With Solid-state Electrolyte Patents (Class 429/104)
  • Patent number: 11637276
    Abstract: Performance of a thermal lithium battery is improved by improving the ion-transport characteristics of a solid lithium iodide electrolyte. The lithium iodide lattice of the solid electrolyte includes defects that improve the ion-transport characteristics of the solid lithium iodide electrolyte. In one example, the defects are due to the introduction of nanoparticles that result in grain boundary defects. The defects resulting at the grain boundaries with the nanoparticles improve the ion transport characteristics of the electrolyte. In another example, defects originating from the synthesis process are pinned by the presence of nanoparticles and/or the reinforcing structure. In another example, the defects are aliovalent substitution defects. A cation that is aliovalent to the lithium cation (Li+), such as a barium cation (Ba2+), creates an aliovalent substitution defect in the lithium iodide lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Vissers Battery Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Vissers, Paul V. Braun
  • Patent number: 11631899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte using water as a solvent. The method includes dissolving a precursor in water to form a slurry, drying the slurry to form granules, pressing the granules to form a pressed solid body, and sintering the pressed solid body to manufacture a solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: UNIST (ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Youngsik Kim, Wooseok Go, Jin Ho Pyo
  • Patent number: 11380880
    Abstract: Described herein is a process for the production of moldings made of porous material impregnated with polysulfide, the process including the following steps: (a) insertion of the porous material into a mold; (b) introduction of liquid polysulfide into the mold at a flow velocity within the porous material in the range from 0.5 to 200 cm/s; (c) cooling of the polysulfide to a temperature below the melting point of the polysulfide; and (d) removal of the porous material impregnated with the polysulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Domnik Bayer, Jesus Enrique Zerpa Unda, Wolfgang Jabczynski, Johan ter Maat
  • Patent number: 11258096
    Abstract: A molten sodium-based battery comprises a robust, highly Na-ion conductive, zero-crossover separator and a fully inorganic, fully liquid, highly cyclable molten cathode that operates at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Erik David Spoerke, Stephen Percival, Leo J. Small
  • Patent number: 11101456
    Abstract: A secondary battery 10 includes a first electrode 11, a first current collection part 12, a second electrode 16, and a separation membrane 21. The first electrode 11 is a columnar body including a first active material. The first current collection part 12 is connected to the first electrode. The second electrode 16 includes a second active material. The separation membrane 21 has ionic conductivity and insulates the first electrode 11 from the second electrode 16. The secondary battery 10 has a structure in which a plurality of the first electrodes 11 are bundled together, with each of the first electrodes 11 being adjacent to the second electrode 16 with the separation membrane 21 disposed therebetween. The plurality of the first electrodes 11 is connected to the first current collection part 12 via a connection part 13 formed of a low-melting-point metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventor: Tooru Saeki
  • Patent number: 10770745
    Abstract: A monolithically integrated thin-film solid-state lithium battery device to supply energy to a mobile communication device. The battery device comprises multiple layers ranging from greater than 100 layers to less than 20,000 layers of lithium electrochemical cells. The lithium electrochemical cells are connected in parallel or in series to conform to a spatial volume. The device is substantially free from a substrate member. The overlying multiple layers are free from any intermediary substrate member. The multiple layers are configured to form a plurality of electrochemical cells configured in a parallel arrangement or a serial arrangement using either a self terminated or post terminated connector configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sakti3, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Wang, Marc Langlois, Hyoncheol Kim, Myoungdo Chung, Steve Buckingham, Ann Marie Sastry
  • Patent number: 10756382
    Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries are provided that variously comprise anode and cathode electrodes, an electrolyte, a separator, and, in some designs, a protective layer. In some designs, at least one of the electrodes may comprise a composite of (i) Li2S and (ii) conductive carbon that is embedded in the core of the composite. In some designs, the protective layer may be disposed on at least one of the electrodes via electrolyte decomposition. Various methods of fabrication for lithium-ion battery electrodes and particles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: SILA NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC., GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gleb Yushin, Feixiang Wu, Hyea Kim
  • Patent number: 10734683
    Abstract: Electrolytes for use in commercially viable, rechargeable lithium metal batteries are described. The electrolytes contain one or more lithium salts, one or more organic solvents, and one or more additives. The electrolytes allow for reversible deposition and dissolution of lithium metal. Specific additives or additive combinations dramatically improved cycle life, decrease cell swelling, and/or lower cell impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Viking Power Systems Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Jilek, Robert Ellis Doe, David Eaglesham, Andrew J. Gmitter, Jocelyn M. Newhouse, Matthew Trahan
  • Patent number: 10686224
    Abstract: A battery includes an anode chamber configured to contain an anolyte and including an anode, a cathode chamber configured to contain a catholyte including a cathode, and a separator between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. The anode includes sodium, and the cathode includes aluminum. The battery is configured to be operated above a melting point of the anolyte and the catholyte, such that the anolyte is a molten anolyte and the catholyte is a molten catholyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: C. Austen Angell, Leigang Xue
  • Patent number: 10673064
    Abstract: Performance of a thermal lithium battery is improved by improving the ion-transport characteristics of a solid lithium iodide electrolyte. The lithium iodide lattice of the solid electrolyte includes defects that improve the ion-transport characteristics of the solid lithium iodide electrolyte. In one example, the defects are due to the introduction of nanoparticles that result in grain boundary defects. The defects resulting at the grain boundaries with the nanoparticles improve the ion transport characteristics of the electrolyte. In another example, defects originating from the synthesis process are pinned by the presence of nanoparticles and/or the reinforcing structure. In another example, the defects are aliovalent substitution defects. A cation that is aliovalent to the lithium cation (Li+), such as a barium cation (Ba2+), creates an aliovalent substitution defect in the lithium iodide lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Vissers Battery Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Vissers, Paul V. Braun
  • Patent number: 10673043
    Abstract: A separator for an energy store. The separator may be used in a lithium-sulfur battery in particular. To achieve improved cycle stability, the separator has at least one first layer and at least one second layer, the at least one first layer containing a material having an affine property with respect to at least one active electrode material, and the at least one second layer containing a material having a repellent property with respect to at least one active electrode material. The at least one first layer and the at least one second layer may be situated directly adjacent to one another. Also described is an energy store including the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Wegner, Jens Grimminger, Martin Tenzer, Jean Fanous
  • Patent number: 10622673
    Abstract: Provided is a thin beta-alumina-based solid electrolyte sheet having a high ion conduction value. The solid electrolyte sheet containing ?-alumina and/or ??-alumina and having a thickness of 1 mm or less and a voidage of 20% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Ikejiri, Hideo Yamauchi, Fumio Sato
  • Patent number: 10547040
    Abstract: Approaches herein provide a device, such as a battery protection device, including a cathode current collector and an anode current collector provided atop a substrate, a cathode provided atop the cathode current collector, and an electrolyte layer provided over the cathode. An interlayer, such as one or more layers of silicon, antimony, magnesium, titanium, magnesium lithium, and/or silver lithium, is formed over the electrolyte layer. An anode contact layer, such as an anode or anode current collector, is then provided over the interlayer. By providing the interlayer atop the electrolyte layer prior to anode contact layer deposition, lithium from the cathode side alloys with the interlayer, thus providing a more isotropic or uniaxial detachment of the anode contact layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Giback Park, Byung-Sung Kwak, Lizhong Sun, Dimitrios Argyris, Kyuil Cho, Miaojun Wang
  • Patent number: 10312550
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lithium-sulfur battery and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a molten salt-based lithium-sulfur battery and a method of manufacturing the same, in which a metal foam including lithium or a lithium alloy, as an anode active material, and sulfur or metal sulfide, as a cathode active material, is used as a support and a current collector, and a solid-state electrolyte is used to thus improve energy density and power output characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Hae-Won Cheong, Chae-Nam Im, Ji-Youn Kim, Sung-Ho Kang, Jang-Hyeon Cho
  • Patent number: 10297827
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including at least one nitrogen-containing compound is disclosed. The at least one nitrogen-containing compound may form part of or be included in: an anode structure, a cathode structure, an electrolyte and/or a separator of the electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is a battery including the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, Joseph Kubicki, Shuguang Cao, Yuriy Mikhaylik
  • Patent number: 10276862
    Abstract: A composite cathode active material, a method of preparing the composite cathode active material, and a cathode and a lithium battery each including the composite cathode active material. The composite cathode active material includes a core including a lithium intercalatable oxide which enables intercalation and deintercalation of lithium; and a coating layer disposed on at least a portion of the core, wherein the conductive layer includes a lithium metal oxide which is an inactive lithium ion conductor, and wherein the lithium metal oxide contains a metal which has an atomic weight of 27 Daltons or more and is selected an element of Groups 3 to 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-young Mun, Jin-hwan Park, Gue-sung Kim, Jun-ho Park, Jae-gu Yoon
  • Patent number: 10153517
    Abstract: Provided is a sodium secondary battery including: an anode containing sodium; a cathode containing sulfur; a cathode electrolyte solution being in contact with the cathode and capable of conducting sodium ions into and from a solid electrolyte membrane; and a solid electrolyte separating the anode and the cathode electrolyte solution and having sodium ion conductivity. The sodium secondary battery of the present invention overcomes the problems of thermal management and heat sealing due to a high operating temperature, possessed by the existing sodium-sulfur battery or sodium-nickel chloride battery (so called, a ZEBRA battery), and may achieve high a charge and discharge mechanism characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., Field Upgrading USA, Inc.
    Inventors: JeHyun Chae, JeongSoo Kim, JongSeon Kim, Sai Bhavaraju
  • Patent number: 10147966
    Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries are provided that variously comprise anode and cathode electrodes, an electrolyte, a separator, and, in some designs, a protective layer. In some designs, at least one of the electrodes may comprise a composite of (i) Li2S and (ii) conductive carbon that is embedded in the core of the composite. In some designs, the protective layer may be disposed on at least one of the electrodes via electrolyte decomposition. Various methods of fabrication for lithium-ion battery electrodes and particles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc., Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Gleb Yushin, Feixiang Wu, Hyea Kim
  • Patent number: 10084160
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage device is provided including an anode chamber filled with anode material, and a cathode chamber filled with cathode material. The anode chamber is separated from the cathode chamber by ion-conducting solid body electrolyte, and is limited on one side at least partially by the solid body electrolyte, and to the other side at least partially by a wall surrounding at least partially the solid body electrolytes. The electrochemical storage device has a head part where electric energy is guided to and/or taken away from, a base part arranged opposite the head part, and at least one lateral part including at least one wall arranged between the head and base part. At least one first area and second area are formed between the wall and the solid body electrolyte, both areas being different with respect to the respective distance between the wall and solid body electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Kuhne, Wolfgang Menapace
  • Patent number: 10026996
    Abstract: An aluminum-based cathode (positive electrode) for storage cells formed by deposition of a layer of aluminum metal on a porous conductive substrate. Storage cells and batteries having the cathode. The porous conducting substrate can be metal, conductive carbon or a refractory material, such as a metal boride or metal carbide. The aluminum-deposited porous substrate is in electrical contact with a cathode current collector and a suitable liquid catholyte. The cathode is, for example, combined with a molten alkali metal anode to form a storage cell. The alkali metal and the catholyte are molten or liquid at operating temperatures of the cell. Methods of storing energy and generating energy using cell having the aluminum-based cathode are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Dynantis Corp
    Inventors: Mi Zhou, Anthony F. Sammells
  • Patent number: 9912021
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a high density power source is disclosed. The system includes a housing with an interior divided into first and second compartments. The first compartment is configured and adapted to house at least one electrical battery and the second compartment defines a coolant reservoir. A fluid release member connects the first and second compartments. Upon the first compartment reaching a temperature in excess of a predetermined limit, the fluid release member releases coolant form the second compartment into the first compartment to cool the at least one battery within the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Andres
  • Patent number: 9905871
    Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: FCET, INC.
    Inventors: Mikhail Pozvonkov, Mark A. Deininger
  • Patent number: 9859592
    Abstract: A battery chamber is formed inside a sealed container. A module battery and a charging/discharging path outside a battery are housed in the battery chamber. In the module battery, an electric cell chamber and an air chamber are formed inside a heat-insulating container. The electric cell chamber and the air chamber are divided by a heat transfer wall. An electric cell of a sodium-sulfur battery, and a charging/discharging path inside a battery are housed in the electric cell chamber. An intake path starts from outside of the sealed container and leads to the air chamber. An exhaust path starts from the air chamber and leads to the sealed container. The blower generates an air flow that sequentially flows through the intake path, the air chamber and the exhaust path. In a case where the cooling of the electric cell chamber is required, the air flow is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomio Tamakoshi, Tetsuya Hatta
  • Patent number: 9853337
    Abstract: A battery thermal management system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a bimetallic member moveable between a first position and a second position in response to a temperature change to selectively restrict flow of a coolant through a duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Alvaro Masias
  • Patent number: 9780380
    Abstract: Provided is a current collector including a laminate in which a conductive substrate and an insulator are laminated, wherein the insulator is a porous insulator formed with an open pore channel penetrating through the insulator. The current collector may be used as a current collector for an electrode of a secondary battery and stably maintain capacity of the secondary battery at the time of repeating charge and discharge cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Je Hyun Chae, Jeong Soo Kim, Won Sang Koh, Seung Ok Lee, Young Shol Kim
  • Patent number: 9742040
    Abstract: A sodium-sulfur battery according to the present invention is provided with a reservoir space 100 that retains and solidifies a high-temperature molten material having flowed out of a cell 4, in order to prevent the high-temperature molten material from leaking out of a casing 1, even when an accident occurs to generate the high-temperature molten material inside the casing. The reservoir space 100 can be formed along a perimeter of the casing 1, or alternatively, can be formed inside the casing 1. The reservoir space 100 includes, for example, a composite member 15 of a rigid member 11, a heat-insulating material 12, and a heat-resisting material 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Tsuji, Kazuyuki Tahara, Masahiro Murasato, Takuya Ishihara, Ichiro Okazaki, Yasuhiro Horiba, Miho Kasahara
  • Patent number: 9708212
    Abstract: The sodium-resistant joining glass (1) is substantially free of ZrO2 and is based on a SiO2—B2O3—Na2O—Al2O3 glass system. It is suitable for producing a joint of a metal and/or ceramic component with a further joining component (2, 3, 4) using the joining glass (1). Feedthrough-devices (20) using the joining glass (1) as fixing material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventor: Jens Suffner
  • Patent number: 9695505
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating an article surface. The method comprises removing a metal oxide surface from the metal substrate to expose a metal surface; and delivering particles comprising a dopant from at least one fluid jet to the metal surface to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant. The method also comprises delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of an article to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ENBIO LIMITED
    Inventors: John Gerard O'Donoghue, Donncha Haverty
  • Patent number: 9666377
    Abstract: Disclosed is an internal current collection structure of a tubular thermal to electric converting cell including an internal electrode, a solid electrolyte and an external electrode. The internal current collection structure includes: a first current collector which closely contacts with the internal electrode of the tubular thermal to electric converting cell; a second current collector which fixes the first porous current collector to the inside of the tubular thermal to electric converting cell and causes the first current collector to be in close contact with the internal electrode; and a lead wire which is a conductive medium and is located between the first current collector and the second current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Sun-Dong Kim, Sang-Kuk Woo, Se-Young Kim, Jong-Hoon Joo, In-Sub Han, Doo-Won Seo, Min-Soo Suh
  • Patent number: 9653764
    Abstract: A method for recovering sodium from a sodium-sulfur battery of the present invention includes a reaction step of injecting a treatment liquid toward the sodium housed in a sodium-housing component in the battery container and causing the sodium to react with the treatment liquid so as to generate a reaction liquid; and a circulation step of generating the treatment liquid by adjusting the concentration and liquid temperature of the reaction liquid, and, in the reaction step, while the entire amount of the sodium is reacted with the treatment liquid, the treatment liquid is continuously injected toward the sodium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Ishikawa, Makoto Takagi, Eiji Wajima
  • Patent number: 9537188
    Abstract: A temperature control device for heating or cooling a battery has a cooling apparatus (5) and an electric heating apparatus (10). To simplify the temperature control of batteries, in particular of high-voltage batteries or traction batteries, the electric heating apparatus (10) is combined in one component with a highly thermally conductive material (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manuel Gross
  • Patent number: 9484595
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes a first anode including a form of lithium a first cathode including an electrolyte, and a first composite electrolyte structure positioned between the first anode and the first cathode, the first composite electrolyte structure including (i) a first support layer adjacent the first anode and configured to mechanically suppress roughening of the form of lithium in the first anode, and (ii) a first protective layer positioned between the first support layer and the first cathode and configured to prevent oxidation of the first support layer by substances in the first cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John F. Christensen, Paul Albertus, Aleksandar Kojic, Timm Lohmann, Boris Kozinsky
  • Patent number: 9461344
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cooling a battery pack, having a stack having a plurality of battery pack containers in a multi-layered structure, the battery pack container having an inner space to receive a battery pack and includes a first and second side plate facing each other to form side walls of the inner space; two upper frames for respectively connecting the top corners of the first to the second side plate; and two lower frames for respectively connecting the bottom corners of the first to the second side plate, the two lower frames including a front lower frame, disposed forwardly within the container with an inflow hole for introducing cooling medium, and the two upper frames include a rear upper frame, disposed rearwardly within the container and having an outflow hole for discharging cooling medium after heat exchange occurs; a housing; a circulation driving module; and an exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Bum-Hyun Lee, Mi-Jung Park, Dal-Mo Kang
  • Patent number: 9431656
    Abstract: A hybrid battery with a sodium anode is designed for use at a range of temperatures where the sodium is solid and where the sodium is molten. When the battery is at colder temperatures or when the vehicle is idle and needs to be “started,” the anode will be solid sodium metal. At the same time, the battery is designed such that, once the electric vehicle has been “started” and operated for a short period of time, heat is directed to the battery to melt the solid sodium anode into a molten form. In other words, the hybrid battery operates under temperature conditions where the sodium is solid and under temperature conditions where the sodium is molten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CERAMATEC, INC.
    Inventor: Sai Bhavaraju
  • Patent number: 9406960
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jie Xiao, Jiguang Zhang, Gordon L. Graff, Jun Liu, Wei Wang, Jianming Zheng, Wu Xu, Yuyan Shao, Zhenguo Yang
  • Patent number: 9368751
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a thin film transistor on a display region of a substrate, the thin film transistor facing an encapsulation member, an organic light-emitting device on the display region that includes an intermediate layer having an organic emission layer, a sealing member that is between the substrate and the encapsulation member and that surrounds the display region, an internal circuit unit between the display region and the sealing member, a passivation layer that extends to cover the internal circuit unit, a pixel defining layer on the passivation layer, and a getter between the substrate and the encapsulation member, and the getter at least partially overlapping the internal circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong-Kweon Heo, Ki-Nyeng Kang, Jong-Hyun Choi
  • Patent number: 9356314
    Abstract: A new battery configuration and process are detailed. The battery cell includes a solid electrolyte configured with an engineered metallization layer that distributes sodium across the surface of the electrolyte extending the active area of the cathode in contact with the anode during operation. The metallization layer enhances performance, efficiency, and capacity of sodium batteries at intermediate temperatures at or below about 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jin Yong Kim, Guosheng Li, Xiaochuan Lu, Vincent L. Sprenkle, John P. Lemmon
  • Patent number: 9263727
    Abstract: This is to provide an all solid state secondary battery which can be produced by an industrially employable method capable of mass-production and has excellent secondary battery characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NAMICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mamoru Baba, Shoichi Iwaya, Hitoshi Masumura, Hiroshi Sato, Hiroshi Sasagawa, Noriyuki Sakai, Takayuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 9236585
    Abstract: A battery block comprising: a battery case that includes a plurality of metal pipe-shaped members joined or adhered to each other; a cell accommodated inside each of the plurality of metal pipe-shaped members; and an insulating layer that covers the outer wall surface or the inner wall surface of the metal pipe-shaped members of the battery case. According to the present invention, even if unnecessary contact between battery blocks occurs in a power supply unit, a short circuit or the like does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio Nishikawa, Oose Okutani
  • Patent number: 9224991
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery is provided which includes a battery element, and a package member for packaging the battery element, and in the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, the package member includes a layer which contains a blackbody material capable of using blackbody radiation and which has an emissivity of 0.6 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Seino, Hideaki Ojima, Fumihata Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Yamada, Satoru Tanaka, Ryoko Sato, Ryuji Soeda
  • Patent number: 9105896
    Abstract: The present application provides for metal rings and ceramic collars for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The metal rings may be outer and inner Ni rings configured for sealing to an alpha-alumina collar via active brazing for use in NaMx cells. The inner and outer Ni metal rings may be sealed to differing portions of the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the alpha-alumina collar may define a tapered thickness that reduces internal stresses at the active brazed joints resulting from differing coefficients of thermal expansion between the Ni metal rings and the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings and alpha-alumina collar sealed by active brazing, and thereby the active braze joints themselves, may be oriented to control or dictate the stresses on the joints during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Colan Moscinski, Badri Narayan Ramamurthi, Sundeep Kumar, Mohamed Rahmane
  • Patent number: 9083024
    Abstract: A battery stack includes a plurality of curved base layers, at least one curved bipolar layer, at least one anode layer disposed between a first curved base layer of the plurality of curved base layers and the at least one curved bipolar layer, at least one cathode layer disposed between the at least one bipolar layer, a second base layer and a plurality of seals. The first base layer and the at least one bipolar layer are provided with one or more seals that seal the first base layer to the at least one bipolar layer without contacting the anode and/or the cathode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shu Ching Quek, Chandra Sekher Yerramalli, Curtis Alan Johnson, Reza Sarrafi-Nour
  • Publication number: 20150147619
    Abstract: Provided is a sodium secondary battery capable of operating at a low temperature. More particularly, the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention includes: an anode containing sodium; a cathode containing a transition metal and an alkali metal halide; and a sodium ion conductive solid electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode is impregnated in a molten salt electrolyte containing a sodium.metal halogen salt including at least two kinds of halogens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Je Hyun Chae, Won Sang Koh, Seung Ok Lee, Dai In Park, Jeong Soo Kim, Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Richard Robins, Alexis L. Eccleston, Ashok V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9028997
    Abstract: The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Colan Moscinski, Reza Sarrafi-Nour, Badri Narayan Ramamurthi, Mohandas Nayak, Darren Michael Stohr, Sundeep Kumar, Mohamed Rahmane, Arunabh Basak, Raghavendra Rao Adharapurapu
  • Patent number: 9005793
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and/or maintaining a column height of an electrolyte relative to a separator surface within an energy storage device. Embodiments of the invention provide a wicking component, a current collector, and a bias component. The current collector is positioned to force the bias component to press the wicking component tight to an inner surface of a separator. The bias component maintains contact between the wicking component and the surface of separator and creates a capillary gap in which sodium wicks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alec Roger Tilley, Hiroshi Ohata, Koichi Kanie
  • Patent number: 9000713
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells having molten electrodes having an alkali metal provide receipt and delivery of power by transporting atoms of the alkali metal between electrode environments of disparate chemical potentials through an electrochemical pathway comprising a salt of the alkali metal. The chemical potential of the alkali metal is decreased when combined with one or more non-alkali metals, thus producing a voltage between an electrode comprising the molten the alkali metal and the electrode comprising the combined alkali/non-alkali metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Massachussetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Dane A. Boysen, David J. Bradwell, Kai Jiang, Hojong Kim, Luis A. Ortiz, Donald R. Sadoway, Alina A. Tomaszowska, Weifeng Wei, Kangli Wang
  • Patent number: 8974939
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8968903
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20150030896
    Abstract: A sodium-halogen secondary cell that includes a negative electrode compartment housing a negative, sodium-based electrode and a positive electrode compartment housing a current collector disposed in a liquid positive electrode solution. The liquid positive electrode solution includes a halogen and/or a halide. The cell includes a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane that separates the negative electrode from the liquid positive electrode solution. Although in some cases, the negative sodium-based electrode is molten during cell operation, in other cases, the negative electrode includes a sodium electrode or a sodium intercalation carbon electrode that is solid during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Robins, Alexis Eccleston
  • Publication number: 20140363717
    Abstract: An additive that is added to the NaAlX4 electrolyte for use in a ZEBRA battery (or other similar battery). This additive has a moiety with a partial positive charge (?+) that attracts the negative charge of the [AlX4]? moiety and weakens the ionic bond between the Na+ and [AlX4]? moieties, thereby freeing some Na+ ions to transport (move). By using a suitable NaAlX4 electrolyte additive, the battery may be operated at much lower temperatures than are typical of ZEBRA batteries (such as, for example, at temperatures between 150 and 200° C.). Additionally, the additive also lowers the viscosity of the electrolyte solution and improves sodium conductivity. Non-limiting examples of the additive SOCl2, SO2, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, CH3SOCH3), CH3S(O)Cl, SO2Cl2. A further advantage of using this additive is that it allows the use of a NaSICON membrane in a ZEBRA-type battery at lower temperatures compared to a typical ZEBRA battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Robins