Jane Y Howe

US Patent:

8318250, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Feb 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/370910

Inventors:

Roland D. Seals - Oak Ridge TN, US
Paul A. Menchhofer - Clinton TN, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US
Wei Wang - Oak Ridge TN, US

Assignee:

Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

C23C 16/00

US Classification:

4272491, 977742, 977745, 977748

Abstract:

Anchored nanostructure materials and methods for their fabrication are described. The anchored nanostructure materials may utilize nano-catalysts that include powder-based or solid-based support materials. The support material may comprise metal, such as NiAl, ceramic, a cermet, or silicon or other metalloid. Typically, nanoparticles are disposed adjacent a surface of the support material. Nanostructures may be formed as anchored to nanoparticles that are adjacent the surface of the support material by heating the nano-catalysts and then exposing the nano-catalysts to an organic vapor. The nanostructures are typically single wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes.

US Patent:

8377840, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Feb 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/370892

Inventors:

Roland D. Seals - Oak Rdige TN, US
Paul A. Menchhofer - Clinton TN, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US
Wei Wang - Oak Ridge TN, US

Assignee:

Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

B01J 21/08
B01J 21/06

US Classification:

502259, 502258, 502260, 502150, 502232, 502325, 423132, 4231501

Abstract:

Methods of fabricating nano-catalysts are described. In some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a powder-based substrate material and is some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a solid-based substrate material. In some embodiments the substrate material may include metal, ceramic, or silicon or another metalloid. The nano-catalysts typically have metal nanoparticles disposed adjacent the surface of the substrate material. The methods typically include functionalizing the surface of the substrate material with a chelating agent, such as a chemical having dissociated carboxyl functional groups (—COO), that provides an enhanced affinity for metal ions. The functionalized substrate surface may then be exposed to a chemical solution that contains metal ions. The metal ions are then bound to the substrate material and may then be reduced, such as by a stream of gas that includes hydrogen, to form metal nanoparticles adjacent the surface of the substrate.

US Patent:

8591988, Nov 26, 2013

Filed:

Oct 16, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/652936

Inventors:

Paul A. Menchhofer - Clinton TX, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US
Wei Wang - Oak Ridge TN, US

Assignee:

Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

C23C 16/26
B05D 3/10

US Classification:

4272491, 427307, 4273722

Abstract:

Methods for fabricating anchored nanostructure materials are described. The methods include heating a nano-catalyst under a protective atmosphere to a temperature ranging from about 450 C. to about 1500 C. and contacting the heated nano-catalysts with an organic vapor to affix carbon nanostructures to the nano-catalysts and form the anchored nanostructure material.

US Patent:

8597838, Dec 3, 2013

Filed:

May 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/463451

Inventors:

Chengdu Liang - Knoxville TN, US
Zhan Lin - Knoxville TN, US
Nancy J. Dudney - Knoxville TN, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US
Adam J. Rondinone - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

H01M 6/16

US Classification:

429335, 429188

Abstract:

Method of forming lithium-containing electrolytes are provided using wet chemical synthesis. In some examples, the lithium containing electrolytes are composed of β-LiPSor LiPS. The solid electrolyte may be a core shell material. In one embodiment, the core shell material includes a core of lithium sulfide (LiS), a first shell of β-LiPSor LiPS, and a second shell including one of β-LiPSor LiPSand carbon. The lithium containing electrolytes may be incorporated into wet cell batteries or solid state batteries.

US Patent:

20100209706, Aug 19, 2010

Filed:

Feb 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/704583

Inventors:

Paul A. Menchhofer - Clinton TN, US
Roland D. Seals - Oak Ridge TN, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US
Wei Wang - Oak Ridge TN, US

Assignee:

BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

D02G 3/22

US Classification:

428401, 264165

Abstract:

A fluffy nano-material and method of manufacture are described. At 2000× magnification the fluffy nanomaterial has the appearance of raw, uncarded wool, with individual fiber lengths ranging from approximately four microns to twenty microns. Powder-based nanocatalysts are dispersed in the fluffy nanomaterial. The production of fluffy nanomaterial typically involves flowing about 125 cc/min of organic vapor at a pressure of about 400 torr over powder-based nano-catalysts for a period of time that may range from approximately thirty minutes to twenty-four hours.

US Patent:

20100210456, Aug 19, 2010

Filed:

Feb 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/370885

Inventors:

Roland D. Seals - Oak Rdige TN, US
Paul A. Menchhofer - Clinton TN, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US
Wei Wang - Oak Ridge TN, US

Assignee:

BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

B01J 21/08

US Classification:

502258, 502240, 502100, 502232, 977773

Abstract:

Nano-catalysts that have utility for forming nanostructures and manufacturing nanomaterials are described. In some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a powder-based substrate material and is some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a solid-based substrate material. In some embodiments the substrate material may include metal, ceramic, or silicon or another metalloid. The nano-catalysts typically have metal nanoparticles disposed adjacent the surface of the substrate material. Methods of forming the nano-catalysts are disclosed. The methods typically include functionalizing the surface of the substrate material with a chelating agent, such as a chemical having dissociated carboxyl functional groups (—COO), that provides an enhanced affinity for metal ions. The functionalized substrate surface may then be exposed to a chemical solution that contains metal ions. The metal ions are then bound to the substrate material and may then be reduced, such as by a stream of gas that includes hydrogen, to form metal nanoparticles adjacent the surface of the substrate.

US Patent:

20110052998, Mar 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/874254

Inventors:

Chengdu Liang - Knoxville TN, US
Nancy J. Dudney - Knoxville TN, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

H01M 4/583
H01M 10/05
B05D 5/12
H01M 10/056
H01M 10/26

US Classification:

429300, 427 77, 429322, 429341, 429199, 429206, 4292318

Abstract:

The invention is directed in a first aspect to a sulfur-carbon composite material comprising: (i) a bimodal porous carbon component containing therein a first mode of pores which are mesopores, and a second mode of pores which are micropores; and (ii) elemental sulfur contained in at least a portion of said micropores. The invention is also directed to the aforesaid sulfur-carbon composite as a layer on a current collector material; a lithium ion battery containing the sulfur-carbon composite in a cathode therein; as well as a method for preparing the sulfur-composite material.

US Patent:

20130029836, Jan 31, 2013

Filed:

Feb 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/704564

Inventors:

Roland D. Seals - Oak Ridge TN, US
Paul A. Menchhofer - Clinton TN, US
Jane Y. Howe - Oak Ridge TN, US
Wei Wang - Oak Ridge TN, US

Assignee:

BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

B01J 21/18
B01J 27/22
B01J 23/755

US Classification:

502177, 502182

Abstract:

A method of forming nano-structure composite materials that have a binder material and a nanostructure fiber material is described. A precursor material may be formed using a mixture of at least one metal powder and anchored nanostructure materials. The metal powder mixture may be (a) Ni powder and (b) NiAl powder. The anchored nanostructure materials may comprise (i) NiAl powder as a support material and (ii) carbon nanotubes attached to nanoparticles adjacent to a surface of the support material. The process of forming nano-structure composite materials typically involves sintering the mixture under vacuum in a die. When Ni and NiAl are used in the metal powder mixture NiAl may form as the binder material after sintering. The mixture is sintered until it consolidates to form the nano-structure composite material.