Patents Examined by Stephan J Essex
  • Patent number: 11837715
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composite wherein NaCl nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a positive electrode active material including the same, a sodium secondary battery including the same, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material according to the present disclosure has a structure wherein NaCl nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on rGO in a one-step process through chemical self-assembly. Therefore, the positive electrode active material according to the present disclosure exhibits superior electrochemical properties with high capacity because the small NaCl particles are dispersed uniformly and is economically favorable because the preparation process is simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kyung Yoon Chung, Ha Kyung Roh, Moeez Iqra, Eun Seong Kim, Hun-Gi Jung, Won Young Chang
  • Patent number: 11830969
    Abstract: Described herein are electrochemical cells fabricated with current collectors comprising polymer bases and metal layers and methods of interconnecting these current collectors or, more specifically, interconnecting their metal layers. For example, a current collector, positioned between two other current collectors, can have an opening allowing these two other current collectors to form a direct interface. This interface not only directly interconnects the metal layers on these two current collectors but also indirectly interconnects the two metal layers of the middle current collector, which are positioned on the opposite sides of the polymer base of this current collector. In some examples, the metal layers of current collectors are reinforced by external metal foils that help to maintain continuity and/or repair any discontinuities in the metal layers when these metal layers are welded together. For example, welding may push portions of the polymer bases away from the weld zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Strohbehn, Katherine Hanus, Raven Barnes, Michelle Chen, Edward Meyjes
  • Patent number: 11831039
    Abstract: Proton conductive membrane includes a proton selective layer of 80-100% carbon with sp2 hybridization having a thickness of 0.3-100 nm, with 0-20% of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sp3 carbon; wherein the sp2 carbon is in a form of graphene-like material; the proton selective layer having a plurality of pores formed by any of 7, 8, 9 or 10 sp2 carbon cycles or a combination thereof, with the pores having an effective diameter of up to 0.6 nm; an ionomeric polymer layer on the proton selective layer. Total thickness of the proton conductive membrane is less than 50 microns. The ionomeric polymer is PFSA (perfluorinated sulfonic acid), PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) or PVA (poly vinyl alcohol) with iodide or bromide counterion dissolved inside. The graphene-like material is CVD graphene or reduced graphene oxide (rGO). A D to G Raman band ratio of the membrane is more than 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: NM Devices LLC, General Graphene Corporation
    Inventors: Sergei Smirnov, Ivan Vlassiouk, Pavan Chaturvedi, Dhanraj Shinde
  • Patent number: 11811098
    Abstract: One variation of a battery unit includes: a series of anode collectors; a set of anode electrodes including anode material arranged on both side of the anode collectors; a set of anode interconnects interposed between and electrically coupling adjacent anode collectors and folded to locate the anode collectors in a boustrophedonic anode stack; a series of cathode collectors; a set of cathode electrodes including cathode material arranged on both side of the cathode collectors; a set of cathode interconnects interposed between and electrically coupling adjacent cathode collectors and folded to locate the cathode collectors in a boustrophedonic cathode stack with cathode collectors interdigitated between anode collectors in the boustrophedonic anode stack; and a set of separators arranged between the anode and cathode electrodes and transporting solvated ions between the anode and cathode electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Millibatt, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangyi Sun, Janet Hur, Cheolwoong Lim, Leland Smith
  • Patent number: 11811068
    Abstract: The present technology relates to self-standing electrodes, their use in electrochemical cells, and their production processes using a water-based filtration process. For example, the self-standing electrodes may be used in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Particularly, the self-standing electrodes comprise a first electronically conductive material serving as a current collector, the surface of the first electronically conductive material being grafted with a hydrophilic group, a binder comprising cellulose fibres, an electrochemically active material, and optionally a second electronically conductive material. A process for the preparation of the self-standing electrodes is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Nicolas Delaporte, Abdelbast Guerfi, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 11791472
    Abstract: A positive current collector, a secondary battery, and an electrical device are provided. In some embodiments, the positive current collector includes: a support layer; and a conductive layer located on at least one surface of the support layer, where the conductive layer includes a first metal portion configured to connect to a tab, where, along a thickness direction of the conductive layer, the first metal portion includes at least three sublayers, and melting points of the at least three sublayers rise stepwise in ascending order of distance from the support layer. In the embodiments of this application, the first metal portion includes at least three sublayers, and the melting points of the at least three sublayers rise stepwise in ascending order of distance from the support layer, thereby helping increase a bonding force between the conductive layer and the support layer and reducing the probability of peel-off and delamination between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Xin Liu, Qisen Huang, Mingling Li, Xianghui Liu, Jia Peng, Cheng Li, Meng Qin
  • Patent number: 11784302
    Abstract: Lithium-metal batteries with improved dimensional stability are presented along with methods of manufacture. The lithium-metal batteries incorporate an anode cell that reduces dimensional changes during charging and discharging. The anode cell includes a container having a first portion and a second portion to form an enclosed cavity. The first portion is electrically-conductive and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The second portion is permeable to lithium ions and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The anode cell also includes an anode comprising lithium metal and disposed within the cavity. The anode is in contact with the first portion and the second portion. The cavity is configured such that volumetric expansion and contraction of the anode during charging and discharging is accommodated entirely therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd J. Neudecker, Shawn W. Snyder, Richard M. Mank
  • Patent number: 11777153
    Abstract: Provided are battery packs and interface modules for electrically interconnecting electrochemical cells in the packs and for providing heat distribution with the packs. An interface module interfaces one side of all electrochemical cells in a battery pack. The interface module may have a substantially planar shape such that the space occupied by the module in the battery pack is minimal. Most, if not all, conductive components of the interface module may be formed from the same sheet of metal. In some embodiments, the interface module includes multiple bus bars such that each bus bar interconnects two or more terminals of different electrochemical cells in the battery pack. Each bus bar may have a separate voltage sense lead extending from the bus bar to a connecting portion. The bus bars may be flexibly supported within the module. The interface module may also include multiple thermistors disposed on different bus bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: QUANTUMSCAPE BATTERY, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, David E. Berkstresser, Stuart D. Barter, Phillip John Weicker
  • Patent number: 11777074
    Abstract: This positive electrode includes a current collector, an intermediate layer which is formed at least on one surface of the current collector, and a composite material layer which is formed on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes metal compound particles, a conductive material, and a binding material. The metal compound particles comprise at least one selected from a sulfated oxide, hydroxide, or oxide of alkali earth metal or alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shibutani, Yuki Tokuda
  • Patent number: 11757155
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a separator for secondary batteries, configured to provide insulation between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, wherein the separator comprises no polyolefin substrate, is configured to have a layer structure comprising a fibrous support, inorganic particles, and a binder, and has improved dimensional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Ji Kim, Kwan Woo Nam, Seung Hyun Lee, Je An Lee
  • Patent number: 11742520
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a casing housing an electrode assembly of a separator residing between a lithium anode and a cathode comprising silver vanadium oxide and fluorinated carbon is described. The electrode assembly is activated with a nonaqueous electrolyte comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent system of propylene carbonate mixed with 1,2-dimethoxyethane, dibenzyl carbonate (DBC), lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB), and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Preferably DBC is present in an amount ranging from about 0.005 moles (M) to about 0.25M, LiBOB is present in an amount ranging from about 0.005 wt. 5 to about 5 wt. %, and FEC is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. %. This electrolyte formulation is more conductive than the conventional or prior art binary and ternary solvent system electrolytes while being chemically and electrochemically stable toward Li/SVO cells, Li-SVO/CFx mixture cells, and Li-SVO/CFx sandwich cathode primary electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert S. Rubino, Joseph M. Lehnes, Marcus J. Palazzo, David M. Spillman, Ho-Chul Yun
  • Patent number: 11742543
    Abstract: A secondary battery with an exterior body having a novel scaling structure, and a structure of a sealing portion that relaxes a stress of deformation are provided. The secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte solution, and an exterior body enclosing at least part of the positive electrode, at least part of the negative electrode, and the electrolyte solution. The exterior body includes a first region having a shape with a curve, a shape with a wavy line, a shape with an arc, or a shape with a plurality of inflection points, and a second region having the same shape as the first region. The first region is in contact with the second region. Alternatively, the first region has a shape without a straight line. The secondary battery may be flexible, and the exterior body in a region having flexibility may include the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Takahashi, Ryota Tajima
  • Patent number: 11735739
    Abstract: Articles and methods related to passivation materials on alkaline earth metals are generally described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Betar Gallant, Aaron Melemed
  • Patent number: 11735773
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a casing housing an electrode assembly of a separator residing between a lithium anode and a cathode comprising silver vanadium oxide and fluorinated carbon is described. The electrode assembly is activated with a nonaqueous electrolyte comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent system of propylene carbonate mixed with 1,2-dimethoxyethane, lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB), and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Preferably LiBOB is present in an amount ranging from about 0.005 wt. 5 to about 5 wt. %, and FEC is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. %. This electrolyte formulation is more conductive than the conventional or prior art binary and ternary solvent system electrolytes while being chemically and electrochemically stable toward Li/SVO cells, Li-SVO/CFx mixture cells, and Li-SVO/CFx sandwich cathode primary electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert S. Rubino, Joseph M. Lehnes, Marcus J. Palazzo, David M. Spillman, Ho-Chul Yun
  • Patent number: 11721798
    Abstract: A composition for an electrochemical device functional layer contains a polymer A and a solvent. The polymer A contained in the composition for an electrochemical device functional layer includes an alkylene oxide structure-containing monomer unit in a proportion of not less than 5 mol % and not more than 95 mol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ZEON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichiro Tanaka, Hiroyuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11705555
    Abstract: Electrolyte materials for use in electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods of making such materials and cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the materials, processes, and uses described herein relate to electrochemical cells comprising sulfur and lithium such as, for example, lithium sulfur batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev
  • Patent number: 11699813
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for a secondary battery, and a secondary battery comprising the same, and in particular, to an electrolyte for a secondary battery including an electrolyte salt, an organic solvent and an additive, wherein the additive includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound having an N—Si-based bond and a compound having an O—Si-based bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD., DAEGI GUEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Changhun Park, Hochun Lee, Sungjin Kang, Minchul Jang, Doyeon Kim, Hyeonji Kim
  • Patent number: 11695118
    Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery includes: a substrate; a composite cathode disposed on the substrate; a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the composite cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the composite cathode comprises: active elemental sulfur, conductive carbon, sulfide electrolyte, and ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: CORNING INCORPORATED, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics Chinese Academy
    Inventors: Michael Edward Badding, Jun Jin, Zhen Song, Qing Wang, Zhaoyin Wen, Tongping Xiu
  • Patent number: 11677109
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for batteries utilize vapor chambers having wicking components therein. An exemplary thermal management system includes a vapor chamber containing a working fluid and wicking components. A plurality of battery cells are disposed at least partially in the vapor chamber. A cold plate is coupled to the vapor chamber, and a heat pump is coupled to the cold plate. A capillary tube may be utilized to facilitate movement of vapor and working fluid in the thermal management system. Via use of exemplary systems, improved thermal management for batteries is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Romeo Systems Technology, LLC
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Qian Wang, Berton Vite, W. Hunter Greene
  • Patent number: 11670758
    Abstract: An alkaline secondary battery negative electrode and a composition forming the negative electrode, containing an active material, a binder resin, and an electrically conductive agent containing an electrically conductive carbon material. When a value of D50 is defined to be an average particle size X and a value of D20 is defined to be a particle size Y in a cumulative particle size distribution obtained by measuring the active material using a laser diffractometry particle size distribution meter, the average particle size X is 10 ?m or less, and the particle size Y is in the range of 30% to 70% of the average particle size X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Serikawa