Patents Assigned to Hydro-Québec
  • Patent number: 9412999
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles obtained from graphite or based on graphite, the said particles having impurities in their internal structure and having on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 9394205
    Abstract: A method for preparing ceramic powders in the presence of a carbon powder including a step which consists in homogenizing a mixture of particles capable of resulting in a ceramic by heat treatment. Said method can be carried out in the presence of an accelerated solvent and provides, at reduced energy consumption, carbon-coated ceramic powders and then ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Michel Armand, Patrick Charest
  • Publication number: 20160204424
    Abstract: A positive electrode material is used to produce a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, the positive electrode material being a composite lithium material that includes a first lithium compound and a second lithium compound. For instance, the first lithium compound is in the form of particles and comprises at least one compound selected from a layered lithium compound and a spinel-type lithium compound. Preferably, the second lithium compound comprises at least one compound selected from a lithium-containing phosphate compound and a lithium-containing silicate compound. An amorphous carbon material layer and/or graphene-structured carbon material layer is present on the entire surface of the first lithium compound and the second lithium compound. The second lithium compound forms a thin-film layer on part or the entirety of the carbon material layer present on the surface of the first lithium compound particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUEBEC, SEI CORP.
    Inventors: Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO, Kazuma HANAI, Karim ZAGHIB, Abdelbast GUERFI, Martin DONTIGNY
  • Patent number: 9362562
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John B. Goodenough, Akshaya K. Padhi, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20160156017
    Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Michel ARMAND, Abdelbast GUERFI, Michel PERRIER, Elisabeth DUPUIS, Patrick CHAREST
  • Publication number: 20160149261
    Abstract: All-solid-state lithium-sulfur electrochemical cells and production methods thereof are described. The Li—S electrochemical cells comprise at least one multilayer component which comprises an ion-conductive solid electrolyte film, a positive electrode film containing a sulfur composite, and a negative electrode film containing lithium. Positive electrodes films, prefabricated electrolyte-positive electrode elements, their uses as well as methods of their production are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Chisu KIM, Abdelbast GUERFI, Francis BARRAY, Catherine GAGNON, Julie TROTTIER
  • Publication number: 20160149212
    Abstract: Anode comprising an anode material, a protective material and a current collector is provided. The anode material is a mixture comprising an active material, at least one electronically conductive agent and at least one binder. The active material may be an alloy of silicon and lithium or an alloy of silicon oxide and lithium. There is provided a process for the preparation of the anode. Also, there is provided use of the anode in the fabrication of a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Dominic LEBLANC, Abdelbast GUERFI, Julie TROTTIER, Patrick CHAREST
  • Publication number: 20160141603
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles obtained from graphite or based on graphite, the said particles having impurities in their internal structure and having on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: HYDRO QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast GUERFI, Fernand BROCHU, Kimio KINOSHITA, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 9312537
    Abstract: A method for modifying graphite particles having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape characterized by an edge function fe and a basal function fb, said method providing increase of the edge function and lowering of the basal function, wherein the method includes submitting the graphite particles to at least one physical means selected from attrition, jet mill, ball mill, hammer mill, or atomizer mill, in the presence of at least one chemical compound chosen from the group of compounds of the formula MFz, in which M represents an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal and z represents 1 or 2, NaCl and NH4F or a mixture thereof, said compound or compounds being added in solid form, at the beginning of the step using the physical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 9293769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Michel Armand, Abdelbast Guerfi, Michel Perrier, Elisabeth Dupuis, Patrick Charest
  • Publication number: 20160060119
    Abstract: A method for modifying graphite particles having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape characterized by an edge function fe and a basal function fb, said method providing increase of the edge function and lowering of the basal function, wherein the method includes submitting the graphite particles to at least one physical means selected from attrition, jet mill, ball mill, hammer mill, or atomizer mill, in the presence of at least one chemical compound chosen from the group of compounds of the formula MFz, in which M represents an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal and z represents 1 or 2, NaCl and NH4F or a mixture thereof, said compound or compounds being added in solid form, at the beginning of the step using the physical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast GUERFI, Fernand BROCHU, Kimio KINOSHITA, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 9249353
    Abstract: A flexible transparent electrochromic device, which includes the following components, each of which is a flexible film: a working electrode comprising a transparent conducting substrate supporting an working electrode active material; a counter electrode including a transparent conducting substrate supporting a counter electrode active material; a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) including a solution of a lithium salt in a polymer solvent. A method for preparing an electrochromic device includes the steps of: preparing a working electrode film, preparing a counter electrode film, preparing a polymer electrolyte film, and assembling the electrodes and the electrolyte, the method being implemented continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V., CONSORZIO INTERUNIVERSITARIO NAZIONALE PER LA SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI INSTM, UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO-BICOCCA
    Inventors: Uwe Posset, Bettina Herbig, Gerhard Schottner, Karim Zaghib, Jean-François Labrecque, Abdelbast Guerfi, Michel Perrier, Riccardo Ruffo, Matteo Marco Salamone, Claudio Maria Mari, Luca Beverina, Giorgio Pagani, Martin Dontigny
  • Patent number: 9240596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material comprising carbon fibers and complex oxide particles, wherein the carbon fibers and the complex oxide particles have a carbon coating on at least part of their surface, said carbon coating being a non powdery coating The material is prepared by a method comprising mixing a complex oxide or precursors thereof, an organic carbon precursor and carbon fibers, and subjecting the mixture to a heat treatment in an inert or reducing atmosphere for the decomposition of the precursors The material is useful as the cathode material in a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Chiaki Sotowa, Abdelbast Guerfi, Masataka Takeuchi, Patrick Charest
  • Patent number: 9208933
    Abstract: A support frame for an electrical transformer assembly, comprising two loop-shaped parts, each loop-shaped part having a plurality of limbs, each limb having a peripheral recessed portion in which a primary electrical coil is mountable, and at least one secondary coil is mountable in piggyback on the primary electrical coil, one limb of each loop-shaped part having a straight section. The frame also includes an adjustable attaching means for attaching one of the loop-shaped parts with respect to the other loop-shaped part and adjusting a distance therebetween, so that only the straight sections are adjacent and form a central leg, the central leg being for receiving a magnetic core distinct from the attaching means. The frame provides a means and a method to efficiently secure adjacent windings in a circular core transformer kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Bruno Francoeur, Pierre Couture
  • Publication number: 20150329428
    Abstract: A method for preparing a ceramic from an inorganic base material in the form of a powder with a high boiling point, including a step in which the powder of the inorganic base material is mixed with a second inorganic component which is also in powder form and which serves as a dopant for the inorganic base material. The dopant comprises a single inorganic material or a mixture of at least two inorganic materials that have a dopant effect on the inorganic base material. The method also includes a sintering step performed at a high temperature. Owing to the high density thereof, the resulting ceramics are suitable for use as a target element. The films and electrodes obtained from said ceramics have particularly beneficial properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicants: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Guy CAMPET, Iyad SAADEDDIN, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 9184437
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles are obtained from graphite or based on graphite. The particles have impurities in their internal structure and have on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20150270554
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery. The method includes the following steps: (a) mixing components of a basic ingredient or active substance of electrode material and a conductive carbon material to obtain a conductive carbon material-composited material; (b) mixing the conductive carbon material-composited material and a surface layer-forming material; an (c) burning the mixture obtained at step (b) to obtain the electrode material. Also, a lithium-ion secondary battery including an electrode which comprises the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicants: SEI CORPORATION, HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Vincent Gariepy, Abdelbast Guerfi, Kazuma Hanai, Pierre Hovington, Shinji Saito, Takehiko Sawai, Kazunori Urao, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 9120708
    Abstract: Process for preparing a ceramic from an inorganic base material that is in the form of a powder having a high melting point, comprising a step of mixing the powder of the inorganic base material with a second inorganic component also in powder form and which acts as a dopant for the inorganic base material. The dopant is constituted by a single inorganic material or by a mixture of at least two inorganic materials having a dopant effect on the inorganic base material. The process comprises a sintering step carried out at a high temperature. The ceramics obtained, because of their high density, are advantageously used as a target element. Films and electrodes obtained from these ceramics exhibit particularly advantageous properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Guy Campet, Iyad Saadeddin, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20150236345
    Abstract: A process for producing lithium titanate which includes the steps of synthesizing a lithium titanate hydrate intermediate via aqueous chemical processing, and thermally treating the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate to produce the lithium titanate. The lithium titanate hydrate is preferably (Li1.81H0.19)Ti2O<<2H2O. The lithium titanate is preferably Li4Ti5O12 (LTO). Synthesizing the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate may include mixing a titanium-containing compound with a lithium-containing compound in a solvent to produce a lithium-titanium precursor mixture. Preferably the titanium-containing compound includes titanium tetrachloride TiCl4. Also, a lithium titanate obtained according to the process and a lithium battery including the lithium titanate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicants: MCGILL UNIVERSITY, HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: George Demopoulos, Hsien-Chieh Chiu, Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi
  • Patent number: 9077031
    Abstract: Synthesis process for new particles of Li4Ti5O12, Li(4-?)Z?Ti5O12 or Li4Z?Ti(5-?)O12, wherein ? is >0 and ?0.5, ? is a number >0 and ?0.33, Z is a source of at least one metal, preferably chosen from the group made up of Mg, Nb, Al, Zr, Ni, Co. These particles coated with a layer of carbon notably exhibit electrochemical properties that are particularly interesting as components of anodes and/or cathodes in electrochemical generators. The process may involve the steps of a) preparing a dispersion of a mixture of TiOx—LizY-carbon, wherein x is a number between 1 and 2, z is 1 or 2, and Y is a radical chosen among CO3, OH, O and TiO3 or a mixture thereof; and 2) heating of the dispersion, preferably to a temperature of between about 400° C. and about 1000° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Michel Gauthier, Fernand Brochu, Abdelbast Guerfi, Monique Masse, Michel Armand