Patents by Inventor Gordon L. Graff
Gordon L. Graff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8609270Abstract: Iron-sulfide redox flow battery (RFB) systems can be advantageous for energy storage, particularly when the electrolytes have pH values greater than 6. Such systems can exhibit excellent energy conversion efficiency and stability and can utilize low-cost materials that are relatively safer and more environmentally friendly. One example of an iron-sulfide RFB is characterized by a positive electrolyte that comprises Fe(III) and/or Fe(II) in a positive electrolyte supporting solution, a negative electrolyte that comprises S2? and/or S in a negative electrolyte supporting solution, and a membrane, or a separator, that separates the positive electrolyte and electrode from the negative electrolyte and electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Guan-Guang Xia, Zhenguo Yang, Liyu Li, Soowhan Kim, Jun Liu, Gordon L. Graff
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Patent number: 8557441Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material, the nanocomposite material formed thereby, and a battery made using the nanocomposite material. Metal oxide and graphene are placed in a solvent to form a suspension. The suspension is then applied to a current collector. The solvent is then evaporated to form a nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite material is then electrochemically cycled to form a nanocomposite material of at least one metal oxide in electrical communication with at least one graphene layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Jun Liu, Daiwon Choi, Wendy D Bennett, Gordon L Graff, Yongsoon Shin
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Publication number: 20130260204Abstract: Improved lithium-sulfur energy storage systems can utilizes LixSy as a component in an electrode of the system. For example, the energy storage system can include a first electrode current collector, a second electrode current collector, and an ion-permeable separator separating the first and second electrode current collectors. A second electrode is arranged between the second electrode current collector and the separator. A first electrode is arranged between the first electrode current collector and the separator and comprises a first condensed-phase fluid comprising LixSy. The energy storage system can be arranged such that the first electrode functions as a positive or a negative electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Jie Xiao, Jiguang Zhang, Gordon L. Graff, Jun Liu, Wei Wang, Jianming Zheng, Wu Xu, Yuyan Shao, Zhenguo Yang
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Publication number: 20130199936Abstract: Electrodeposition involving an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and/or film surface. For electrodeposition of a first conductive material (C1) on a substrate from one or more reactants in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second conductive material (C2), wherein cations of C2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the reactants.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Jiguang Zhang, Wu Xu, Gordon L. Graff, Xilin Chen, Fei Ding, Yuyan Shao
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Publication number: 20130202956Abstract: Electrodeposition and energy storage devices utilizing an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and anode surface. For electrodeposition of a first metal (M1) on a substrate or anode from one or more cations of M1 in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second metal (M2), wherein cations of M2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the cations of M1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Wu Xu, Jiguang Zhang, Gordon L. Graff, Xilin Chen, Fei Ding
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Publication number: 20130202920Abstract: The performance and the lifetime of energy storage devices can be hindered by the growth of metal dendrites during operation. Electrolytes having dendrite-inhibiting additives can result in significant improvement. In particular, energy storage devices having an electrode containing a metallic element, M1 can be characterized by a non-aqueous, liquid electrolyte having a first salt and a dendrite-inhibiting salt. The first salt can have a cation of M1 and the dendrite-inhibiting salt can have a cation of metallic element, M2, wherein the cation of M2 has an ionic size greater than, or equal to, the cation of M1.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Wu Xu, Fei Ding, Jiguang Zhang, Gordon L. Graff, Jie Xiao
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Patent number: 8450014Abstract: Lithium ion batteries having an anode comprising at least one graphene layer in electrical communication with titania to form a nanocomposite material, a cathode comprising a lithium olivine structure, and an electrolyte. The graphene layer has a carbon to oxygen ratio of between 15 to 1 and 500 to 1 and a surface area of between 400 and 2630 m2/g. The nanocomposite material has a specific capacity at least twice that of a titania material without graphene material at a charge/discharge rate greater than about 10 C. The olivine structure of the cathode of the lithium ion battery of the present invention is LiMPO4 where M is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Jun Liu, Daiwon Choi, Zhenguo Yang, Donghai Wang, Gordon L Graff, Zimin Nie, Vilayanur V Viswanathan, Jason Zhang, Wu Xu, Jin Yong Kim
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Publication number: 20130040204Abstract: Particular functional nanocomposite materials can be employed as electrodes and/or as electrodes in energy storage systems to improve performance. In one example, the nanocomposite material is characterized by nanoparticles having a high-capacity active material, a core particle having a comminution material, and a thin electronically conductive coating having an electronically conductive material. The nanoparticles are fixed between the core particle and the conductive coating. The comminution material has a Mohs hardness that is greater than that of the active material. The core particle has a diameter less than 5000 nm and the nanoparticles have diameters less than 500 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Jun Liu, Yuliang Cao, Xilin Chen, Lifen Xiao, Xiaolin Li, Jiguang Zhang, Gordon L. Graff, Zimin Nie, Jie Xiao
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Publication number: 20120244406Abstract: Iron-sulfide redox flow battery (RFB) systems can be advantageous for energy storage, particularly when the electrolytes have pH values greater than 6. Such systems can exhibit excellent energy conversion efficiency and stability and can utilize low-cost materials that are relatively safer and more environmentally friendly. One example of an iron-sulfide RFB is characterized by a positive electrolyte that comprises Fe(III) and/or Fe(II) in a positive electrolyte supporting solution, a negative electrolyte that comprises S2? and/or S in a negative electrolyte supporting solution, and a membrane, or a separator, that separates the positive electrolyte and electrode from the negative electrolyte and electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Guanguang Xia, Zhenguo Yang, Liyu Li, Soowhan Kim, Jun Liu, Gordon L. Graff
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Publication number: 20120164534Abstract: A lithium ion battery having an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode comprising nano-structured carbon in electrical communication with LiFePO4. The cathode of the lithium ion battery of the present invention has sufficient structural stability to maintain at least 90-99 percent of the specific capacity of the cathode over 500 charge/discharge cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Daiwon Choi, Jun Liu, Zhenguo Yang, Wei Wang, Gordon L. Graff
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Publication number: 20120118855Abstract: An edge-sealed barrier film composite. The composite includes a substrate and at least one initial barrier stack adjacent to the substrate. The at least one initial barrier stack includes at least one decoupling layer and at least one barrier layer. One of the barrier layers has an area greater than the area of one of the decoupling layers. The decoupling layer is sealed by the first barrier layer within the area of barrier material. An edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device is provided. A method of making the edge-sealed barrier film composite is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: Paul E. Burrows, J. Chris Pagano, Eric S. Mast, Peter M. Martin, Gordon L. Graff, Mark E. Gross, Charles C. Bonham, Wendy D. Bennett, Michael G. Hall
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Publication number: 20120107213Abstract: Methods of the present invention can be used to synthesize nanowires with controllable compositions and/or with multiple elements. The methods can include coating solid powder granules, which comprise a first element, with a catalyst. The catalyst and the first element should form when heated a liquid, mixed phase having a eutectic or peritectic point. The granules, which have been coated with the catalyst, can then be heated to a temperature greater than or equal to the eutectic or peritectic point. During heating, a vapor source comprising the second element is introduced. The vapor source chemically interacts with the liquid, mixed phase to consume the first element and to induce condensation of a product that comprises the first and second elements in the form of a nanowire.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Jiguang Zhang, Jun Liu, Zhenguo Yang, Guanguang Xia, Leonard S. Fifield, Donghai Wang, Daiwon Choi, Gordon L. Graff, Larry R. Pederson
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Publication number: 20120088158Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material, the nanocomposite material formed thereby, and a battery made using the nanocomposite material. Metal oxide and graphene are placed in a solvent to form a suspension. The suspension is then applied to a current collector. The solvent is then evaporated to form a nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite material is then electrochemically cycled to form a nanocomposite material of at least one metal oxide in electrical communication with at least one graphene layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Jun Liu, Daiwon Choi, Wendy D. Bennett, Gordon L. Graff, Yongsoon Shin
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Publication number: 20110111299Abstract: Lithium ion batteries having an anode comprising at least one graphene layer in electrical communication with titania to form a nanocomposite material, a cathode comprising a lithium olivine structure, and an electrolyte. The graphene layer has a carbon to oxygen ratio of between 15 to 1 and 500 to 1 and a surface area of between 400 and 2630 m2/g. The nanocomposite material has a specific capacity at least twice that of a titania material without graphene material at a charge/discharge rate greater than about 10 C. The olivine structure of the cathode of the lithium ion battery of the present invention is LiMPO4 where M is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Jun Liu, Daiwon Choi, Zhenguo Yang, Donghai Wang, Gordon L. Graff, Zimin Nie, Vilayanur V. Viswanathan, Jason Zhang, Wu Xu, Jin Yong Kim
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Publication number: 20100330748Abstract: Methods of encapsulating an environmentally sensitive device. The methods involve temporarily laminating a flexible substrate to a rigid support using a reversible adhesive for processing, reversing the reversible adhesive, and removing the device from the rigid support.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2007Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Xi Chu, Steve Shi Lin, Gordon L. Graff
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Publication number: 20100202952Abstract: Methods of the present invention can be used to synthesize nanowires with controllable compositions and/or with multiple elements. The methods can include coating solid powder granules, which comprise a first element, with a catalyst. The catalyst and the first element should form when heated a liquid, mixed phase having a eutectic or peritectic point. The granules, which have been coated with the catalyst, can then be heated to a temperature greater than or equal to the eutectic or peritectic point. During heating, a vapor source comprising the second element is introduced. The vapor source chemically interacts with the liquid, mixed phase to consume the first element and to induce condensation of a product that comprises the first and second elements in the form of a nanowire.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Jiguang Zhang, Jun Liu, Zhenguo Yang, Guanguang Xia, Leonard S. Fifield, Donghai Wang, Daiwon Choi, Gordon L. Graff, Larry R. Pederson
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Publication number: 20100193468Abstract: An edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device. The device includes an environmentally sensitive device, and at least one edge-sealed barrier stack. The edge-sealed barrier stack includes a decoupling layer and at least two barrier layers. The environmentally sensitive device is sealed between an edge-sealed barrier stack and either a substrate or another edge-sealed barrier stack. A method of making the edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Paul E. Burrows, Eric S. Mast, Peter M. Martin, Gordon L. Graff, Mark E. Gross, Charles C. Bonham, Wendy D. Bennett, Michael G. Hall
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Patent number: 7727601Abstract: An edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device. The device includes an environmentally sensitive device, and at least one edge-sealed barrier stack. The edge-sealed barrier stack includes a decoupling layer and at least two barrier layers. The environmentally sensitive device is sealed between an edge-sealed barrier stack and either a substrate or another edge-sealed barrier stack. A method of making the edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Vitex Systems, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Burrows, Eric S. Mast, Peter M. Martin, Gordon L. Graff, Mark E. Gross, Charles C. Bonham, Wendy D. Bennett, Michael G. Hall
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Publication number: 20090208754Abstract: A method of making an edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device. The method includes providing an environmentally sensitive device on a substrate; depositing a decoupling layer through one mask, the decoupling layer adjacent to the environmentally sensitive device, the decoupling layer having a discrete area and covering the environmentally sensitive device; increasing the distance between the one mask and the substrate; and depositing a first barrier layer through the one mask, the first barrier layer adjacent to the decoupling layer, the first barrier layer having an area greater than the discrete area of the decoupling layer and covering the decoupling layer, the decoupling layer being sealed between the edges of the first barrier layer and the substrate or an optional second barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: VITEX SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Xi Chu, Paul E. Burrows, Eric S. Mast, Peter M. Martin, Gordon L. Graff, Mark E. Gross, Charles C. Bonham, Wendy D. Bennett, Michael G. Hall, Martin Philip Rosenblum
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Publication number: 20090191342Abstract: Methods of making an edge-sealed, encapsulated environmentally sensitive device. One method includes providing an environmentally sensitive device with a contact on a substrate; depositing a decoupling layer adjacent to the environmentally sensitive device, the decoupling layer having a discrete area and covering the environmentally sensitive device and not covering the contact, the decoupling layer deposited using a printing process; depositing a first barrier layer adjacent to the decoupling layer, the first barrier layer having a first area greater than the discrete area of the decoupling layer, and the first barrier layer having a second area covering the decoupling layer and the contact, the decoupling layer being sealed between the edges of the first barrier layer and the substrate or an optional second barrier layer; and removing the second area of the first barrier layer from the contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: VITEX SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Xi Chu, Paul E. Burrows, Eric S. Mast, Peter M. Martin, Gordon L. Graff, Mark E. Gross, Charles C. Bonham, Wendy D. Bennett, Michael G. Hall, Martin Philip Rosenblum