A collection of sheet music for five of my songs printed into a book. Songs included:
20 total pages. Available for sale upon request
Category: Publications
Ask Me About Science
AskMeAboutScience was a website I created to allow people to ask science questions and get simple answers; to spread the love of science and science literacy.
The website is being taken down in 2022 due to lack of traction but I am building it back here as a legacy site with all the articles and info that was created:
Process for Forming Porous Filter Media
Disclosed is a filter element from removing contaminants from water comprised of first filter media particles having a first particle size and second media particles having a second particle size and methods for making such a filter element. The first media particles are adhered to surfaces of the second media particles. A binder connects the second media particles with one another so that interstitial spaces are formed between second media particles. A portion of the smaller first filter media particles are positioned within the interstitial spaces. According to one embodiment of the disclosure water flows through the filter element at a flux greater than about 1.5 ml/min/cm.sup.2 has a pressure drop less than 20 psi
Link via USPTO
Google Patents PDF:
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/16/2b/b7/70a2f45a27af2b/US20200407239A1.pdf
Filter and Filter Media for Removing Organic Acid from Water
Disclosed is a filter media for removing contaminants such as organic acids from water. The filter media comprises porous particles. The particles have a total pore volume greater than about 0.4 cc/g. The pore volume is primarily or substantially comprised of epipores, that is, pores that are larger than about 5 nm. The filter media may also include a non-porous filter material and a binder. The filter media may be formed into a filter element, with the binder joining particles of the filter media together into a solid body. The percentage of the total pore volume provided by epipores is greater than about 40%. The filter reduces an initial concentration of an organic acid by greater than 80% at a flux greater than 0.76 ml/min/cm.sup.2.
Link via USPTO
Google Patents PDF:
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/95/97/f0/1e3684d48db53a/US20200407240A1.pdf
Porous Filter Media
Disclosed is a filter element from removing contaminants from water comprised of first filter media particles having a first particle size and second media particles having a second particle size and methods for making such a filter element. The first media particles are adhered to surfaces of the second media particles. A binder connects the second media particles with one another so that interstitial spaces are formed between second media particles. A portion of the smaller first filter media particles are positioned within the interstitial spaces. According to one embodiment of the disclosure water flows through the filter element at a flux greater than about 1.5 ml/min/cm.sup.2 has a pressure drop less than 20 psi.
Link via USPTO:
Google Patents PDF:
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/1d/39/82/9c70ced5cbdf81/US20210171359A1.pdf
Aquaguidance
AquaGuidance Secures $3 Million Funding for Virus-Removal Water Filtration Technology
Global Blue Planet Group Invests in AquaGuidance’s Breakthrough Gravity-Fed Filtration MediaMarch 05, 2020 08:05 AM Eastern Standard Time
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AquaGuidance, an innovator in water-purification filtration technology, has secured early-stage financing of $3 million from Blue Planet Group Ltd (BPG) for a breakthrough gravity-fed water filtration media capable of removing live viruses from pre-filtered drinking water. Blue Planet Group is a multi-national, vertically-integrated, private equity enterprise focused on advanced, proprietary specialty purification technologies for food, beverage, and water industries. The funding round will support market growth for AquaGuidance’s prototype gravity-fed filtration system, designed to remove harmful live viruses, bacteria, and cysts, producing safe drinking water without chemicals or reliance on power or pressure.
AquaGuidance Secures $3 Million Funding for Virus-Removal Water Filtration Technology. Global Blue Planet Group Invests in AquaGuidance’s Breakthrough Gravity-Fed Filtration Media. #WaterFiltration #CleanWater #EarlyRoundFunding #WaterBorneVirusTweet this
AquaGuidance’s filtration media (multiple patents pending) is the first known gravity-fed filter technology to pass the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) P231 test protocol1 for virus removal without the use of chemicals, power, or pressure. The protocol sets up challenging, harsh standards for the removal of pathogens in a variety of water streams including those which have high levels of organic acids. The only systems currently able to pass P231 operate under pressurised flow from plumbing or require electricity and/or the use of chemicals. AquaGuidance’s technology will enable manufacturers of simple gravity-fed ceramic and hollow fiber membrane filters in common use to upgrade their systems to achieve effective removal of live viruses.
AquaGuidance’s prototype has undergone rigorous independent testing to meet Blue Planet Group’s investment criteria for innovation, efficacy, social impact, and environmentally-responsible technologies. Testing was conducted by MSR Global Health, an independent research and testing division of Cascade Designs, Inc., under the direction of Tim Oriard, Principal Investigator at Cascade Designs, Inc.
“The investors of Blue Planet Group focus on funding critical innovation in water, beverage, and food-safety filtration technologies and have invested over $20 million in this sector to date,” said Blue Planet Group CEO David Sherwin. “This additional $3 million investment underscores the investors’ commitment and confidence in AquaGuidance’s breakthrough gravity-fed filtration media.”
“Over two billion people globally lack access to safe drinking water. We now have the ability to help major industry players offer more comprehensive, better performing microbiological solutions for those in greatest need, whether for daily use or in disaster readiness and recovery,” said Duane Dunk, managing director for AquaGuidance. “Blue Planet Group’s commitment provides essential funding to bring our technology to an eager marketplace.”
With over 60 million households globally currently using ceramic water filtration systems that could easily adapt to AquaGuidance technology, company leadership is focused in serving the needs of ceramic or hollow fiber membrane filter manufacturers that serve residential and commercial customers, as well as the municipal, NGO, and critical infrastructure-provider marketplace for disaster preparedness and recovery.
About AquaGuidance, Inc.
AquaGuidance, Inc., is a Florida-based, for-profit company, specializing in water filtration solutions for residential and commercial drinking water applications where the water quality is poor. AquaGuidance’s core filtration media technology can claim the highest-certified capacity combined lead, mercury, chloramine, chlorine, taste and odor reduction filtration on the market. AquaGuidance has now developed the world’s first gravity-fed water filtration technology (patents pending) capable of removing harmful live viruses, bacteria, and cysts to full P231 requirements without the use of chemicals, power, or pressure, while preserving beneficial elements such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. More testing is required to quantify the additional ability to reduce heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and pesticides. The company is led by Managing Director Duane Dunk, a recognized expert in safe drinking water and emerging markets. For more information, visit http://aquaguidance.com.
About Blue Planet Group, Ltd
Blue Planet Group, Ltd, is a multi-national, vertically-integrated company, focused on advanced proprietary specialty filtration technologies for food, beverage, and water industries. Blue Planet Group and its subsidiary companies have developed specialized adsorbent medias which, when combined with industry-standard materials in common use, can be tailored to remove harmful contaminants from drinking water for a variety of uses. The breakthrough technologies have a potentially significant impact on human and environmental health. For more information visit http://blueplanet.global.
1 National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) P231 test protocol
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200305005276/en/AquaGuidance-Secures-3-Million-Funding-for-Virus-Removal-Water-Filtration-Technology
Electrostatic removal… Continuation in Part
Abstract
Electrostatic removal of colloidal, soluble and insoluble materials from a fluid- Continuation in Part
A filter that contains an adsorbent to remove the soluble portion of the contaminant, and then some form of electrostatic attraction additive. The electrostatic attraction additive would serve to pull the colloidal and particulate portion of the contaminant out of fluid, which could be held indefinitely, or be used to hold while the contaminant is allowed to solubilize and then be removed by the adsorbent. The electrostatic attraction additive could either be positively or negatively charged depending on the surface charge of the particulates that are in the fluid, and includes particles or fibers charged with charged polymers, zeolites, cation or anion exchange resin, powdered alumina, or nano-alumina.
Link via Google Patents:
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/8c/2e/d4/54c84fb23f9747/US20190344289A1.pdf
Electrostatic removal of colloidal, soluble, and insoluble materials from a fluid
US Patent Number: 10,376,900
ABSTRACT
A filter that contains an adsorbent to remove the soluble portion of the contaminant, and then some form of electrostatic attraction additive. The electrostatic attraction additive would serve to pull the colloidal and particulate portion of the contaminant out of fluid, which could be held indefinitely, or be used to hold while the contaminant is allowed to solubilize and then be removed by the adsorbent. The electrostatic attraction additive could either be positively or negatively charged depending on the surface charge of the particulates that are in the fluid, and includes particles or fibers charged with charged polymers, zeolites, cation or anion exchange resin, powdered alumina, or nano-alumina.
Carafe filter with air lock prevention feature (continuation)
US Patent Number: US 10,335,717
Abstract
A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.
Link via USPTO: https://bit.ly/2G6G8Hr
FILTERING CONTAINER
Filtering container
US Patent Application Number: US10272371
Abstract:
A collapsible bag or compressible bottle container for accepting, holding, and filtering fluid. Fluid is filtered upon entry to the container or filtered upon egress. The filter media resides either in a removable cap, or in a second fluid-tight compartment attached to, and in fluid communication with, the container body. A one-way valve with unique one-time connection to a fluid source mitigates potential contamination from container overuse. A second collapsible layer is used in conjunction with the collapsible bag to accept compressed air that provides rigidity for the container body.
Google Patents PDF:
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/d8/36/de/354da311c65dd7/US10272371.pdf
Water Filtration System
WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM
US Patent Application Number: 20190126174
Abstract
A water filtration system includes a raw water reservoir that holds raw water. The system also includes a gravity filtration assembly to remove particles from the water as it passes through from the raw water reservoir. The filter of the assembly includes immobilized filter media within an enclosure.
Reverse Flow Gravity Filter Cartridge
US Publication Number: WO 2016033596 A1
ABSTRACT
A carafe filter cartridge for reverse flow applications where the filter housing and filter media top end cap directs unfiltered fluid into the filter media annular cavity, through the filter media sidewalls. And the filter media bottom end cap prohibits egress, filter fluid from exiting through the filter media end or the annular cavity. Filtered fluid is instead directed out through apertures in the filter housing sidewall. The optimum ratio of annular cavity and/or top end cap orifice area to the respective perimeter is determined to remove the risk of detrimental fluid flow due to air bubble generation.
Method of making a filter media with an enriched binder (Continuation)
US Patent Number: US 9289702
Abstract
Water filtration media having a charged material affixed directly to binder material used in the fabrication of the filter media. A microbiological interception enhancing agent is added to the binder directly. The media having a charged material and a microbiological interception enhancing agent both affixed directly on or in a binder material is then combined with core filter media and prepared as a filtration media. A filter is prepared from the treated filter media.
Link via USPTO
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/97/50/fb/d12f6cec32f2e0/US9289702.pdf
Filter media for gravity filtration applications
US Publication Number: US 20150014240 A1
ABSTRACT
A gravity filter media fabricated from multiple spiral wound or pleated layers, where different layers are designed for specific contaminant removal process and the layers are combined into a single pack for ease of use. The layers or fiber sheets are chemically treated for contaminant removal, with different layers having different chemical treatments, or the layers are immobilized with particles of various sizes for use as low contact-time adsorbents, with different layers having different immobilized particles, or the pore structure is varied from one fiber sheet to another—one being a tight pore structure, and the other being a more open pore structure, or any combination thereof. When using immobilized particles, the immobilized particles can be chemically treated for the specific removal of targeted contaminants, and multi-layered for custom designed removal of specific contaminants.
Carafe filter with air lock prevention feature
US Publication Number: US 9849407
ABSTRACT
A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.
Link via Google Patents
Designing Filtration Systems to Remove Heavy Metals from Water
Published in the International Journal of High Speed Electronics and Systems (IJHSES) Volume No.23, Issue No. 1n02.
External Link
Small Spaces High Filtration
Published in Water Quality Products October 2008 Issue
Link to Article
Filter Formula: Testing and Developing a Lead Reduction Filter for Gravity Pitchers
Published in Water Quality Products June 2012 Issue.
Link to Article
Designing Filtration Systems to Remove Heavy Metals
This talk was given at the Connecticut Microelectronics and Optoelectronics Consortium at Yale University on March 13th, 2013.
Treating Carbon For Purification
This talk was given at during the 32nd International Activated Carbon Conference, IACC-32, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA, September 25-26, 2013
Method of making a filter media with an enriched binder
US Patent Number: US 8622224 B2
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ABSTRACT
Water filtration media having a charged material affixed directly to binder material used in the fabrication of the filter media. A microbiological interception enhancing agent is added to the binder directly. The media having a charged material and a microbiological interception enhancing agent both affixed directly on a binder material is then combined with core filter media and prepared as a filtration media. A filter is prepared from the treated filter media.
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Formation and immobilization of small particles by using polyelectrolyte multilayers
US Publication Number: US 9,718,013
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ABSTRACT
A method for forming and immobilizing small particles on a filter substrate using a first and second polymer solution, a solution of sodium bromide and a solution of a metal salt. The method adjusts the pH of at least one of the first and second polymer solutions, immersing the filter substrate in the first polymer solution and immersing the filter substrate in the second polymer solution. The method includes repeating the steps of immersing the filter substrate in the first solution and the second solution alternately until desired number of layers is achieved. The method allows for the filter substrate to be immersed in the solution of the metal salt and subsequently in the solution of sodium bromide.
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Uses of fibrillated nanofibers and the removal of soluble, colloidal, and insoluble particles from a fluid
US Patent number: US 8002990
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ABSTRACT
A filter for removing soluble, colloidal, and insoluble particles from a fluid, including lead using a first filter media for filtering soluble material from the fluid, a second filter media, adjacent and in fluid communication with, the first filter media, for filtering soluble material from said fluid, wherein the first and second filter media create a physical non-soluble particle barrier at their interface for capturing non-soluble particles, that when retained at the interface, become soluble over time in the fluid, and are subsequently removed by the second filter media. At least one of the filter media can be fibrillated nanofibers that are loaded with finely subdivided media of powdered ion exchange resins. A third filter media may be placed between the first and second filter media to enhance capturing and dissolving the physical non-soluble particles.
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Distributing media files
US Publication number: 2007005538
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ABSTRACT
The present invention is directed to a system, method, and apparatus of downloading digital media files by a user wherein a compter user may download digital media files without incurring any charges whereby the computer user is subject to a targeted advertisement, in particular, during the file download time. Fees collected from advertisers can be used to offset the royalties due to rights holders of the digital media files such that the download is free for the user. Preferably, this system and apparatus can be used to disseminate digital media files such as music, books, artwork, video, games, ring tones, and multimedia works.
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