David B Irvin

US Patent:

6407143, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Dec 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/469573

Inventors:

William R. Even - Livermore CA
David J. Irvin - Livermore CA
Jennifer A. Irvin - Livermore CA
Edward E. Tarver - Livermore CA
Gilbert M. Brown - Knoxville TN
James C. F. Wang - Livermore CA

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation - Livermore CA

International Classification:

C08J 520

US Classification:

521 26, 521 28, 521 31

Abstract:

A method and composition for removing perchlorate from a highly selective ion exchange resin is disclosed. The disclosed approach comprises treating the resin in a solution of super critical or liquid carbon dioxide and one or more quaternary ammonium chloride surfactant compounds.

US Patent:

6685442, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Feb 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/081286

Inventors:

Douglas A. Chinn - Livermore CA
David J. Irvin - Ridgecrest CA

Assignee:

Sandia National Laboratories - Livermore CA

International Classification:

F04B 3500

US Classification:

417321, 4174131, 417322, 25112906

Abstract:

A valve actuator based on a conductive polymer gel is disclosed. A nonconductive housing is provided having two separate chambers separated by a porous frit. The conductive polymer is held in one chamber and an electrolyte solution, used as a source of charged ions, is held in the second chamber. The ends of the housing a sealed with a flexible elastomer. The polymer gel is further provide with electrodes with which to apply an electrical potential across the gel in order to initiate an oxidation reaction which in turn drives anions across the porous frit and into the polymer gel, swelling the volume of the gel and simultaneously contracting the volume of the electrolyte solution. Because the two end chambers are sealed the flexible elastomer expands or contracts with the chamber volume change. By manipulating the potential across the gel the motion of the elastomer can be controlled to act as a âgateâ to open or close a fluid channel and thereby control flow through that channel.