California Institute of Technology

Hughes Aircraft Company

University of Southern California

Dmf, Inc.

Andrew Kindler

Sekharipuram R Narayanan

G K Surya Prakash

Gerald Halpert

Subbarao Surampudi

William Chun

Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura

Harvey A Frank

Shiao-Ping S Yen

Carl W Townsend

Andre Yavrouian

Frank A Ludwig

Ratnakumar V Bugga

Lin R Higley

Thomas I Valdez

Jean-Pierre Fleurial

William Clark West

Vilupanur Alwar Ravi

Sri R Narayan

Marshall C Smart

John McHardy

Samad A Firdosy

Yuhong Huang

Sabah K Bux

Arthur B Naselow

Gk Surya Prakash

Albany Lee

Mahshid Fardadi

Sri R Narayanan

Robert A Osteryoung

Sir R Narayan

The present embodiments relate to an advanced error free occupancy detection system based on thermal infrared (IR) imaging and located in ceiling luminaires. The occupancy detection system includes a plurality of luminaires configured to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each luminaire of the plurality of luminaires includes a wireless interface, and a thermal IR imaging sensor and a microcontroller. The wireless interface is configured to communicate with the rest of the plurality of luminaires. The thermal IR imaging sensor is configured to collect thermal IR images of a vicinity of the luminaire. The microcontroller is configured to process the thermal IR images for detecting one or more humans in the vicinity of the luminaire and to generate dimming signals for one or more of the plurality of luminaires based on the detection.

Multi-purpose multi-agent infrared sensor system for commercial and residential luminaires

Metal hydride-air batteries and methods for their use are provided. An exemplary metal-hydride air battery includes an alkaline exchange membrane provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery. The alkaline exchange membrane provides for transfer of hydroxide ions through the membrane. Optionally the alkaline exchange membrane limits transport of other species through the membrane.

Metal hydride-air (MH-AIR) battery for low cost storage applications

The present invention provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature above the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a melt, and then allowing the melt to solidify in a mold in the form of spherical particles. The present invention also provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides and one or more additives in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature below the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a powder including one or more reaction products, and then processing the powder to form spherical particles. The present invention also provides a proppant material including spherical particles characterized by a specific gravity of about 1.0 to 3.0 and a crush strength of at least about 10,000 psi.

Ultra-light ultra-strong proppants

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement a lithium-based high energy density flow battery. In one embodiment, a lithium-based high energy density flow battery includes a first anodic conductive solution that includes a lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex dissolved in a solvent, a second cathodic conductive solution that includes a cathodic complex dissolved in a solvent, a solid lithium ion conductor disposed so as to separate the first solution from the second solution, such that the first conductive solution, the second conductive solution, and the solid lithium ionic conductor define a circuit, where when the circuit is closed, lithium from the lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex in the first conductive solution dissociates from the lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex, migrates through the solid lithium ionic conductor, and associates with the cathodic complex of the second conductive solution, and a current is generated.

Lithium-based high energy density flow batteries

Embodiments include an iron-air rechargeable battery having a composite electrode including an iron electrode and a hydrogen electrode integrated therewith. An air electrode is spaced from the iron electrode and an electrolyte is provided in contact with the air electrode and the iron electrodes. Various additives and catalysts are disclosed with respect to the iron electrode, air electrode, and electrolyte for increasing battery efficiency and cycle life.

Iron-air rechargeable battery

A method and system for storing and generating hydrogen. The method comprises generating hydrogen and heat from the reaction of a metal or metal compound with water. The heat generated from this reaction may then be converted to other forms of energy such as by passing the heat through a thermal electric device to recover electrical energy for storage in a battery. In an alternative and preferred embodiment, the heat is used to drive additional reactions for generating more hydrogen and is preferably used to drive an endothermic dehydrogenation reaction resulting in increased hydrogen generation and consumption of the heat.

Method and system for storing and generating hydrogen

Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous. The fuel cell system also comprises a fuel supplying part including a meter which meters an amount of fuel which is used by the fuel cell, and controls the supply of fuel based on said metering.

Direct methanol feed fuel cell and system

Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.

Polymer electrolyte membrane assembly for fuel cells

Improvements to fuel cells include introduction of the fuel as an aerosol of liquid fuel droplets suspended in a gas. The particle size of the liquid fuel droplets may be controlled for optimal fuel cell performance by selection of different aerosol generators or by separating droplets based upon size using a particle size conditioner.

Aerosol feed direct methanol fuel cell

Growing community of inventors

San Marino, CA, United States of America

Andrew Kindler