Patents by Inventor Christine Ho
Christine Ho 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).
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Patent number: 11961972Abstract: Provided are flexible multi-battery assemblies and methods of manufacturing these assemblies. In some examples, a flexible multi-battery assembly comprises a first current collector, parsed into a first plurality of current collector portions such that each portion contacts one of a plurality of electrochemically active stacks. The second current collector may be continuous (e.g., to provide support to the electrochemically active stacks) or similarly parsed into a second plurality of current collector portions. Each electrochemically active stack forms one of flexible electrochemical cells in the flexible multi-battery assembly. Furthermore, at least one outer surface of the first current collector or the second outer surface is fully exposed, e.g., to allow forming electrical and mechanical connections directly to one or both current collectors. In some examples, an insulator layer covers a non-exposed surface of the other current collector.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: CCL LABEL, INC.Inventors: Jesse Smithyman, Konstantin Tikhonov, Christine Ho, Chaojun Shi
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Patent number: 11881602Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells, comprising water-retaining components, and methods of fabricating such electrochemical cells. A water-retaining component is configured to deliver water to the positive active material during the operation of the electrochemical cell. The water-retaining component may be a part of the positive active material layer, a part of the electrolyte layer, and/or a standalone component. In some examples, the water-retaining component comprises one or more crystal hydrates (e.g., MgSO4, MgCl2, Na2SO4, Na2HPO4, CuSO4, CaCl2, KAl(SO4)2, and Mg(NO3)2), one or more water-retaining polymers (e.g., sodium polyacrylate, potassium polyacrylate, ammonium polyacrylate, and a cellulose derivative), one or more inorganic compounds (e.g., fumed silica, precipitated silica). In some examples, a method of forming an electrochemical cell comprises printing a positive active material layer, a negative active material layer, and an electrolyte layer, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: CCL LABEL, INC.Inventors: Jesse Smithyman, Konstantin Tikhonov, Christine Ho, Chaojun Shi, Ehsan Faegh
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Patent number: 11757492Abstract: Described herein are smart labels, each comprising multiple wireless radios, and methods of operating such labels. For example, a smart label comprises a battery and two wireless radios having different power requirements. When the battery is no longer able to support a high-power radio (e.g., NB-IoT), the battery can still power a low-power (e.g., BLE). A battery can be specially configured and/or controlled to support the multi-radio operation of the smart label. For example, a battery can include multiple battery cells with configurable connections among these cells and radios. Furthermore, some battery components can be shared by wireless radios. The battery can also power other components of the smart label, such as sensors (e.g., temperature, acceleration, pressure, package integrity, global positioning), memory, and input/output components. In some examples, multiple smart labels form a mesh network, designed to lower the total power consumption by the radios of these labels.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Christine Ho, Keith Michael Crane, Konstantin Tikhonov
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Publication number: 20230155631Abstract: Described herein are smart labels, each comprising multiple wireless radios, and methods of operating such labels. For example, a smart label comprises a battery and two wireless radios having different power requirements. When the battery is no longer able to support a high-power radio (e.g., NB-IoT), the battery can still power a low-power (e.g., BLE). A battery can be specially configured and/or controlled to support the multi-radio operation of the smart label. For example, a battery can include multiple battery cells with configurable connections among these cells and radios. Furthermore, some battery components can be shared by wireless radios. The battery can also power other components of the smart label, such as sensors (e.g., temperature, acceleration, pressure, package integrity, global positioning), memory, and input/output components. In some examples, multiple smart labels form a mesh network, designed to lower the total power consumption by the radios of these labels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Christine Ho, Keith Michael Crane, Konstantin Tikhonov
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Publication number: 20220416306Abstract: Provided are printed electrochemical cells, which utilize zinc salts for ionic transfer, and methods of fabricating such cells. In some examples, a printed electrochemical cell comprises a positive electrode with a positive current collector having a two-dimensional shape and comprising an electrolyte-facing surface formed by the graphite. For example, the positive current collector may be a graphite foil or an aluminum foil with a graphite coating. The cell also comprises electrolyte comprising an electrolyte salt and an electrolyte solvent. For example, the electrolyte salt comprises a zinc salt with a concentration of at least 30% by weight in the electrolyte. The cell is fabricated by printing a positive active material layer over the positive current collector, printing one or more electrolyte layers on various cell components, and laminating a separator layer between the positive and negative electrodes while soaking the separator layer with the electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Konstantin Tikhonov, Chaojun Shi, Christine Ho, Jesse Smithyman, Alex Gurr, Danny Hellebusch, Ehsan Faegh, Albert Aumentado, Pavel Khokhlov
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Publication number: 20220384771Abstract: Provided are electronic circuits, comprising electrochemical cells directly integrated with other devices of the circuits, and methods of manufacturing these circuits. The direct integration occurs during cell manufacturing, which allows sharing components, reducing operation steps and failure points, and reducing cost and size of the circuits. For example, a portion of a cell enclosure may be formed by a circuit board, providing direct mechanical integration. More specifically, the cell is fabricated right on the circuit board. In the same or other examples, one or both cell current collectors extend outside of the cell boundary and used by other devices, providing direct electrical integration without a need for intermediate connections and eliminating additional failure points.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Jesse Smithyman, Konstantin Tikhonov, Christine Ho, Alexander Gurr
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Patent number: 11462720Abstract: Provided are electronic circuits, comprising electrochemical cells directly integrated with other devices of the circuits, and methods of manufacturing these circuits. The direct integration occurs during cell manufacturing, which allows sharing components, reducing operation steps and failure points, and reducing cost and size of the circuits. For example, a portion of a cell enclosure may be formed by a circuit board, providing direct mechanical integration. More specifically, the cell is fabricated right on the circuit board. In the same or other examples, one or both cell current collectors extend outside of the cell boundary and used by other devices, providing direct electrical integration without a need for intermediate connections and eliminating additional failure points.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Jesse Smithyman, Konstantin Tikhonov, Christine Ho, Alexander Gurr
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Patent number: 11264643Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes solid-state, printable anode layer, cathode layer and non-aqueous gel electrolyte layer coupled to the anode layer and cathode layer. The electrolyte layer provides physical separation between the anode layer and the cathode layer, and comprises a composition configured to provide ionic communication between the anode layer and cathode layer by facilitating transmission of multivalent ions between the anode layer and the cathode layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IMPRINT ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Paul K. Wright, James W. Evans, Christine Ho
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Publication number: 20220029155Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing these cells. An electrochemical cell comprises a positive electrode and an electrolyte layer, printed over the positive electrode. In some examples, each of the positive electrode, electrolyte layer, and negative electrode comprises an ionic liquid enabling ionic transfer. The negative electrode comprises a negative active material layer (e.g., comprising zinc), printed over and directly interfacing the electrolyte layer. The negative electrode also comprises a negative current collector (e.g., copper foil) and a conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer is disposed between and adhered to, directly interfaces, and provides electronic conductivity between the negative active material layer and the negative current collector. In some examples, the conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises carbon and/or metal particles (e.g., nickel, copper, indium, and/or silver).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Qiang Zheng, Christine Ho, Jesse Smithyman
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Patent number: 11171328Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing these cells. An electrochemical cell comprises a positive electrode and an electrolyte layer, printed over the positive electrode. In some examples, each of the positive electrode, electrolyte layer, and negative electrode comprises an ionic liquid enabling ionic transfer. The negative electrode comprises a negative active material layer (e.g., comprising zinc), printed over and directly interfacing the electrolyte layer. The negative electrode also comprises a negative current collector (e.g., copper foil) and a conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer is disposed between and adhered to, directly interfaces, and provides electronic conductivity between the negative active material layer and the negative current collector. In some examples, the conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises carbon and/or metal particles (e.g., nickel, copper, indium, and/or silver).Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Qiang Zheng, Christine Ho, Jesse Smithyman
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Publication number: 20210091411Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes solid-state, printable anode layer, cathode layer and non-aqueous gel electrolyte layer coupled to the anode layer and cathode layer. The electrolyte layer provides physical separation between the anode layer and the cathode layer, and comprises a composition configured to provide ionic communication between the anode layer and cathode layer by facilitating transmission of multivalent ions between the anode layer and the cathode layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IMPRINT ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Paul K. Wright, James W. Evans, Christine Ho
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Patent number: 10945012Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for recommending podcasts. In an embodiment, the system detects a podcast request, and responsively determines whether a profile of the user indicates consumption by the user of podcasts. Responsive to determining that the profile does not indicate consumption by the user of podcasts, the system determines music preferences of the user based on data of the profile, and generates a podcast seed based on the music preferences. The system selects a podcast recommendation based on the podcast seed, and provides the podcast recommendation to the user. The system receives a selection of the podcast recommendation by the user, and responsively plays back a podcast corresponding to the podcast recommendation.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Pandora Media, LLCInventors: Kristiana Elizabeth Schneck, Steven Daniel Essinger, Adam James Hajari, Christine Ho, Taylor Jaime Kirch, Mohamed Sordo
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Publication number: 20200365871Abstract: Provided are electronic circuits, comprising electrochemical cells directly integrated with other devices of the circuits, and methods of manufacturing these circuits. The direct integration occurs during cell manufacturing, which allows sharing components, reducing operation steps and failure points, and reducing cost and size of the circuits. For example, a portion of a cell enclosure may be formed by a circuit board, providing direct mechanical integration. More specifically, the cell is fabricated right on the circuit board. In the same or other examples, one or both cell current collectors extend outside of the cell boundary and used by other devices, providing direct electrical integration without a need for intermediate connections and eliminating additional failure points.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Jesse Smithyman, Konstantin Tikhonov, Christine Ho, Alexander Gurr
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Patent number: 10826119Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes solid-state, printable anode layer, cathode layer and non-aqueous gel electrolyte layer coupled to the anode layer and cathode layer. The electrolyte layer provides physical separation between the anode layer and the cathode layer, and comprises a composition configured to provide ionic communication between the anode layer and cathode layer by facilitating transmission of multivalent ions between the anode layer and the cathode layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IMPRINT ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Paul K. Wright, James W. Evans, Christine Ho
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Publication number: 20200280056Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing these cells. An electrochemical cell comprises a positive electrode and an electrolyte layer, printed over the positive electrode. In some examples, each of the positive electrode, electrolyte layer, and negative electrode comprises an ionic liquid enabling ionic transfer. The negative electrode comprises a negative active material layer (e.g., comprising zinc), printed over and directly interfacing the electrolyte layer. The negative electrode also comprises a negative current collector (e.g., copper foil) and a conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer is disposed between and adhered to, directly interfaces, and provides electronic conductivity between the negative active material layer and the negative current collector. In some examples, the conductive pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises carbon and/or metal particles (e.g., nickel, copper, indium, and/or silver).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: Qiang Zheng, Christine Ho, Jesse Smithyman
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Patent number: 10673042Abstract: Electrochemical cells with a protective film that is permeable to hydrogen, or that include a catalyst that facilitates formation of mobile hydrogen species, that promotes sequestration or gettering of hydrogen or oxygen, and/or that facilitates conversion of hydrogen or oxygen to H2O, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Imprint Energy, Inc.Inventors: John Devin Mackenzie, Qiang Zheng, Jesse Smithyman, Christine Ho
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Patent number: 10530011Abstract: Ion transport in electrochemical cells or energy storage devices may take place in metal salt-based electrolytes. The metal salt-based electrolytes may comprise high doping metal salt formulations. Electrochemical cells or energy storage devices comprising metal salt-based electrolytes may be used as single-use or rechargeable power sources.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: IMPRINT ENERGY, INC.Inventors: John Devin MacKenzie, Christine Ho, Karthik Yogeeswaran, Greg Roberts, Chaojun Shi
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Publication number: 20200007917Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for recommending podcasts. In an embodiment, the system detects a podcast request, and responsively determines whether a profile of the user indicates consumption by the user of podcasts. Responsive to determining that the profile does not indicate consumption by the user of podcasts, the system determines music preferences of the user based on data of the profile, and generates a podcast seed based on the music preferences. The system selects a podcast recommendation based on the podcast seed, and provides the podcast recommendation to the user. The system receives a selection of the podcast recommendation by the user, and responsively plays back a podcast corresponding to the podcast recommendation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Kristiana Elizabeth Schneck, Steven Daniel Essinger, Adam James Hajari, Christine Ho, Taylor Jaime Kirch, Mohamed Sordo
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Publication number: 20190288334Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes solid-state, printable anode layer, cathode layer and non-aqueous gel electrolyte layer coupled to the anode layer and cathode layer. The electrolyte layer provides physical separation between the anode layer and the cathode layer, and comprises a composition configured to provide ionic communication between the anode layer and cathode layer by facilitating transmission of multivalent ions between the anode layer and the cathode layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IMPRINT ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Paul K. Wright, James W. Evans, Christine Ho
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Patent number: 10297862Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes solid-state, printable anode layer, cathode layer and non-aqueous gel electrolyte layer coupled to the anode layer and cathode layer. The electrolyte layer provides physical separation between the anode layer and the cathode layer, and comprises a composition configured to provide ionic communication between the anode layer and cathode layer by facilitating transmission of multivalent ions between the anode layer and the cathode layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IMPRINT ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Paul K. Wright, James W. Evans, Christine Ho