University of Iowa Research Foundation

Ravindra Datta

Darrell P Eyman

Manuela Serban

Ajeet Singh

Robert A Beardsley

Gregory R Carmichael

Istvan Halasz

Randall A Yoshisato

An entirely new class of catalysts called supported molten-metal catalysts, SMMC, which can replace some of the existing precious metal catalysts used in the production of fuels, commodity chemicals, and fine chemicals, as well as in combating pollution. SMMC are based on supporting ultra-thin films or micro-droplets of the relatively low-melting (<600&deg; C.), inexpensive, and abundant metals and semimetals from groups 1, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, of the periodic table, or their alloys and intermetallic compounds, on porous refractory supports, much like supported microcrystallites of the traditional solid metal catalysts. It thus provides orders of magnitude higher surface area than is obtainable in conventional reactors containing molten metals in pool form and also avoids corrosion. These have so far been the chief stumbling blocks in the application of molten metal catalysts.

Supported molten-metal catalysts

A capillary bed electrophoresis device for separating and collecting large-scale electrophoretic samples is disclosed. The invention relates to an improvement in the anticonvective packing and cooling system comprising a series of capillaries through which the sample and an eluent are driven by force. The sample is separated via an electrical gradient established axially within the capillaries while a coolant may be circulated intimately around the exterior of said capillaries to remove any Joule heating. The separated components are then collected at the discharge end of the capillaries. The system may be used with either continuous or batch electrophoresis devices.

Capillary bed electrophoresis

A new method for the use of microcrystallites of various materials as catalysts. The materials include metals, metal alloys and mixtures, and intermetallic compounds all of which are used as heterogeneous catalysts on porous supports. The method is different in that the microcrystallites are dispersed in molten salts which are to be used as a thin film coated on the internal surface of porous supports.

Catalyst dispersed in supported molten salt

A continuous rotating annular electrophoresis column for the separation of chemical mixtures. The principle of separation is similar to the conventional electrophoresis; however, it is different in that the electric field is applied in the axial direction and the column is rotated. By rotating the column, the product path appears as helical bands, each with a characteristic, stationary exit point at some angular coordinate at the bottom of the column. By applying the electric field axially, the bed thickness can be kept thin for effective heat transfer and temperature control. The apparatus can be used in the separations of biochemically active compounds, or to separate, based on the principal of charge, any chemical mixture. The column can also be packed with chromographic materials and thus operate as a electrochromographic separator.

Growing community of inventors

Iowa City, IA, United States of America

Ravindra Datta