Thomas Edward Meek

US Patent:

6372192, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Jan 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/493474

Inventors:

Felix L. Paulauskas - Knoxville TN
Kenneth D. Yarborough - Oak Ridge TN
Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, Inc. - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

D01F 912

US Classification:

4234477, 4234471, 204155

Abstract:

The disclosed invention introduces a novel method of manufacturing carbon and/or graphite fibers that avoids the high costs associated with conventional carbonization processes. The method of the present invention avoids these costs by utilizing plasma technology in connection with electromagnetic radiation to produce carbon and/or graphite fibers from fully or partially stabilized carbon fiber precursors. In general, the stabilized or partially stabilized carbon fiber precursors are placed under slight tension, in an oxygen-free atmosphere, and carbonized using a plasma and electromagnetic radiation having a power input which is increased as the fibers become more carbonized and progress towards a final carbon or graphite product. In an additional step, the final carbon or graphite product may be surface treated with an oxygen-plasma treatment to enhance adhesion to matrix materials.

US Patent:

6375875, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Jan 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/492473

Inventors:

Felix L. Paulauskas - Knoxville TN
Timothy S. Bigelow - Knoxville TN
Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

B29C 4712

US Classification:

264 292, 264 297, 264406, 324636, 324637, 324639, 4234471, 423448, 425 722, 425135, 4253782, 4253822, 425404, 425464

Abstract:

A method for monitoring characteristics of materials includes placing a material in an application zone, measuring a change in at least one property value of the application zone caused by placing the material in the application zone and relating changes in the property value of the application zone caused by the material to at least one characteristic of the material An apparatus for monitoring characteristics of a material includes a measuring device for measuring a property value resulting from applying a frequency signal to the application zone after placing a material in the application zone and a processor for relating changes in the property value caused by placement of the material in the application zone to at least one desired characteristic of the material. The application zone is preferably a resonant cavity.

US Patent:

6730538, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Jun 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/599341

Inventors:

Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN
Michael Z. Hu - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

The University of Tennessee Research Corporation - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

H01L 2100

US Classification:

438104, 438 3, 438240, 438778, 438782, 438785, 438758

Abstract:

A method for fabricating electronic devices. First, an actinide oxide semiconductor material is provided. Next, an electronic device is fabricated using the actinide oxide semiconductor material.

US Patent:

7216690, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Jun 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/871180

Inventors:

Qingyou Han - Knoxville TN, US
Xiaogang Jian - Knoxville TN, US
Hanbing Xu - Knoxville TN, US
Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

B22D 17/10
B22D 23/00
B22D 25/00
B22D 27/08

US Classification:

164113, 164 711, 164312, 164900

Abstract:

A method of forming a material includes the steps of: vibrating a molten material at an ultrasonic frequency while cooling the material to a semi-solid state to form non-dendritic grains therein; forming the semi-solid material into a desired shape; and cooling the material to a solid state. The method makes semi-solid castings directly from molten materials (usually a metal), produces grain size usually in the range of smaller than 50 μm, and can be easily retrofitted into existing conventional forming machine.

US Patent:

7493934, Feb 24, 2009

Filed:

Mar 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/729614

Inventors:

Qingyou Han - Knoxville TN, US
Xiaogang Jian - Knoxville TN, US
Hanbing Xu - Knoxville TN, US
Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

B22D 17/10
B22D 23/00
B22D 25/00
B22D 27/08

US Classification:

164113, 164 711, 164312, 164900

Abstract:

A method of forming a material includes the steps of: vibrating a molten material at an ultrasonic frequency while cooling the material to a semi-solid state to form non-dendritic grains therein; forming the semi-solid material into a desired shape; and cooling the material to a solid state. The method makes semi-solid castings directly from molten materials (usually a metal), produces grain size usually in the range of smaller than 50 μm, and can be easily retrofitted into existing conventional forming machine.

US Patent:

7621315, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Jan 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/357857

Inventors:

Qingyou Han - Knoxville TN, US
Xiaogang Jian - Knoxville TN, US
Hanbing Xu - Knoxville TN, US
Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridged TN
University of Tennessee Research Foundation - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

B22D 17/10
B22D 23/00
B22D 25/00
B22D 27/08

US Classification:

164113, 164 711, 164312, 164900

Abstract:

A method of forming a material includes the steps of: vibrating a molten material at an ultrasonic frequency while cooling the material to a semi-solid state to form non-dendritic grains therein; forming the semi-solid material into a desired shape; and cooling the material to a solid state. The method makes semi-solid castings directly from molten materials (usually a metal), produces grain size usually in the range of smaller than 50 μm, and can be easily retrofitted into existing conventional forming machine.

US Patent:

7682556, Mar 23, 2010

Filed:

Aug 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/204893

Inventors:

Qingyou Han - Knoxville TN, US
Hanbing Xu - Knoxville TN, US
Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

C21C 5/48
B22D 41/58
B67D 7/00
B01D 19/00
C22B 9/00

US Classification:

266218, 222603, 96175, 75708

Abstract:

An apparatus and method are disclosed in which ultrasonic vibration is used to assist the degassing of molten metals or metal alloys thereby reducing gas content in the molten metals or alloys. High-intensity ultrasonic vibration is applied to a radiator that creates cavitation bubbles, induces acoustic streaming in the melt, and breaks up purge gas (e. g. , argon or nitrogen) which is intentionally introduced in a small amount into the melt in order to collect the cavitation bubbles and to make the cavitation bubbles survive in the melt. The molten metal or alloy in one version of the invention is an aluminum alloy. The ultrasonic vibrations create cavitation bubbles and break up the large purge gas bubbles into small bubbles and disperse the bubbles in the molten metal or alloy more uniformly, resulting in a fast and clean degassing.

US Patent:

48805785, Nov 14, 1989

Filed:

Aug 8, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/229892

Inventors:

Cressie E. Holcombe - Farragut TN
Norman L. Dykes - Oak Ridge TN
Thomas T. Meek - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

C04B 3564

US Classification:

264 26

Abstract:

A method for microwave sintering materials, primarily metal oxides, is described. Metal oxides do not normally absorb microwave radiation at temperatures ranging from about room temperature to several hundred degrees centrigrade are sintered with microwave radiation without the use of the heretofore required sintering aids. This sintering is achieved by enclosing a compact of the oxide material in a housing or capsule formed of a oxide which has microwave coupling properties at room temprature up to at least the microwave coupling temperature of the oxide material forming the compact. The heating of the housing effects the initial heating of the oxide material forming the compact by heat transference and then functions as a thermal insulator for the encased oxide material after the oxide material reaches a sufficient temperature to adequately absorb or couple with microwave radiation for heating thereof to sintering temperature.