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The University of Texas System

James R Brock

Adam Heller

Isaac Trachtenberg

Michael F Becker

John W Keto

Nanoparticles are produced by exposing microparticles to an energy beam, particularly to a beam of laser light, above the ablation threshold of the microparticles. Nanoparticles are produced having a narrow size distribution.

Process for the production of nanoparticles

A bead having an exterior surface which is at least partially coated with a material that under illumination and in the presence of air is capable of accelerating the oxidation of organic compounds floating on water. The coated bead is water floatable and has an equivalent diameter of less than about 2 mm, preferably on the order of 10-30 microns. These coated beads can be used to accelerate under illumination oxidation of a floating oil film (e.g. from an oil spill) by dispersing the coated beads in the film and allowing them to be exposed to solar illumination and oxygen.

Materials and methods for photocatalyzing oxidation of organic compounds

An apparatus and method for the transportation of golf balls, particularly at a driving range, which includes one or more tanks remote from a range house and in proximity to a driving target, in which golf balls can be separate from other objects and mixed with a fluid. This mixture is then pumped to a central location, during which the balls remain immersed in the fluid which is made to flow at high velocity, providing a cleaning action. The balls can then be subjected to further cleaning, if desired, separated from the fluid and the fluid returned to the tank in a substantially closed system. A high capacity ball cleaner is provided to furnish the further cleaning which is particularly adapted to be used with the ball processing system and method.

High capacity golf ball processing system and method

A device and method for etching a body are provided capable of etching fine geometry patterns utilizing the high selectivity of wet etching and the anisotropic etch characteristics of dry etching. The body to be etched is placed in a reduced pressure etching chamber. An inert carrier gas is bubbled through heated liquid etchant producing a vapor stream of liquid etchant. A non-reactive gas is chilled producing a cold gas stream. The vapor stream and the cold gas stream are combined in an aerosol generation nozzle producing a high concentration of fine aerosol particles by homogeneous nucleation. The fine aerosol particles enter an aerosol growth chamber and form larger particles through thermal coagulation. The larger particles are accelerated out of the growth chamber through an expansion nozzle positioned within the reduced pressure etching chamber and directed toward the body to be etched. This aerosol jet of etchant impacts the surface of the body to be etched. The small size of these larger particles allows for etching fine geometry patterns. Additionally, aerosol jet etching avoids the need to rinse the body after being etched as required in wet etching to halt the etching process.

Aerosol jet etching

A circuit for the remote control of solenoid operated valves in an irrigation system reduces by one half the amount of wire required for the system. At least one pair of first and second solenoids are connected to a source of supply of alternating curent, typically through a low voltage circuit. A switching circuit selectively connects the source to the solenoids through a conductor having a diode network at either end of the conductor. One of the diode networks comprises a pair of diodes connected in anti-parallel relation across the switching circuit, and the other of said diode networks comprises a pair of oppositely poled diodes respectively connected between the conductor and a corresponding one of the solenoids. In operation, no current is supplied to the solenoids, current is supplied to the first solenoid on positive half cycles, current is supplied to the second solenoid on negative half cycles, or current is supplied simultaneously to both of said solenoids, depending on the operation of the switching circuit.

Valve control circuit for irrigation system

Method of aerosol jet etching

A wettable spray box for dispensing wettable agricultural spray powders in a tank of spray equipment so as to protect the operator from exposure to the powders is disclosed. The spray box comprises a box (10) with a lid (12) for attachment to the spray tank. The bottom of the box is fitted with a main pipe (18) which extends into the spray tank. A fill pipe (24) extends part way down the interior of the main pipe (18) and is connected to a source of water. One or more knives (34) within the box (10) are positioned to slit a bag of wettable powder which is inserted into the box. A water injector (40) extends into the slit bag, and a spray head (48) is positioned near the top of the box. An inserted bag is prevented from falling to the bottom of the box (10) by a rack or screen (28). In use, an unopened bag of wettable spray material is inserted into the box (10) and the lid (12) is closed to seal the box. The knife (34) slits open the bag, and water is supplied to both the injector (40) and the spray head (48) to expel the powder from the bag and clean the interior of the box. Additional water is added to the mixture by means of the fill pipe (24) which enhances the flow of chemicals into the spray tank and further mixes the powder in the water.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

James R Brock