Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120103456 | ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING HYDRATE ADHESION - This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for gas hydrate mitigation in deep-sea drilling applications. In certain embodiments, hydrate-phobic surfaces are provided that ensure passive enhancement of flow assurance and prevention of catastrophic failures in deep-sea oil and gas operations. | 05-03-2012 |
20120142795 | HIERARCHICAL THERMOPLASTIC SURFACE TEXTURES FORMED BY PHASE TRANSFORMATION AND METHODS OF MAKING - Method for treating thermoplastic to make a surface thereof superhydrophobic. The method includes exposing the thermoplastic to a specific solvent for a selected time period. It is preferred that the treatment time be in the range of one minute to approximately five hours and more preferably in the range of one minute to 15 minutes. Thermoplastics and solvents having a similar solubility parameter interact with one another to form hydrophobic hierarchical surfaces. | 06-07-2012 |
20120160362 | ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING HYDRATE ADHESION - This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for gas hydrate mitigation in deep-sea drilling applications. In certain embodiments, hydrate-phobic surfaces are provided that ensure passive enhancement of flow assurance and prevention of catastrophic failures in deep-sea oil and gas operations. | 06-28-2012 |
20120201759 | TUNABLE MULTISCALE STRUCTURES COMPRISING BRISTLY, HOLLOW METAL/METAL OXIDE PARTICLES, METHODS OF MAKING AND ARTICLES INCORPORATING THE STRUCTURES - Hierarchical nanostructures and methods of fabrication. The structures include particles having a metal oxide outer shell with metal oxide wires extending from the outer shell. A multiscale structure according to the invention has particles above and below a critical size wherein the particles above the critical size have wires extending from the surface. These structures may be fabricated from a mixture prepared of relatively smaller metal particles having a size threshold below a threshold for nanowire formation and of relatively larger metal particles having a size above the threshold for nanowire formation. The mixture is oxidized at a selected temperature and for a selected time whereby the relatively smaller particles sinter and nanowires grow on the relatively larger particles thereby creating tunable hierarchical structures with metal-to-metal contact between the particles. | 08-09-2012 |
20130032316 | Liquid-Impregnated Surfaces, Methods of Making, and Devices Incorporating the Same - The invention is directed to an article with a liquid-impregnated surface, the surface having a matrix of features thereupon, spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, and preferable also a thin film thereupon. The surface provides the article with advantageous non-wetting properties. Compared to previous non-wetting surfaces, which include a gas (e.g., air) entrained within surface textures, these liquid-impregnated surfaces are resistant to impalement and frost formation, and are therefore more robust. | 02-07-2013 |
20130032646 | ARTICLES FOR MANIPULATING IMPINGING LIQUIDS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME - This invention relates generally to an article that includes a non-wetting surface having a dynamic contact angle of at least about 90°. The surface is patterned with macro-scale features configured to induce controlled asymmetry in a liquid film produced by impingement of a droplet onto the surface, thereby reducing time of contact between the droplet and the surface. | 02-07-2013 |
20130034695 | LIQUID-IMPREGNATED SURFACES, METHODS OF MAKING, AND DEVICES INCORPORATING THE SAME - The invention is directed to an article with a liquid-impregnated surface, the surface having a matrix of features thereupon, spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, and preferable also a thin film thereupon. The surface provides the article with advantageous non-wetting properties. Compared to previous non-wetting surfaces, which include a gas (e.g., air) entrained within surface textures, these liquid-impregnated surfaces are resistant to impalement and frost formation, and are therefore more robust. | 02-07-2013 |
20130122225 | ARTICLES AND METHODS PROVIDING SCALE-PHOBIC SURFACES - This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for inhibiting or preventing the formation of scale during various industrial processes. In certain embodiments, a vessel is provided for use in an industrial process, the vessel including a surface in contact with a mineral solution, wherein the surface is provided or is modified to have γ | 05-16-2013 |
20130129978 | Articles and Methods Providing Supermetalophobic/philic Surfaces and Superceramophobic/philic Surfaces - This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for controlling the impingement behavior of molten metal/ceramic droplets on surfaces in industrial processes. The texture of a substrate surface is engineered such that impinging molten metal droplets actually bounce off the surface. Likewise, the texture of a substrate surface can be engineered such that impinging molten metal droplets stick to the surface. | 05-23-2013 |
20130220813 | ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING CONDENSATION ON SURFACES - The articles and methods described herein provide a way to manipulate condensation on a surface by micro/nano-engineering textures on the surface and filling the spaces between the texture features with an impregnating liquid that is stably held therebetween or therewithin. The articles and methods allow droplets of water, or other condensed phases, even in micrometer size range, to easily shed from the surface, thereby enhancing contact between a condensing species and the condensing surface. It has been found that dropwise condensation is enhanced by the use of an impregnating (secondary) liquid that has a relatively high surface tension, and, even more preferably, an impregnating liquid that has both a high surface tension and a low viscosity. | 08-29-2013 |
20130251769 | SELF-LUBRICATING SURFACES FOR FOOD PACKAGING AND FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT - In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise. | 09-26-2013 |
20130251942 | Hydrophobic Materials Incorporating Rare Earth Elements and Methods of Manufacture - This invention relates generally to an article that includes a base substrate and a hydrophobic coating on the base substrate, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a rare earth element material (e.g., a rare earth oxide, a rare earth carbide, a rare earth nitride, a rare earth fluoride, and/or a rare earth boride). An exposed surface of the hydrophobic coating has a dynamic contact angle with water of at least about 90 degrees. A method of manufacturing the article includes providing the base substrate and forming a coating on the base substrate (e.g., through sintering or sputtering). | 09-26-2013 |
20130251952 | SELF-LUBRICATING SURFACES FOR FOOD PACKAGING AND FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT - In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an article having a liquid-impregnated surface. The surface includes a matrix of solid features (e.g., non-toxic and/or edible features) spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, wherein the liquid is non-toxic and/or edible. The article may contain, for example, a food or other consumer product, such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise. | 09-26-2013 |
20130333789 | APPARATUS WITH A LIQUID-IMPREGNATED SURFACE TO FACILITATE MATERIAL CONVEYANCE - Described herein are conduits for conveying fluids and/or solids, the conduits having an interior surface that provide a high-slip boundary condition, thereby facilitating the flow of material therethrough. In some embodiments, the conduit has an interior surface with an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between the solid features, the interior surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the interior surface and regardless of flow, passage, or removal of fluids and/or solids through, into, or out of the conduit. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335697 | CONTACT LENS WITH LIQUID-IMPREGNATED SURFACE - Described herein is a contact lens with high lubricity to eye tissue/fluid and inhibited nucleation on its surface. The contact lens has a surface textured to form a matrix of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid (e.g., gel) features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain an impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between the solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface and despite contact with the eye tissue during normal wear, insertion, and removal of the contact lens. | 12-19-2013 |
20130337027 | Medical Devices and Implements with Liquid-Impregnated Surfaces - Described herein are medical devices and medical implements with high lubricity to flesh (or biological fluid) and/or inhibited nucleation on its surface. The device has a surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between said solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface. | 12-19-2013 |
20130340840 | ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR LEVITATING LIQUIDS ON SURFACES, AND DEVICES INCORPORATING THE SAME - Methods described herein provide a way to reduce or eliminate drag and adhesion of a substance flowing over a surface by creating a vapor cushion via evaporation of a phase-changing material of or on the surface or encapsulated within textures of the surface. The vapor cushion causes the flowing substance to be suspended over the surface, greatly reducing friction, drag, and adhesion between the flowing substance and the surface. The temperature of the flowing substance is above the sublimation point and/or melting point of the phase-changing material. The phase-changing material undergoes a phase change (evaporation or sublimation) upon contact with the flowing substance due to local heat transfer from the flowing substance to the material, generating a vapor cushion between the solid or liquid material and the flowing substance. | 12-26-2013 |
20140178611 | APPARATUS AND METHODS EMPLOYING LIQUID-IMPREGNATED SURFACES - In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<φ≦0.25, where φ is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) S | 06-26-2014 |
20140290699 | ARTICLES AND METHODS PROVIDING LIQUID-IMPREGNATED SCALE-PHOBIC SURFACES - This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for inhibiting or preventing the formation of scale during various industrial processes. In certain embodiments, a vessel is provided for use in an industrial process, the vessel having a textured, liquid-impregnated surface in contact with a mineral solution, wherein the liquid-impregnated surface comprises a matrix of features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain an impregnating liquid lubricant therebetween or therewithin, wherein the impregnating lubricant has a low surface energy density, and wherein the spreading coefficient S | 10-02-2014 |
20140291420 | ARTICLES FOR MANIPULATING IMPINGING LIQUIDS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME - This invention relates generally to an article that includes a non-wetting surface having a dynamic contact angle of at least about 90°. The surface is patterned with macro-scale features configured to induce controlled asymmetry in a liquid film produced by impingement of a droplet onto the surface, thereby reducing time of contact between the droplet and the surface. | 10-02-2014 |
20140314947 | ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED BOILING HEAT TRANSFER - The present disclosure provides, among other things, scale-coated surfaces, vessels with controlled deposits of scale, and associated methods for enhanced boiling heat transfer. It is presently found that creating and/or maintaining a scale deposit at a controlled thickness actually enhances a type of boiling called nucleate boiling, which improves heat transfer. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314982 | GRAFTED POLYMER SURFACES FOR DROPWISE CONDENSATION, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE - Presented herein are articles and methods featuring substrates with thin, uniform polymeric films grafted (e.g., covalently bonded) thereupon. The resulting coating provides significant reductions in thermal resistance, drop shedding size, and degradation rate during dropwise condensation of steam compared to existing coatings. Surfaces that promote dropwise shedding of low-surface tension condensates, such as liquid hydrocarbons, are also demonstrated herein. | 10-23-2014 |
20140332462 | FLUX-ENHANCED HIERARCHICAL POROUS MEMBRANE FOR OIL-WATER NANOEMULSION SEPARATION - Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil in droplets less than 1 um in size. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup. | 11-13-2014 |
20140360880 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNIPOLAR SEPARATION OF EMULSIONS AND OTHER MIXTURES - Embodiments discussed herein relate to systems and methods for separating two or more phases of an emulsion or other mixture. The methods include providing the mixture with a net and unipolar charge (e.g., such that adjacent droplets therein acquire net and unipolar charges), thereby enhancing coalescence of like-phase droplets therein and producing, or enhancing the production of, two or more consolidated phases; and collecting the two or more consolidated phases. | 12-11-2014 |
20150066152 | Orthopaedic Joints Providing Enhanced Lubricity - The present disclosure provides, among other things, prosthetic joint components having textured surface(s) for improving lubrication and increasing the useful life of the prosthetic joint components. The textured surface includes solid features configured to stably contain a biological fluid or a synthetic biological fluid therebetween or therewithin for a non-zero residence time. | 03-05-2015 |
20150075989 | DEVICES AND METHODS USING POROUS MEMBRANES FOR OIL-WATER EMULSION SEPARATION - The invention provides methods and devices that use membranes to separate oil/water mixtures. The methods and devices have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup. In some embodiments, at least one first membrane is provided, the first membrane being hydrophilic and oleophobic. The first membrane allows passage of water therethrough In some embodiments, a second membrane that is hydrophobic and oleophilic is provided in addition to the first membrane. The second membrane allows passage of oil therethrough. | 03-19-2015 |