Processes Of Treating Materials By Wave Energy Patents (Class 204/157.15)
  • Patent number: 9340731
    Abstract: A system for the production of fuel gas from solid or liquid organic feedstock uses a reentrant structure and a high pressure electric discharge to distinctly separate regions of slow and fast pyrolysis. Efficient re-use of discharge energy sustains the evolution of tar gas, through slow pyrolysis, which forms the feed gas for the discharge without introduction of air. Output is the result of fast pyrolysis and can be optimized to yield a high fraction of hydrogen and low fraction of carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Edward Anthony Richley
  • Patent number: 9341557
    Abstract: A downhole tool for permeability calculation includes a body configured for insertion into and retraction from a horizontal well, and coupled with a computer system that includes an interface operable to receive (i) fluid properties associated with the horizontal well, under downhole production logging conditions; (ii) relative permeability to oil and relative permeability to water, for the horizontal well; and (iii) actual production logging data associated with the horizontal well. The computer system may also include one or more processors that are operable to (i) determine an approximate upper boundary and an approximate lower boundary of the horizontal well; (ii) divide the horizontal well into a plurality of well segments; and (iii) calculate, for each respective well segment, a horizontal permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KUWAIT OIL COMPANY (K.S.C.)
    Inventors: Hassan A A Banian, Khalaf GH O H D Alenezi, Om Prakash Das
  • Patent number: 9305838
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with BEOL interconnects may comprise: a substrate including a semiconductor device; a first layer of dielectric over the surface of the substrate, the first layer of dielectric including a filled via for making electrical contact to the semiconductor device; and a second layer of dielectric on the first layer of dielectric, the second layer of dielectric including a trench running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filled via, the trench being filled with an interconnect line, the interconnect line comprising cross-linked carbon nanotubes and being physically and electrically connected to the filled via. Cross-linked CNTs are grown on catalyst particles on the bottom of the trench using growth conditions including a partial pressure of precursor gas greater than the transition partial pressure at which carbon nanotube growth transitions from a parallel carbon nanotube growth mode to a cross-linked carbon nanotube growth mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Pravin K. Narwankar, Joe Griffith Cruz, Arvind Sundarrajan, Murali Narasimhan, Subbalakshmi Sreekala, Victor Pushparaj
  • Patent number: 9284191
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described to fabricate precursor intermediaries and carbon fiber or graphene materials. In one aspect, a method to fabricate an acryl-modified polymer includes obtaining a hydrocarbon substance from one or both of a waste stream or natural gas, separating gases from the hydrocarbon substance to form hydrogen gas and a carbonaceous gas including one or more of methane, butane, or ethane, dehydrogenating the carbonaceous gas by adding heat to form a dehydrogenated carbon material, and reacting the dehydrogenated carbon material with a nitrogen material including one of ammonia or urea to produce polyacrylonitrile (PAN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 9266798
    Abstract: Acyclic monterpene alcohols, like linalool, to be converted through a series of highly efficient catalytic reactions a biogasoline blending component, and a drop-in biodiesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Wright, Roxanne L. Quintana, Benjamin G. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9193132
    Abstract: A process for producing a bulk highly oriented graphene structure, comprising: (a) preparing a graphene oxide dispersion having graphene oxide (GO) sheets dispersed in a fluid medium; (b) dispensing and depositing the dispersion onto a surface of a supporting substrate to form a layer of GO, wherein the dispensing and depositing procedure includes subjecting the dispersion to an orientation-inducing stress; (c) removing the fluid medium to form a dried layer of GO having an inter-plane spacing d002 of 0.4 nm to 1.2 nm; (d) slicing the dried layer of GO into multiple pieces of dried GO and stacking at least two pieces of dried GO to form a mass of multiple pieces of GO; and (f) heat treating the mass under an optional first compressive stress to produce the highly oriented graphene structure at a first heat treatment temperature higher than 100° C. to an extent that an inter-plane spacing d002 is decreased to a value less than 0.4 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z Jang, Yanbo Wang, Lucy Fu
  • Patent number: 9138734
    Abstract: Object of the present invention is to provide visible light-responsive photocatalyst coating material which can form a coating film exhibiting superior allergen inactivation property through irradiation of visible light. The visible light-responsive photocatalyst coating material comprises: photocatalyst material having visible light-activity composed of metal oxide particle with divalent copper salt supported on the surface thereof, said metal oxide particle having optical semiconductor-characteristics and potential of valence band of said metal oxide particle being 3[V] or more (vs. SHE, pH=0); binder component including component having siloxane bond or component forming siloxane bond through reaction; and chloride ionic compound. When visible light is irradiated to the coating film, the metal oxide particle exhibits photocatalyst activity in the presence of the copper-divalent ion and chloride ion, thereby significantly high allergen inactivation property is exhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Shinichiro Miki, Koichi Takahama, Kensaku Kinugawa, Kazuhito Hashimoto, Kayano Sunada
  • Patent number: 9056301
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reducing method of carbon dioxide using sunlight and hydrogen, and an apparatus therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Sogang University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Kyung Byung Yoon
  • Publication number: 20150147594
    Abstract: A device which can increase the rates of interfacial reactions including heterogeneous electron transfer reactions, the device comprising at least one sono(electro)chemical cell adapted to hold a thin layer of condensed fluid which is optionally adapted to participate in a heterogeneous electron transfer reaction, wherein the cell is further adapted to provide an ultrasonic transducer face to propagate sound waves into the thin layer of condensed fluid, and wherein the cell is still further adapted with an opening to provide the thin layer of condensed fluid with at least one interface which provides for reflection of the sound waves from the interface back into the thin layer of condensed fluid. The cells are configured to provide for a thin layer operation as opposed to a bulk operation. In method embodiments, ultrasound is applied to the thin layer of condensed fluid. The application of ultrasound is carried out both without cooling of the cell and without pressurization of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Johna LEDDY, Chester G. Duda, Jacob Lyon, William J. Leddy, III
  • Patent number: 9028749
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for decontaminating and sterilizing chemical and biological agents, which can efficiently decontaminate and sterilize high precision electronic devices, communication devices, computers or inside of vehicles and air planes contaminated with chemical and biological agent by using mixture of non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma and oxidizing peroxide vapor. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a first fluid supplying line L1 and a second fluid supplying line L2, which are installed in the form of closed circuit between the inlet 11 and outlet 12 of the decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a peroxide vapor supplier which is installed on the first fluid supplying line; and a non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma reactor 70 which is installed on the second fluid supplying line L2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventors: Sam Gon Ryu, Hae Wan Lee
  • Patent number: 9028689
    Abstract: An aqueous fluid treatment method and system is provided which preferably uses a 3 step electro-chemical oxidation process to remove organic contaminates from water. A high surface area electro-chemical reaction cell can be employed to remove organic particles and precipitate hardness salts from the aqueous solution. Several 3-phase spark arcs generated mixed oxidants and acoustic cavitations to remove dissolved organic compounds and oxidize organic metal compounds in the next step. Finally, a dielectric discharge in aqueous foam is used to eliminate recalcitrant organic compounds such as, but not limited to, polychlorinated aromatics, disinfectants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals before release to environment or recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Global Water Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Fraim, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Publication number: 20150114820
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which produce physical, chemical and/or biological non-local effect on a target substance through non-local processes mediated by quantum entanglement. In one broad embodiment, the apparatus includes a target substance, a first container holding said target substance; an originating substance, a second container holding said originating substance, said originating substance being quantum-entangled with said target substance; and a mean for manipulating said originating substance such that when said manipulation mean operates, said non-local effect is generated in said target substance through said non-local processes mediated by quantum entanglement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Huping Hu
  • Patent number: 9005406
    Abstract: A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Immunolight, LLC
    Inventor: Frederic A. Bourke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8999173
    Abstract: An electrochlorination and electrochemical system for the on-site generation and treatment of municipal water supplies and other reservoirs of water, by using a custom mixed oxidant and mixed reductant generating system for the enhanced destruction of water borne contaminants by creating custom oxidation-reduction-reactant chemistries with real time monitoring. A range of chemical precursors are provided that when acted upon in an electrochemical cell either create an enhanced oxidation, or reduction environment for the destruction or control of contaminants. Chemical agents that can be used to control standard water quality parameters such as total hardness, total alkalinity, pH, total dissolved solids, and the like are introduced via the chemical precursor injection subsystem infrequently or in real time based on sensor inputs and controller set points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Global Water Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Schwartzel, Michael L. Fraim
  • Patent number: 8992738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for converting carbon dioxide to methane. The method comprises exposing carbon dioxide adsorbed on a nanoporous silicate matrix to light in the presence of a source of carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen for a time and under conditions sufficient to convert carbon dioxide to methane. The matrix contains at least one photochromic metal oxide entity, and contains a C1 impurity site. The light has a wavelength of about 437 nm to about 1200 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Research Foundation of the City University of New York
    Inventor: Harry D. Gafney
  • Patent number: 8986511
    Abstract: The method provides for use of sensitized photocatalyst for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 under visible light illumination. The photosensitized catalyst is comprised of a wide band gap semiconductor material, a transition metal co-catalyst, and a semiconductor sensitizer. The semiconductor sensitizer is photoexcited by visible light and forms a Type II band alignment with the wide band gap semiconductor material. The wide band gap semiconductor material and the semiconductor sensitizer may be a plurality of particles, and the particle diameters may be selected to accomplish desired band widths and optimize charge injection under visible light illumination by utilizing quantum size effects. In a particular embodiment, CO2 is reduced under visible light illumination using a CdSe/Pt/TiO2 sensitized photocatalyst with H2O as a hydrogen source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Christopher Matranga, Robert L. Thompson, Congjun Wang
  • Patent number: 8986510
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a method whereby a target to be analyzed can be easily decomposed in a micro region and a decomposition apparatus. In the decomposition method of decomposing the target to be analyzed and the decomposition apparatus, the target is allowed to coexist with a microparticle and then the microparticle is put into the high-energy state. Then, the target located in the vicinity of the surface of the microparticle is decomposed due to the energy transfer from the high-energy microparticle toward the target. Thus, the target can be easily decomposed in a micro region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Genesis Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takeda, Fumitaka Mafune, Tamotsu Kondou
  • Patent number: 8986516
    Abstract: A method to release hydrogen from a material comprising hydrogen fixed fullerenes involves irradiating the hydrogen fixed fullerenes with electromagnetic radiation of sufficient intensity to release hydrogen rapidly upon irradiation. The intensity of the irradiation and/or the area of irradiation can be adjusted to control the rate and extent of hydrogen release. The hydrogen depleted material comprising hydrogen fixed fullerene can be hydrogenated to regenerate the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Krishna, Brij M. Moudgil, Benjamin L. Koopman
  • Patent number: 8969058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for releasing genetic materials from a solid medium. The present invention also relates to methods for releasing genetic materials from a solid medium. The present invention further relates to methods for isolating genetic material from a biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Michele R. Stone
  • Patent number: 8967384
    Abstract: A method of sorting mined material, such as mined ore, is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of mined material to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation and heating particles depending on the minerals present in the particles and then thermally analyzing particles exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation to detect temperature differences between particles which indicate differences in the minerals in the particles. The method also comprises sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Samuel Kingman, Georgios Dimitrakis, Christopher Dodds
  • Publication number: 20150041309
    Abstract: Method and device for the production of acetylene using plasma technology, wherein a gas containing at least one type of hydrocarbon is fed into a non-thermal plasma of a plasma source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ralf SPITZL
  • Patent number: 8946489
    Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Patent number: 8945352
    Abstract: Methods are provided for changing a molecular structure of a biomass feedstock. The methods include a screw extrusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Patent number: 8940229
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a device for irradiating surfaces is provided. The device may include a radiation emitter having a radiation emitter vessel, wherein the radiation emitter vessel has at least one tunnel-like passage; and a structure configured to allow a process gas to flow through the at least one tunnel-like passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM AG
    Inventors: Helmut Halfmann, Axel Hombach, Markus Roth
  • Publication number: 20150021161
    Abstract: A liquid thin film is disposed on a conveyor surface (e.g., a roller or belt) that moves the thin film into a precisely controlled gap (or nip) region in which the liquid thin film is subjected to an electric field that causes the liquid to undergo Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) patterning deformation, whereby portions of the liquid thin film form patterned liquid features having a micro-scale patterned shape. A curing mechanism (e.g., a UV laser) is used to solidify (e.g., in the case of polymer thin films, cross-link) the patterned liquid inside or immediately after exiting the gap region. The patterned structures are either connected by an intervening web as part of a polymer sheet, or separated into discreet micro-scale structures. Nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes or nanowires) disposed in the polymer become vertically oriented during the EHD patterning process. Segmented electrodes and patterned charges are utilized to provide digital patterning control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: David Mathew Johnson, Armin R. Volkel, John Steven Paschkewitz
  • Patent number: 8932435
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource processing device may include a radio frequency (RF) source and an RF applicator coupled to the RF source. The RF applicator may include a base member being electrically conductive, and first and second elongate members being electrically conductive and having proximal ends coupled to the base member and extending outwardly therefrom in a generally parallel spaced apart relation. The first and second elongate members may have distal ends configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therebetween. In another embodiment, the RF applicator may include an enclosure being electrically conductive and having a passageway therethrough to accommodate a flow of the hydrocarbon resource and a divider being electrically conductive and positioned within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Publication number: 20150008117
    Abstract: A convection-free flow-type reactor includes a reactor body. The reactor body includes a reaction chamber to house a fluid. An inlet is in communication with the reaction chamber to allow input of a reactant fluid. An outlet is in communication with the reaction chamber to allow output of a product fluid. An energy beam source device provides an energy beam to irradiate the reactant fluid in the reaction chamber. The disclosure further provides a convection-free flow-type synthesis method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Yeu-Kuang Hwu, Sheng-Feng Lai, Cheng-Liang Wang
  • Patent number: 8920633
    Abstract: High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, catalyst and acid yields a diesel fuel product or additive having substantially increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves the formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases the reactivity of the reactants. This, in turn, substantially increases the cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stirring. Alternatively, an aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with an oxidation source such as ozone and subjected to ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cetamax Ventures Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin Meng Chan, Kamalul Arifin Yusof, Shahrul Niza Bin Abdul Rahim, Md Asraff Bin Abdul Karim, Roger Kai Lott
  • Publication number: 20140360860
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, which hardly causes alignment defects in the case of forming a horizontal alignment film by employing a photo-alignment treatment. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a step of forming a horizontal alignment film by carrying out a photo-alignment treatment of irradiating a photo-alignment film material applied to at least one substrate of a pair of substrates with light, wherein the photo-alignment treatment is a treatment for irradiating the same region with light two or more times from a slanting direction with respect to a surface of the at least one substrate of the pair of substrates, and at least two of lights applied two or more times in the photo-alignment treatment are polarized lights applied from directions mutually different at 90° or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Miyachi, Isamu Miyake
  • Patent number: 8906237
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for filtering wastewater. In one embodiment, a water filtering system comprises a first filtering stage and a second filtering stage. The first filtering stage receives a flow of wastewater, and uses electrocoagulation to separate suspended particles from the wastewater and produce filtered wastewater. The second filtering stage receives the filtered wastewater from the first filtering stage, and uses mechanical filtering to remove suspended particles from the filtered wastewater and produce filtered water that is substantially free from suspended particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Curt Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140339072
    Abstract: A system employing sunlight energy for reducing CO2 into methane and water is disclosed. The system may include the use of a photoactive material including plasmonic nanoparticles and photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN). A method for producing the PCCN may include a semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis and an exchange of organic capping agents with inorganic capping agents. Additionally, the PCCN may be deposited between the plasmonic nanoparticles, and may act as photocatalysts for redox reactions. The CO2 reduction system may use inorganic capping agents that cap the surface of semiconductor nanocrystals to form PCCN, which may be deposited on a substrate and treated to form a photoactive material. The photoactive material may be employed in the system to harvest sunlight and produce energy necessary for carbon dioxide reduction. The system may also include elements necessary to collect and transfer methane, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Travis Jennings, Daniel Landry
  • Patent number: 8888995
    Abstract: High power RF energy supplied to a reaction chamber at a resonant frequency is used to break the covalent bonds of a hydrocarbon material without heat. An RF signal generator may be used to supply RF energy to a resonant ring through a four port coupler. The phase of the RF energy passing through the resonant ring may be adjusted to achieve an integral multiple of a resonant wavelength. Wavelength and intensity may be adjusted to sublimate or pyrolyze the hydrocarbon material to yield a useful gaseous product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Hernandez, Lisa Patton
  • Patent number: 8864871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing copper nanoparticles, in particular, to a method for manufacturing copper nanoparticles, wherein the method includes preparing a mixture solution including a copper salt, a dispersing agent, a reducing agent and an organic solvent; raising temperature of the mixture solution up to 30-50° C. and agitating; irradiating the mixture solution with microwaves; and obtaining the copper nanoparticles by lowering temperature of the mixture solution. According to the present invention, several tens of nm of copper nanoparticles having a narrow particle size distribution and good dispersibility can be synthesized in mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Il Lee, Jae-Woo Joung
  • Publication number: 20140305790
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating effluents (2) moving between the inlet (4) and outlet (5) of a reactor (1), the process consisting in treating the effluents by means of a cold plasma treatment and by means of a UV-photocatalytic agent in order to produce oxidizing species for treating the effluents. In accordance with the invention, the process consists in treating the effluents with a cold plasma treatment simultaneously with the action of a UV-photocatalytic agent, the cold plasma treatment being carried out in a manner that is integrated into and located within a bed of porous microbeads (9) placed inside the reactor (1) and carrying the photocatalytic agent in order to generate oxidizing species as well as to diffuse them within the bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Pierre-Alexandre Deveau, Didier Parzy
  • Publication number: 20140299463
    Abstract: A method with various related apparatus polarizes the orbits of atomic electrons by strong magnetic fields creating in the atomic structure a magnetic field. The polarized atoms are introduced onto fuels, improving an efficiency of the fuels, including but not limiting to, new forms of gaseous, liquid and solid fuels with a bonded-in content of Hydrogen, Oxygen and/or other gases to enhance energy output and decrease contaminants in the exhaust. Further, methods of coating computer chips and other surfaces for their protection against oxidation, new fuels with energy content and flame temperatures greater than those of the conventional form of the same fuels, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Ruggero Maria Santilli
  • Patent number: 8852520
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma reactor for abating hazardous materials generated in a low-pressure process during a process of manufacturing a display or a semiconductor. A plasma reactor for abating hazardous materials according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first ground electrode and a second ground electrode disposed at a distance from each other; a dielectric fixed between the first ground electrode and the second ground electrode; and at least one driving electrode disposed on an outer surface of the dielectric, being spaced apart from the first ground electrode and the second ground electrode and connected to an AC power supply unit to receive a driving voltage therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Min Hur, Min-Suk Cha, Young-Hoon Song, Jae-Ok Lee, Dae-Hoon Lee, Kwan-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8852290
    Abstract: The invention provides a biocompatible silicone implant that can be securely affixed to living tissue through interaction with integral membrane proteins (integrins). A silicone article containing a laser-activated surface is utilized to make the implant. One example is an implantable prosthesis to treat blindness caused by outer retinal degenerative diseases. The device bypasses damaged photoreceptors and electrically stimulates the undamaged neurons of the retina. Electrical stimulation is achieved using a silicone microelectrode array (MEA). A safe, protein adhesive is used in attaching the MEA to the retinal surface and assist in alleviating focal pressure effects. Methods of making and attaching such implants are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
    Inventors: Adrian P. Rowley, Lucien D. Laude, Mark S. Humayun, James D. Weiland, Atoosa Lotfi, Francis S. Markland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8852430
    Abstract: A water treatment device includes a control module communicating with a feed line; an energy pipe communicating with the control module; a light wave pipe assembly communicating with the energy pipe; and magnetizing pipe communicating with the light wave pipe assembly through the second manifold then with an exit line. The light wave pipe assembly communicates with the light wave generator so that the wave guide tube grants the light wave energy to the water liquid. The magnetic energy of magnets of the magnetizing pipe magnetizes the water liquid. Furthermore, with the use of multiple loops which refine molecules of the water liquid, the energy of the water liquid increases to allow the water liquid to be easily absorbed by human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Hann Huang
  • Publication number: 20140288328
    Abstract: A method for photo-oxidising an organic substrate to form an organic product is disclosed comprising: a) mixing oxygen, a supercritical fluid, a photocatalyst, a liquid fluorous solvent and an organic substrate to form a mixture; and b) irradiating the mixture to form an organic product. Also disclosed is a method for separating a photocatalyst from an organic product comprising the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising a supercritical fluid; an organic product; a fluorous solvent; a photocatalyst; and optionally an organic substrate and optionally oxygen; wherein the organic product, fluorous solvent, photocatalyst and optional organic substrate and optional oxygen are dissolved in the supercritical fluid; and b) reducing the pressure of the mixture to a pressure below the critical pressure of the supercritical fluid in order to form a gaseous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Martyn Poliakoff, Mike W. George, Richard A. Bourne, Xue Han, Jessica F. B. Hall
  • Patent number: 8840835
    Abstract: A method for sterilization and pasteurization includes providing an apparatus including a shock generation section; a sterilization section; and a membrane provided there between; placing media contaminated with microorganisms into the sterilization section; introducing a detonable mixture into the shock generation section; causing formation of at least one of a shock wave and an acoustic wave by igniting the detonable mixture, so that the at least one of a shock wave and an acoustic wave impinges on the membrane and is transmitted thereby into the sterilization section, and so that the media is sterilized or pasteurized by the at least one of a shock wave and an acoustic wave that will kill at least some of the microorganisms; venting the shock generation section via a pressure relief valve; and repeating to achieve a pre-determined degree of sterilization or pasteurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Gabriel Eidelman
  • Patent number: 8840772
    Abstract: The present teachings are directed to a method of converting water and a carbon-containing compound, such as CO2, into a hydrocarbon through a process of absorbing sunlight on a light-absorbing component to photoelectrochemically oxidize water and reacting the products from that water oxidation reaction over a catalyst with the carbon-containing compound to produce the desired hydrocarbon compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting He
  • Publication number: 20140262742
    Abstract: A high surface area grid having two mesh sheets aligned in opposite direction to each other is disclosed. One mesh sheet may be horizontally aligned while the other may be vertically aligned. Piezoelectric actuators may be attached along the sides of each wire sheet, employing piezoelectric actuators to allow a precise control of the displacement of the wires. High surface area grid may be employed in the formation of a photoactive material, where semiconductor photocatalysts may be deposited onto high surface area grid. Photoactive material may be employed for a plurality of photocatalytic energy conversion applications such as water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. Employing a high surface area grid with the capability of dynamically-controlled dimensions may increase efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts on its surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Sunpower Technologies LLC
  • Publication number: 20140262743
    Abstract: A photosynthetic system for splitting water to produce hydrogen and using the produced hydrogen for the reduction of carbon dioxide into methane is disclosed. The disclosed photosynthetic system employs photoactive materials that include oriented photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN) within their composition, in order to harvest sunlight and obtain the energy necessary for water splitting and subsequent carbon dioxide reduction processes. The photosynthetic system may also include elements necessary to transfer water produced in the carbon dioxide reduction process, for subsequent use in water splitting process. The systems may also include elements necessary to store oxygen and collect and transfer methane for subsequent transformation of methane into energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Sunpower Technologies LLC
  • Patent number: 8834810
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frederick F. Becker, Peter Gascoyne, Xiaobo Wang, Jody Valentine Vykoukal, Giovanni De Gasperis
  • Patent number: 8834805
    Abstract: In order to disinfect and to detoxify a fluid, a photoreactor contains at least two light sources. One light source activates the catalytic function of a semiconductor material in the fluid to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the fluid, such as by breaking down organic contaminants into non-toxic compounds. A second light source acts directly on living biological entities to sterilize or kill them and thereby disinfect the fluid, and can also serve to activate a semiconductor photocatalyst that in turn causes further damage to biological contaminants. The semiconductor photocatalyst is desirably attached to an optically transmitting fiber substrate in the fluid. The second light source in one embodiment is external to the fluid and illuminates the photocatalyst through transmitting surfaces in a fluid containment vessel. The light sources can comprise respective sets of plural LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: UVCleaning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Owen, James Thorne, Manoj K. Sammi
  • Patent number: 8834684
    Abstract: A method is described to excite molecules at their natural resonance frequencies with sufficient energy to break or form chemical bonds using electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency (RF) and microwave frequency range. Liquid, solid, or gaseous materials are prepared and injected into a resonant structure where they are bombarded with electromagnetic energy in the RF or microwave range at resonant frequencies of the molecules of the materials. Alternatively, electromagnetic energy tuned to dielectric particles prepared from the materials may also be supplied to further enhance the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: RF Thummin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vassilli P. Proudkii, Kirk McNeil, Joe Michael Yarborough
  • Publication number: 20140251786
    Abstract: A system and method for harvesting oriented light for reducing carbon dioxide to produce fuels, such as methane, are disclosed. The present disclosure also relates to oriented photocatalytic semiconductor surfaces that may include oriented photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN) which may form oriented photoactive materials. The disclosed photocatalytic system for harvesting oriented light may include a polarization system that employs reflective or polarizing surfaces, such as mirror surfaces for collecting solar energy, and orient the light rays for maximum absorption and energy conversion on oriented photoactive material. The photocatalytic system may also include elements necessary to collect and transfer methane, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Sunpower Technologies LLC
  • Publication number: 20140231241
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for effecting a photocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic reaction of a reactant comprising contacting a metallic material having an electrical conductivity of 105 to 106 S/m with the reactant and exposing the metallic material and the reactant to visible light so as to catalyse the reaction of the reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
    Inventors: John Thomas Sirr Irvine, Xiaoxiang Xu, Chamnan Randorn
  • Publication number: 20140216918
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method for fabricating a gold/titanium dioxide core-shell structured photocatalyst and the application thereof to photocatalytic decomposition of organic compounds under ultraviolet irradiation. The method comprises steps: fabricating a solution of gold ions; fabricating gold/titanium dioxide core-shell structured nanoparticles; and crystallizing the gold/titanium dioxide core-shell structured nanoparticles, wherein gold and titanium dioxide are mixed by a weight ratio of 0.005 to 0.03. The gold/titanium dioxide core-shell structured photocatalyst can effectively decompose organic compounds and dyes under ultraviolet irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: BIOPTIK TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Chin-Chang YANG, YU-WEN CHEN, YAO-JEN TU, Jia-Long Jiang
  • Patent number: RE45415
    Abstract: An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. A flow-through model for oxygenating flowing water is disclosed. The use of supersaturated water for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying supersaturated water to plants manually, by drip irrigation or in hydroponic culture are described. The treatment of waste water by raising the dissolved oxygen with the use of an oxygen emitter is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Oxygenator Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Andrew Senkiw