Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090004456 | Materials Having an Enhanced Emissivity and Methods for Making the Same - Exemplary materials exhibiting high emissivity and methods for making them are provided. These materials can include a porous coating of small particles provided on a substrate, where the particles can resist sintering and further densification at high temperatures. These materials may be formed by generating an arc using a one-sided electrode apparatus, where particles produced by the arc and electrode can impinge on the substrate and adhere to it. The coating can include predominantly undensified small particles which can have a size less than about 1 μm. These materials can have an emissivity greater than 0.8 or 0.9. Such materials can be used to form infrared emitters which may provide greater energy efficiency and increased operating lifetime as compared to uncoated emitters. Surfaces coated with small particles may be used in further applications such as catalytic or reactive surfaces, engine components, or acoustical dampening surfaces. | 01-01-2009 |
20120045627 | COATINGS WITH SMALL PARTICLES THAT EFFECT BULK PROPERTIES - Durable interactive coatings which may be deposited on a substrate which impact bulk properties i.e. bulk modifying coatings, and a method and apparatus for producing them. Such coatings can include a plurality of particles which adhere to the substrate surface and/or other particles and include films. The particles can be provided as one or more layers of nanoscale particles having an average size of less than about 1000 nm, 800 nm, 500 nm, or 200 nm or 100 nm or less than 50 nm. Such bulk modifying coatings can have a thickness that is less than about 5000 nm, 800 nm, 500 nm, or 250 nm or even 200 nm. Thicker coatings or thinner coatings are provided depending on the potential field thermodynamic interaction of the substrate and particles for bulk property enhancement. Corresponding films are also provided. | 02-23-2012 |
20120298133 | ANTI-SMUDGING, BETTER GRIPPING, BETTER SHELF-LIFE OF PRODUCTS AND SURFACES - A device to provide improved anti-smudging, better gripping and longer shelf-life to products and surfaces includes an electric superheated steam generator and an electric low-ion plasma generator to provide superheated steam and low-ion plasma to the surfaces of products including plastics. One embodiment envisions the superheated steam generator and the low-ion plasma generator being contained in a housing while another embodiment anticipates a conveyor means positioned in front of the superheated steam generator and the low-ion plasma generator. A method for the improving of anti-smudging, gripping and shelf-life for properties includes the application of superheated steam and low-ion plasma by means of a superheated steam generator and a low-ion plasma generator to products for specific periods of time and at specific distances to attain desired surface and bulk properties. The superheated steam and low-ion plasma may be applied individually, simultaneously or sequentially. | 11-29-2012 |
20130164171 | HEATING AND STERILIZING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - An apparatus for generating superheated steam capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms associated with an item includes a gas heater for heating a gas, a steam generator coupled to the gas heater and having a reservoir for supplying water, wherein the heater heats the gas such that when water is combined therewith, a mixture of superheated steam and gas capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms is discharged from the apparatus. The generation of the steam-gas mixture may be done at one atmosphere of pressure and the mixing may be done prior to expelling the fluid from the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured as a hand-held device, A method of treating an item for microorganisms includes generating a superheated steam at approximately one atmosphere of pressure, directing a flow of the steam onto the item, and reducing or eliminating microorganisms using the steam. | 06-27-2013 |
20130196365 | ANTIBIOFILM NANOPOROUS NANOSTRUCTURES AND METHOD TO PRODUCE SAME - Durable nanoporous nanostructured materials that modify, eliminate and destroy biofilms that may develop due to the presence of bacteria, fungi and other microbes and method for making the same. Such nanoporous nanostructures may be deposited as coatings on a substrate and such coatings may include at least one nanopore and a plurality of nanoparticles which adhere to the substrate and/or other particles. The nanostructure can be produced using a single-sided electrode arrangement which is configured to produce an electrical arc or discharge at one end of an electrode and to emit the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles form a non-porous framework which delineates any nanopores and which can be deposited as one or more layers of nanothickness. Such nano structures may be resistant to removal from the substrate. Also described are testing methods and apparatus for the quick, accurate and simple evaluation of the efficacy of the antibiofilm properties of the nanoporous nano structure. | 08-01-2013 |
20130323139 | Pressurized Point-of-Use Superheated Steam Generation Apparatus and Method - Apparatus and method to produce point-of-use compressed superheated steam for a wide variety of uses including, but not limited to, cleaning, heating, drying, surface preparation, sterilization, pest control and elimination, degreasing and food preparation. The apparatus produces and compresses superheated steam without the hazards and problems associated with the current state of the art where steam is generated, compressed and stored in potentially dangerous and maintenance intensive boilers and associated piping and fixtures. The in-line steam generator of the present application produces superheated steam at one atmosphere which is immediately pressurized using a compression means and then immediately utilized through application employing a nozzle or a storage tank or other such device. | 12-05-2013 |
20130330388 | Porous Sphere-like Objects, Method to Form Same and Uses Thereof Involvoing the Treatment of Fluids Including Anti-bacterial Applications - A method and resulting structure are described for the production of refractory and insulative boards comprised of ceramic balls. Improved thermal, physical and mechanical properties are achieved as while also eliminating the safety and environmental impact of fibrous refractories. Also presented is an apparatus and method to remove bacteria and toxins (harmful or undesirable chemicals) from a water column utilizing porous ball-like or sphere-like structures treated with anti-microbial coatings are described. The balls so formed may be coated with a variety of anti-microbial materials and placed within a water or fluid column or water or fluid flowing system. | 12-12-2013 |
20140109794 | SILICIDE MATERIALS, METHOD TO PRODUCE AND PROTECTIVE TREATMENT FOR SAME - A protective treatment for silicide coated materials and objects, including heating elements so treated, which may be used to improve the electrical stability, oxidation resistance, energy efficiency and performance is disclosed as well as improved silicide materials. Use is made of Al—O type compounds and silicides to treat heating elements in a manner which improves their electrical stability during use. The treatment may consist of a colloidal alumina in slurry form applied to materials and objects. The resultant heating element may be used to conserve energy during its life-cycle because of the use of lower power. It is envisioned that materials other than silicide coated ones may treated in a like manner. | 04-24-2014 |