Patents by Inventor Christian Masquelier

Christian Masquelier 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).

  • Patent number: 7618747
    Abstract: The invention provides a new route for the synthesis of carbon-coated powders having the olivine or NASICON structure, which form promising classes of active products for the manufacture of rechargeable lithium batteries. Carbon-coating of the powder particles is necessary to achieve good performances because of the rather poor electronic conductivity of said structures. For the preparation of coated LiFePO4, sources of Li, Fe and phosphate are dissolved in an aqueous solution together with a polycarboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. Upon water evaporation, polyesterification occurs while a mixed precipitate is formed containing Li, Fe and phosphate. The resin-encapsulated mixture is then heat treated at 700° C. in a reducing atmosphere. This results in the production of a fine powder consisting of an olivine LiFePO4 phase, coated with conductive carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignees: Umicore, Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Albane Audemer, Calin Wurm, Mathieu Morcrette, Sylvain Gwizdala, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20090111024
    Abstract: Methods of manufacture and use of phosphates of transition metals are described as positive electrodes for secondary lithium batteries, including a process for the production of LiMPO4 with controlled size and morphology, M being FexCoyNizMnw, where 0?x?1, 0?y?1, 0?w?1, and x+y+z+w=1. According to an exemplary embodiment, a process is described for the manufacture of LiFePO4 including the steps of providing an equimolar aqueous solution of Li1+, Fe3+ and PO43?, evaporating water from the solution to produce a solid mixture, decomposing the solid mixture at a temperature of below 500° C. to form a pure homogeneous Li and Fe phosphate precursor, and annealing the precursor at a temperature of less than 800° C. in a reducing atmosphere to produce the LiFePO4 powder. The obtained powders can have a particle size of less than 1 ?m, and can provide superior electrochemical performance when mixed for an appropriate time with an electrically conductive powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicants: Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Umicore
    Inventors: Calin Wurm, Mathieu Morcrette, Sylvain Gwizdala, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20090072203
    Abstract: The invention provides a new route for the synthesis of carbon-coated powders having the olivine or NASICON structure, which form promising classes of active products for the manufacture of rechargeable lithium batteries. Carbon-coating of the powder particles is necessary to achieve good performances because of the rather poor electronic conductivity of said structures. For the preparation of coated LiFePO4, sources of Li, Fe and phosphate are dissolved in an aqueous solution together with a polycarboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. Upon water evaporation, polyesterification occurs while a mixed precipitate is formed containing Li, Fe and phosphate. The resin-encapsulated mixture is then heat treated at 700° C. in a reducing atmosphere. This results in the production of a fine powder consisting of an olivine LiFePO4 phase, coated with conductive carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: Umicore, Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Albane AUDEMER, Calin Wurm, Mathieu Morcrette, Sylvain Gwizdala, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20080241690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lithium secondary batteries and more specifically to positive electrode materials operating at potentials greater than 2.8 V vs. Li+/Li in nonaqueous electrochemical cells. In particular, the invention relates to crystalline nanometric carbon-free olivine-type LiFePO4 powders with enhanced electrochemical properties. A direct precipitation process is described for preparing crystalline LiFePO4powder, comprising the steps of: providing a water-based mixture having at a pH between 6 and 10, containing a water-miscible boiling point elevation additive, and Li(I), Fe(II) and P(V) as precursor components; heating said water-based mixture to a temperature less than or equal to its boiling point at atmospheric pressure, thereby precipitating crystalline LiFePO4 powder An extremely fine 50 to 200 nm particle size is obtained, with a narrow distribution. The fine particle size accounts for excellent high-drain properties without applying any carbon coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Delacourt, Philippe Poizot, Christian Masquelier
  • Patent number: 7371482
    Abstract: Methods of manufacture and use of phosphates of transition metals are described as positive electrodes for secondary lithium batteries, including a process for the production of LiMPO4 with controlled size and morphology, M being FexCoyNizMnw, where 0?x?1,0?y?1, 0?w?1, and x+y+z+w=1. According to an exemplary embodiment, a process is described for the manufacture of LiFePO4 including the steps of providing an equimolar aqueous solution of Li1+, Fe3+ and PO43?, evaporating water from the solution to produce a solid mixture, decomposing the solid mixture at a temperature of below 500° C. to form a pure homogeneous Li and Fe phosphate precursor, and annealing the precursor at a temperature of less than 800° C. in a reducing atmosphere to produce the LiFePO4 powder. The obtained powders can have a particle size of less than 1 ?m, and can provide superior electrochemical performance when mixed for an appropriate time with an electrically conductive powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignees: Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Umicore
    Inventors: Calin Wurm, Mathieu Morcrette, Sylvain Gwizdala, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20070281215
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John Goodenough, Akshaya Padhi, Kirakodu Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20070166618
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as. electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John Goodenough, Akshaya Padhi, Kirakodu Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20070117019
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John Goodenough, Akshaya Padhi, Kirakodu Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20050244321
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John Goodenough, Akshaya Padhi, Kirakodu Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20050003274
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John Goodenough, Akshaya Padhi, Kirakodu Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Patent number: 6835500
    Abstract: The electrochemical performance of rechargeable lithium battery cells comprising crystalline or amorphous FeIII iron phosphate active positive electrode compounds is improved by compound hydration and intimate ball-milled incorporation of electrically conductive carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Rutgers University
    Inventors: Christian Masquelier, Mathieu Morcrette, Priscilla Reale, Calin Wurm
  • Publication number: 20040175614
    Abstract: Methods of manufacture and use of phosphates of transition metals are described as positive electrodes for secondary lithium batteries, including a process for the production of LiMPO4 with controlled size and morphology, M being FexCoyNizMnw, where 0≦x≦1,0≦y≦1, 0≦w≦1, and x+y+z+w=1. According to an exemplary embodiment, a process is described for the manufacture of LiFePO4 including the steps of providing an equimolar aqueous solution of Li1+, Fe3+ and PO43−, evaporating water from the solution to produce a solid mixture, decomposing the solid mixture at a temperature of below 500° C. to form a pure homogeneous Li and Fe phosphate precursor, and annealing the precursor at a temperature of less than 800° C. in a reducing atmosphere to produce the LiFePO4 powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Calin Wurm, Mathieu Morcrette, Sylvain Gwizdala, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20030082454
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John B. Goodenough, Akshaya K. Padhi, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20030064287
    Abstract: The electrochemical performance of rechargeable lithium battery cells comprising crystalline or amorphous FeIII iron phosphate active positive electrode compounds is improved by compound hydration and intimate ball-milled incorporation of electrically conductive carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Christian Masquelier, Mathieu Morcrette, Priscilla Reale, Calin Wurm
  • Patent number: 6514640
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John B. Goodenough, Akshaya K. Padhi, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Patent number: 6391493
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: The University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: John B. Goodenough, Akshaya K. Pahdi, K. S. Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Patent number: 5910382
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO.sub.4).sup.3- as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: John B. Goodenough, Akshaya K. Padhi, K. S. Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier