Patents Issued in August 1, 2017
  • Patent number: 9718675
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes: a body accommodating a microelectromechanical structure; and a cap bonded to the body and electrically coupled to the microelectromechanical structure through conductive bonding regions. The cap including a selection module, which has first selection terminals coupled to the microelectromechanical structure, second selection terminals, and at least one control terminal, and which can be controlled through the control terminal to couple the second selection terminals to respective first selection terminals according, selectively, to one of a plurality of coupling configurations corresponding to respective operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giorgio Allegato, Barbara Simoni, Carlo Valzasina, Lorenzo Corso
  • Patent number: 9718676
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating free-standing polymeric nanopillars or nanotubes with remarkably high aspect ratios. The nanopillars and nanotubes may be used, for example, in integrated microfluidic systems for rapid, automated, high-capacity analysis or separation of complex protein mixtures or their enzyme digest products. One embodiment, preferably fabricated entirely from polymer substrates, comprises a cell lysis unit; a solid-phase extraction unit with free-standing, polymeric nanostructures; a multi-dimensional electrophoretic separation unit with high peak capacity; a solid-phase nanoreactor for the proteolytic digestion of isolated proteins; and a chromatographic unit for the separation of peptide fragments from the digestion of proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Steven A. Soper, Robin L. McCarley, Guofang Chen, Hamed Shadpour
  • Patent number: 9718677
    Abstract: In the present disclosure a semiconductor device comprises a plate including a plurality of apertures. The semiconductor device also comprises a membrane disposed opposite to the plate and including a plurality of corrugations, a dielectric surrounding and covering an edge of the membrane, and a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a metallic conductor comprising a first portion extending through the dielectric, and a second portion over the substrate, where the second portion is bonded with the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsien Chang, Chun-Ren Cheng
  • Patent number: 9718678
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a package arrangement may include: a first encapsulation material; at least one electronic circuit at least partially embedded in the first encapsulation material, the at least one electronic circuit including a first contact pad structure at a first side of the at least one electronic circuit; at least one electromechanical device disposed over the first side of the at least one electronic circuit, the at least one electromechanical device including a second contact pad structure facing the first side of the at least one electronic circuit; a redistribution layer structure between the at least one electromechanical device and the at least one electronic circuit, the redistribution layer structure electrically connecting the first contact pad structure with the second contact pad structure, wherein a gap is provided between the at least one electromechanical device and the redistribution layer structure; a second encapsulation material at least partially covering the at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Wachter, Thomas Kilger
  • Patent number: 9718679
    Abstract: A Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) structure with integrated heater is disclosed. The MEMS structure with integrated heater comprises a first substrate with cavities, bonded to a second substrate, forming a plurality of sealed enclosures of at least two types. Each of the plurality of sealed enclosures is defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and a seal-ring material, where the first enclosure type further includes at least one of a gettering element to decrease cavity pressure in the first enclosure type or an outgassing element to increase cavity pressure in the first enclosure type when activated. The first enclosure type further comprises at least one heater integrated into the first substrate adjacent to the gettering element or the outgassing element to adjust the temperature of the gettering element or the outgassing element thereby providing heating to the gettering element or the outgassing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Lim
  • Patent number: 9718680
    Abstract: A method for forming a MEMS device is disclosed. The MEMS device includes a MEMS substrate and a base substrate. The MEMS substrate, where includes a handle layer, a device layer and an insulating layer in between. The method includes the sequential steps of: providing a standoff on the device layer; etching a via through the device layer and the insulating layer; providing a contact layer within the via, wherein the contact layer provides electrical connection between the device layer and the handle layer; providing a bonding layer on the standoff; and bonding the bonding layer to pads on the base substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Daesung Lee, Jongwoo Shin, Jong Il Shin, Peter Smeys
  • Patent number: 9718681
    Abstract: MEMS switches and methods of manufacturing MEMS switches is provided. The MEMS switch having at least two cantilevered electrodes having ends which overlap and which are structured and operable to contact one another upon an application of a voltage by at least one fixed electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen E. Luce, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 9718682
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate with a first surface and a second surface, wherein at least one soldering pad is formed on the first surface of the substrate. The method also includes forming at least one via to expose each soldering pad by etching the substrate from the second surface, forming a seed layer to cover the second surface of the substrate and the sidewall and the bottom surfaces of each via, and then forming a redistribution metal layer over a portion of the seed layer formed on the sidewall and the bottom surfaces of each via and the second surface of the substrate surrounding each via. The method further includes alternately performing a pre-wetting process and a chemical etching process to completely remove the portion of the seed layer not covered by the redistribution metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Peng Ren
  • Patent number: 9718683
    Abstract: A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures that includes dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium, and applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures. The electric field causes a first nano-structure from the plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of the plurality of nano-structures such that the first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Ling Chien, Donglei Fan, Robert Cammarata
  • Patent number: 9718684
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen gas, heat and an oxide component using a water splitting process is disclosed. The method involves providing a dry first chamber containing a passivating-oxide preventing reagent that receives a solid material feedstock and dissolves the solid material feedstock in the passivating-oxide preventing reagent. The passivating-oxide preventing reagent becomes saturated with the solid material in the first chamber and is then transferred to a second chamber without contact with water. In the second chamber, the solid material saturated in the passivating-oxide preventing reagent reacts with the water so as to generate hydrogen gas, an oxide component and heat. Following the reaction, the solid material depleted passivating-oxide preventing reagent and water is recycled to be re-used in the water splitting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Jerry M Woodall, Thomas E Rowley
  • Patent number: 9718685
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reactor and a method of operation for an exothermal process being catalyzed by a catalytically active material receiving a reactant gas and providing a product gas, in which said exothermal process has a heat development having a potential for thermally degrading said catalytically active material, and which exothermal process operates at a temperature at which the reactants and at least 80% or all of the products are present as gases, said method comprising the steps of a) directing the reactant gas to a first zone of a material catalytically active in the exothermal process producing an first product gas, and b) directing the first product gas to a second zone of a material catalytically active in the exothermal process producing a product gas, with the option of fully or partially by-passing either said first zone or said second zone, while directing a non-condensing gas stream having a temperature at least 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Troels Dahlgaard Stummann, Niels Ulrik Andersen, Madhanakrishnan Janardhanan, Jens R. Rostrup-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9718686
    Abstract: The present invention provides a safe, disposable and biodegradable chlorine dioxide micro generator that uses water soluble paper and hydrogel or compressed cellulose encased in filter paper pouch. The chemicals are kept in a stabilize form until activated by the addition of water. Multiple levels of protection against early exposure to water such as a foil pouch and an impermeable outer container allow for the safe transportation and storage in small, ready for deployment amounts of the chemicals. Water permeated the chemical pack housing and dissolves the paper walls of the chemical pouch housing and then the water facilitates the reaction between the acid and the sodium chlorite to form chlorine dioxide gas as will be described further hereunder. Absorbent and permeable materials packaged around the chemicals provide for the safe containment of the chlorine dioxide solution, and the expeditious aeration and release of the chlorine dioxide gas, once the chemical reaction has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Baselli, Spencer Blua
  • Patent number: 9718687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting limestone into tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) and tetra-calcium phosphate (TTCP) powder simultaneously. In particular, the method provides for a method of converting limestone into TCP and TTCP powder simultaneously having specific particle size and with specific crystallographic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SIRIM Berhad
    Inventors: Fazilah Binti Fazan, Sudirman Bin Sahid, Wan Ruzaini Bin Wan Sulaiman, Nor Shahida Binti Kader Bashah
  • Patent number: 9718688
    Abstract: A thin-plate-like flexible carbon plate having flexibility, excellent compressive strength, and even electrical conductivity is provided. A carbon plate 1 is a carbon plate having a thickness of 0.05 to 2.0 mm obtained by compression molding of a mixture of (a) 97 to 80 wt % carbon powder composed of 95 to 30 wt % expanded graphite powder and 5 to 70 wt % graphite powder, and (b) 3 to 20 wt % phenolic resin that do not contain ammonia, wherein a compressive strength is 3 MPa or more, a bending strain is 0.6% or more without a crack, and a contact resistance is 6 m?·cm2 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Nippon Steel & Sumikin Materials Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Eiki Tsushima, Shinkichi Murakami, Jun Nakatsuka, Kenichi Uemura, Takashi Iijima
  • Patent number: 9718689
    Abstract: A composition is provided that includes: a carbonized carbon having an iodine number of at least 60 mg/g and a domain size of between 1.0 and 2.3 nm. An article or fuel is provided that includes the composition in a polymer forming a matrix or water suspension, respectively. A composition of so provided and derived from wood has been assigned a new CAS number (CAS No. 1362167-53-0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AEMERGE LLC
    Inventors: Landon C. G. Miller, Scott Behrens, Brian Rayles
  • Patent number: 9718690
    Abstract: Methods for producing porous carbon product utilize template material in the form of template particles containing macropores and a polymerizable carbon precursor substance. The macropores of the template are infiltrated with the precursor substance in dissolved or melted form. After carbonization of the infiltrated precursor substance, the template is removed to form the porous carbon product. In order to obtain a carbon structure with hierarchical porosity having a high fraction of mesopores having pore sizes in the range of 2 to 50 nm, after the infiltration and before carbonization, the precursor substance within the macropores of the template is subjected to a treatment at a foaming temperature at which the precursor substance foams under polycondensation and fills the macropores as substantially mesoporous foam, in which at least 70% of the pores have pore sizes in the range of 10 to 150 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Neumann, Matthias Otter, Jörg Becker, Sascha Pihan
  • Patent number: 9718691
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the formation of dispersions of nanotubes are provided using solution comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and an electron donor group. Also provided are methods for isolating carbon nanotubes from the composition, and use of carbon nanotube products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nanocomp Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Johnson, Mark A. Banash, Paul R. Jarosz
  • Patent number: 9718692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for exfoliating graphite in carbonaceous materials facilitated by a Diels-Alder reaction, and the applications of same, in particular for producing electronic or microelectronic components such as transparent conductive electrodes. The inventive method comprises a Diels-Alder reaction between a material containing graphite and an anthrone compound represented by formula (I), wherein X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description, in an organic solvent, in the presence of a base, and subjected to sonication, ball-milling and/or high-shear mixing, at a temperature of between 15° C. and 65° C., to obtain the corresponding graphene Diels-Alder adduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITÉ DE BORDEAUX, INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE BORDEAUX, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Dario Bassani, Jean-Baptiste Verlhac, Hugo Florian Bares
  • Patent number: 9718693
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: James G. Blencoe, Donald A. Palmer, Lawrence M. Anovitz, James S. Beard
  • Patent number: 9718694
    Abstract: By incorporating an additional TCS and/or DCS redistribution reactor in the TCS recycle loop and/or DCS recycle loop, respectively, of a process and system for silane manufacture, efficiencies in the production of silane are realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SiTec GmbH
    Inventor: Mark William Dassel
  • Patent number: 9718695
    Abstract: A visible light sensitive photocatalyst including a compound represented by Formula 1: Aa-xM1xSib-yM2yOc??Formula 1 wherein A is one or more metals selected from Ag, Cu, and Au; M1 is one or more metals selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs; M2 is one or more metals selected from Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, and Hf, and 1.7?a?2.3, 0.7?b?1.3, 2.7?c?3.3, 0?x<a, and 0?y<b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-gon Kim, Tae-hyung Kim, Seoung-jae Im
  • Patent number: 9718696
    Abstract: A low temperature co-fired ceramic powder has a chemical composition of xR2O-yR?O-zM2O3-wM?O2, wherein R is Li, Na and/or K, R? is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and/or Cu, M is B, Al, Ga, In, Bi, Nd, Sm, and/or La, M? is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, and/or Zr, x?0, y?0, z?20%, w?15%, and x+y+z+w=1. The preparation method comprises: weighing constituent powders according to the composition of the ceramic powder, and uniformly mixing these powders as a raw material powder; and presintering the raw material powder in a muffle furnace followed by grinding, the presintering comprising gradiently heating the raw material powder to a maximum temperature of 950° C. by first rising to 350-450° C. and staying thereat for a period, then staying at intervals of 50-100° C. for a period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF CERAMICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Zhifu Liu, Yongxiang Li
  • Patent number: 9718697
    Abstract: A portable shipping container provides an enclosure for holding tanks, pumps, filters and any other processing equipment necessary for implementing the treatment processes of a chemical treatment plant or other process tank system. The portable container can be configured in a variety of ways through the use of containment walls to separate the various components of the treatment plant. The treatment plant, as housed in the shipping container, can be easily moved or relocated. The shipping container serves as a secondary containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: John R. Talbot
  • Patent number: 9718698
    Abstract: A hydrotalcite-like granular material having a grain size of 0.24 mm or larger is produced by drying a material that contains at least a hydrotalcite-like substance and that has a water content of 70% or lower at equal to or lower than a temperature at which the hydrotalcite-like substance is dehydrated of crystal water contained therein, preferably at 90° C. or higher and 110° C. or lower, such that the resulting hydrotalcite-like granular material has a water content of 10% or higher. In this manner, a hydrotalcite-like granular material that has a stable morphology and a high anion exchange performance and that can be produced at a low cost can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: JDC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeo Asakura, Mutsuhiro Ono, Takashi Kajimoto
  • Patent number: 9718699
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing alumina trihydrate crystals from an alumina trihydrate recovery process stream wherein an aqueous emulsion comprising an alkyl or alkenyl succinic anhydride is added to the alumina trihydrate recovery process stream, wherein the aqueous emulsion is substantially free of mineral oils. The method provides a decrease in percentage of alumina trihydrate crystals having a volume average diameter of less than about 45 micrometers compared to the percentage of alumina trihydrate crystals produced in the absence of the aqueous emulsion of an alkyl or alkenyl succinic anhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Cytec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Andruszkiewicz, Raymond Salvatore Farinato, Haunn-Lin Tony Chen, Scott Griffin, Marie E Anderson
  • Patent number: 9718700
    Abstract: A magnetoelectric composition of boron and chromia is provided. The boron and chromia alloy can contain boron doping of 1%-10% in place of the oxygen in the chromia. The boron-doped chromia exhibits an increased critical temperature while maintaining magnetoelectric characteristics. The composition can be fabricated by depositing chromia in the presence of borane. The boron substitutes oxygen in the chromia, enhancing the exchange energy and thereby increasing Néel temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Christian Binek, Peter Dowben, Kirill Belashchenko, Aleksander Wysocki, Sai Mu, Mike Street
  • Patent number: 9718701
    Abstract: A method and a device for reducing iron-oxide-containing feedstocks, in which a reducing gas is fed to a reducing unit (1) containing the iron-oxide-containing feedstocks. The reducing gas is generated by introducing a process gas having reduction potential into a heating appliance (3) for heating the process gas, which is withdrawn as reducing gas therefrom. In the heating appliance (3), heat energy is transferred to the process gas. The heat energy is formed by combustion of a fuel gas containing organic substances, including coke oven gas with addition of technically pure oxygen. The flames of the combustion have an adiabatic flame temperature of above 1000° C., wherein, in the combustion of the fuel gas, at least some of the organic substances present in the fuel gas are cracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Gerald Rosenfellner
  • Patent number: 9718702
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for total degassing (CH4+CO2) and density-reducing treatment of dense Lake Kivu deepwater. The invention allows hyper-efficient oxyfuel power generation with return flow water reinjection density-matched at or above ˜150 m without necessity to admix biozone (<80 m) water. This increases the CH4 resource and deflates the gas-rich deepwater layer over time, making Lake Kivu safe against a catastrophe threatening up to 2 million lives. Deepwater from the Main Resource Zone (MRZ, ˜480 m to ˜260 m) is de-densified, then reinjected above the Potential Resource Zone (PRZ, ˜260 m to ˜180 m) within the Intermediate Zone (IZ, ˜180 m to ˜80 m), avoiding wasteful resource dilution of the MRZ or PRZ reserves, and allowing methane extraction from the PRZ and IZ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Harper Biotech LLC
    Inventor: Charles L. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9718703
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously removing an oily pollutant from polluted water includes an absorbent unit and a suctioning unit. The absorbent unit is made of a hydrophobic and oleophilic porous material and is able to absorb and to separate the oily pollutant from water when the absorbent unit is placed in the polluted water. The suctioning unit is coupled to the absorbent unit and is operable for providing a suctioning force to the absorbent unit so as to continuously remove the oily pollutant absorbed by the absorbent unit. A method for continuously removing the oily pollutant from the polluted water is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: I SHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih-Feng Wang, Sheng-Jhih Lin
  • Patent number: 9718704
    Abstract: The group of inventions relates to the field of organic chemistry and can be used for cleaning water, industrial and domestic waste water or waste water sediment, and for the containment and recovery of petroleum and petroleum product spills in large bodies of water, rivers, lakes and seas. In the claimed group of inventions, aqueous solutions of polysaccharide microgels, having a molecular mass of 20000-200000 daltons and a particle size of 50-600 nm, are used as a substance for cleaning water of petroleum and petroleum products. Moreover, low concentrations of polysaccharide microgels in water, ranging from 0.1 to 20 g/l, are used. Said solutions are used as a surface modifier for a filter used in separating water-oil emulsions, as a sorbent for the containment and recovery of oil spills in an aqueous medium, and also as a coagulant for the cleaning of water polluted by petroleum and petroleum products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Obshchestvo S Ogranichennoj Otvetstvennostyu “NPO Biomikrogeli”
    Inventors: Andrey Aleksandrovich Elagin, Maksim Anatolevich Mironov, Vladislav Sergeevich Ponomarev
  • Patent number: 9718705
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing UV light. Said device provides light from light sources that operate in accordance with different physical principles. The device comprises a chamber having several gas-filled plasma chambers (11, 12), wherein the chamber has at least one area (37, 39) transparent to UV light and/or VUV light. A first group (11) of plasma chambers is filled with an ionizable gas containing mercury and a second group (12) of plasma chambers is filled with a gas that forms excimers when suitably excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., SICO Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Bentsian Elkin, Alexander Lohner, Siegfried Egner
  • Patent number: 9718706
    Abstract: A solution for disinfecting a fluid, colloid, mixture, and/or the like using ultraviolet radiation is provided. An ultraviolet transparent enclosure can include an inlet and an outlet for a flow of media to be disinfected. The ultraviolet transparent enclosure includes a material that is configured to prevent biofouling within the ultraviolet transparent enclosure. A set of ultraviolet radiation sources are located adjacent to the ultraviolet transparent enclosure and are configured to generate ultraviolet radiation towards the ultraviolet transparent enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SENSOR ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Saulius Smetona, Timothy James Bettles, Alexander Dobrinsky, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 9718707
    Abstract: A water purifier is provided. The water purifier includes a material having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one thermoelectric generator tile is attached to the material. The at least one thermoelectric generator tile includes a cool side facing towards the inner surface and a heat side facing away from the inner surface. At least one Ultraviolet (UV) C light source is electrically connected to the at least one thermoelectric generator tile. Water may cool the cool side of the thermoelectric generator tile while body heat may warm the heat side of the thermoelectric generator tile, thereby generating electricity which in turn powers the UV C light source. The UV C light source emits UV C light which kills microorganisms within the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Yash Balaji
  • Patent number: 9718708
    Abstract: A system for enhancing the separation of particles or fluids from water is disclosed. A settling tank or skim tank is provided with an open submersible acoustophoretic separator. In a skim tank, the separator captures and holds oil droplets or particles, permitting them to coalesce until they are large enough and have sufficient buoyant force to float to the top of the tank. In a settling or sediment tank, separator captures and holds particles until they are large enough that the force of gravity causes them to settle out of the water. The acoustophoretic device thus speeds up separation of the particles or droplets from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FLODESIGN SONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas M. LoRicco, Bart Lipkens
  • Patent number: 9718709
    Abstract: Portions of a feed liquid are passed through respective condensers and liquid-liquid heat exchangers. The feed liquid is then heated and injected into a first feed-liquid containment chamber, where vapor from the feed is passed through a first gas-permeable membrane and directed into a first condenser, where the vapor is cooled by the feed liquid passing through the first condenser and condenses as it cools to produce a first liquid permeate. The first liquid permeate is passed through the first liquid-liquid heat exchanger where the first liquid permeate is cooled by the feed liquid passing therethrough. After the vapor is removed from the feed liquid in the first feed-liquid containment chamber, the remaining feed liquid from the first feed-liquid containment chamber is injected into a second feed-liquid containment chamber, where the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Edward K. Summers, John H. Lienhard, V
  • Patent number: 9718710
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a treatment apparatus includes a dialysis unit, a treatment unit and a recovery unit. The dialysis unit is configured to dialyze a solution including a phosphoric acid, a silicon compound, and water. The treatment unit is configured to perform treatment of an object to be treated using a dialyzed solution. The recovery unit is configured to recover a solution used in the treatment of the object to be treated and supply to the dialysis unit. The dialysis unit includes a transmission part which allows anions to be transmitted. The recovery unit supplies the solution used in the treatment of the object to be treated, to a region in the dialysis unit. The region is divided by the transmission part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaaki Hirakawa, Emi Matsui
  • Patent number: 9718711
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods method for filtering water fluid by screening ionic minerals including sodium chloride from the water fluid. In one embodiment, the water fluid is passed into a work zone defined at least in part by oppositely-arranged first and second porous structures, each of which have a plurality of gated channels. The water fluid is processed in the work zone by applying respective electric voltages to electrically bias the first porous structure and the second porous structure. The respective electric voltages deplete sodium chloride ions in the water fluid in the work zone due to ion-flux continuity. In response to processing of the water fluid, ion-filtered water is collected from the work zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Kee-Hyun Paik, Yang Liu, Robert W. Dutton, Qiushi Ran
  • Patent number: 9718712
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating caustic materials are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for treating caustic materials includes the steps of providing a first caustic solution stream including phenolic constituents and naphthenic constituents, mixing the first caustic solution stream with an acid solution, and separating phenolic acids from the first caustic solution stream. The method further includes further mixing the first caustic solution stream with additional acid solution and separating naphthenic acids from the first caustic solution stream. Still further, the method includes providing a second caustic solution stream including sulfidic constituents, mixing the first caustic solution stream with the second caustic solution stream to form a combined caustic solution stream, and oxidizing the sulfidic constituents of the combined caustic solution stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Luigi Laricchia, Javier Rios
  • Patent number: 9718713
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing arsenic from water to safe levels at or below the EPA standards. The system is a hybrid spouted vessel/fixed bed filter system that significantly enhances/improves arsenic removal for drinking water using zero-valent iron (ZVI) particles. Movement of the circulating, iron-containing particles in a dense moving bed that forms on the spouted vessel bottom creates an abrasive “self-polishing” action among them that continuously generates colloidal iron corrosion products. This material then circulates with the water in the vessel and is removed and concentrated in a fixed bed filter. The colloidal material captured and immobilized in the filter has been shown to remove arsenic from contaminated water at very rapid rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Brown University
    Inventors: Joseph Calo, Madhavan Lakshmi, Johannes Kirchner, Euan Bain
  • Patent number: 9718714
    Abstract: A separation-membrane module 1 includes an element block 2 that is formed by arranging, in parallel, a plurality of separation-membrane elements 4 that are formed by arranging a pair of separation-membranes with their respective permeate surfaces in opposition to each other and sealing the edges of the pair of the membranes; and an aeration block 3 that includes an aeration pipe 31 and that is disposed under the element block 2. In the element block 2, at least one upper spacer 8 is disposed in the upper portion of each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4, and a lower spacer 9 is disposed under the upper spacer 8 in each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4. And the leftmost and the rightmost separation-membrane elements 4 of the plurality of the separation-membrane elements 4 are secured to a frame 12 at the lower spacers 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ando, Yoshifumi Odaka, Yasuharu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9718715
    Abstract: Provided is a water treatment device that suppresses the degradation of electrodes in a capacitive de-ionization treatment section and is capable of maintaining high water treatment capability. The water treatment device includes an activated carbon treatment section that receives an inflow of water having a total organic carbon concentration of 100 mg/l or less and adsorbs and removes organic matters contained in the water; and, on the downstream side of the activated carbon treatment section, a capacitive de-ionization treatment section including a pair of electrodes to which voltages having polarities opposite to each other are applied, a flow path, and ion exchange membranes. Ions contained in the water are adsorbed to the electrodes with voltages applied thereto, and voltages reverse to the voltages at the time of ions adsorption are applied to the electrodes to release the ions from the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Kamimura, Hozumi Otozai, Kosuke Shigiishi, Hideo Suzuki, Hiroshi Nakashoji
  • Patent number: 9718717
    Abstract: A method and facility for the hydrothermal carbonization of pasty products or waste, or sewage sludge, in a pressurized reactor heated to carbonization temperature T0. Before entering the reactor, the products undergo: pressurization, and preheating in an exchanger, by a thermal fluid flowing in a closed loop, and receiving heat from products exiting the reactor; the thermal fluid is heated in the loop by an external heat source, downstream from the exchange with the products exiting the reactor, and upstream from the preheating of the products entering the reactor, and the temperature of the product to be treated, preheated by the thermal fluid, when it enters the reactor, is between the carbonization temperature T0 and T0-100° C. The product to be treated flows in at least one tube, where in at least one location therein, liquid is injected to create a liquid ring against the inner wall, and reduce pressure drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SUEZ INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Pierre Emmanuel Pardo, Jean Louis Bourdais
  • Patent number: 9718718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a glass stopper with a head portion for sealing bottles, more particularly bottles for wine and sparkling wine, wherein an upper mold and a lower mold are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Doctor Optics SE
    Inventors: Wolfram Wintzer, Lars Arnold, Hagen Goldammer, Sandro Plietzsch
  • Patent number: 9718719
    Abstract: Disclosed is a float bath which allows easy temperature control according to an internal position, and a glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing method including the float bath. The float bath includes a plurality of heaters provided at an upper portion of the float bath to supply heat into the float bath, and a shield provided between predetermined heaters among the plurality of heaters to block heat transfer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoung-Hoon Min, Ye-Hoon Im, Su-Chan Park, Sang-Oeb Na, Won-Jae Moon
  • Patent number: 9718720
    Abstract: A cooling tube assembly is provided. The assembly includes a cylindrical cooling tube extending from a first end to a second end. The cooling tube has an inner surface, an outer surface, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter. The cooling tube includes a first plurality of throughbores and a second plurality of throughbores located axially between the first plurality of throughbores and the second end of the cooling tube. Each of the second plurality of throughbores is circumferentially offset from each of the first plurality of throughbores. The assembly includes a nozzle extending from a first end to a second end. The first end of the nozzle is located inside the cooling tube. The first plurality of throughbores is located axially between the second end of the cooling tube and the first end of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Steven J. Brown
  • Patent number: 9718721
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a glass composition may include from 67 mol. % to about 75 mol. % SiO2; from about 6 mol. % to about 10 mol. % Al2O3; and from about 5 mol. % to about 12 mol. % alkali oxide. The alkali oxide may include K2O in an amount less than or equal to 0.5 mol. %. The glass composition may further include from about 9 mol. % to about 15 mol. % of alkaline earth oxide. The alkaline earth oxide may include greater than about 0 mol. % and less than or equal to 3 mol. % MgO, from 2 mol. % to about 7 mol % CaO, at least one of SrO and BaO. The glass composition may further include less than 1 mol. % B2O3. A ratio of a concentration of MgO to the sum of the concentration of divalent cations (MgO:?RO) may be less than 0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Melinda Ann Drake, Robert Michael Morena
  • Patent number: 9718723
    Abstract: A glass article includes P, Al, an alkali earth metal, F and O, wherein the content of P and O is greater at the surface side of the glass article than the inner side thereof and the content of the alkali earth metal and F is less at the surface side of the glass article than the inner side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Tachiwana, Junko Akojima, Teruo Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9718724
    Abstract: The present invention provides a functional material and a method for preparing the same, as well as a sealing material and a display panel, which belong to the display technical field and can solve the problem that existing display devices will produce pollution. The functional material of the present invention includes an inorganic powder whose surface has a modified layer, wherein the inorganic powder includes: any one or more of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, boron oxide, diiron trioxide, calcium oxide, potassium oxide, sodium oxide and lithium oxide; the modified layer is generated by a reaction of a dianhydride and a diamine. The sealing material of the present invention includes the above functional material. The display panel of the present invention includes a sealing structure made of the above functional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiuxia Yang, Feng Bai, Zhenpeng Guo, Jing Su, Hongbo Feng, Jiantao Liu
  • Patent number: 9718725
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are opaque glass-ceramics comprising at least one nepheline crystal phase and comprising from about 30 mol % to about 65 mol % SiO2, from about 15 mol % to about 40 mol % Al2O3, from about 10 mol % to about 20 mol % (Na2O+K2O), and from about 1 mol % to about 10 mol % (ZnO+MgO). Also disclosed herein are opaque-glass ceramics comprising at least one nepheline crystal phase and at least one spinel-structure phase doped with at least one colorant chosen from transition metals and rare earth elements. Further disclosed herein are methods for making these opaque glass-ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Adam James Ellison, Lisa Anne Moore, Taheisha Linette Werner
  • Patent number: 9718726
    Abstract: A glass ceramic substrate includes: an inner layer part having a first thermal expansion coefficient; and a surface layer part having a second thermal expansion coefficient smaller than the first thermal expansion coefficient. The inner layer part contains a first glass matrix and flat alumina particles. The flat alumina particles are dispersed in the glass matrix in a direction in which individual thickness directions are substantially perpendicular to a surface direction of one of main surfaces of the inner layer part. Further, a mean aspect ratio of the flat alumina particles is 3 or more in one of cross sections along the thickness directions of the flat alumina particles out of cross sections of the inner layer part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Seigo Ohta, Masamichi Tanida, Hideki Numakura, Qing Li