Patents by Inventor Yin-Ming Li

Yin-Ming Li 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: 20080134364
    Abstract: The invention relates to recovering metals, such as nickel and cobalt, by phytomining or phytoextracting soils rich in metals wherein the desired metal is selectively accumulated in hyperaccumulator plants by adjusting the soil pH. The metals are ultimately recovered from above-ground plant tissues at economically acceptable levels without further contaminating the metal-containing sites. The invention also relates to metal-hyperaccumulating plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, J. Scott Angle, Yin-Ming Li, Alan J.M. Baker
  • Patent number: 7268273
    Abstract: The invention relates to recovering metals, such as nickel and cobalt, by phytomining or phytoextracting soils rich in metals wherein the desired metal is selectively accumulated in hyperaccumulator plants by adjusting the soil pH. The metals are ultimately recovered from above-ground plant tissues at economically acceptable levels without further contaminating the metal-containing sites. The invention also relates to metal-hyperaccumulating plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignees: The University of Maryland, The University of Sheffield, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, J. Scott Angle, Yin-Ming Li, Alan J. M. Baker
  • Publication number: 20070028334
    Abstract: A cadmium- and zinc-hyperaccumulating subspecies from Thlaspi caerulescens and methods for removing and optionally recovering cadmium and zinc from soil using phytoextracting techniques wherein the subspecies is cultivated on soil containing cadmium and zinc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicants: University of Maryland, College Park, Massey University, University of Sheffield, The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Yin-Ming Li, Rufus Chaney, Roger Reeves, J. Angle, Alan Baker
  • Patent number: 7049492
    Abstract: A cadmium and zinc hyperaccumulating subspecies from Thlaspi caerulescense and methods for removing or recovering cadmium and zinc from soils by cultivating the Thlaspi caerulescense subspecies on soils containing cadmium and zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Massey University, University of Maryland, University of Sheffield
    Inventors: Yin-Ming Li, Rufus L. Chaney, Roger D. Reeves, J. Scott Angle, Alan J. M. Baker
  • Patent number: 6786948
    Abstract: The recovery of nickel, cobalt and other metals by phytomining is described. Plants of the Alyssum genus are grown in nickel rich soil. The uptake of nickel is enhanced by maintaining specific soil conditions, including a concentration of calcium between (but not including) 0.128 mM an 5.0 mM and an acidic pH. Ni uptake may be further enhanced by maintaining a ratio of exchangeable Ca/Mg of 0.16-0.40. Uptake may be further enhanced by addition of chelating agents and ammonium based fertilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, Jay Scott Angle, Yin-Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20020174451
    Abstract: The invention relates to recovering metals, such as nickel and cobalt, by phytomining or phytoextracting soils rich in metals wherein the desired metal is selectively accumulated in hyperaccumulator plants by adjusting the soil pH. The metals are ultimately recovered from above-ground plant tissues at economically acceptable levels without further contaminating the metal-containing sites. The invention also relates to metal-hyperaccumulating plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: RUFUS L. CHANEY, J. SCOTT ANGLE, YIN-MING LI, ALAN J.M. BAKER
  • Patent number: 5944872
    Abstract: Nickel/cobalt, as well as platinum and palladium metal family members are recovered from soil by growing Brassicaceae plants, specifically Alyssum in soil containing nickel/cobalt as well as other metals. The soil is conditioned by maintaining a low pH, low calcium concentration, and the addition of ammonium fertilizer and chelating agents thereto. Nickel accumulation on the order of 2.5 percent or better in above-ground tissues is achieved, which permits recovery of the metal by harvesting the above-ground plant materials, drying, and then combusting the same, to oxidize or vaporize organic materials and recover the metals sequestered therein at 10-20 fold higher concentrations than in the soil, in a form which can be used in conventional Ni refinery or smelting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignees: University of Maryland at College Park, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, The University of Sheffield
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, Jay Scott Angle, Alan J.M. Baker, Yin-Ming Li
  • Patent number: 5711784
    Abstract: Nickel/cobalt, as well as platinum and palladium metal family members are recovered from soil by growing Brassicaceae plants, specifically Alyssum in soil containing nickel/cobalt as well as other metals. The soil is conditioned by maintaining a low pH, low calcium concentration, and the addition of ammonium fertilizer and chelating agents thereto. Nickel accumulation on the order of 2.5 percent or better in above-ground tissues is achieved, which permits recovery of the metal by harvesting the above-ground plant materials, drying, and then combusting the same, to oxidize or vaporize organic materials and recover the metals sequestered therein at 10-20 fold higher concentrations than in the soil, in a form which can be used in conventional Ni refinery or smelting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: University of Maryland at College Park
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, Jay Scott Angle, Alan J. M. Baker, Yin-Ming Li