SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY (SMA) THERMAL DEVICE

Patent Pending

• The invention is a cost-efficient device made of a SMA that is shaped to maintain the electrical connection between a lithium-ion battery and a conductive plate. At a manufacturer specified temperature (higher than the operating temperature), the SMA returns to its original remembered shape, therefore breaking the electrical connection.

• The invention prevents electrical overheating to prevent fires and save battery cells, making the battery repairable.

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DAMAGE SENSING OF A BONDED COMPOSITE REPAIR 

Patent No. 10,662,535 

• Self-senses of damage in a bonded, electrically conductive composite repair for metal equipment by monitoring a resistance using an impressed current cathodic protection system (ICCP) used to protect metal elements in any metal structure with an ICCP (pressure vessel, ship, pipeline). This invention is based on a direct current resistive measurement of composite bonding quality. 

• This invention is unique because there are currently no simple-to-use systems to access the structural health of a composite repair. While the basic principle is known, the use of the ICCP system for repair monitoring is novel, simple, and requires no additional equipment.

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CHARGED ARRAYS OF MICRO AND NANOSCALE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND BATTERIES FOR COMPUTER AND NANODEVICE MEMORY AND POWER SUPPLY  

Patent No’s. 7,704,615 & 7,785,737 

Expiration Date – 2/26/2028 

• This invention involves charged arrays of micro and nanoscale electrochemical cells and batteries for computer and nanodevice memory. Nanoscale or electrochemical cells or batteries are arranged in well-ordered arrays. Charged cells serve as “on” or “1” while cells that are not charged could serve as “off” or “0,” in effect serving as memory devices.  

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NANOSCALE THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) BATTERY ARCHITECTURE 

Patent No. 8,574,744   

Expiration Date – 4/23/2030

• The invention is a 3D compact, highly efficient nanobattery comprised of nanobaskets, nanowires, and an electrolyte layer. 

• The battery’s nanobaskets, formed on a nanoporous substrate, serve as electrodes, with nanowires providing direct electrical connections for each basket. A thin electrolyte layer is placed between the nanobasket electrodes to facilitate ion exchange and complete the energy storage system. 

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COMPLIANCE METHOD FOR A CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEM 

Patent No’s. 9,471,789 & 10,185,833

Expiration Dates: 2/19/2033 & 4/13/2033

• This novel method analyzes cyber-physical systems to ensure they meet compliance requirements such as regulatory, maintenance, and safety requirements.


• The invention performs an initial to end state path analysis to determine which paths contain a violation state. Compliance procedures are then performed utilizing the path analysis.

• The invention can reduce the risk of repairs and fines by ensuring that cyber-physical systems are operating within required compliance frameworks. …

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE CO-PRODUCTION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL ENERGY AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM SOLAR IRRADIANCE

Patent No. 11,125,469

Expiration Date – 02/02/2036

This hybrid solar energy system co-generates high-temperature thermal energy and electricity by integrating photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, enabling efficient and cost-effective energy capture.
The invention effectively utilizes the full solar spectrum, reducing electricity production costs by 10% compared to conventional CSP systems, and provides continuous energy generation with the capacity for storage and dispatch.
The invention was designed for solar energy applications, offering a lower cost solution for generating both electricity and process heat through an advanced photovoltaic and heat transfer fluid mechanism….

MAGNETICALLY GUIDED SELF-HEALING POLYMER MICROCAPSULE

Patent No. 10,179,846 

Expiration Date: 06/06/2037 

• This invention provides a process for making magnetic microcapsules by coating magnetic particles with a hydrophobic material, suspending them in a core material, and encapsulating them with an outer wall.  

• Currently, self-healing microcapsules are incorporated into polymer structures and universally dispersed.  This invention optimizes the concentration of microcapsules to minimize cost and to reduce negative impacts of the polymeric material properties.  Implanting these self-healing microcapsules into a liquid polymer, guided by magnetic fields to areas of high failure probability, and cured into a solid material. Upon initiation of stress fractures, the microcapsules release self-healing agents, enabling the polymer to repair itself….

VELOCITY INDEPENDENT TWO-COMPONENT MAGNETIC FLUX LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM  

Patent No. 11,009,484  

Expiration Date: 5/13/2037  

• This invention is a device, system, and method for detecting flaws in magnetic material by using a wheeled scanner equipped with two distinct magnet-sensor arrangements.   

• The invention uses two magnetic flux leakage (MFL) components to identify surface and subsurface flaws, which provide a more comprehensive assessment compared to traditional single-component MFL systems.   

• The invention can be used to detect corrosion flaws in steel oil storage tanks using robotic surveying accurately and efficiently while reducing costs….

VACUUM-FREE, HYDROGEN-FREE CATALYTIC SYNTHESIS OF GRAPHENE FROM SOLID HYDROCARBONS  

Patent No. 11,760,636  

Expiration Date: 10/24/2039  

• The invention allows for graphene production from readily available solid hydrocarbons such as coal, biocoal, and biochar. The invention does not require hydrogen injection or vacuum conditions, thereby reducing complexity and cost over other methods of graphene production.   

• The invention allows graphene to be produced globally at lower temperatures and costs and is amenable to standard engineering reactor scaleup.  Popular applications of graphene include solar panels, foldable touchscreens, and bionic devices.  

• The lifetime of reactors, vessels, and transportation vessels made of Fe or Fe alloys can be increased by depositing graphene directly on the surface which will prevent the metal from oxidizing….

ANNULAR AXIAL MIXING SYSTEM FOR GAS-LIQUID FLOW

Patent No. 11,511,287

Expiration Date – 04/09/2041

• The Annular Axial Mixing System (AAMS) is designed to mix a wide range of multiphase flow patterns upstream of petroleum production treatment facilities.

• The invention eliminates severe slugging in pipeline/riser systems by first separating multiphase flows and then mixing them into a more homogenous pattern. This results in a smoother, continuous flow through the riser which prevents serious operational and safety issues….

PHOTOVOLTAIC RETROFIT DEVICE FOR ENHANCING POWER OUTPUT OF CONCENTRATING SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS

Patent No. 11,901,859

Expiration Date – 07/21/2040

• A photovoltaic device may be combined with a linear concentrating solar thermal power plant or retrofit to an existing solar thermal power plant. The concentrating solar thermal power plant includes a parabolic reflector trough assembly to achieve the solar concentration to a linear solar heat transfer target. 

• The present invention is directed to a combined concentrating solar thermal power plant and photovoltaic electric generation device. The most economical configuration is a photovoltaic retrofit device for enhancing power output of an existing concentrating solar thermal power plant.  In a retrofit installation most of the balance of plant is already constructed and only the solar cell direct current subsystem is required….

PARAFFIN INHIBITOR PERFORMANCE

Patent No. 11,572,780

Expiration Date – 05/25/2041

• This novel and efficient method of evaluates paraffin inhibitor performance using electrical impedance. Paraffin inhibitors are used to reduce waxy deposits that can plug oil production wells, delivery probes, and pipelines.

• The method is designed for the petroleum industry to replace the traditional 16-hour “cold finger” paraffin inhibitor evaluation test, saving time, and minimizing waste and environmental impact through an electrochemical method.

• Can be utilized on crude oil, crude condensates, and other paraffinic materials….

OIL – WATER EMULSION BREAKUP (OWEB) PROCESS AND SYSTEM

Patent No.  12,053,719

Expiration Date – 10/05/2041

• This mechanical in-line system of separating oil-water emulsions with hydrocyclones improves space and weight efficiency on oil production facilities both on- and off-shore.

• The invention efficiently breaks up emulsions under a wide distribution of droplet sizes and water cuts through an inverted emulsion process.

• The invention was designed for petroleum and chemical industries to reduce transportation and maintenance costs, preserve integrity of equipment and facilities, and accelerate the oil-water separation rate….

PSEUDO-PASSWORDLESS AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM

Patent Pending

• Traditional password-based authentication systems are vulnerable to theft, particularly on public and shared devices. With a browser extension and mobile application system, the invention reduces the risk of password theft by using QR codes and secure channels between trusted devices (client) and untrusted devices (host).

• The invention is designed to simplify the login process in scenarios in which input devices are limited to use, such as on kiosks and smart televisions.

• The invention ensures that login credentials are never directly entered or stored in the memory of an untrusted device….

ADAPTIVE ROBOTIC HEAD SUPPORT

Patent Pending

• This therapeutic robotic head support adapts the amount of support provided in real time based on user input to the device and sensors monitoring the patient. The initial height of the head support can be adjusted by a qualified therapist who helps the patient into an upright starting position. A motor will increase or decrease the amount of support based on sensor measurements of the position of the head and how much weight the patient is holding. 

• Current technology can provide passive support with a supervisor manually adjusting the head strap height to a single position. The Adaptive Robotic Head Support would enable the supervisor to adjust the position by pressing a button to turn a motor and adapt the strap to optimal length based on current pose and therapeutic goals….

PARTICLE FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM

Patent Pending 

• This system is directed to a material flow control system to distribute and control flow of a particulate heat transfer material.  The invention is designed to improve the efficiency and reliability of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems but can apply to metering any gravity-feed particle flow system within a broad temperature range.  

• Current technology to control particle flow generally uses a simple slide gate that is limited by the accuracy of the actuators connected to it and their propensity to erode the valve surfaces and possibly plug the particle flow stream. The present invention employs an axial passage that changes the area of the opening by adjusting the position of fitted fingers similar in concept to the chuck on a drill.  The accuracy and rapid response of this axial valve results in more accurate control of the particle flow, reduces valve surface erosion and minimizes plugging potential….

IMPROVEMENTS IN SILICON SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL EFFICIENCY 

Patent Pending  

• The invention enhances the efficiency of silicon photovoltaic solar cells by facilitating the downshifting of wavelengths so that crystalline silicon can absorb wavelengths in the range suitable for conversion. This is achieved by coating silicon with specific films of the order of nanometers thickness. 

• Power conversion efficiencies of 10% or more can be achieved for a small percentage increase in the cost of solar cells. The thin film also increases the life of a solar cell.  A layer of polydimethylsiloxane applied over the perovskite quantum dots will increase its usable life. 

• This invention is significant because 85 -90% of solar cells in today’s market are made of silicon solar cells. Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) solar technology is the most prominent form of solar cell technology in the U.S. residential market, yet the efficiency of these specific solar cells has plateaued over the last 15 years….

FAULT-TOLERANT CONTROL FOR FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS

Patent Pending

• Situation detection time delay plays a crucial role in the stability of the system, and therefore, prior to system design, the maximum situation detection time must be determined and used for verification of the controller’s response. 

• This is superior to present technology because current Adaptive controllers are either fully pre-determined gain scheduled or fully dynamic relying on fast optimization. However, the invention is a hybrid benefiting from both architectures that results in faster and more reliable adaptation, which in many cases can be the difference between a crash and a safe flight….

DENSIFICATION OF CARBON/CARBON COMPOSITES WITH AN EMBEDDED CHANNEL NETWORK

Patent Pending

• This novel approach to densifying Carbon/Carbon Composites takes advantage of a micro-channel network. Using an isothermal heating method creates a natural thermal gradient in which the interior is cooler than exterior. By flowing the gaseous carbon source through the composite’s micro-channels, gas flow can occur from within the composite to the outside.

• This invention shortens processing times of fabrications, reducing costs compared to traditional methods. In this method, the C/C Composites have an embedded micro-channel network, which will be used to flow a gaseous carbon source resulting in a denser carbon material….

DENSE AND SELF-HEALING ZrB2-SiC ANTI-OXIDATIVE MULTILAYER COATINGS FOR CARBON/CARBON COMPOSITES 

Patent Pending

• The invention applies a protective coating to carbon/carbon (C/C) composites with novel self-healing, protective coatings using ZrB2 and SiC.  

• The invention provides a multilayer coating for carbon/carbon composite structures to provide a protective layer to prevent loss of carbon mass from oxidation when operating temperatures exceed 500°C under oxidizing conditions.   The coatings are selected for their adherence to the C/C composites and the similarity of their coefficients of thermal expansion to the composites being protected.  

• Potential applications include concentrated solar power target protection, rocket nozzle coatings, space vehicle heat shields, and airplane disc brakes….