Patents by Inventor Akihiro Kushima

Akihiro Kushima has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230155124
    Abstract: A nickel-free and cobalt-free cathode material for a lithium (Li) battery is provided. The cathode material includes, LiaAl1-x-y-z FexMnyZnzO2-?, wherein a, x, y, z, and ? are in the following ranges: 0.95 ? a ? 1.2; 0 ? x ? 0.3; 0 ? y ? 0.3; 0 ? z ? 0.3; 0.5 ? x + y + z ? 0.99; 0 ? ? ? 0.1. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an improved Co-free/Ni-free Li-ion battery (LIB) cathode that exhibits good thermal stability and is capable of realizing a high cell voltage and specific capacity comparable to, or exceeding, currently known Li(NiCoMn)O2 cathodes. The novel cathode chemistry in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention eliminates any potential cobalt supply issues and lowers the overall cost of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Akihiro Kushima, Yoshiya Fujiwara, Yoshiyuki Morita, Akihisa Tanaka, Kazuki Chiba
  • Publication number: 20220393228
    Abstract: A lithium (Li) secondary battery having a Li buffer layer compressed between a Li metal anode and an electrolyte of the battery cell and a porous structure positioned between the Li metal anode and a current collector of the battery cell. The Li buffer layer is effective in preventing uncontrollable dendrite growth. The porous structure layer is effective in guiding the location of the Li deposition, thereby reducing the volume changes of the Li anode during the charge and discharge cycles of the lithium secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Akihiro Kushima, Supriya Koul, Yoshiya Fujiwara, Yoshiyuki Morita, Fumika Fujisaki, Hiroshi Ogasa
  • Patent number: 11522195
    Abstract: Enabling the use of lithium metal as an anode electrode is a key for developing next generation energy storage device beyond current lithium ion battery technology. However, there are major obstacles that need to be overcome before it can be used in commercial applications; specifically, dendrite formation can short the cell, and electrolyte decomposition contributes to decreased battery lifetimes. Each obstacle can be overcome by coating a lithium metal anode with a liquid metal buffer that enables uniform deposition of lithium ions thereon, preventing dendritic growth and forming a stable solid electrolyte interface to separate the lithium metal anode from the electrolyte within a battery cell. The liquid metal buffer becomes a semi-liquid buffer when contributing to forming a solid electrolyte interface, and can regain its liquid state when the lithium ions flow to the cathode of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kushima, Supriya Koul, Kun Liang, Yang Yang
  • Publication number: 20200235405
    Abstract: Enabling the use of lithium metal as an anode electrode is a key for developing next generation energy storage device beyond current lithium ion battery technology. However, there are major obstacles that need to be overcome before it can be used in commercial applications; specifically, dendrite formation can short the cell, and electrolyte decomposition contributes to decreased battery lifetimes. Each obstacle can be overcome by coating a lithium metal anode with a liquid metal buffer that enables uniform deposition of lithium ions thereon, preventing dendritic growth and forming a stable solid electrolyte interface to separate the lithium metal anode from the electrolyte within a battery cell. The liquid metal buffer becomes a semi-liquid buffer when contributing to forming a solid electrolyte interface, and can regain its liquid state when the lithium ions flow to the cathode of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Akihiro Kushima, Supriya Koul, Kun Liang, Yang Yang
  • Publication number: 20190006663
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lithium-sulfur batteries exhibiting a high capacity, high cycle life with low production cost and improved safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Junjie NIU, Akihiro KUSHIMA, Chao WANG, Ju LI
  • Patent number: 10033034
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lithium-sulfur batteries exhibiting a high capacity, high cycle life with low production cost and improved safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Junjie Niu, Akihiro Kushima, Chao Wang, Ju Li
  • Patent number: 9985327
    Abstract: An air secondary battery has a positive electrode to which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied, a negative electrode containing a metal active material, and an electrolytic solution through which a metal ion generated from the metal active material is transported. The positive electrode contains a composite containing a matrix and a zeolite disposed in the matrix. The matrix is in the form of a porous body which the electrolytic solution permeates. In the matrix, the zeolite has an oxygen-containing gas passage through which only the oxygen-containing gas can flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Tetsuya Koido, Akihiro Kushima, Yoshiya Fujiwara, Ju Li
  • Patent number: 9954262
    Abstract: An air secondary battery has a cathode to which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied, an anode containing an active metal material, and an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and the anode. In a discharge process, metal ions are generated from the active metal material, transferred through the electrolyte, and then reacted and bonded with oxygen molecules in the oxygen-containing gas on the cathode. Thus, the oxygen is reduced to generate a metal oxide. The cathode has a trap portion for confining the metal oxide. For example, the cathode has a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer having different average pore diameters. The first cathode layer located adjacent to the electrolyte and having a smaller average pore diameter acts as the trap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Tetsuya Koido, Akihiro Kushima, Yoshiya Fujiwara, Ju Li
  • Publication number: 20160190558
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lithium-sulfur batteries exhibiting a high capacity, high cycle life with low production cost and improved safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Junjie NIU, Akihiro KUSHIMA, Chao WANG, Ju LI
  • Publication number: 20160064787
    Abstract: An air secondary battery has a cathode to which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied, an anode containing an active metal material, and an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and the anode. In a discharge process, metal ions are generated from the active metal material, transferred through the electrolyte, and then reacted and bonded with oxygen molecules in the oxygen-containing gas on the cathode. Thus, the oxygen is reduced to generate a metal oxide. The cathode has a trap portion for confining the metal oxide. For example, the cathode has a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer having different average pore diameters. The first cathode layer located adjacent to the electrolyte and having a smaller average pore diameter acts as the trap portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Tetsuya Koido, Akihiro Kushima, Yoshiya Fujiwara, Ju Li
  • Publication number: 20160064788
    Abstract: An air secondary battery has a positive electrode to which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied, a negative electrode containing a metal active material, and an electrolytic solution through which a metal ion generated from the metal active material is transported. The positive electrode contains a composite containing a matrix and a zeolite disposed in the matrix. The matrix is in the form of a porous body which the electrolytic solution permeates. In the matrix, the zeolite has an oxygen-containing gas passage through which only the oxygen-containing gas can flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Tetsuya Koido, Akihiro Kushima, Yoshiya Fujiwara, Ju Li