Patents by Inventor Kaoru Omichi

Kaoru Omichi 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).

  • Patent number: 11881581
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Patent number: 11830983
    Abstract: Electrolyte solutions including at least one anhydrous fluoride salt and at least one non-aqueous solvent are presented. The fluoride salt includes an organic cation having a charge center (e.g., N, P, S, or O) that does not possess a carbon in the ?-position or does not possess a carbon in the ?-position having a bound hydrogen. This salt structure facilitates its ability to be made anhydrous without decomposition. Example anhydrous fluoride salts include (2,2-dimethylpropyl)trimethylammonium fluoride and bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)dimethylammonium fluoride. Combining these fluoride salts with at least one fluorine-containing non-aqueous solvent (e.g., bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)ether; (BTFE)) promotes solubility of the salt within the non-aqueous solvents. The solvent may be a mixture of at least one non-aqueous, fluorine-containing solvent and at least one other non-aqueous, fluorine or non-fluorine containing solvent (e.g., BTFE and propionitrile or dimethoxyethane).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon C. Jones, Victoria K. Davis, Christopher M. Bates, Nebojsa Momcilovic, Brett M. Savoie, Michael A. Webb, Thomas F. Miller, III, Robert H. Grubbs, Christopher Brooks, Kaoru Omichi
  • Patent number: 11824161
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell which may be used, for example, in a rechargeable battery based on the reversible transfer of halide anions, and a method for making an electrolyte composition for use in the same. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte composition positioned between the two electrodes, where the electrolyte composition contains a crown ether-metal halide complex in a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Christopher Brooks, Ryan Mckenney
  • Publication number: 20230314526
    Abstract: An availability determination apparatus includes: a characteristic calculation portion that calculates a curve representing characteristics of a charging state and an open circuit voltage of a deteriorated secondary battery; a low-load determination portion that determines a use availability of the deteriorated secondary battery at a low load time based on a result of comparison between a first threshold value and a first capacity determined by an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage of the deteriorated secondary battery based on the curve representing the characteristics of the charging state and the open circuit voltage of the deteriorated secondary battery; and a high-load determination portion that calculates an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage of the deteriorated secondary battery after correction based on the curve representing the characteristics of the charging state and the open circuit voltage of the deteriorated secondary battery after correction, and determines a use availabi
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Tadashi Kaga
  • Publication number: 20230314523
    Abstract: A resistance calculation device includes: a characteristic calculation portion configured to calculate a shrinkage rate for each single electrode based on a capacity shift amount of a positive electrode of a deteriorated secondary battery, a capacity shift amount of a negative electrode of the deteriorated secondary battery, a deterioration amount of the positive electrode, and a deterioration amount of the negative electrode, and to calculate a curve representing characteristics of a state of charge and an open circuit voltage of an equivalent circuit of the deteriorated secondary battery by deforming an opening end potential curve for each single electrode before deterioration of the deteriorated secondary battery by the shrinkage rate for each single electrode based on a fixed point; a change amount calculation portion configured to calculate an amount of change in the open circuit voltage of the equivalent circuit based on a difference between the opening end potential curve for each single electrode befo
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Yurika Nishimoto, Tadashi Kaga
  • Publication number: 20230288483
    Abstract: A battery characteristic estimation device includes a first calculation part configured to calculate a first electrical characteristic value of a secondary battery on the basis of frequency-dependent data that is data of an output voltage of the secondary battery changed by a frequency of alternating current applied to the secondary battery, a second calculation part configured to calculate a second electrical characteristic value of the secondary battery on the basis of transient response data that is data of the output voltage of the secondary battery attenuated by a change in direct current applied to the secondary battery, and an estimation part configured to estimate an electrical characteristic value of the secondary battery on the basis of the first electrical characteristic value and the second electrical characteristic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Yurika Nishimoto, Kaoru Omichi, Yuki Tominaga, Hikaru Arai
  • Patent number: 11749797
    Abstract: A fluoride shuttle (F-shuttle) battery and nanostructures of copper based cathode materials in the fluoride shuttle battery. The F-shuttle batteries include a liquid electrolyte, which allows the F-shuttle batteries to operate under room temperature. The minimum thickness of copper layer within the copper nanostructures is no more than 20 nm. The thickness of copper layer within the copper nanostructures is controlled and reduced to ensure the energy densities of F-shuttle batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Qingmin Xu, Christopher J. Brooks, Ryan Mckenney, Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Simon C. Jones, Thomas F. Miller, III, Stephen A. Munoz
  • Patent number: 11728485
    Abstract: An anode for a fluoride ion electrochemical cell is provided and includes a layered material of hard carbon, nitrogen doped graphite, boron doped graphite, TiS2, MoS2, TiSe2, MoSe2, VS2, VSe2, electrides of alkali earth metal nitrides, electrides of metal carbides, or combinations thereof. The anode may be included in a fluoride ion electrochemical cell, which additionally includes a cathode and a fluoride ion electrolyte arranged between the cathode and the anode. At least one of the cathode and the anode reversibly exchange the fluoride ions with the electrolyte during charging or discharging of the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks
  • Patent number: 11710825
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to electrochemically active structures and methods of making thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to electrochemically active structure comprising a crystalline electride comprising a nitride or carbide of at least one of: an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a lanthanide metal, or a combination thereof, wherein the electride has a lattice capable of intercalating at least one ion, thereby releasing at least one electron into an external circuit; and wherein a change in lattice volume of the electride upon intercalating the at least one ion is less than about 40%. Further, methods of making these electrochemically active structures are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott C. Warren, Daniel L. Druffel, Jacob Pawlik, Adam H. Woomer, Qingmin Xu, Kaoru Omichi, Christopher Brooks
  • Publication number: 20230135901
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluoride ion batteries and structures of metal based electrode materials for various fluoride ion batteries. The structures of the metal based electrode materials comprise one or more shells or interfaces, enabling the electrodes to operate at room temperature with a liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Qingmin XU, Christopher J. BROOKS, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan K. MCKENNEY, Simon JONES, Victoria DAVIS, Stephen MUNOZ, Jeongmin KIM, Keith BILLINGS, Thomas MILLER, III, Robert H. GRUBBS, William WOLF, Nam Hawn CHOU
  • Patent number: 11621438
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fluoride (F) ion batteries and F shuttle batteries comprising an anode with a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, a cathode comprising a core shell structure, and a liquid fluoride battery electrolyte. According to some aspects, the components therein enable discharge and recharge at room-temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Qingmin Xu, Christopher J. Brooks, Kaoru Omichi, Simon Jones, Victoria Davis, Stephen Munoz, Jeongmin Kim, Keith Billings, Thomas Miller, III, Robert H. Grubbs, William Wolf
  • Patent number: 11581582
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluoride ion batteries and structures of metal based electrode materials for various fluoride ion batteries. The structures of the metal based electrode materials comprise one or more shells or interfaces, enabling the electrodes to operate at room temperature with a liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Qingmin Xu, Christopher J. Brooks, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan K. McKenney, Simon Jones, Victoria Davis, Stephen Munoz, Jeongmin Kim, Keith Billings, Thomas Miller, III, Robert H. Grubbs, William Wolf, Nam Hawn Chou
  • Publication number: 20220093918
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan MCKENNEY, Qingmin XU, Christopher BROOKS, Simon C. JONES, Isabelle M. DAROLLES, Hongjin TAN
  • Patent number: 11251420
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Publication number: 20220037652
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan MCKENNEY, Qingmin XU, Christopher BROOKS, Simon C. JONES, Isabelle M. DAROLLES, Hongjin TAN
  • Publication number: 20210367274
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. The fluoride-conducting encapsulant may comprise one or more metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Patent number: 11177512
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. The fluoride-conducting encapsulant may comprise one or more metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Patent number: 11069921
    Abstract: Electrolyte solutions including at least one anhydrous fluoride salt and at least one non-aqueous solvent are presented. The fluoride salt includes an organic cation having a charge center (e.g., N, P, S, or O) that does not possess a carbon in the ?-position or does not possess a carbon in the ?-position having a bound hydrogen. This salt structure facilitates its ability to be made anhydrous without decomposition. Example anhydrous fluoride salts include (2,2-dimethylpropyl)trimethylammonium fluoride and bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)dimethylammonium fluoride. Combining these fluoride salts with at least one fluorine-containing non-aqueous solvent (e.g., bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)ether; (BTFE)) promotes solubility of the salt within the non-aqueous solvents. The solvent may be a mixture of at least one non-aqueous, fluorine-containing solvent and at least one other non-aqueous, fluorine or non-fluorine containing solvent (e.g., BTFE and propionitrile or dimethoxyethane).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon C. Jones, Victoria K. Davis, Christopher M. Bates, Nebojsa Momcilovic, Brett M. Savoie, Michael A. Webb, Thomas F. Miller, III, Robert H. Grubbs, Christopher Brooks, Kaoru Omichi
  • Publication number: 20210218063
    Abstract: Electrolyte solutions including at least one anhydrous fluoride salt and at least one non-aqueous solvent are presented. The fluoride salt includes an organic cation having a charge center (e.g., N, P, S, or O) that does not possess a carbon in the ?-position or does not possess a carbon in the ?-position having a bound hydrogen. This salt structure facilitates its ability to be made anhydrous without decomposition. Example anhydrous fluoride salts include (2,2-dimethylpropyl)trimethylammonium fluoride and bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)dimethylammonium fluoride. Combining these fluoride salts with at least one fluorine-containing non-aqueous solvent (e.g., bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)ether; (BTFE)) promotes solubility of the salt within the non-aqueous solvents. The solvent may be a mixture of at least one non-aqueous, fluorine-containing solvent and at least one other non-aqueous, fluorine or non-fluorine containing solvent (e.g., BTFE and propionitrile or dimethoxyethane).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicants: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Simon C. JONES, Victoria K. DAVIS, Christopher M. BATES, Nebojsa MOMCILOVIC, Brett M. SAVOIE, Michael A. WEBB, Thomas F. MILLER, III, Robert H. GRUBBS, Christopher BROOKS, Kaoru OMICHI
  • Publication number: 20210167422
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell which may be used, for example, in a rechargeable battery based on the reversible transfer of halide anions, and a method for making an electrolyte composition for use in the same. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte composition positioned between the two electrodes, where the electrolyte composition contains a crown ether-metal halide complex in a solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Kaoru OMICHI, Christopher BROOKS, Ryan MCKENNEY