Patents by Inventor Wilbur Edward Billups

Wilbur 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).

  • Patent number: 10982155
    Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Manjusha Verma, Pradeep Venkataraman, Sivaram Pradhan, Houman Michael Shammai, Wilbur Edward Billups, Scott Wellington
  • Publication number: 20200032147
    Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicants: NEXTSTREAM HEAVY OIL, LLC, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: MANJUSHA VERMA, PRADEEP VENKATARAMAN, SIVARAM PRADHAN, HOUMAN MICHAEL SHAMMAI, SCOTT WELLINGTON, WILBUR EDWARD BILLUPS
  • Patent number: 10287510
    Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: NextStream Heavy Oil, LLC, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Manjusha Verma, Pradeep Venkataraman, Sivaram Pradhan, Houman Michael Shammai, Wilbur Edward Billups, Scott Wellington
  • Publication number: 20180155634
    Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: MANJUSHA VERMA, Pradeep Venkataraman, Sivaram Pradhan, Houman Michael Shammai, Wilbur Edward Billups, Scott Wellington
  • Patent number: 7976816
    Abstract: A method for functionalizing the wall of single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes involves the use of acyl peroxides to generate carbon-centered free radicals. The method allows for the chemical attachment of a variety of functional groups to the wall or end cap of carbon nanotubes through covalent carbon bonds without destroying the wall or endcap structure of the nanotube. Carbon-centered radicals generated from acyl peroxides can have terminal functional groups that provide sites for further reaction with other compounds. Organic groups with terminal carboxylic acid functionality can be converted to an acyl chloride and further reacted with an amine to form an amide or with a diamine to form an amide with terminal amine. The reactive functional groups attached to the nanotubes provide improved solvent dispersibility and provide reaction sites for monomers for incorporation in polymer structures. The nanotubes can also be functionalized by generating free radicals from organic sulfoxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Valery N. Khabashesku, Haiqing Peng, John L. Margrave, Mary Lou Margrave, legal representative, Wilbur Edward Billups, Yunming Ying
  • Publication number: 20100222536
    Abstract: A method for functionalizing the wall of single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes involves the use of acyl peroxides to generate carbon-centered free radicals. The method allows for the chemical attachment of a variety of functional groups to the wall or end cap of carbon nanotubes through covalent carbon bonds without destroying the wall or endcap structure of the nanotube. Carbon-centered radicals generated from acyl peroxides can have terminal functional groups that provide sites for further reaction with other compounds. Organic groups with terminal carboxylic acid functionality can be converted to an acyl chloride and further reacted with an amine to form an amide or with a diamine to form an amide with terminal amine. The reactive functional groups attached to the nanotubes provide improved solvent dispersibility and provide reaction sites for monomers for incorporation in polymer structures. The nanotubes can also be functionalized by generating free radicals from organic sulfoxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Valery N. Khabashesku, Haiqing Peng, John L. Margrave, Mary Lou Margrave, Wilbur Edward Billups, Yunming Ying
  • Patent number: 7740826
    Abstract: A method for functionalizing the wall of single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes involves the use of acyl peroxides to generate carbon-centered free radicals. The method allows for the chemical attachment of a variety of functional groups to the wall or end cap of carbon nanotubes through covalent carbon bonds without destroying the wall or endcap structure of the nanotube. Carbon-centered radicals generated from acyl peroxides can have terminal functional groups that provide sites for further reaction with other compounds. Organic groups with terminal carboxylic acid functionality can be converted to an acyl chloride and further reacted with an amine to form an amide or with a diamine to form an amide with terminal amine. The reactive functional groups attached to the nanotubes provide improved solvent dispersibility and provide reaction sites for monomers for incorporation in polymer structures. The nanotubes can also be functionalized by generating free radicals from organic sulfoxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Valery N. Khabashesku, Haiqing Peng, John L. Margrave, Mary Lou Margrave, legal representative, Wilbur Edward Billups, Yunming Ying
  • Patent number: 7125533
    Abstract: A method for functionalizing the wall of single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes involves the use of acyl peroxides to generate carbon-centered free radicals. The method allows for the chemical attachment of a variety of functional groups to the wall or end cap of carbon nanotubes through covalent carbon bonds without destroying the wall or endcap structure of the nanotube. Carbon-centered radicals generated from acyl peroxides can have terminal functional groups that provide sites for further reaction with other compounds. Organic groups with terminal carboxylic acid functionality can be converted to an acyl chloride and further reacted with an amine to form an amide or with a diamine to form an amide with terminal amine. The reactive functional groups attached to the nanotubes provide improved solvent dispersibility and provide reaction sites for monomers for incorporation in polymer structures. The nanotubes can also be functionalized by generating free radicals from organic sulfoxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Valery N. Khabashesku, Haiqing Peng, Mary Lou Margrave, legal representative, Wilbur Edward Billups, Yunming Ying, John L. Margrave, deceased
  • Publication number: 20040223900
    Abstract: A method for functionalizing the wall of single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes involves the use of acyl peroxides to generate carbon-centered free radicals. The method allows for the chemical attachment of a variety of functional groups to the wall or end cap of carbon nanotubes through covalent carbon bonds without destroying the wall or endcap structure of the nanotube. Carbon-centered radicals generated from acyl peroxides can have terminal functional groups that provide sites for further reaction with other compounds. Organic groups with terminal carboxylic acid functionality can be converted to an acyl chloride and further reacted with an amine to form an amide or with a diamine to form an amide with terminal amine. The reactive functional groups attached to the nanotubes provide improved solvent dispersibility and provide reaction sites for monomers for incorporation in polymer structures. The nanotubes can also be functionalized by generating free radicals from organic sulfoxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Valery N. Khabashesku, Haiqing Peng, John L. Margrave, Mary Lou Margrave, Wilbur Edward Billups, Yunming Ying