Conversion:

Microwave Assisted Plasma

Technology Summary

ORNL Microwave assisted plasma conversion technology can:

• Continuously produce carbon fiber
• Carbonize carbon fibers using radiation and plasma technology

Advantages

ORNL's combined microwave and low-pressure plasma processing technologies save time and energy. Preliminary estimates suggest that ORNL's process reduces carbonization energy cost by one-half and residence time to one-third of the current state of the art. 

Intellectual Property

Carbon fiber manufacturing via plasma technology, U.S. Patent 6,372,192, issued April 16, 2002, Felix Paulauskas, Kenneth Yarborough, Thomas Meek.

• Patent 6,372,192 (UTB ID 0674) describes a method of carbonization that utilizes plasma technology and electromagnetic radiation.

System to continuously produce carbon fiber via microwave assisted plasma processing, U.S. Patent 7,824,495, issued November 2, 2010, Felix Paulauskas, Terry White, Timothy Bigelow.

• Patent 7,824,495 (UTB ID 1518) describes a method and device to continuously produce carbon fiber with microwave assisted plasma technology.

System to continuously produce carbon fiber via microwave assisted plasma processing, U.S. Patent Application 11/079,505, published April 7, 2011, Felix Paulauskas, Terry White, Timothy Bigelow.

• Patent application 11/079505 (UTB ID 1518) describes a method and device to continuously produce carbon fiber with microwave assisted plasma technology.

Licensing Contact

Alex DeTrana
Technology Commercialization Manager
UT-Battelle, LLC
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Office Phone: 865-576-9682
E-mail: detranaag@ornl.gov