Patents by Inventor Randy De Palma

Randy De Palma 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: 11804599
    Abstract: A crystalline precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder usable as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the precursor having a general formula Li1?a((Niz(Ni0.5Mn0.5)yCox)1?kAk)1+aO2, wherein A comprises at least one element of the group consisting of: Mg, Al, Ca, Si, B, W, Zr, Ti, Nb, Ba, and Sr, with 0.05?x?0.40, 0.25?z?0.85, x+y+z=1, 0?k?0.10, and 0?a?0.053, wherein said crystalline precursor powder has a crystalline size L, expressed in nm, with 15?L?36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: Umicore, Umicore Korea Ltd.
    Inventors: Areum Park, Jihye Kim, Song-Yi Han, Jens Martin Paulsen, Kyung-Tae Lee, Randy De Palma
  • Publication number: 20230202865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process is presented for preparing a positive electrode active material for rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The process comprises a sintering step having a short sintering time. This improves the production throughput. More particularly, the process applies to positive electrode active material powders having a general formula Li(1+a)(NixMnyCozMec)(1?a)O2, wherein Me comprises at least one element of the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ti, Zr, W, Nb, B, and Sr, with ?0.1?a?0.1, 0.33?x?0.95, 0?y?0.35, 0<z?0.35, 0?c?0.05, and x+y+z+c=1. The sintering step is performed for a predefined sintering time ts, expressed in hours, and at a predefined temperature Ts, expressed in ° C., such that 0.3?ts?6.0, and 1140+50 Log10 (6/t)?580 x?Ts?1245+50 Log10(6/ts)?580 x.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Dae-Hyun KIM, Jens PAULSEN, Kasper LAMBRIGHS, Randy DE PALMA, Liang ZHU
  • Publication number: 20230054397
    Abstract: A crystalline precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder usable as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the precursor having a general formula Li1-a((Niz(Ni0.5Mn0.5)yCox)1-kAk)1+aO2, wherein A comprises at least one element of the group consisting of: Mg, Al, Ca, Si, B, W, Zr, Ti, Nb, Ba, and Sr, with 0.05?x?0.40, 0.25?z?0.85, x+y+z=1, 0?k?0.10, and 0?a?0.053, wherein said crystalline precursor powder has a crystalline size L, expressed in nm, with 15?L?36.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Areum PARK, JiHye KIM, Song-Yi HAN, Jens Martin PAULSEN, Kyung-Tae LEE, Randy De Palma
  • Patent number: 11401167
    Abstract: This invention relates to an industrial process of manufacturing hydroxide precursor for lithium transition metal oxide used in secondary lithium ion batteries. More particularly, this process utilizes highly concentrated nitrate salts and is designed to mitigate waste production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: UMICORE, UMICORE KOREA, LTD.
    Inventors: Jens Paulsen, Eric Robert, Dirk Vanhoutte, Daniël Nelis, Randy De Palma, Dae-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11367872
    Abstract: A crystalline precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder usable as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the precursor having a general formula Li1?a((Niz(Ni0.5Mn0.5)yCox)1?kAk)1+aO2, wherein A comprises at least one element of the group consisting of: Mg, Al, Ca, Si, B, W, Zr, Ti, Nb, Ba, and Sr, with 0.05?x?0.40, 0.25?z?0.85, x+y+z=1, 0?k?0.10, and 0?a?0.053, wherein said crystalline precursor powder has a crystalline size L, expressed in nm, with 15?L?36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignees: UMICORE, UMICORE KOREA, LTD.
    Inventors: Areum Park, JiHye Kim, Song-Yi Han, Jens Martin Paulsen, Kyung-Tae Lee, Randy De Palma
  • Publication number: 20220190334
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing lithium nickel cobalt oxide-based cathode compounds for lithium ion secondary batteries. As part of this process, nickel, cobalt, and optionally manganese-bearing precursor compounds are lithiated and sintered at a high temperature. When cooled down, a high cooling rate will benefit the throughput of the process and the economics. It has however been found that the cooling rate should not exceed 10° C./min in what has been determined to be a critical temperature domain, ranging from 700° C. to 550° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Randy DE PALMA, Kasper LAMBRIGHS, Dae-Hyun KIM, HyeJeong YANG
  • Patent number: 11114662
    Abstract: A crystalline precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder usable as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the precursor having a general formula Li1?a((Niz(Ni1/2 Mn1/2)yCox)1?k Ak)1+aO2, wherein x+y+z=1, 0.1?x?0.4, 0.25?z?0.52, A is a dopant, 0?k?0.1, and 0.03?a?0.35, wherein the precursor has a crystalline size L expressed in nm, with 15?L?36. Also a method is described for manufacturing a positive electrode material having a general formula Li1+a?M?1?a?O2, with M?=(Niz(Ni1/2 Mn1/2)yCOx)1?k Ak, wherein x+y+z=1.0.1?x?0.4, 0.25?z?0.52, A is a dopant, 0?k?0.1, and 0.01?a??0.10, by sintering the lithium deficient precursor powder mixed with either one of LiOH, LiOH.H2O, in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 800 and 1000° C., for a time between 6 and 36 hrs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Umicore, Umicore Korea Ltd.
    Inventors: Areum Park, JiHye Kim, Song-Yi Han, Jens Martin Paulsen, Kyung-Tae Lee, Randy De Palma
  • Publication number: 20200031682
    Abstract: This invention relates to an industrial process of manufacturing hydroxide precursor for lithium transition metal oxide used in secondary lithium ion batteries. More particularly, this process utilizes highly concentrated nitrate salts and is designed to mitigate waste production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jens PAULSEN, Eric ROBERT, Dirk VANHOUTTE, Daniël NELIS, Randy DE PALMA, Dae-Hyun KIM
  • Patent number: 10547056
    Abstract: A particulate precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal (M)-oxide powder for use as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, wherein (M) is NixMnyCozAv, A being a dopant, wherein 0.33?x?0.60, 0.20?y?0.33, and 0.20?z?0.33, v?0.05, and x+y+z+v=1, the precursor comprising Ni, Mn and Co in a molar ratio x:y:z and having a specific surface area BET in m2/g and a sulfur content S expressed in wt %, wherein formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: UMICORE, UMICORE KOREA, LTD.
    Inventors: Liang Zhu, Randy De Palma, Hyo Sun Ahn, Sung Jun Cho, Daniël Nelis, Kris Driesen
  • Publication number: 20200020944
    Abstract: A crystalline precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder usable as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the precursor having a general formula Li1?a((Niz(Ni0.5Mn0.5)yCox)1?kAk)1+aO2, wherein A comprises at least one element of the group consisting of: Mg, Al, Ca, Si, B, W, Zr, Ti, Nb, Ba, and Sr, with 0.05?x?0.40, 0.25?z?0.85, x+y+z=1, 0?k?0.10, and 0?a?0.053, wherein said crystalline precursor powder has a crystalline size L, expressed in nm, with 15?L?36.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Areum PARK, JiHye KIM, Song-Yi HAN, Jens Martin PAULSEN, Kyung-Tae LEE, Randy De Palma
  • Publication number: 20200006762
    Abstract: A crystalline precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder usable as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, the precursor having a general formula Li1?a((Niz(Ni1/2 Mn1/2)yCox)1?k Ak)1+aO2, wherein x+y+z=1, 0.1?x?0.4, 0.25?z?0.52, A is a dopant, 0?k?0.1, and 0.03?a?0.35, wherein the precursor has a crystalline size L expressed in nm, with 15?L?36. Also a method is described for manufacturing a positive electrode material having a general formula Li1+a?M?1?a?O2, with M?=(Niz(Ni1/2 Mn1/2)yCOx)1?k Ak, wherein x+y+z=1. 0.1?x?0.4, 0.25?z?0.52, A is a dopant, 0?k?0.1, and 0.01?a??0.10, by sintering the lithium deficient precursor powder mixed with either one of LiOH, LiOH.H2O, in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 800 and 1000° C., for a time between 6 and 36 hrs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Areum PARK, JiHye KIM, Song-Yi HAN, Jens Martin PAULSEN, Kyung-Tae LEE, Randy De Palma
  • Publication number: 20180269477
    Abstract: A particulate precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal (M)-oxide powder for use as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, wherein (M) is NixMnyCozAv, A being a dopant, wherein 0.33?x?0.60, 0.20?y?0.33, and 0.20?z?0.33, v?0.05, and x+y+z+v=1, the precursor comprising Ni, Mn and Co in a molar ratio x:y:z and having a specific surface area BET in m2/g and a sulfur content S expressed in wt %, wherein formula (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Liang ZHU, Randy DE PALMA, Hyo Sun AHN, Sung Jun CHO, Daniël NELIS, Kris DRIESEN
  • Patent number: 10020495
    Abstract: The invention provides a cathode active material for use in a rechargeable battery, comprising a coated lithium nickel oxide powder or a coated lithium nickel manganese oxide powder, the powder being composed of primary particles provided with a glassy lithium silicate surface coating. A method for preparing the cathode active material comprises the steps of: providing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder, providing an alkali mineral compound comprising a Li2?xSiO3?0.5x compound, wherein 0<x<2, mixing the lithium transition metal based oxide powder and the alkali mineral compound to form a powder-mineral compound mixture, and heat treating the mixture at a temperature T whereby lithium is extracted from the surface of the metal based oxide powder to react with the alkali mineral compound, and a glassy surface coating is formed comprising a Li2?x?SiO3?0.5x? compound, wherein x<x?<2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: UMICORE
    Inventors: Jens Paulsen, Randy De Palma, JiHye Kim
  • Patent number: 9972843
    Abstract: A carbonate precursor compound of a lithium manganese based oxide powder for a positive electrode of a rechargeable battery, the oxide having the general formula Li1+vM1?vO2, wherein ?0.03?v?0.25, wherein M is a composition comprising at least 50 mol % of manganese, and wherein the carbonate precursor compound has a secondary particle size D50 expressed in ?m, and a tap density TD expressed in g/cm3, with either 1?TD?(2.78*D50)/(D50+7.23) and the compound having a particle size distribution having a span S?1.8 with S=(D90?D10)/D50; or 1?TD?(2.78*D50)/(D50+7.50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: Umicore, Umicore Korea Ltd.
    Inventors: Randy De Palma, JiHye Kim, Kris Driesen, Jens Paulsen, Jin Hu
  • Patent number: 9748570
    Abstract: The invention relates to cathode materials for Li-ion batteries having a size dependent compositions. The lithium metal oxide powder has a general formula LiaNixCoyMnzM?mO2±eAf, with 0.9<a<1.1, 0.2?x?0.9, 0<y?0.4, 0<z?0.7, 0?m?0.35, e<0.02, 0?f?0.05 and 0.9<(x+y+z+m+f)<1.1; M? consisting of either one or more elements from the group Al, Mg, Ti, Cr, V, Fe and Ga; A consisting of either one or more elements from the group F, C, Cl, S, Zr, Ba, Y, Ca, B, Sn, Sb, Na and Zn. The powder has a particle size distribution defining a D10 and a D90; wherein either x1?x2?0.005; or z2?z1?0.005; or both x1?x2?0.005 and z2?z1?0.005; x1 and z1 being the values of x and z of particles having a particle size D90; and x2 and z2 being the values of x and z of particles having a particle size D10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Randy De Palma, Jens Paulsen, JiHye Kim
  • Patent number: 9614226
    Abstract: A lithium transition metal oxide powder for use in a rechargeable battery is disclosed, where the surface of the primary particles of said powder is coated with a first inner and a second outer layer, the second outer layer comprising a fluorine-containing polymer, and the first inner layer consisting of a reaction product of the fluorine-containing polymer and the primary particle surface. An example of this reaction product is LiF, where the lithium originates from the primary particles surface. Also as an example, the fluorine-containing polymer is either one of PVDF, PVDF-HFP or PTFE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Jens Paulsen, Randy De Palma, HeonPyo Hong, KyuBo Kim
  • Publication number: 20160218361
    Abstract: A carbonate precursor compound of a lithium manganese based oxide powder for a positive electrode of a rechargeable battery, the oxide having the general formula Li1+vM1?vO2, wherein ?0.03?v?0.25, wherein M is a composition comprising at least 50 mol % of manganese, and wherein the carbonate precursor compound has a secondary particle size D50 expressed in ?m, and a tap density TD expressed in g/cm3, with either ?TD?(2.78*D50)/(D50+7.23) and the compound having a particle size distribution having a span S?1.8 with S=(D90?D10)/D50; or 1?TD?(2.78*D50)/(D50+7.50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Randy DE PALMA, JiHye KIM, Kris DRIESEN, Jens PAULSEN, Jin HU
  • Patent number: 8852452
    Abstract: A lithium transition metal oxide powder for use in a rechargeable battery is disclosed, where the surface of the primary particles of said powder is coated with a LiF layer, where this layer consists of a reaction product of a fluorine-containing polymer and the primary particle surface. The lithium of the LiF originates from the primary particles surface. Examples of the fluorine-containing polymer are either one of PVDF, PVDF-HFP or PTFE. Examples of the lithium transition metal oxide are either one of —LiCodMeO2, wherein M is either one of both of Mg and Ti, with e<0.02 and d+e=1; —Li1+aM?1?aO2±bM1kSm with ?0.03<a<0.06, b<0.02, M? being a transition metal compound, consisting of at least 95% of either one or more elements of the group Ni, Mn, Co and Ti; M1 consisting of either one or more elements of the group Ca, Sr, Y, La, Ce and Zr, with 0?k?0.1 in wt %; and 0<m<0.6, m being expressed in mol %; and —LiaNixCOyM?zO2±eAf, with 0.9<a?<1.1, 0.5?x?0.9, 0<y?0.4, 0<z?0.35, e<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Jens Paulsen, Randy De Palma, HeonPyo Hong, KyuBo Kim
  • Publication number: 20140175329
    Abstract: The invention relates to cathode materials for Li-ion batteries having a size dependent compositions. The lithium metal oxide powder has a general formula LiaNixCoyMnzM?mO2±eAf, with 0.9<a<1.1, 0.2?x?0.9, 0<y?0.4, 0<z?0.7, 0?m?0.35, e<0.02, 0?f?0.05 and 0.9<(x+y+z+m+f)<1.1; M? consisting of either one or more elements from the group Al, Mg, Ti, Cr, V, Fe and Ga; A consisting of either one or more elements from the group F, C, Cl, S, Zr, Ba, Y, Ca, B, Sn, Sb, Na and Zn. The powder has a particle size distribution defining a D10 and a D90; wherein either x1?x2?0.005; or z2?z1?0.005; or both x1?x2?0.005 and z2?z1?0.005; x1 and z1 being the values of x and z of particles having a particle size D90; and x2 and z2 being the values of x and z of particles having a particle size D10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Randy De Palma, Jens Paulsen, JiHye Kim
  • Publication number: 20140170494
    Abstract: The invention provides a cathode active material for use in a rechargeable battery, comprising a coated lithium nickel oxide powder or a coated lithium nickel manganese oxide powder, the powder being composed of primary particles provided with a glassy lithium silicate surface coating. A method for preparing the cathode active material comprises the steps of: providing a lithium transition metal based oxide powder, providing an alkali mineral compound comprising a Li2?xSiO3?0.5x compound, wherein 0<x<2, mixing the lithium transition metal based oxide powder and the alkali mineral compound to form a powder-mineral compound mixture, and heat treating the mixture at a temperature T whereby lithium is extracted from the surface of the metal based oxide powder to react with the alkali mineral compound, and a glassy surface coating is formed comprising a Li2?x?SiO3?0.5x? compound, wherein x<x?<2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: UMICORE
    Inventors: Jens Paulsen, Randy De Palma, JiHye Kim