied to produce solid structures or by milling and classification to produce material for thermal spray coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler
  • Publication number: 20030017104
    Abstract: A process is provided for making lithium titanate of closely controlled particle size in the range 5 nm to 2000 nm. The process includes re-firing lithium titanate under controlled conditions so that crystallites of the desired particle size are grown. The lithium titanate may be derived from any suitable source. A suitable source of lithium titanate can be from a process that includes evaporation of a blend that contains lithium and titanium to form a mixture containing lithium and titanium compounds that are subsequently calcined to form lithium titanate. The blend of titanium and lithium may be derived from a variety of titanium and lithium precursor materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka
  • Publication number: 20020082167
    Abstract: A process for making microporous structures that can be used as a catalyst support. The microporous structures have high porosity and high thermal stability, combined with good mechanical strength and relatively high surface area. The process is useful for making titanium dioxide for catalyst structures for use for fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical cells and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler
  • Publication number: 20020071806
    Abstract: A process to produce mixed metal oxides and metal oxide compounds. The process includes evaporating a feed solution that contains at least two metal salts to form an intermediate. The evaporation is conducted at a temperature above the boiling point of the feed solution but below the temperature where there is significant crystal growth or below the calcination temperature of the intermediate. The intermediate is calcined, optionally in the presence of an oxidizing agent, to form the desired oxides. The calcined material can be milled and dispersed to yield individual particles of controllable size and narrow size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka