Patents Assigned to UChicago Argonne LLC
  • Patent number: 11664526
    Abstract: Cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, lithium ion batteries incorporating the cathode materials, and methods of operating the lithium ion batteries are provided. The materials, which are composed of lithium iron oxides, are able to undergo reversible anionic and cationic redox reactions with no O2(g) generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: Northwestern University, UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Wolverton, Zhenpeng Yao, Chun Zhan, Jun Lu, Khalil Amine
  • Patent number: 11663494
    Abstract: A method for optimizing objective functions can include selecting an objective function based at least on a hierarchy, applying parameters to the objective function to generate an output, responsive to the output not satisfying a tolerance condition, assigning a penalty to the set of parameters and evaluating a convergence condition using the set of parameters and the penalty, responsive to the output satisfying the tolerance condition, evaluating an additional objective function using the parameters in an order corresponding to the hierarchy or evaluating the convergence condition responsive to the selected objective function being a final objective function, modifying the set of parameters using a genetic algorithm responsive to the set of parameters not satisfying the convergence condition, and outputting the set of parameters responsive to the set of parameters satisfying the convergence condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Henry Chan, Mathew J. Cherukara, Badri Narayanan, Subramanian Sankaranarayanan, Stephen K. Gray, Troy David Loeffler
  • Patent number: 11658291
    Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a lithium anode having a red poly(benzonitrile) coating covering at least a portion of the anode; a separator and an air cathode comprising reduced graphene oxide over gas diffusion layer; and an electrolyte comprising an ether solvent, benzonitrile, and a lithium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Hsien-Hau Wang, Ritesh Jagatramka, Samuel Plunkett, Larry A. Curtiss, Khalil Amine
  • Patent number: 11658298
    Abstract: A stabilized lithium metal oxide cathode material comprises microparticles of lithium metal oxide in which individual particles thereof a core of lithium metal oxide and a coating of a different lithium metal oxide surrounding the core. There is an interface layer between the cores and the coatings in which there are gradients of metal ions in the direction of coating to core. The materials are made by a three stage process involving coprecipitating precursor metal hydroxide core particles at a controlled pH; coprecipitating a different metal hydroxide coating on the particles without controlling the pH; and then calcining the resulting coated precursor particles with lithium hydroxide to form the stabilized lithium metal oxide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Albert L. Lipson, Jessica L. Durham
  • Patent number: 11651839
    Abstract: A system can include one or more processors configured to access at least one parameter of a material, generate a plurality of structures of the material using the at least one parameter, determine a state of each structure of the plurality of structures using the at least one parameter, determine a difference between the state of each structure of the plurality of structures and a ground state value, evaluate a convergence condition responsive to determining the difference between the state of each structure of the plurality of structures and the ground state value, and output at least one structure of the plurality of structures responsive to the convergence condition being satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Subramanian Sankaranarayanan, Troy David Loeffler, Henry Chan, Mathew J. Cherukara, Srilok Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11649358
    Abstract: Described herein are borate salts useful as additives, binders, and electrolyte salts for solid state lithium ion batteries. In particular, the borate salts of Formula (I), Formula (II) and Formula (III) as described herein: can be polymerized, or can be bound to an existing polymer, to provide polymeric binders for ceramic solid state electrolytes that are themselves capable of ion transport independent of the ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Liao, Trevor L. Dzwiniel, Kewel Liu
  • Patent number: 11648546
    Abstract: Zeolites are industrially important materials possessing high Bronsted acidity and shape-selectivity. However, their inherently small pores restrict application for catalytic conversion of bulky molecules. A method of synthesis of ‘artificial’ zeolites. The artificial zeolites have well-tailored Bronsted and Lewis acid sites prepared on mesostructured silica to circumvent this limitation. This novel approach utilizes atomic layer deposition to tailor both porosity and acid speciation, providing exquisite control over catalytic behavior and enabling systematic studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Elam, Christian P. Canlas
  • Publication number: 20230126417
    Abstract: A method of making thin films of sodium fluorides and their derivatives by atomic layer deposition (“ALD”). A sodium precursor is exposed to a substrate in an ALD reactor. The sodium precursor is purged, leaving the substrate with a sodium intermediate bound thereon. A fluorine precursor is exposed to the bound sodium intermediate in the ALD reactor. The fluorine precursor is purged and a sodium fluoride film is formed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Anil U. Mane, Jeffrey W. Elam, Donghyeon Kang, Sara Kuraitis, Elton Graugnard
  • Patent number: 11633722
    Abstract: Methods for producing a carbon-free, PGM-free support for PGM catalyst. The catalytic material comprises PGM metals disposed on a carbon-free support which is catalytic but free of PGM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventor: Lina Chong
  • Patent number: 11628427
    Abstract: A process for synthesis of PtNi high surface area core/shell particles. The processing including formation of PtNi nanoparticles, exposure of the PtNi nanoparticles to oxygen to form a nickel oxide coating on the nanoparticles at the same time the segregation of Ni to surface induces a Pt-skin with PtNi core structure, removal of the nickel oxide coating to form PtNi core/Pt shell (or Pt-skin) structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Rongyue Wang, Vojislav Stamenkovic, Gregory K. Krumdick, Krzysztof Pupek
  • Patent number: 11628424
    Abstract: Processes for forming multimetallic catalysts by grafting nickel precursors to metal oxide supports. Dry reforming reaction catalysts having nickel and promotors grafted to metal oxides supports. Methanation reaction catalysts having nickel and promotors grafted to metal oxides supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Magali Ferrandon, Gokhan Celik, Massimiliano Delferro
  • Patent number: 11623903
    Abstract: Provided herein is an alkane dehydrogenation catalyst, a method of manufacturing an alkane dehydrogenation catalyst, and a method of converting alkanes to alkenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignees: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC, FORGE NANO
    Inventors: Christopher L. Marshall, Zheng Lu, Jeffrey W. Elam, Christopher Nicholas, Paul T. Barger, Martha Leigh Abrams, Arrelaine Dameron, Ryon W. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20230108813
    Abstract: A composite electrode active material is described herein, which comprises two or more electrode active materials blended or structurally-integrated together, in one of the materials is a lithiated spinel selected from the group consisting of (a) a lithiated spinel of formula LiMnxNiyMzO2; wherein M comprises at least one metal cation other than manganese and nickel cations; x+y+z=1; 0<x<1.0; 0<y<1.0; 0?z?0.5; and the ratio of x:y is in the range of about 1:2 to about 2:1; and (b) a lithiated spinel of formula LiM1O2, wherein M1 comprises a combination of Mn and Ni transition metal ions in a ratio of Mn to Ni ions of about 2:1 to about 1:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. THACKERAY, Eungje LEE, Jason R. CROY, Boyu SHI
  • Patent number: 11617992
    Abstract: Ceramic proton-conducting oxide membranes are described herein, which are useful for separating steam from organic chemicals under process conditions. The membranes have a layered structure, with a dense film of the perovskite over a porous composite substrate comprising the perovskite material and a metallic material (e.g., Ni, Cu, or Pt). The perovskite comprises an ABO3-type structure, where “A” is Ba and “B” is a specified combination of Ce, Zr, and Y. The perovskite ceramic materials described herein have an empirical formula of Ba(CexZr1-x-nYn)O3-?, wherein 0<x<0.8 (e.g., 0.1?x?0.7 or 0.2?x?0.5); and 0.05?n?0.2; and ?=n/2. In some embodiments n is about 0.2. In some other embodiments 0.6?x?0.8; and n is about 0.2, such as Ba(Ce0.7Zr0.1Y0.2)O3-?, also referred to herein as BCZY712.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Tae H. Lee, Uthamalingam Balachandran
  • Patent number: 11619580
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods suitable to measure trace amounts of specific ions in fluid samples. An example system includes a resonator having an input coupler and an output coupler. The example system also includes an ion-selective membrane (ISM) optically coupled to at least a portion of the resonator. The system additionally includes a light source configured to illuminate the resonator by way of the input coupler. Furthermore, the system includes a detector configured to receive output light by way of the output coupler and provide information indicative a concentration of a specific ion proximate to tire ISM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: The University of Chicago, UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Xufeng Zhang, Supratik Guha, Tijana Rajh
  • Patent number: 11621439
    Abstract: An electrochemical device includes an air cathode comprising a SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) layer on a carbon support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Lu, Khalil Amine, Yuanyuan Guo, Xiaoqiao Zeng, Xuanxuan Bi
  • Publication number: 20230100910
    Abstract: An electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion or sodium-ion battery includes a salt such as a lithium salt, a sodium salt, or a mixture of any two or more thereof; and a solvent that includes a compound represented as Formula I, II, or a mixture of any two or more thereof: wherein: R1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted haloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyether; R2 is F, a fluoroalkyl, fluorocycloalkyl; R3 is F, a fluoroalkyl, fluorocycloalkyl; and R4 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted haloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted polyether; and R5 is a fluoroalkyl or fluorocycloalkyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengcheng Zhang, Qian Liu, Krzysztof Pupek, Trevor L. Dzwiniel
  • Publication number: 20230102140
    Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte for a multilayer solid-state electrochemical cell is described herein. The electrolyte comprises a lithium electrolyte salt and nanofibers of a cubic phase lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (c-LLZO), and a polymer interspersed with the nanofibers and electrolyte salt. Electrochemical cells comprising the solid-state electrolyte, and solid-state cathodes comprising the nanofibers of c-LLZO are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Yuepeng ZHANG, Sanja TEPAVCEVIC, Devon J. POWERS, Peter ZAPOL, John N. HRYN, Gregory K. KRUMDICK, Ozgenur KAHVECLOGLU, Krzystof Z. PUPEK, Michael John COUNIHAN
  • Patent number: 11613823
    Abstract: A method for recycling molten salt from electrorefining processes, the method having the steps of collecting actinide metal using a first plurality of cathodes from an electrolyte bath, collecting rare earths metal using a second plurality of cathodes from the electrolyte bath, inserting the collected actinide metal and uranium into the bath, and chlorinating the inserted actinide metal and uranium. Also provided is a system for recycling molten salt, the system having a vessel adapted to receive and heat electrolyte salt, a first plurality of cathodes adapted to be removably inserted into the vessel, a second plurality of cathodes adapted to be removably inserted into the vessel, an anode positioned within the vessel so as to be coaxially aligned with the vessel, and a vehicle for inserting uranium into the salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Willit, Magdalena M. Tylka, Mark A. Williamson, Stanley G. Wiedmeyer, Javier Figueroa
  • Publication number: 20230087760
    Abstract: An silicon-containing electrode is formed by coating a silicon-containing slurry onto a conductive current collector. The slurry comprises a binder solution comprising a poly(carboxylic acid) binder dissolved in a mixed solvent system comprising an amide solvent of Formula I, as described herein, and a second solvent which can be water and/or an organic solvent. The binder preferably comprises poly(acrylic acid). The mixed solvent system comprises about 10 to about 99 vol % of the amide solvent of Formula I. The binder solution is utilized as a solvent for a slurry of silicon-containing particles for preparing the silicon-containing electrode. The slurries comprising the mixed solvent system have higher viscosity and are more stable than slurries containing the same concentrations of silicon particles, carbon particles, and binder in water as the sole solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Lu ZHANG, Zhangxing SHI, Andrew JANSEN, Stephen TRASK