Spheric Technologies Awarded Patent for Manufacturing Metal Oxides and Hydrogen
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Phoenix, AZ - Spheric Technologies, Inc., marketer of patented microwave powdered metal processing systems, and producer of advanced oxides and other ceramic powders, announced it has been awarded a patent for "Process and Apparatus for Manufacturing Metal Oxides and Byproduct Hydrogen" (U.S. Patent 7,105,079).
The company's process is less expensive and environmentally cleaner than conventional chemical processing methods used to obtain technical-grade oxides. With Spheric Technologies' process, the resulting high-purity powders have uniform particle size and density, making them useful in a wide variety of applications. More than $2 billion worth of high-purity metal oxides were used in 2005 for a wide range of industrial applications, including:
structural ceramics
energy storage (batteries) and fuel cell membranes
semiconductor fabrication (CMP slurries)
optic coatings
nanomaterials
biomaterials and medical implants
laboratory and catalytic use
In Spheric Technologies' newly patented process, sacrificial electrodes of high-purity metal are immersed in water; when current is applied, an electric arc occurs and a plasma zone is created in the water between the electrodes; the plasma zone is maintained so that metal oxide and hydrogen are continuously produced. The patent also covers the method of extraction of the valuable end products from the process chamber.
The original production apparatus used in the company's early (2004) R&D phase was a stainless steel sphere, which gave rise to the name Spheric Technologies.
"Like our patented industrial microwave technology, this high-purity metal oxide and hydrogen production technology is cleaner, quicker, more efficient and reliable than traditional methods," said Spheric Technologies President Joseph Hines. "We have produced oxides of magnesium, aluminum, copper, nickel, zinc and silver, in excess of 99.9% purity. Particle size is typically less than 2.5 microns and as small as 200 nanometers." Hines noted that the company's metal oxides can be processed using its patented industrial microwave technology to produce high-value end products, such as sputtering targets for thin film deposition.
About Spheric Technologies, Inc.
Spheric Technologies develops, licenses, acquires and commercializes critical technologies to support the production of advanced industrial materials and products. Based on technology licenses acquired from the Penn State Microwave Processing and Engineering Center, the Company markets patented microwave sintering systems for the powdered metals and advanced ceramics industries, and develops microwave treatment systems for the mining and wastewater industries. The Company has also patented technologies for the production of metal oxides for those markets where purity and price are critical. Phoenix-based Spheric Technologies' management team is experienced in building successful public companies with international sales, strong R&D, tight financial controls, robust intellectual property portfolios, and productive employees. For more information, visit SphericTechnologies.com , or call 602-218-9292.
Contact:
Michael Kirksey
602-218-9292
