Patents by Inventor W. Edward Billups

W. Edward Billups 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).

  • Polyamide composites having flexible spacers
    Patent number: 8816042
    Abstract: Provided are polyamide nanocomposites incorporating carbon nanotubes and other filler species. Also provided are related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Karen I. Winey, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, W. Edward Billups
  • Amplification of carbon nanotubes via seeded-growth methods
    Patent number: 8562935
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Robert H. Hauge, Andrew R. Barron, James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Edward Billups, Christopher A. Dyke, Valerie C. Moore, Elizabeth Whitsitt, Robin E. Anderson, Ramon Colorado, Jr., Michael P. Stewart, Douglas C. Ogrin, Irene M. Marek
  • POLYAMIDE COMPOSITES HAVING FLEXIBLE SPACERS
    Publication number: 20130190472
    Abstract: Provided are polyamide nanocomposites incorporating carbon nanotubes and other filler species. Also provided are related methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Karen I. Winey, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, W. Edward Billups
  • Reductive functionalization of carbon nanotubes
    Patent number: 7758841
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel processes for the functionalization (derivatization) of carbon nanotubes and, as an extension, to fullerenes and other carbon surfaces. Generally, such processes involve reductive pathways. In some embodiments, carbon nanotubes are reacted with alkali metal and organic halides in anhydrous liquid ammonia. In other embodiments, polymers are grown from carbon nanotube sidewalls by reacting carbon nanotubes with alkali metal and monomer species in anhydrous liquid ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: W. Edward Billups, Anil K. Sadana, Feng Liang, Robert H. Hauge
  • Amplification of Carbon Nanotubes Via Seeded-Growth Methods
    Publication number: 20080213162
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Richard E. Smalley, Irene M. Marek, Robert H. Hauge, Andrew R. Barron, James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Edward Billups, Christopher A. Dyke, Valerie C. Moore, Elizabeth Whitsitt, Robin E. Anderson, Ramon Colorado, Michael P. Stewart, Douglas C. Ogrin