Hugh Cde Delong

US Patent:

7682539, Mar 23, 2010

Filed:

Jan 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/655041

Inventors:

David M. Phillips - Dayton OH, US
Robert A. Mantz - Efland NC, US
Paul C. Trulove - Annapolis MD, US
Hugh C. DeLong - Waldorf MD, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

D01F 4/00

US Classification:

264202

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a process of forming fibers of silk and silk-like proteins in a solution with a solvent consisting of a pure ionic liquid, an ionic liquid mixture, an ionic liquid mixed with one or more cosolvents, or an ionic liquid mixture mixed with one or more cosolvents. A solution is extruded through a spinneret orifice to form a fiber. The spinneret is either directly immersed in the coagulation bath or the spinneret is surrounded by a noncoagulating medium (i. e. , air or other inert fluid) and the extruded fiber is subsequently immersed in a coagulation bath. Fibers may also be formed by extruding a fiber directly from a reservoir of solution into a noncoagulating, inert medium and then immersing the extruded fibers into a coagulation bath to rinse the fiber of ionic liquid.

US Patent:

8202379, Jun 19, 2012

Filed:

Dec 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/629915

Inventors:

Hugh C. DeLong - Waldorf MD, US
Paul C. Trulove - Annapolis MD, US
Luke M. Haverhals - Annapolis MD, US
William M. Reichert - Annapolis MD, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

D02J 11/00
C09J 5/00

US Classification:

156 83, 156296, 156305

Abstract:

Natural fiber welding is a process by which individual fibers are swollen by an appropriate ionic liquid-based solvent system to form a congealed network. Manipulated fibrous materials may be either composed of natural polymers such as cellulose, hemicellulose, silk, et cetera, or synthetic polymers, or mixed materials. The process is principally controlled by the composition of the solvent system which includes an ionic liquid solvent plus additives such as water, methanol, et cetera. Other conditions such as the amount and placement of solvent, as well as time, temperature, and pressure control the extent to which neighboring fibers are fused. Only the material at the outer surface of fibers need be sufficiently mobile to merge with that of neighboring fibers. Material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. Fibers form a congealed network upon removal of the ionic liquid-based solvent.

US Patent:

8575374, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

Oct 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/908986

Inventors:

Hugh C. DeLong - Waldorf MD, US
Paul C. Trulove - Annapolis MD, US
Robert A. Mantz - Efland NC, US
William M. Reichert - Mobile AL, US
Jeremy Mandia - Highland NY, US

International Classification:

C07D 303/02

US Classification:

549548

Abstract:

The present invention describes the use of an ionic liquid acid catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose into reducing sugars and other degradation products. The use of an ionic liquid catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose provides a low volatility catalyst and eliminates the hazards associated with the handling of mineral acids. Conditions such as temperature, catalyst modification, and ionic liquid solvent control the production of reducing sugars and other products. The combination of using an ionic liquid as the solvent for cellulose and ionic liquid catalyst provides an unprecedented tunability of the reaction properties giving more control over the conversion process to produce dehydration products with higher yields depending on the desired feedstock.

US Patent:

7671178, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Dec 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/326678

Inventors:

David M. Phillips - Huber Heights OH, US
Robert A. Mantz - Dayton OH, US
Paul C. Trulove - Annapolis MD, US
Hugh C. DeLong - Waldorf MD, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

C07K 14/00

US Classification:

530353, 530350

Abstract:

Silk is dissolved in an ionic liquid and is regenerated in a range of structural forms without requiring the use of harmful solvents. Silk solubility can be controlled by the selection of the ionic liquid constituents, with small cations and halide or pseudohalide anions favoring solution. The rinse solvent exercises a significant influence over the final properties of the regenerated silk.