Michael R Rowe

US Patent:

8419980, Apr 16, 2013

Filed:

Apr 26, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/094479

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US
Li Qin Zhou - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

H01B 1/02

US Classification:

252512, 136200, 2525181, 2525194, 2525195, 2525213

Abstract:

A thermoelectric material that comprises a ternary main group matrix material and nano-particles and/or nano-inclusions of a Group 2 or Group 12 metal oxide dispersed therein. A process for making the thermoelectric material that includes reacting a reduced metal precursor with an oxidized metal precursor in the presence of nanoparticles.

US Patent:

8518288, Aug 27, 2013

Filed:

Feb 9, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/023746

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

H01B 13/00
H01B 1/02
B82B 3/00

US Classification:

252 623T, 428403, 977775, 977833

Abstract:

A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of forming a core material reverse micelle or micelle, adding a bismuth containing compound to the core material reverse micelle or micelle forming a reverse micelle or micelle having the bismuth containing compound dispersed therein, adding a tellurium containing compound with the formed micelle or reverse micelle in the presence of a reducing agent that alloys with the bismuth containing compound forming composite thermoelectric nanoparticles having a core and shell structure, and washing the core and shell nanoparticles in a solvent mixture including ammonium hydroxide, water and methanol wherein the core and shell nanoparticles remain un-agglomerated and have a particle size of from 1-25 nanometers.

US Patent:

8535554, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Jul 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/843954

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US
Minjuan Zhang - Ann Arbor MI, US
Paul Jantzen - Pearland TX, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

H01L 29/12

US Classification:

252 623T, 427215, 428403, 136238, 136240, 977823, 977775, 977776, 977890

Abstract:

A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of providing a core material and a bismuth containing compound in a reverse micelle; providing a tellurium containing compound either in or not in a reverse micelle; reacting the bismuth containing compound with the tellurium containing compound in the presence of a base, forming a composite thermoelectric nanoparticle having a core and shell structure.

US Patent:

8568607, Oct 29, 2013

Filed:

Feb 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/023015

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

H01L 35/16

US Classification:

252 623T, 428403, 977775, 977833

Abstract:

A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of providing a reducing agent, and at least one first metal; mixing the reducing agent and at least one first metal forming a premixed reducing solution; providing a second metal containing compound, and a core material; mixing the second metal containing compound and the core material forming a premixed second metal reaction solution separate from the premixed reducing solution; and mixing and reacting the premixed second metal reaction solution with the premixed reducing solution. A spontaneous alloying occurs about the core material forming thermoelectric composite nanoparticles.

US Patent:

8641917, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Dec 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/309272

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

C04B 35/515
H01L 29/22

US Classification:

252 623T, 136238, 1362361, 427215, 264 7, 264614

Abstract:

A thermoelectric material that comprises a ternary main group matrix material and nano-particles and/or nano-inclusions of transition metal oxide dispersed therein. A process for making the thermoelectric material that includes reacting a reduced metal precursor with an oxidized metal precursor in the presence of transition metal oxide nanoparticles.

US Patent:

20100215852, Aug 26, 2010

Filed:

Feb 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/391543

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US
Minjuan Zhang - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B01J 13/04

US Classification:

4272133, 977890

Abstract:

A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of a) forming a core material micro-emulsion, b) adding at least one shell material to the core material micro-emulsion forming composite thermoelectric nanoparticles having a core and shell structure.

US Patent:

20120018681, Jan 26, 2012

Filed:

Jul 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/841718

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

H01B 1/02
H01B 1/12
H01B 1/06
H01B 1/04

US Classification:

252506, 2525194, 25251933, 25251934, 977773

Abstract:

A process for forming a thermoelectric component having optimum properties is provided. The process includes providing a plurality of core-shell nanoparticles, the nanoparticles having a core made from silica, metals, semiconductors, insulators, ceramics, carbon, polymers, combinations thereof, and the like, and a shell containing bismuth telluride. After the core-shell nanoparticles have been provided, the nanoparticles are subjected to a sintering process. The result of the sintering provides a bismuth telluride thermoelectric component having a combined electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient squared of greater than 30,000 μVS/mKat 150 C.

US Patent:

20120079833, Apr 5, 2012

Filed:

Oct 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/897280

Inventors:

Michael Paul Rowe - Pinckney MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

F25B 21/00
G05D 23/00

US Classification:

62 31, 165291

Abstract:

Reversible thermal rectifiers for selectively controlling the direction of heat flow include a plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects disposed in a fluid medium, wherein each of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects include a refractive side and a reflective side such that heat flows past the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects when approaching from the refractive side, and heat is reflected from the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects when approaching from the reflective side, and a bidirectional field actuator system that selectively orients the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects between a first orientation, wherein the reflective sides of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects face a first direction, and a second orientation, wherein the reflective sides of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects face a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction.