California Institute of Technology

United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

Other

University of California

Jean-Pierre Fleurial

Thierry F Caillat

Alexander Borshchevsky

G Jeffrey Snyder

Alex Borshchevsky

Sabah K Bux

Margaret A Ryan

Elizabeth Kolawa

Richard Barry Kaner

Donald T Morelli

Gregory P Meisner

Vilupanur Alwar Ravi

Samad A Firdosy

Jeff S Sakamoto

Peter Mueller

Wayne Phillips

Thorsten Kascich

Jagdishbhai U Patel

Andrew Kindler

Ratnakumar V Bugga

Mark Henry Tuszynski

David James Welker

Daniel Choi

Mario R Blanco

Richard P Vasquez

Shiao-Pin S Yen

Abhijit V Shevade

Margie L Homer

Adam Kisor

James R Weiss

Todd Edward Holt

Christopher David Breckon

Wely Floriano

Leslie Zoltan

Andrew Zoltan

Jan W Vandersande

Kurt Star

William Goddard

Steven M Jones

Jong-Ah Palk

Jennifer Herman

Billy Chun-Yip Li

Harut Anjunyan

Minhee Yun

Nosang Myung

M Amy Ryan

N Thomas Olson

Wayne M Philips

James M Ma

Tahir Cagin

Hylan B Lyon

Richard Ewell

Shula Stokols

Ian W Vandersande

Jeffrey S Sakamoto

Marc Rodriguez

Thierry Calliat

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

A thermoelectric power generation device is disclosed using one or more mechanically compliant and thermally and electrically conductive layers at the thermoelectric material interfaces to accommodate high temperature differentials and stresses induced thereby. The compliant material may be metal foam or metal graphite composite (e.g. using nickel) and is particularly beneficial in high temperature thermoelectric generators employing Zintl thermoelectric materials. The compliant material may be disposed between the thermoelectric segments of the device or between a thermoelectric segment and the hot or cold side interconnect of the device.

Compliant interfacial layers in thermoelectric devices

The present invention provides a composite thermoelectric material. The composite thermoelectric material can include a semiconductor material comprising a rare earth metal. The atomic percent of the rare earth metal in the semiconductor material can be at least about 20%. The composite thermoelectric material can further include a metal forming metallic inclusions distributed throughout the semiconductor material. The present invention also provides a method of forming this composite thermoelectric material.

High performance high temperature thermoelectric composites with metallic inclusions

The present invention provides a method of preparing a nanocomposite thermoelectric material. The method includes heating a reaction mixture of a semiconductor material and a metal complex to a temperature greater than the decomposition temperature of the metal complex. The heating forms metallic inclusions having a size less than about 100 nm that are substantially evenly distributed throughout the semiconductor material forming the nanocomposite thermoelectric material. The present invention also provides a nanocomposite thermoelectric material prepared by this method.

Nanostructured silicide composites for thermoelectric applications

Methods for producing nanostructured silicon and silicon-germanium via solid state metathesis (SSM). The method of forming nanostructured silicon comprises the steps of combining a stoichiometric mixture of silicon tetraiodide (SiI) and an alkaline earth metal silicide into a homogeneous powder, and initating the reaction between the silicon tetraiodide (SiI) with the alkaline earth metal silicide. The method of forming nanostructured silicon-germanium comprises the steps of combining a stoichiometric mixture of silicon tetraiodide (SiI) and a germanium based precursor into a homogeneous powder, and initiating the reaction between the silicon tetraiodide (SiI) with the germanium based precursors.

Rapid solid-state metathesis routes to nanostructured silicon-germainum

The present invention provides a method of making a substantially phase pure compound including a cation and an anion. The compound is made by mixing in a ball-milling device a first amount of the anion with a first amount of the cation that is less than the stoichiometric amount of the cation, so that substantially all of the first amount of the cation is consumed. The compound is further made by mixing in a ball-milling device a second amount of the cation that is less than the stoichiometric amount of the cation with the mixture remaining in the device. The mixing is continued until substantially all of the second amount of the cation and any unreacted portion of anion X are consumed to afford the substantially phase pure compound.

Mechanochemical synthesis and thermoelectric properties of magnesium silicide and related alloys

The present invention relates to a nanowire sensor and method for forming the same. More specifically, the nanowire sensor comprises at least one nanowire formed on a substrate, with a sensor receptor disposed on a surface of the nanowire, thereby forming a receptor-coated nanowire. The nanowire sensor can be arranged as a sensor sub-unit comprising a plurality of homogeneously receptor-coated nanowires. A plurality of sensor subunits can be formed to collectively comprise a nanowire sensor array. Each sensor subunit in the nanowire sensor array can be formed to sense a different stimulus, allowing a user to sense a plurality of stimuli. Additionally, each sensor subunit can be formed to sense the same stimuli through different aspects of the stimulus. The sensor array is fabricated through a variety of techniques, such as by creating nanopores on a substrate and electrodepositing nanowires within the nanopores.

Nanowire sensor, sensor array, and method for making the same

Millimeter to nano-scale structures manufactured using a multi-component polymer fiber matrix are disclosed. The use of dissimilar polymers allows the selective dissolution of the polymers at various stages of the manufacturing process. In one application, biocompatible matrixes may be formed with long pore length and small pore size. The manufacturing process begins with a first polymer fiber arranged in a matrix formed by a second polymer fiber. End caps may be attached to provide structural support and the polymer fiber matrix selectively dissolved away leaving only the long polymer fibers. These may be exposed to another product, such as a biocompatible gel to form a biocompatible matrix. The polymer fibers may then be selectively dissolved leaving only a biocompatible gel scaffold with the pores formed by the dissolved polymer fibers.

High aspect ratio template and method for producing same

A method of applying a physical barrier to suppress thermal decomposition near a surface of a thermoelectric material including applying a continuous metal foil to a predetermined portion of the surface of the thermoelectric material, physically binding the continuous metal foil to the surface of the thermoelectric material using a binding member, and heating in a predetermined atmosphere the applied and physically bound continuous metal foil and the thermoelectric material to a sufficient temperature in order to promote bonding between the continuous metal foil and the surface of the thermoelectric material. The continuous metal foil forms a physical barrier to enclose a predetermined portion of the surface. Thermal decomposition is suppressed at the surface of the thermoelectric material enclosed by the physical barrier when the thermoelectric element is in operation.

Method of suppressing sublimation in advanced thermoelectric devices

The present invention relates to a castable, aerogel-based, ultra-low thermal conductivity opacified insulation to suppress sublimation. More specifically, the present invention relates to an aerogel opacified with various opacifying or reflecting constituents to suppress sublimation and provide thermal insulation in thermoelectric modules. The opacifying constituent can be graded within the aerogel for increased sublimation suppression, and the density of the aerogel can similarly be graded to achieve optimal thermal insulation and sublimation suppression.

System and method for suppressing sublimation using opacified aerogel

A thermoelectric device formed of nanowires on the nm scale. The nanowires are preferably of a size that causes quantum confinement effects within the wires. The wires are connected together into a bundle to increase the power density.

Thermoelectric device with multiple, nanometer scale, elements

The present invention is embodied in high performance p-type thermoelectric materials having enhanced thermoelectric properties and the methods of preparing such materials. In one aspect of the invention, p-type semiconductors of formula ZnASbBwherein 0&#x2266;x&#x2266;4, A is a transition metal, B is a pnicogen, and 0&#x2266;y&#x2266;3 are formed for use in manufacturing thermoelectric devices with substantially enhanced operating characteristics and improved efficiency. Two methods of preparing p-type ZnSband related alloys of the present invention include a crystal growth method and a powder metallurgy method.

High performance p-type thermoelectric materials and methods of preparation

A device for generating power to run an electronic component. The device includes a heat-conducting substrate (composed, e.g., of diamond or another high thermal conductivity material) disposed in thermal contact with a high temperature region. During operation, heat flows from the high temperature region into the heat-conducting substrate, from which the heat flows into the electrical power generator. A thermoelectric material (e.g., a BiTe alloy-based film or other thermoelectric material) is placed in thermal contact with the heat-conducting substrate. A low temperature region is located on the side of the thermoelectric material opposite that of the high temperature region. The thermal gradient generates electrical power and drives an electrical component.

Microfabricated thermoelectric power-generation devices

A power source converts &agr;-particle energy into electricity by coulomb collision in doped diamond films. Alpha particle decay from curium-244 creates electron-hole pairs by freeing electrons and holes inside the crystal lattice in N- and P-doped diamond films. Ohmic contacts provide electrical connection to an electronic device. Due to the built-in electric field at the rectifying junction across the N- and P-doped diamond films, the free electrons are constrained to traveling in generally one direction. This one direction then supplies electrons in a manner similar to that of a battery. The radioactive curium layer may be disposed on diamond films for even distribution of &agr;-particle radiation. The resulting power source may be mounted on a diamond substrate that serves to insulate structures below the diamond substrate from &agr;-particle emission. Additional insulation or isolation may be provided in order to prevent damage from &agr;-particle collision. N-doped silicon may be used instead of N-doped diamond.

Very high efficiency, miniaturized, long-lived alpha particle power source using diamond devices for extreme space environments

A power source converts &agr;-particle energy to electricity for use in electrical systems. Liquid gallium or other liquid medium is subjected to &agr;-particle emissions. Electrons are freed by collision from neutral gallium atoms to provide gallium ions. The electrons migrate to a cathode while the gallium ions migrate to an anode. A current and/or voltage difference then arises between the cathode and anode because of the work function difference of the cathode and anode. Gallium atoms are regenerated by the receiving of electrons from the anode enabling the generation of additional electrons from additional &agr;-particle collisions.

Extremely-efficient, miniaturized, long-lived alpha-voltaic power source using liquid gallium

Growing community of inventors

Altadena, CA, United States of America

Jean-Pierre Fleurial