公开(公告)号：US20220176096A1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-09

申请号：US17675440

申请日：2022-02-18

Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Inventor： Aykut AKSIT ,  Anil K. LALWANI ,  Jeffrey W. KYSAR ,  Alan WEST

IPC: A61M37/00 ,  C25D1/02

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a system and method for delivery of therapeutic agents across membranes such as to the inner ear. The system includes a plurality of microneedles that can be delivered to the round window membrane by a delivery device, e.g. catheter, and is capable of controlled penetration of the round window membrane to create temporary and self-closing perforations.

公开(公告)号：US20240060199A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-22

申请号：US18270560

申请日：2021-12-29

Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Inventor： Jonathan VARDNER ,  Alan WEST ,  Scott BANTA

IPC: C25C1/12

CPC classification number: C25C1/12

Abstract: A copper concentrate such as chalcopyrite is contacted with an aqueous solution includes acids and a reducing agent, such as vanadium (II) ions, chromium (II) ions, or tungstozincic acid (H6ZnW12O40). The aqueous solution reduces the copper in the copper concentrate, which can then dissolve into the solution for recovery therefrom, or precipitate out of solution as copper compounds or elemental copper for recovery in as a solid phase product. The solid phase product can then be isolated, dissolved, and further electrowinned to recover a copper product from the copper concentrate. Oxidized reducing agent can be recovered in an electrochemical device with ferrous iron reactants. Hydrometallurgical routes to convert copper concentrates to copper are potentially less expensive and less polluting than current pyrometallurgical processing and an advantageous response to environmental and economic pressures for increased copper production.

公开(公告)号：US20220033985A1

公开(公告)日：2022-02-03

申请号：US17390087

申请日：2021-07-30

Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Inventor： Alan WEST ,  Scott BANTA ,  Jon VARDNER ,  Campbell DONNELLY ,  Zhengyan ZHANG

IPC: C25B15/08 ,  C25B1/01 ,  C25B9/40 ,  C25B11/037 ,  C25B11/042 ,  C25B13/02 ,  C22B15/00

Abstract: An electrochemical system and process are provided to convert an amount of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) to a product including copper ions. In an electrochemical reactor, a potential is applied across an anode and a cathode to convert the chalcopyrite to an intermediate, chalcocite (Cu2S). The anode is covered to prevent contact with the intermediate, thus limiting subsequent conversion of the intermediate to covellite (CuS) in favor of conversion to a material more suited to chemical oxidation, cuprite (Cu2O). For example, the anode can be covered with one or more layers of filter paper. Upon application of an oxidizing agent, the cuprite is oxidized to produce a product including copper ions. The cathode and covered anode allow for efficient and inexpensive processing. The cost of this technique is comparable to industry standards, and moreover, has a much smaller environmental footprint than heat-based copper extraction.