Patents by Inventor Blake L. Darby

Blake L. Darby 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).

  • Material engineering for high performance Li-ion battery electrodes
    Patent number: 8906576
    Abstract: A method of treating an electrode for a battery to enhance its performance is disclosed. By depositing a layer of porous carbon onto the electrode, its charging and discharging characteristics, as well as chemical stability may be improved. The method includes creating a plasma that includes carbon and attracting the plasma toward the electrode, such as by biasing a platen on which the electrode is disposed. In some embodiments, an etching process is also performed on the deposited porous carbon to increase its surface area. The electrode may also be exposed to a hydrophilic treatment to improve its interaction with the electrolyte. In addition, a battery which includes at least one electrode treated according to this process is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Blake L. Darby, Ludovic Godet, Xianfeng Lu, Tristan Yonghui Ma
  • Material Engineering for High Performance Li-ion Battery Electrodes
    Publication number: 20130189579
    Abstract: A method of treating an electrode for a battery to enhance its performance is disclosed. By depositing a layer of porous carbon onto the electrode, its charging and discharging characteristics, as well as chemical stability may be improved. The method includes creating a plasma that includes carbon and attracting the plasma toward the electrode, such as by biasing a platen on which the electrode is disposed. In some embodiments, an etching process is also performed on the deposited porous carbon to increase its surface area. The electrode may also be exposed to a hydrophilic treatment to improve its interaction with the electrolyte. In addition, a battery which includes at least one electrode treated according to this process is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Blake L. Darby, Ludovic Godet, Xianfeng Lu, Tristan Yonghui Ma