Gradient interface magnetic composites and systems therefor
First Claim
1. A separator for separating a first type of particle, comprising a transition metal particle having a first magnetic susceptibility, from a second type of particle having a second magnetic susceptibility, comprising:
- a first material having a first magnetism;
a second material having a second magnetism, wherein said first and second materials are arranged to form a microstructured magnetic composite material;
said microstructured magnetic composite material comprising a plurality of boundaries between the first and second materials that are adapted to provide paths through the microstructured magnetic composite material, each of said plurality of boundaries having a magnetic gradient within said plurality of paths, wherein, when said microstructured magnetic material is placed in a region containing the first and second types of particles, the magnetic gradients cause at least some of the first type of particles to be separated from said region while inhibiting the separation of a majority of the second type of particles from said region.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Magnetic composites exhibit distinct flux properties due to gradient interfaces. The composites can be used to improve fuel cells and batteries and effect transport and separation of different species of materials, for example, transition metal species such as lanthanides and actinides. A variety of devices can be made utilizing the composites including a separator, an electrode for channeling flux of magnetic species, an electrode for effecting electrolysis of magnetic species, a system for channeling electrolyte species, a system for separating particles with different magnetic susceptibilities, improved fuel cells, batteries, and oxygen concentrators. Some composites can be used to make a separator for distinguishing between two species of materials and a flux switch to regulate the flow of a chemical species. Some composites can control chemical species transport and distribution. Other composites enable ambient pressure fuel cells having enhanced performance and reduced weight to be produced. Still other composites enable rechargeable batteries to be made that have longer secondary cycle life and improved output power. Methods involving these composites provide distinct ways for these composites to be utilized.
49 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A separator for separating a first type of particle, comprising a transition metal particle having a first magnetic susceptibility, from a second type of particle having a second magnetic susceptibility, comprising:
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a first material having a first magnetism; a second material having a second magnetism, wherein said first and second materials are arranged to form a microstructured magnetic composite material; said microstructured magnetic composite material comprising a plurality of boundaries between the first and second materials that are adapted to provide paths through the microstructured magnetic composite material, each of said plurality of boundaries having a magnetic gradient within said plurality of paths, wherein, when said microstructured magnetic material is placed in a region containing the first and second types of particles, the magnetic gradients cause at least some of the first type of particles to be separated from said region while inhibiting the separation of a majority of the second type of particles from said region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system, comprising:
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a transition metal species with a first magnetic susceptibility; a second species with a second magnetic susceptibility; and a microstructured magnetic composite material comprising a first material having a first magnetism, and a second material having a second magnetism, and a plurality of boundaries between the first and second materials that provide paths through the microstructured magnetic composite material, wherein said microstructured composite material is adapted to separate said transition metal species from said second species. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for separating lanthanides and actinides with different magnetic susceptibilities, comprising:
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a first magnetic material with a first magnetism; and a second magnetic material with a second magnetism, wherein said first and second materials are arranged to form a microstructured magnetic composite material having a plurality of boundaries between the first and second materials that provide paths through the microstructure magnetic composite material, each of said plurality of boundaries having a magnetic gradient within said plurality of paths wherein said magnetic gradients separate said lanthanides and said actinides when said microstructured magnetic composite material is placed in a region containing said lanthanides and actinides.
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30. A separator for separating a first type of particle having a first magnetic susceptibility from a second type of particle having a second magnetic susceptibility, comprising:
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a polystyrene sulfonate ion exchange polymer having a first magnetism; a second material having a second magnetism, wherein said polystyrene sulfonate and said second material are arranged to form a microstructured magnetic composite material; said microstructured magnetic composite material comprising a plurality of boundaries between said polystyrene sulfonate and said second material that are adapted to provide paths through the microstructured magnetic composite material, each of said plurality of boundaries having a magnetic gradient within said plurality of paths, wherein, when said microstructured magnetic material is placed in a region containing the first and second types of particles, the magnetic gradients cause at least some of the first type of particles to be separated from said region while inhibiting the separation of a majority of the second type of particles from said region. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification