METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CONNECTING TWO DISSIMILAR MATERIALS (iEdison No. 0685901-16-0014)
A method for connecting two dissimilar materials having different melting points is described wherein a the materials are heated together to obtain plasticization of the lower melting point material within a prefigured geometry within a first material in such a way so as to form intermetallic features within a solid state joint.
ELECTROPHILIC ACID GAS-REACTIVE FLUID, PROPPANT, AND PROCESS FOR ENHANCED FRACTURING AND RECOVERY OF ENERGY PRODUCING MATERIALS
An electrophilic acid gas-reactive fracturing and recovery fluid, proppant, and process are detailed. The fluid expands in volume to provide rapid and controlled increases in pressure that enhances fracturing in subterranean bedrock for recovery of energy-producing materials. Proppants stabilize openings in fractures and fissures following fracturing.
ELECTROCHEMICAL LEACHING FOR NUTRIENT DELIVERY IN WATER (iEdison No. 0685901-23-0084)
Photosynthetic productivity has the potential to capture and store atmospheric carbon as biomass. Trace metal nutrient limitations often constrain the capacity for carbon capture and fixation in marine photosynthetic algae. Increases in algal CO2 uptake and carbon sequestration can be achieved by removing nutrient limitations to growth and metabolism via the local addition of nutrients. To address this, open ocean iron fertilization was tested at-scale in the 1970s, but the experiments were conducted with little control, generating public concern. However, as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is a topic of growing interest both within DOE (FECM, WPTO etc.) and private sector (Climate Works Foundation, Ocean Visions etc.), interest in open ocean Fe fertilization is resurging as an avenue to achieve scalable ocean decarbonization. The aim for the new generation of Fe-fertilization experiments is to have significant control on delivery so benefits are maximized, and any potential unintended ecosystem impacts are minimal. To that end, unlike the original experiments which relied on one-time addition of chemicals shipped to the open ocean, we have developed and demonstrate here an electrochemical method for controlled addition of Fe for maximum benefit and process control. Not only can electrodes containing Fe be placed local to algal populations and fertilization initiated without human intervention, but dosage can be kept to controllable minimums and in a bioavailable form. We demonstrated an 890% increase in harvest densities of algae cultures fertilized via electrochemical iron leaching compared to controls. This is the first example of electrochemically controlled nutrient fertilization in algae cultivation. Electrically iron-dosed cultures captured 1.04 ± 0.29 g L-1 day-1 CO2 during maximum growth, 10 times more than iron-limited cultures. We refer to this as 'precision electrofertilization". While we demonstrate the concept for Fe, the same method can be extended to various other micronutrients that are critical to the growth of algae (e.g., Mn, Zn, etc.) by simply changing the alloy of the electrode and electrochemical process conditions. Note that while this work originated from our interest in marine carbon dioxide removal in the open oceans, the near-term applications are likely to be in near-shore or on-shore aquaculture where controlled nutrient delivery can generate significant increase in productivity.
EXTRUSION FEEDSTOCK AND PRODUCT THEREOF INCLUDING EXTRUDABLE ALUMINUM SCRAP (iEdison No. 0685901-23-0040)
Solid Phase Processing (SPP), such as Friction Extrusion (FE) and Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE), have proven to be effective in recycling aluminum waste (scrap, chips, etc.) to produce extrudates such as rods or tubes. Although rapid consolidation and extrusion are achieved, the properties of the materials are not changed or improved. In the present invention, we developed an in-situ solid phase alloying method to upcycle metal waste into high performance alloys. Alloying elements were added and dispersed in the metal precursor, while dissolving, reacting or precipitating in the matrix during the extrusion process to form the desired phases that were not present in the precursor.
EXTRUSION FEEDSTOCK AND PRODUCT THEREOF INCLUDING EXTRUDABLE ALUMINUM SCRAP (iEdison No. 0685901-23-0040)
Solid Phase Processing (SPP), such as Friction Extrusion (FE) and Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE), have proven to be effective in recycling aluminum waste (scrap, chips, etc.) to produce extrudates such as rods or tubes. Although rapid consolidation and extrusion are achieved, the properties of the materials are not changed or improved. In the present invention, we developed an in-situ solid phase alloying method to upcycle metal waste into high performance alloys. Alloying elements were added and dispersed in the metal precursor, while dissolving, reacting or precipitating in the matrix during the extrusion process to form the desired phases that were not present in the precursor.
MULTI-AXIS SHEAR-ASSISTED EXTRUSION MACHINE (iEdison No. 0685901-23-0130)
This disclosure is for a new ShAPE machine that has multiple rotational and translational axes. Other auxiliary functions can also be provided in either rotating or non-rotating connections to tooling.
Method and System for Introducing Fuel Oil into a Steam Reformer with Reduced Carbon Deposition
The current invention describes a method and devices for delivering JP-8 or diesel fuel to a steam reformer for the purposes of making reformate without the formation of carbon deposits.
SHEAR ASSISTED EXTRUSION APPARATUS, TOOLS, AND METHODS
This invention allows for direct cooling of extrusions in Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusions (ShAPE). Coolant can be passed through the die, close by the die, or even through the mandrel while rotating/stationary. Cooling the extrusion immediately after it exits the die, as opposed to natural cooling or cooling after exiting the machine, has multiple benefits in various alloys and situations.
PLASMA MODIFICATION OF ADHESIVE AND SUBSTRATE SURFACES FOR USE IN ADHESIVEJOINT APPLICATIONS (iEdison No. 0685901-23-0109)
Weak interfacial bonding between carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer (CFRTP) and thermoset adhesive is the Achilles' heel for adhesive jointing of CFRTP with other materials. In this invention, we propose a surface modification method that involves plasma treating both adhesive and substrate surfaces to enhance the fracture resistance of dissimilar metal-CFRTP materials bonded with adhesive. We used a high-power plasma treater with compressed air gas to treat the substrate surfaces, and a lower-power plasma treater with a mixture of oxygen and argon gases to treat the adhesives. To test the effectiveness of our proposed method, we performed single lap shear tests on metal-CFRTP joints with optimized treatment parameters for both adhesive and substrates. Our results demonstrate that lap shear strength (LSS) of the joints can be improved by more than 250% compared to as-received counterparts, and more than 50% compared to the case of only treating substrate surfaces. This invention has the potential to make significant contributions to the field of adhesive joining by enhancing the damage tolerance of CFRTP joints with other materials.