Patents by Inventor Claudiu B. Bucur

Claudiu B. Bucur 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: 20230395811
    Abstract: An assembly of lithium-based solid anodes to be formed into a lithium-ion battery. The anodes are formed with a fibrous ceramic or polymer framework having open spaces and an active surface material having lithiophilic properties. Open spaces within the fibrous framework and lithiophilic coatings deposited upon the surface of the fibrous framework allow for the free transport of solid lithium-ions within the anodes. In solid-state, lithium batteries can achieve higher capacity per weight, charge faster, and be more durable to extreme handling and temperature. A method for manufacturing a solid-state lithium battery having such an anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: Claudiu B. Bucur
  • Patent number: 11742494
    Abstract: An assembly of lithium-based solid anodes to be formed into a lithium-ion battery. The anodes are formed with a fibrous ceramic or polymer framework having open spaces and an active surface material having lithiophilic properties. Open spaces within the fibrous framework and lithiophilic coatings deposited upon the surface of the fibrous framework allow for the free transport of solid lithium-ions within the anodes. In solid-state, lithium batteries can achieve higher capacity per weight, charge faster, and be more durable to extreme handling and temperature. A method for manufacturing a solid-state lithium battery having such an anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: PIERSICA INC.
    Inventor: Claudiu B. Bucur
  • Patent number: 11316166
    Abstract: A particle having a core of elemental chalcogen elements, such as sulfur, selenium and tellurium, and a coating of at least one polymeric layer on the core. A functionalized conductive carbon material is dispersed in the core. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. Bucur, Naoki Osada, John Muldoon, Mike Jones
  • Publication number: 20210384519
    Abstract: An assembly of lithium-based solid anodes to be formed into a lithium-ion battery. The anodes are formed with a fibrous ceramic or polymer framework having open spaces and an active surface material having lithiophilic properties. Open spaces within the fibrous framework and lithiophilic coatings deposited upon the surface of the fibrous framework allow for the free transport of solid lithium-ions within the anodes. In solid-state, lithium batteries can achieve higher capacity per weight, charge faster, and be more durable to extreme handling and temperature. A method for manufacturing a solid-state lithium battery having such an anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventor: Claudiu B. BUCUR
  • Publication number: 20210344079
    Abstract: A safe, thin and highly conductive solid-state polymer separator for lithium-ion batteries. The separator may be deployed in a battery which lacks solvent and allows lithium ions to pass through channels via the polymerized structure. The lithium conductive polymers may be formed through free radical polymerization and may comprise a lithium conductive polymer having a polymerized carbonate solvent between iterative spacers, a lithium conductive material, and a reinforcing additive. Optionally, an interface coating may reside on one or more sides of the separator to ensure long-term operation. By utilizing such a separator in a solid-state lithium battery, cell assembly may be simplified, shrinkage may be decreased and safety may be increased. Various methods of manufacturing the solid-state polymer separator for lithium-ion batteries are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventor: Claudiu B. BUCUR
  • Patent number: 10873079
    Abstract: A low resistance multivalent metal anode is provided. The metal is present in the anode as a Riecke highly active particle. Anode resistivity of 1000 ?·cm2 or lower can be obtained. Metals employed include magnesium, calcium, zinc and aluminum. Electrochemical cells containing the low resistance multivalent metal anodes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. Bucur, John G. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 10763512
    Abstract: An electrode for a lithium battery constructed of a metal foil current collector, a coating of a pH sensitive polyelectrolyte polymer directly on the metal foil current collector; and a polyelectrolyte polymer nanomembrane comprising alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte polymer wherein each succeeding polyelectrolyte layer has excess charge over the previous layer is provided. The pH sensitive polymer may be poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) (PDAD), poly(vinyl pyridine) (PPy), polyethyleneimine (PEI), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polymethacrylic acid (PMA) or poly(styrene sulfonic acid-maleic acid, sodium salt) (PSSM3:1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. Bucur, John Muldoon, Adrian Lita
  • Patent number: 10559817
    Abstract: A core-shell composite sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and a polyelectrolyte polymer; and a shell containing a hybrid membrane coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) on the core and at least one sequential set of a negatively charged clay nanosheet and a further coating of bPEI encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the polyelectrolyte polymer. A cathode having an active material containing the core-shell composite sulfur particle and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. Bucur, John Muldoon
  • Patent number: 10312500
    Abstract: A high density slurry comprising encapsulated sulfur particles, carbon nanofibers and activated carbon black suitable for use in forming the active material of an electrode. A method for forming the high density sulfur slurry is also provided. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode as well as methods for their formation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Osada, Claudiu B. Bucur, John Muldoon
  • Patent number: 10312517
    Abstract: A sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and branched polyethyleneimine; and a coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the bPEI. A cathode having an active material containing the sulfur particles and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John Muldoon, Claudiu B. Bucur
  • Patent number: 10199688
    Abstract: A one-step method to prepare a magnesium electrolyte salt is provided. According to the method, the magnesium electrolyte is obtained by reacting a Grignard reagent and a fluorinated aryl borane. In addition, formation of monomeric or dimeric magnesium ion is determined by the choice of the Grignard reagent. The magnesium electrolyte may be non-chlorinated and non-corrosive. A magnesium battery containing the magnesium electrolyte is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. Bucur, John Muldoon
  • Patent number: 10147970
    Abstract: A method to prepare a chloride free magnesium electrolyte salt is provided. According to the method a water stable borate or carborate anion is converted to metal salt of an alkali metal or silver by an ion exchange and then converted to a chloride free magnesium salt by another ion exchange. A chloride free magnesium salt suitable as an electrolyte for a magnesium battery and a magnesium battery containing the chloride free magnesium electrolyte are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Muldoon, Claudiu B. Bucur
  • Patent number: 10069141
    Abstract: A hybrid particle having a core of a hybrid composite comprising at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium and a coating of at least one self-assembling polymeric layer encapsulating the core is provided. A method for preparing the hybrid particle includes mixing an aqueous solution of a polymer with an aqueous solution of a soluble precursor of at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium to form a mixture and adding an acid to the mixture to obtain the hybrid particle. A cathode having an active material of the hybrid particles and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. Bucur, John Muldoon, Naoki Osada, Mike Jones
  • Publication number: 20180219215
    Abstract: A core-shell composite sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and a polyelectrolyte polymer; and a shell containing a hybrid membrane coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) on the core and at least one sequential set of a negatively charged clay nanosheet and a further coating of bPEI encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the polyelectrolyte polymer. A cathode having an active material containing the core-shell composite sulfur particle and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. BUCUR, John MULDOON
  • Publication number: 20180123133
    Abstract: A sulfur particle containing a core of elemental sulfur having homogeneously dispersed particles of a conductive carbon and branched polyethyleneimine; and a coating of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) encapsulating the core is provided. In the sulfur particle the dispersed particles of conductive carbon are associated with the bPEI. A cathode having an active material containing the sulfur particles and a sulfur loading of 1.0 mg S/cm2 to 10 mg/cm2 and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John MULDOON, Claudiu B. Bucur
  • Patent number: 9819015
    Abstract: A core-shell elemental sulfur sub-micron particle having a core of elemental sulfur and a shell of a membrane containing alternating layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes is provided. A functionalized conductive carbon material is optionally present in one or more of the core and an outer layer. A cathode containing the core-shell elemental sulfur sub-micron particle and a lithium-sulfur battery constructed with the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Muldoon, Claudiu B. Bucur, Adrian Lita
  • Publication number: 20170194648
    Abstract: A particle having a core of elemental chalcogen elements, such as sulfur, selenium and tellurium, and a coating of at least one polymeric layer on the core. A functionalized conductive carbon material is dispersed in the core. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. BUCUR, Naoki OSADA, John MULDOON, Mike JONES
  • Publication number: 20170194636
    Abstract: A high density slurry comprising encapsulated sulfur particles, carbon nanofibers and activated carbon black suitable for use in forming the active material of an electrode. A method for forming the high density sulfur slurry is also provided. A cathode containing the particles and a battery constructed with the cathode as well as methods for their formation are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki OSADA, Claudiu B. BUCUR, John MULDOON
  • Publication number: 20170194640
    Abstract: A hybrid particle having a core of a hybrid composite comprising at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium and a coating of at least one self-assembling polymeric layer encapsulating the core is provided. A method for preparing the hybrid particle includes mixing an aqueous solution of a polymer with an aqueous solution of a soluble precursor of at least two elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium to form a mixture and adding an acid to the mixture to obtain the hybrid particle. A cathode having an active material of the hybrid particles and a battery containing the cathode are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. BUCUR, John MULDOON, Naoki OSADA, Mike JONES
  • Publication number: 20170179531
    Abstract: A one-step method to prepare a magnesium electrolyte salt is provided. According to the method, the magnesium electrolyte is obtained by reacting a Grignard reagent and a fluorinated aryl borane. In addition, formation of monomeric or dimeric magnesium ion is determined by the choice of the Grignard reagent. The magnesium electrolyte may be non-chlorinated and non-corrosive. A magnesium battery containing the magnesium electrolyte is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudiu B. BUCUR, John MULDOON