Patents Examined by Brittany L Raymond
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Patent number: 11757110Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly of a plurality of fuel cells configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell assembly arranged in combination with a coolant storage module configured to supply the fuel cell assembly with a flow of coolant, the method performed when the temperature of the coolant in the coolant storage module is below a coolant temperature threshold and comprises; a first phase performed prior to activation of a coolant pump configured to deliver coolant from the coolant storage module to the fuel cell assembly and a second phase performed after activation of the coolant pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Shahin Moghimi, Nathaniel Thomas Palmer, Pratap Rama, Alex Mark Thirkell
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Patent number: 11757088Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell includes a cathode, an anode which includes an anode active material, and a non-conductive separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the anode active material relative to a total amount of anode active material has a particle size of less than about 75 ?m, and wherein the separator includes a unitary, cylindrical configuration having an open end, a side wall, and integrally formed closed end disposed distally to the open end.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLCInventors: M. Edgar Armacanqui, Andrew J. Roszkowski, Casey Imhoff, Donald Raymond Crowe, Matthew Evans, John Hadley, Matthew Hennek, Tim F. Turba, Enqing Zhu
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Patent number: 11749809Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which improve drainage in a high current range where a large amount of water is produced, without hindering water retention under low humidification conditions, and exhibit high power generation performance and durability even under high humidification conditions. A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a polyelectrolyte film, and two electrocatalyst layers sandwiching the polyelectrolyte film. At least one of the two electrocatalyst layers includes catalyst support particles with a hydrophobic coating, a polyelectrolyte, and a fibrous material having an average fiber diameter that is 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less. The fibrous material has a mass that is 0.2 times or more and 1.0 times or less the mass of the carrier in the catalyst support particles.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroyuki Morioka
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Patent number: 11742503Abstract: A method is provided for operating a fuel cell stack with improved performance recovery from sub-saturated conditions, the method comprising setting an alert for the performance recovery of the fuel cell stack, performing at least one oxidant starvation by supplying oxidant at a stoichiometric ratio below 1 to the fuel cell stack in at least one pulse for a preset amount of time and at low current while the fuel cell stack does not generate power. The fuel cell system with an improved performance recovery comprises a shorting circuit which is connected to the fuel cell stack at predetermined times (startup, shutdown or standby mode) and an air compressor powered by a DC-DC converter which supplies a predetermined number of oxidant pulses of a predetermined duration to the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Emerson R. Gallagher, Alan Young, Yingduo Chen
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Patent number: 11735723Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to metal electrodes, more specifically lithium-containing anodes, high performance electrochemical devices, such as secondary batteries, including the aforementioned lithium-containing electrodes, and methods for fabricating the same. In one implementation, an anode electrode structure is provided. The anode electrode structure comprises a current collector comprising copper. The anode electrode structure further comprises a lithium metal film formed on the current collector. The anode electrode structure further comprises a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film stack formed on the lithium metal film. The SEI film stack comprises a chalcogenide film formed on the lithium metal film. In one implementation, the SEI film stack further comprises a lithium oxide film formed on the chalcogenide film. In one implementation, the SEI film stack further comprises a lithium carbonate film formed on the lithium oxide film.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Girish Kumar Gopalakrishnan Nair, Subramanya P. Herle, Karl J. Armstrong
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Patent number: 11735710Abstract: A cathode material comprising: a cathode active material of formula LiNixMnyCozO2 or NaNixMnyCozO2 and having a partial or whole particle concentration gradient, wherein at least two or three elements concentration gradually change in the part or whole particle from the center part to the surface part of the particle (i.e. along a vector radius); 0.5<x?1, 0?y?0.33, 0?z?0.33.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Khalil Amine, Tongchao Liu, Jun Lu
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Patent number: 11728510Abstract: A solid conductor including: a compound represented by Formula 1, a compound represented by Formula 2, or a combination thereof Li1+x+y?zTa2?xMxP1?yQyO8?zXz??Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, M is an element having an oxidation number of +4, Q is an element having an oxidation number of +4, X is a halogen, a pseudohalogen, or a combination thereof, and 0?x?2, 0?y<1, and 0?z?2, except that cases i) x and y and z are simultaneously 0, ii) M is Hf, X is F, x is 1, y is 0, and z is 1, iii) M is Hf, X is Cl, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, and iv) M is Hf, X is F, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, Li1+x+y?zTa2?xMxP1?yQyO8·zLiX??Formula 2 wherein, in Formula 2, M is an element having an oxidation number of +4, Q is an element having an oxidation number of +4, X is a halogen, a pseudohalogen, or a combination thereof, and 0?x?2, 0?y<1, and 0?z2, except that cases i) x and y and z are simultaneously 0, ii) M is Hf, X is F, x is 1, y is 0, and z is 1, iii) M is Hf, X is Cl, x is 2, y is 0, and z is 2, and iv)Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: Ryounghee Kim, Jeongju Cho, Lincoln Miara, Sawankumar Patel, Yan Wang, Yan-Yan Hu, Hyeokjo Gwon, Sewon Kim, Jusik Kim, Sungkyun Jung
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Patent number: 11721830Abstract: A thin-film lithium ion battery includes a negative electrode layer, a positive electrode layer, an electrolyte layer disposed between the positive and negative electrode layers, and a lithium layer with lithium pillars extending therefrom formed in the negative electrode layer adjoining the electrolyte layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Severin Larfaillou, Delphine Guy-Bouyssou
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Patent number: 11715829Abstract: The epsilon polymorph of vanadyl phosphate, ?-VOPO4, made from the solvothermally synthesized H2VOPO4, is a high density cathode material for lithium-ion batteries optimized to reversibly intercalate two Li-ions to reach the full theoretical capacity at least 50 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 98%. This material adopts a stable 3D tunnel structure and can extract two Li-ions per vanadium ion, giving a theoretical capacity of 305 mAh/g, with an upper charge/discharge plateau at around 4.0 V, and one lower at around 2.5 V.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State UniversityInventors: Carrie Siu, M. Stanley Whittingham
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Patent number: 11710825Abstract: The invention generally relates to electrochemically active structures and methods of making thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to electrochemically active structure comprising a crystalline electride comprising a nitride or carbide of at least one of: an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a lanthanide metal, or a combination thereof, wherein the electride has a lattice capable of intercalating at least one ion, thereby releasing at least one electron into an external circuit; and wherein a change in lattice volume of the electride upon intercalating the at least one ion is less than about 40%. Further, methods of making these electrochemically active structures are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott C. Warren, Daniel L. Druffel, Jacob Pawlik, Adam H. Woomer, Qingmin Xu, Kaoru Omichi, Christopher Brooks
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Patent number: 11710850Abstract: A solid electrolyte (10) of the present disclosure includes porous silica (11) having a plurality of pores (12) interconnected mutually and an electrolyte (13) coating inner surfaces of the plurality of pores (12). The electrolyte (13) includes 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide represented by EMI-TFSI and a lithium salt dissolved in the EMI-TFSI. A molar ratio of the EMI-TFSI to the porous silica (11) is larger than 1.5 and less than 2.0.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Imec VZWInventors: Philippe Vereecken, Maarten Mees, Knut Bjarne Gandrud, Akihiko Sagara, Mitsuhiro Murata, Yukihiro Kaneko, Morio Tomiyama, Mikinari Shimada
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Patent number: 11699800Abstract: Provided is a microbial fuel cell including a cathode and an anode, wherein the cathode includes a waterproof gas diffusion layer including a siloxane and a catalyst layer including a binder, wherein a surface of the gas diffusion layer opposite the catalyst layer contacts air, and the anode includes electrogenic bacteria. Also provided is a method for making a microbial fuel cell, including fabricating a cathode, wherein fabricating includes disposing a siloxane solution onto a surface of a substrate, wherein the siloxane solution includes a siloxane and a solvent, drying the siloxane solution to form a waterproof gas diffusion layer, and placing the gas diffusion layer on a catalyst layer including a binder, and facing an anode with the cathode whereby the gas diffusion layer faces away from the anode and contacts air.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: MICROGANIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brent A. Solina, Alex Carlton
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Patent number: 11688872Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode gas diffusion layer assembly (EGA) and a fuel cell stack including the same. The content of the binder in the electrode and the content of the binder in the adhesive layer that attaches the electrode to the gas diffusion layer (GDL) may be optimized. Thus, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of flooding and the deterioration in durability/performance caused by a dry atmosphere in the EGA including the electrode and the adhesive layer, so that the output density per unit area is improved while the trade-off is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Woo Jin Lee, Young June Park, Jong Jin Yoon, In Woo Jang
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Patent number: 11688866Abstract: A system and method for cooling and humidifying a cathode subsystem of a fuel cell for an automobile. The system includes a compressor, an air input line including an intercooler configured to cool air output by the compressor, a fluid output line including a fluid injection system, a cathode stack configured to receive air via the air input line and output a fluid to the fluid output line, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to control the fluid injection system such that the fluid output from the cathode stack is injected into the air input line.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Suresh Sivavarman, Jordan Thomas Kreda, Ganesh Vedula, Amit Dhingra, Tyler Boggs
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Patent number: 11688871Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode for a membrane-electrode assembly, a method of manufacturing the same and a membrane-electrode assembly using the same. The electrode may include the pores and pore density around a catalyst contained in the electrode may be selectively increased using a thermally decomposable chemical blowing agent, thereby improving mass transfer through the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Byeong Gab Ji, Su Won Seol, Dong Hwan Yoon, Kook Il Han, Yoon Hwan Cho
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Patent number: 11688873Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include fuel cells incorporating sheets and/or powders of silica fibers and methods for producing such devices. The silica fibers may be formed via electrospinning of a sol gel produced with a silicon alkoxide reagent, such as tetraethyl ortho silicate, alcohol solvent, and an acid catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: American Nano, LLCInventors: Mitch Dellinger, Surya Raj Banks
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Patent number: 11677080Abstract: Provided is a low-cost electrochemical element that includes a high-performance electrode layer. The electrochemical element includes an electrode layer, and the electrode layer contains small particles and large particles. The small particles have a particle diameter of 200 nm or less in the electrode layer, and the large particles have a particle diameter of 500 nm or more in the electrode layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyuki Minami, Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Yuji Tsuda, Kyohei Manabe, Osamu Yamazaki
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Patent number: 11669012Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a device having at least two features of differing heights comprises: depositing a resist over a substrate; determining a topography pattern for the at least two features of the device; determining an exposure pattern for the at least two features of the device; exposing a first area of the resist with a first dose of light, the first area corresponding to a first feature of the at least two features; exposing a second area of the resist with a second dose of light that is different from the first dose of light, the second area corresponding to a second feature of the at least two features; and developing the resist.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Yongan Xu, Ludovic Godet
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Patent number: 11664511Abstract: A method for purging the hydrogen feed anode circuit of a fuel cell, whereby hydrogen is fed at a nominal pressure to the inlet of the cell, characterized in that at predetermined periodicity the following steps are repeated: instruction is given to open the hydrogen purge valve arranged on the outlet of the anode circuit; the pressure of hydrogen is measured at the inlet to the anode circuit of the cell, and the measured value is compared with a predetermined threshold pressure value; and the purge valve is closed when the measured pressure is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: SymbioInventors: Gino Paganelli, Lionel Jeanrichard-dit-Bressel
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Patent number: 11658326Abstract: A cell stack device includes a cell stack, a holding member, and a positive electrode terminal. The cell stack is constructed by stacking a plurality of cells. The holding member holds the cells. The positive electrode terminal functions as a positive electrode when power generated by the cell stack is output to the outside. The potential of the positive electrode terminal is not more than that of the holding member.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventor: Takashi Shigehisa