Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090294088 | Forming foam structures with carbon foam substrates - The invention provides foams of desired cell sizes formed from metal or ceramic materials that coat the surfaces of carbon foams which are subsequently removed. For example, metal is located over a sol-gel foam monolith. The metal is melted to produce a metal/sol-gel composition. The sol-gel foam monolith is removed, leaving a metal foam. | 12-03-2009 |
20100139823 | PYROPHORIC METAL-CARBON FOAM COMPOSITES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A method for creating a pyrophoric material according to one embodiment includes thermally activating a carbon foam for creating micropores therein; contacting the activated carbon foam with a liquid solution comprising a metal salt for depositing metal ions in the carbon foam; and reducing the metal ions in the foam to metal particles. A pyrophoric material in yet another embodiment includes a pyrophoric metal-carbon foam composite comprising a carbon foam having micropores and mesopores and a surface area of greater than or equal to about 2000 m | 06-10-2010 |
20100187484 | MECHANICALLY ROBUST, ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ULTRALOW-DENSITY CARBON NANOTUBE-BASED AEROGELS - A method of making a mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel, including the steps of dispersing nanotubes in an aqueous media or other media to form a suspension, adding reactants and catalyst to the suspension to create a reaction mixture, curing the reaction mixture to form a wet gel, drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel, and pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce the mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel. The aerogel is mechanically robust, electrically conductive, and ultralow-density, and is made of a porous carbon material having 5 to 95% by weight carbon nanotubes and 5 to 95% carbon binder. | 07-29-2010 |
20100190639 | HIGH SURFACE AREA, ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE NANOCARBON-SUPPORTED METAL OXIDE - A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust. | 07-29-2010 |
20100267541 | Nano-ceramics and method thereof - A method for producing ceramic materials utilizing the sol-gel process enables the preparation of intimate homogeneous dispersions of materials while offering the ability to control the size of one component within another. The method also enables the preparation of materials that densify at reduced temperatures. Applications of the compositions include filters, solid-oxide fuel cells, membranes, ceramic cutting tools and wear and auto parts. In one example, 10 g of AlCl | 10-21-2010 |
20110024698 | Mechanically Stiff, Electrically Conductive Composites of Polymers and Carbon Nanotubes - Using SWNT-CA as scaffolds to fabricate stiff, highly conductive polymer (PDMS) composites. The SWNT-CA is immersing in a polymer resin to produce a SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin. The SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin is cured to produce the stiff and electrically conductive composite of carbon nanotube aerogel and polymer. | 02-03-2011 |
20110129614 | EXTREME SYNTHESIS OF CRYSTALLINE AEROGEL MATERIALS FROM AMORPHOUS AEROGEL PRECURSORS - In one embodiment, a system includes a pressure cell adapted for enclosing a porous structure; an inert pressure medium within the pressure cell; and a heat source for heating the porous structure. In another embodiment, a composition of matter includes a crystalline porous structure having a density of about 30 to about 50 mg/cm | 06-02-2011 |
20110151537 | Synthetic Catalysts that Separate CO2 from the Atmosphere and Gas Mixtures - The creation of a catalyst that can be used for a wide variety of applications including the steps of developing preliminary information regarding the catalyst, using the preliminary information to produce a template of the catalyst, and using the template of the catalyst to produce the catalyst. | 06-23-2011 |
20110203714 | NANO-LAMINATE-BASED IGNITORS - Sol-gel chemistry is used to prepare igniters comprising energetic multilayer structures coated with energetic materials. These igniters can be tailored to be stable to environmental aging, i.e., where the igniters are exposed to extremes of both hot and cold temperatures (−30 C to 150 C) and both low (0%) and high relative humidity (100%). | 08-25-2011 |
20110239745 | Rapid Identification of Explosives Using Thin-Layer Chromatography and Colorimetric Techniques - A thin-layer chromatography method for identifying material present in a sample on a location including the steps of provide a thin-layer chromatography plate, wetting a swab is with a solvent providing a wetted swab, contacted the location of interest is with the wetted swab to obtain the sample providing a wetted swab with sample, placing the wetted swab with sample in the solvent to dissolve the sample and provide a solvent with sample, dipping a micropipette into the solvent with sample to obtain an amount of the solvent with sample, spotting the amount of the solvent with sample on the thin-layer chromatography plate, allowed the amount of the solvent with sample on the thin-layer chromatography plate to dry providing a thin-layer chromatography plate with sample, placing the a thin-layer chromatography plate with sample into a developing chamber with solvent mixture, allowing the thin-layer chromatography plate with sample to develop producing a developed thin-layer chromatography plate with sample, removing the developed thin-layer chromatography plate with sample from the developing chamber, and illuminating the developed thin-layer chromatography plate with sample with ultra violet light to produce an image for identifying the material present in the sample. | 10-06-2011 |
20110293496 | SYNTHESIS OF TRIAZOLE-BASED AND IMIDAZOLE-BASED ZINC CATALYSTS - Various methods and structures of complexes and molecules are described herein related to a zinc-centered catalyst for removing carbon dioxide from atmospheric or aqueous environments. According to one embodiment, a method for creating a tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule includes contacting a pentaerythritol molecule with a propargyl halide molecule to create a trialkyne molecule, and contacting the trialkyne molecule with an azide molecule to create the tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule. In another embodiment, a method for creating a tris(imidazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule includes alkylating an imidazole 2-carbaldehyde molecule to create a monoalkylated aldehyde molecule, reducing the monoalkylated aldehyde molecule to create an alcohol molecule, converting the alcohol molecule to create an alkyl halide molecule using thionyl halide, and reacting the alkyl halide molecule with a pentaerythritol molecule to create a tris(imidazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule. In another embodiment, zinc is bound to the tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol molecule to create a zinc-centered tris(triazolyl)pentaerythritol catalyst for removing carbon dioxide from atmospheric or aqueous environments. | 12-01-2011 |
20120028372 | RAPID DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ENERGETIC MATERIALS WITH SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROMETRY (SERS) - In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of metal nanoparticles functionalized with a plurality of organic molecules tethered thereto, wherein the plurality of organic molecules preferentially interact with one or more analytes when placed in proximity therewith. According to another embodiment, a method for detecting analytes includes contacting a fluid having one or more analytes of interest therein with a plurality of metal nanoparticles, each metal nanoparticle having a plurality of organic molecules tethered thereto, and detecting Raman scattering from an analyte of interest from the fluid, the analyte interacting with one or more of the plurality of organic molecules. In another embodiment, a method includes chemically modifying a plurality of cyclodextrin molecules at a primary hydroxyl moiety to create a chemical handle, and tethering the plurality of cyclodextrin molecules to a metal nanoparticle using the chemical handle. Other systems and methods for detecting analytes are also described. | 02-02-2012 |
20120028798 | POROUS SUBSTRATES FILLED WITH NANOMATERIALS - A composition comprising: at least one porous carbon monolith, such as a carbon aerogel, comprising internal pores, and at least one nanomaterial, such as carbon nanotubes, disposed uniformly throughout the internal pores. The nanomaterial can be disposed in the middle of the monolith. In addition, a method for making a monolithic solid with both high surface area and good bulk electrical conductivity is provided. A porous substrate having a thickness of 100 microns or more and comprising macropores throughout its thickness is prepared. At least one catalyst is deposited inside the porous substrate. Subsequently, chemical vapor deposition is used to uniformly deposit a nanomaterial in the macropores throughout the thickness of the porous substrate. Applications include electrical energy storage, such as batteries and capacitors, and hydrogen storage. | 02-02-2012 |
20120034442 | GRAPHENE AEROGELS - Graphene aerogels with high conductivity and surface areas including a method for making a graphene aerogel, including the following steps: (1) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; (2) curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; (3) drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and (4) pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce a graphene aerogel. Applications include electrical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors. | 02-09-2012 |
20120037854 | MECHANICALLY STIFF, ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE COMPOSITES OF POLYMERS AND CARBON NANOTUBES - Using SWNT-CA as scaffolds to fabricate stiff, highly conductive polymer (PDMS) composites. The SWNT-CA is immersing in a polymer resin to produce a SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin. The SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin is cured to produce the stiff and electrically conductive composite of carbon nanotube aerogel and polymer. | 02-16-2012 |
20120077006 | HIGH SURFACE AREA SILICON CARBIDE-COATED CARBON AEROGEL - A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust. Carbon aerogels can be coated with sol-gel silica and the silica can be converted to silicon carbide, improving the thermal stability of the carbon aerogel. | 03-29-2012 |
20120122652 | HIGH SURFACE AREA, ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE NANOCARBON-SUPPORTED METAL OXIDE - A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust. | 05-17-2012 |
20120199535 | TETHERED CATALYSTS FOR THE HYDRATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE - A system is provided that substantially increases the efficiency of CO | 08-09-2012 |
20130004761 | METHODS OF ELECTROPHORETIC DEPOSITION FOR FUNCTIONALLY GRADED POROUS NANOSTRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS THEREOF - In one embodiment, an aerogel includes a layer of shaped particles having a particle packing density gradient in a thickness direction of the layer, wherein the shaped particles are characterized by being formed in an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process using an impurity. In another embodiment, a method for forming a functionally graded porous nanostructure includes adding particles of an impurity and a solution to an EPD chamber, applying a voltage difference across the two electrodes of the EPD chamber to create an electric field in the EPD chamber, and depositing the material onto surfaces of the particles of the impurity to form shaped particles of the material. Other functionally graded materials and methods are described according to more embodiments. | 01-03-2013 |
20130283845 | ADSORPTION COOLING SYSTEM USING CARBON AEROGEL - An adsorptive cooling system includes: a first highly adsorptive structure positioned to receive thermal energy from a thermal energy source, the first highly adsorptive structure including: a first substrate; and a first carbon aerogel adhered to the first substrate, a second highly adsorptive structure positioned to receive thermal energy from the thermal energy source, the second highly adsorptive structure including: a second substrate; and a second carbon aerogel adhered to the second substrate, a cooling unit; and a circulation system adapted for circulating the refrigerant from at least one of the first highly adsorptive structure and the second highly adsorptive structure to the cooling unit to provide cooling from the thermal energy source and to return the refrigerant from the cooling unit to at least one of the first highly adsorptive structure and the second highly adsorptive structure. | 10-31-2013 |
20130283846 | ADSORPTION COOLING SYSTEM USING METAL ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS - A highly adsorptive structure, includes: a substrate; and a metal-organic framework (MOF) comprising a plurality of metal atoms coordinated to a plurality of organic spacer molecules; wherein the MOF is coupled to at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the MOF is adapted for adsorbing and desorbing a refrigerant under predetermined thermodynamic conditions. The refrigerant includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: acid halides, alcohols, aldehydes, amines, chlorofluorocarbons, esters, ethers, fluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, halocarbons, halogenated aldehydes, halogenated amines, halogenated hydrocarbons, halomethanes, hydrocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, hydrofluoroolefins, inorganic gases, ketones, nitrocarbon compounds, noble gases, organochlorine compounds, organofluorine compounds, organophosphorous compounds, organosilicon compounds, oxide gases, refrigerant blends and thiols. | 10-31-2013 |
20130283847 | ADSORPTION COOLING SYSTEM USING CARBON AEROGEL - A highly adsorptive structure includes: a substrate; and a carbon aerogel adhered to the substrate, wherein the carbon aerogel is characterized by having physical characteristics of in-situ formation on the substrate, and wherein the carbon aerogel is configured to selectively adsorb and desorb one or more refrigerants selected from the group consisting of: acid halides, alcohols, aldehydes, amines, chlorofluorocarbons, esters, ethers, fluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, halocarbons, halogenated aldehydes, halogenated amines, halogenated hydrocarbons, halomethanes, hydrocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, hydrofluoroolefins, inorganic gases, ketones, nitrocarbon compounds, noble gases, organochlorine compounds, organofluorine compounds, organophosphorous compounds, organosilicon compounds, oxide gases, refrigerant blends and thiols. | 10-31-2013 |
20130283849 | ADSORPTION COOLING SYSTEM USING METAL ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS - An adsorptive cooling system includes: a first highly adsorptive structure positioned to receive thermal energy from a thermal energy source, including: a first substrate; and a first metal-organic framework (MOF) coupled to the first substrate and adapted for adsorbing and desorbing a refrigerant under predetermined thermodynamic conditions; a second highly adsorptive structure positioned to receive thermal energy from the thermal energy source including: a second substrate; and a second MOF coupled to the second substrate and adapted for adsorbing and desorbing a refrigerant under predetermined thermodynamic conditions; a cooling unit; and a circulation system adapted for circulating refrigerant from the first highly adsorptive structure and the second highly adsorptive structure to the cooling unit to provide cooling from the thermal energy source and to return the refrigerant to at least one of the first highly adsorptive structure and the second highly adsorptive structure. | 10-31-2013 |
20140080129 | MOBILE APP FOR CHEMICAL DETECTION - The present invention incorporates the camera from a mobile device (phone, iPad, etc.) to capture an image from a chemical test kit and process the image to provide chemical information. A simple user interface enables the automatic evaluation of the image, data entry, gps info, and maintain records from previous analyses. | 03-20-2014 |
20140217330 | HIGH SURFACE AREA, ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE NANOCARBON-SUPPORTED METAL OXIDE - A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust. | 08-07-2014 |