David S Forrest

US Patent:

20200176573, Jun 4, 2020

Filed:

Dec 4, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/209657

Inventors:

Uthamalingam BALACHANDRAN - Willowbrook IL, US
Stephen E. DORRIS - LaGrange Park IL, US
Beihai MA - Naperville IL, US
Tae H. LEE - Naperville IL, US
David R. FORREST - Washington DC, US
Christopher Klingshirn - College Park MD, US

International Classification:

H01L 29/40
C22C 9/01

Abstract:

A method for preparing a covetic, nanocarbon-infused, metal composite material is described is herein. The method comprises heating a stirring molten mixture of a metal (e.g., Cu, Al, Ag, Au, Fe, Ni, Pt, Sn, Pb, Zn, Si, and the like) and carbon (e.g., graphite) at a temperature sufficient to maintain the mixture in the molten state in a reactor vessel, while passing an electric current through the molten mixture via at least two spaced electrodes submerged or partially submerged in the molten metal. Each of the electrodes has an electrical conductivity that is at least about 50 percent of the electrical conductivity of the molten mixture at the temperature of the molten mixture. Preferably, the conductivity of the electrodes is equal to or greater than the conductivity of the molten mixture.

US Patent:

20190381563, Dec 19, 2019

Filed:

Jun 15, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/009897

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Beihai MA - Naperville IL, US
Tae H. LEE - Naperville IL, US
Stephen E. DORRIS - LaGrange Park IL, US
David R. FORREST - Washington DC, US

Assignee:

UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B22F 1/00
B22F 3/11
C01B 32/21

Abstract:

A method for making covetic metal-nanostructured carbon composites or compositions is described herein. This method is advantageous, in that it provides substantially oxygen-free covetic materials and allows precise control of the composition of the covetic material to be produced. The method comprises introducing carbon into a molten metal in a heated reactor under low oxygen partial pressure, while passing an electric current through the molten metal. The reactor is heated at a temperature sufficient to form a network of nanostructured carbon within a matrix of the metal. After heating the covetic material is recovered from the reactor.