Andrew De La Riva

Title: Innovations of Andrew De La Riva

Introduction

Andrew De La Riva is an accomplished inventor based in Albuquerque, NM (US). He holds 2 patents that showcase his contributions to the field of materials science and chemical engineering. His work focuses on developing novel materials and processes that have significant implications for various industries.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is titled "Multi-cationic aluminate spinels." This invention is directed to both stoichiometric and sub-stoichiometric high entropy aluminate spinels as a novel high entropy oxide (HEO) crystal phase. Previously reported HEOs are overwhelmingly stoichiometric structures containing a single cationic site and are stabilized solely by intermixing increasing numbers of cations. According to an aspect of the invention, sub-stoichiometric spinels, containing various mixtures of divalent metal cations and cationic vacancies in nominally equimolar concentration, provide entropic stabilization similarly to cations in stoichiometric spinels. The chromatic, structural, and chemical properties of these complex spinels are highly tunable via incorporation of cationic vacancies and multiple divalent metals, enabling their application as unique pigments, catalysts, and thermal coatings.

Another significant patent is for "Efficient low-temperature, catalyst-free dehydrogenation of alkanes." This invention addresses the steam cracking of ethane, a non-catalytic thermochemical process that remains the dominant means of ethylene production. The severe reaction conditions and energy expenditure involved in this process incentivize the search for alternative reaction pathways and reactor designs that maximize ethylene yield while minimizing cost and energy input. According to the present invention, ethylene yields as high as 68% were obtained with a quartz open tube reactor without the use of a catalyst or a cofed stream of oxidizing agents. The open tube reactor design promotes simplicity, low cost, and negligible coke formation. Reactor designs can be optimized to improve the conversion of ethane to ethylene via non-oxidative dehydrogenation, an approach which shows promise for decentralized production of ethylene from natural gas deposits.

Career Highlights

Andrew has worked with notable organizations such as the University of New Mexico and National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC. His experience in these institutions has allowed him to contribute significantly to research and development in his field.

Collaborations