Patents by Inventor Walter Alvarez

Walter Alvarez 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: 7585482
    Abstract: A method of purifying a single-walled carbon nanotube catalytic product having the steps of providing a catalytic product including single-walled carbon nanotubes, and a Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, exposing the catalytic product to a heated oxidative gas to provide a treated carbon nanotube product including single-walled carbon nanotubes and the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, and exposing the treated carbon nanotube product to an acid to separate the single-walled carbon nanotubes from the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal. The catalytic product may include a support material and amorphous carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 7563428
    Abstract: A method of producing a carbon nanotube product comprising a catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the catalytic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20080107588
    Abstract: A method of producing a carbon nanotube product comprising a catalytic particle and carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain Co or Ni metal from Group VIII, and Mo or W metal from Group VIb. The catalytic particle preferably comprises a support material upon which the metals are disposed. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the carbon nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product with minor amounts of graphite and amorphous carbon residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20080008644
    Abstract: A method of purifying a single-walled carbon nanotube catalytic product having the steps of providing a catalytic product including single-walled carbon nanotubes, and a Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, exposing the catalytic product to a heated oxidative gas to provide a treated carbon nanotube product including single-walled carbon nanotubes and the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, and exposing the treated carbon nanotube product to an acid to separate the single-walled carbon nanotubes from the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal. The catalytic product may include a support material and amorphous carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Publication number: 20070116630
    Abstract: A method of producing a carbon nanotube product comprising a catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the catalytic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7094386
    Abstract: A method of producing a carbon nanotube product comprising a catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the catalytic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20060039849
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for catalytic production of single walled carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The reaction gas is preferably provided at a high space velocity to minimize CO2 build-up. The process also contemplates processes and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 6994907
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube product formed from a metallic catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metallic catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the metallic catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the metallic catalytic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6962892
    Abstract: A metallic catalytic particle for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes. The catalytic particles contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metal component is on a support such as silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6955800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for catalytic production of carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The method also contemplates methods and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Publication number: 20050042162
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for catalytic production of single walled carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The process also contemplates processes and apparatus which recycle and reuse-the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Publication number: 20050025696
    Abstract: A method of producing a carbon nanotube product comprising a catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the catalytic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20040186011
    Abstract: A metallic catalytic particle for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes. The catalytic particles contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metal component is on a support such as silica.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20040070009
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube product formed from a metallic catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metallic catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the metallic catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the metallic catalytic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20020165091
    Abstract: A metallic catalytic particle for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes. The catalytic particles contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metal component is on a support such as silica.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez, Dukhwan Jang
  • Publication number: 20020131910
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for catalytic production of carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The method also contemplates methods and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonvarach Kitivanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 6413487
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for catalytic production of carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The method also contemplates methods and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 6333016
    Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes by contacting a carbon containing gas with metallic catalytic particles. The catalytic particles contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metal component may be deposited on a support. Preferably, a substantial percentage of the nanotubes formed are single-walled carbon nanotubes. Further, a method for determining catalyst composition and reaction conditions for optimizing production of single-walled carbon nanotubes is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Walter Alvarez