US 12,345,243 B2
Graphite/hexagonal boron nitride bimaterials for electric propulsion
Celia S. Chari, Pasadena, CA (US); Katherine T. Faber, Pasadena, CA (US); Bryan W. McEnerney, Pasadena, CA (US); Richard R. Hofer, Pasadena, CA (US); James A. Wollmershauser, Pasadena, CA (US); and Edward P. Gorzkowski, III, Severna Park, MD (US)
Assigned to California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US); and The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US); and The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/238,101.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/401,226, filed on Aug. 26, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068453 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. F03H 1/00 (2006.01); C01B 32/21 (2017.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01)
CPC F03H 1/0006 (2013.01) [C01B 32/21 (2017.08); B64G 1/413 (2023.08)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric propulsion device comprising:
at least one portion comprising or formed of a monolithic bimaterial;
wherein the monolithic bimaterial comprises a graphite layer material and a hexagonal boron nitride layer ;
wherein the graphite layer and hexagonal boron nitride layer are monolithically integrated in the bimaterial; and
wherein the hexagonal boron nitride layer comprises less than 0.001 mol/cm3 of boron carbide.