Patents by Inventor Winston Ho

Winston Ho 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).

  • Publication number: 20240082793
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. In some cases, the support layer can comprise a gas permeable polymer and hydrophilic additive dispersed within the gas permeable polymer. In some cases, the selective polymer layer can comprise a selective polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases. As such, the membranes can be for the selective removal of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen and/or nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Dongzhu WU, Yang HAN
  • Patent number: 11772052
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise a selective polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The carbon nanotubes can comprise multi-walled carbon nanotubes wrapped in a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or a copolymer thereof, such as poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate). The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases. As such, the membranes can be for the selective removal of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen and/or nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: W. S. Winston Ho, Yang Han
  • Publication number: 20230182086
    Abstract: Provided herein are gas permeable membranes comprising an amine-containing selective layer on top of a gas permeable polymer support as well as methods of making and using thereof. The membranes are useful for the separation of CO2 from N2-containing gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Ruizhi PANG, Ting-Yu CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230182089
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membrane can include a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can include a selective polymer matrix (e.g., hydrophilic polymer, a cross-linking agent, an amino compound, a CO2-philic ether, or a combination thereof), and optionally graphene oxide dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The membranes can be used to separate carbon dioxide from hydrogen. Also provided are methods of purifying syngas using the membranes described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Yang HAN
  • Publication number: 20230060093
    Abstract: Water permeable membranes and methods of preparation are described. The water permeable membrane can comprise a porous support, and a polyamide layer comprising a crosslinked polyamide on a surface of the porous support, wherein the polyamide layer further comprises nanoparticles and a hydrophilic additive, and wherein the hydrophilic additive covalently bonds to the crosslinked polyamide. The crosslinked polyamide can be interfacially polymerized on the porous support. Methods for desalinating water, performing dialysis, or performing pervaporation using the water permeable membranes are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventor: W.S. Winston HO
  • Publication number: 20220305436
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membrane can comprise a support layer; and a selective polymer layer disposed (e.g., coated) on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise a polymer matrix (e.g., a hydrophilic polymer, an amine-containing polymer, or a combination thereof), and a guanidine-based mobile carrier dispersed within the polymer matrix. Optionally, the selective polymer later can further include an amine-based mobile carrier, a CO2-philic ether, a graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof, dispersed within the polymer matrix. The membranes can be used to separate carbon dioxide from other gases, such as hydrogen and/or nitrogen. Also provided are methods of separating gas streams using the membranes described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Yang HAN
  • Publication number: 20220305437
    Abstract: Provided herein are CO2-selective membranes that can be used to efficiently separate CO2 and CO. The membranes can be used to produce high-purity CO2 and CO gas streams from a feed gas stream comprising a mixture of CO2 and CO (e.g., an exhaust gas stream from a fuel cell, such as a solid oxide fuel cell). In this way, the membranes can be used with a solid oxide fuel cell system to covert CO2 to CO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Yang HAN
  • Patent number: 11364471
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a gas permeable support layer, an inorganic layer disposed on the support, the inorganic layer comprising a plurality of discreet nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 1 micron, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the inorganic layer, the selective polymer layer comprising a selective polymer having a CO2:N2 selectivity of at least 10 at 57° C. In some embodiments, the membrane can be selectively permeable to an acidic gas. The membranes can be used, for example, to separate gaseous mixtures, such as flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: W. S. Winston Ho, Prabir Dutta, Kartik Ramasubramanian, Michael Severance
  • Patent number: 11358093
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are 2-stage membrane separation methods for capturing CO2 from a feed gas. The methods can employ two selectively permeable membranes, which may be the same or different. The selectively permeable membrane can have a carbon dioxide permeance of from 500 to 3000 GPU at 57° C. and 1 atm feed pressure and a carbon dioxide:nitrogen selectivity of from 10 to 1000 at 57° C. and 1 atm feed pressure. High pressure ratios across the membranes can be achieved by compressing the feed gas to a high pressure, by using vacuum pumps to create a lowered pressure on the permeate side of the membrane, by using a sweep stream, or a combination thereof. When a sweep stream is used, the sweep stream may include a portion of the retentate gas stream obtained from the retentate side of one or more of the membranes used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: W.S. Winston Ho, Yang Han
  • Publication number: 20220134277
    Abstract: An air conditioning system and method of air conditioning is provided. The air conditioning system includes an intake mechanism configured to draw into the air conditioner a first amount of air and an amount of moisture from an exterior of the air conditioner. The system further includes metal organic frameworks in fluid communication with the intake mechanism, the metal organic frameworks configured to adsorb the amount of moisture from the first amount of air. The system further includes an indirect evaporative cooler configured to cool the first amount of air. The system further includes a solar heater configured to heat a second amount of air. The system further includes a heat exchanger configured to contact the second amount of air with the metal organic frameworks to regenerate the metal organic frameworks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Jordan D. Clark, Casey Wade, W.S. Winston Ho
  • Publication number: 20220032239
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise a selective polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The carbon nanotubes can comprise multi-walled carbon nanotubes wrapped in a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or a copolymer thereof, such as poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate). The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases. As such, the membranes can be for the selective removal of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen and/or nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Yang HAN
  • Publication number: 20210394127
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membrane can comprise a support layer; and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise a selective polymer matrix (e.g., hydrophilic polymer, an amine-containing polymer, a low molecular weight amino compound, a CO2-philic ether, or a combination thereof), and graphene oxide dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The membranes can be used to separate carbon dioxide for hydrogen. Also provided are methods of purifying syngas using the membranes described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Yang HAN
  • Patent number: 11000810
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise an oxidatively stable carrier and a borate additive dispersed within a hydrophilic polymer matrix. The oxidatively stable carrier can comprise a quaternaryammonium hydroxide carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternaryammonium hydroxide, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternaryammonium hydroxide-containing polymer), a quaternaryammonium fluoride carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternaryammonium fluoride, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternaryammonium fluoride-containing polymer), or a combination thereof. The borate additive can comprise a borate salt, a boric acid, or a combination thereof. The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: W. S. Winston Ho, Varun Vakharia, Witopo Salim
  • Publication number: 20200398229
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. In some cases, the support layer can comprise a gas permeable polymer and hydrophilic additive dispersed within the gas permeable polymer. In some cases, the selective polymer layer can comprise a selective polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases. As such, the membranes can be for the selective removal of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen and/or nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Dongzhu WU, Yang HAN
  • Patent number: 10835847
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a gas permeable support layer, optionally an inorganic layer disposed on the support, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the inorganic layer. In some cases, the selective polymer layer can comprise an amine-containing polymer and an amino acid salt dispersed within the amine-containing polymer. In other cases, the selective polymer layer comprises a sterically hindered amine-containing polymer, such as a sterically hindered derivative of polyvinylamine. The membranes can be used, for example, to separate gaseous mixtures, such as flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: W.S. Winston Ho, Yuanxin Chen
  • Publication number: 20200055003
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise an oxidatively stable carrier and a borate additive dispersed within a hydrophilic polymer matrix. The oxidatively stable carrier can comprise a quaternaryammonium hydroxide carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternaryammonium in hydroxide, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternaryammonium hydroxide-containing polymer), a quaternaryammonium fluoride carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternaryammonium fluoride, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternaryammonium fluoride-containing polymer), or a combination thereof. The borate additive can comprise a borate salt, a boric acid, or a combination thereof. The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: W.S. Winston HO, Varun VAKHARIA, Witopo SALIM
  • Publication number: 20200030752
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise an oxidatively stable carrier dispersed within a hydrophilic polymer matrix. The oxidatively stable carrier can be chosen from a quaternary ammonium hydroxide carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternary ammonium hydroxide, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternary ammonium hydroxide-containing polymer), a quaternary ammonium fluoride carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternary ammonium fluoride, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternary ammonium fluoride-containing polymer), and combinations thereof. The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases. The membranes can selectively remove carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen and/or nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: W.S. Winston Ho, Witopo Salim, Varun Vakharia
  • Publication number: 20190329186
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a gas permeable support layer, an inorganic layer disposed on the support, the inorganic layer comprising a plurality of discreet nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 1 micron, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the inorganic layer, the selective polymer layer comprising a selective polymer having a CO2:N2 selectivity of at least 10 at 57° C. In some embodiments, the membrane can be selectively permeable to an acidic gas. The membranes can be used, for example, to separate gaseous mixtures, such as flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: W.S. Winston Ho, Prabir Dutta, Kartik Ramasubramanian, Michael Severance
  • Patent number: 10322379
    Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a gas permeable support layer, an inorganic layer disposed on the support, the inorganic layer comprising a plurality of discreet nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 1 micron, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the inorganic layer, the selective polymer layer comprising a selective polymer having a CO2:N2 selectivity of at least 10 at 57° C. In some embodiments, the membrane can be selectively permeable to an acidic gas. The membranes can be used, for example, to separate gaseous mixtures, such as flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: W. S. Winston Ho, Prabir Dutta, Kartik Ramasubramanian, Michael Severance
  • Publication number: 20190140297
    Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separator that separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separator may include a carbon dioxide separation membrane, an oxygen blocking membrane, and a water blocking membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Gasda, Arne Ballantine, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, W.S. Winston Ho