Patents by Inventor Steven J. Hamrock

Steven J. Hamrock 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).

  • Publication number: 20120276471
    Abstract: Materials are provided that may be useful as ionomers or polymer ionomers, including compounds including bis sulfonyl imide groups which may be highly fluorinated and may be polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Steven J. Hamrock, Mark S. Schaberg, Neeraj Sharma, John E. Abulu
  • Patent number: 8227140
    Abstract: Materials are provided that may be useful as ionomers or polymer ionomers, including compounds including bis sulfonyl imide groups which may be highly fluorinated and may be polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Hamrock, Mark S. Schaberg, Neeraj Sharma, John E. Abulu
  • Patent number: 8206874
    Abstract: This disclosure provides polymer electrolytes, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) such as may be useful in fuel cells which contain or comprise polyoxometalates (POM's) or heteropolyacids (HPA's). In some embodiments the polyoxometalate, it's counterions or both may comprise Mn and/or Ce. In some embodiments the polymer electrolyte is fluorinated. In some embodiments the polymer electrolyte comprises a second acidic functional group other than a polyoxometalate. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of making polymer electrolytes including methods which comprising a step of copolymerizing monomers comprising a covalently bound polyoxometalates and methods which comprise a step of covalently attaching a polyoxometalate to the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Hamrock, Matthew H. Frey, Michael A. Yandrasits, Gregory M. Haugen, Andrew M. Herring, James L. Horan, Niccolo V. Aieta
  • Publication number: 20120148937
    Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock, Matthew H. Frey
  • Patent number: 8137828
    Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock, Matthew H. Frey
  • Patent number: 8110320
    Abstract: A method of making a durable fuel cell polymer electrolyte membrane is provided comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymer electrolyte membrane; b) providing a solution of a salt selected from the group consisting of manganese salts and cerium salts or a suspension of particles of a compound selected from the group consisting of manganese oxides and cerium oxides; and c) applying the solution or suspension to the polymer electrolyte membrane by a method selected from the group consisting of brushing, spraying and use of a slot die. Some embodiments comprise metered application of the solution to the polymer electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Steven J. Hamrock
  • Publication number: 20120029098
    Abstract: Materials are provided that may be useful as ionomers or polymer ionomers, including compounds including bis sulfonyl imide groups which may be highly fluorinated and may be polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Steven J. Hamrock, Mark S. Schaberg, Neeraj Sharma, John E. Abulu
  • Patent number: 8101317
    Abstract: Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising manganese oxides which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, Phat T. Pham
  • Publication number: 20120009503
    Abstract: A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew T. HAUG, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, Mark A. Schonewill
  • Patent number: 8092954
    Abstract: Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising manganese oxides which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, Phat T. Pham
  • Publication number: 20110151350
    Abstract: A fuel cell roll good subassembly is described that includes a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes. One or more first subgaskets are attached to the individual electrolyte membranes. Each of the first subgaskets has at least one aperture and the first subgaskets are arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets. A second subgasket comprises a web having a plurality of apertures. The second subgasket web is attached to the one or more first subgaskets so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web. The second subgasket web may have little or no adhesive on the subgasket surface facing the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Eric J. Iverson, Daniel M. Pierpont, Michael A. Yandrasits, Steven J. Hamrock, Stephan J. Obradovich, Donald G. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110045384
    Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining crosslinked polymers having pendent sulfonic acid groups by crosslinking through the sulfonic acid groups or their precursors with aromatic crosslinkers or aromatic pendent crosslinking groups to form aromatic sulfones. Such crosslinked polymers may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Michael A. Yandrasits, Steven J. Hamrock
  • Publication number: 20110000615
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrolyte membrane comprising an acid and a basic polymer, where the acid is a low-volatile acid that is fluorinated and is either oligomeric or non-polymeric, and where the basic polymer is protonated by the acid and is stable to hydrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: James M. Larson, Phat T. Pham, Matthew H. Frey, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, William M. Lamanna
  • Publication number: 20100316932
    Abstract: Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising bound anionic functional groups and polyvalent cations, such as Mn or Ru cations, which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, Phat T. Pham
  • Patent number: 7847035
    Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining crosslinked polymers having pendent sulfonic acid groups by crosslinking through the sulfonic acid groups or their precursors with aromatic crosslinkers or aromatic pendent crosslinking groups to form aromatic sulfones. Such crosslinked polymers may be used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) that may be used in electrolytic cells such as fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Michael A. Yandrasits, Steven J. Hamrock
  • Patent number: 7838138
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrolyte membrane comprising an acid and a basic polymer, where the acid is a low-volatile acid that is fluorinated and is either oligomeric or non-polymeric, and where the basic polymer is protonated by the acid and is stable to hydrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James M. Larson, Phat T. Pham, Matthew H. Frey, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, William M. Lamanna
  • Patent number: 7803847
    Abstract: Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising bound anionic functional groups and polyvalent cations, such as Mn or Ru cations, which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, Phat T. Pham
  • Publication number: 20100062314
    Abstract: Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising manganese oxides which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew H. FREY, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, Phat T. Pham
  • Publication number: 20090325030
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane is formed by an acidic polymer and a low-volatility acid that is fluorinated, substantially free of basic groups, and is either oligomeric or non-polymeric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Steven J. Hamrock, James M. Larson, Phat T. Pham, Matthew H. Frey, Gregory M. Haugen, William M. Lamanna
  • Publication number: 20090297916
    Abstract: Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cell polymer electrolyte membranes are provided comprising bound anionic functional groups and polyvalent cations, such as Mn or Ru cations, which demonstrate increased durability. Methods of making same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Steven J. Hamrock, Gregory M. Haugen, Phat T. Pham