Patents by Inventor Ghyrn E. Loveness
Ghyrn E. Loveness 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: 10461359Abstract: Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Amprius, Inc.Inventors: Yi Cui, Song Han, Ghyrn E. Loveness
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Publication number: 20190273252Abstract: Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, William S. Delhagen, Rainer Fasching, Song Han, Zuqin Liu
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Patent number: 10326135Abstract: Battery systems using doped conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Doped conversion material may include a defect-rich structure or an amorphous or glassy structure, including at least one or more of a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, a reducing cation species, and a dopant. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with doped conversion material are also provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: QuantumScape CorporationInventors: Rainer J. Fasching, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Aram Yang, Arnold Allenic, Timothy Holme
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Publication number: 20190181489Abstract: Provided are novel electrodes for use in lithium ion batteries. An electrode includes one or more intermediate layers positioned between a substrate and an electrochemically active material. Intermediate layers may be made from chromium, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, nickel, molybdenum, lithium, as well as other materials and their combinations. An intermediate layer may protect the substrate, help to redistribute catalyst during deposition of the electrochemically active material, improve adhesion between the active material and substrate, and other purposes. In certain embodiments, an active material includes one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. These materials tend to swell during cycling and may loose mechanical and/or electrical connection to the substrate. A flexible intermediate layer may compensate for swelling and provide a robust adhesion interface. Provided also are novel methods of fabricating electrodes containing one or more intermediate layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: William S. Delhagen, Rainer J. Fasching, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Song Han, Eugene M. Berdichevsky, Constantin Ionel Stefan, Yi Cui, Mark C. Platshon
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Patent number: 10230101Abstract: Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Amprius, Inc.Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, William S. Delhagen, Rainer Fasching, Song Han, Zuqin Liu
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Publication number: 20180342740Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing materials on both sides of a web while it passes a substantially vertical direction are provided. In particular embodiments, a web does not contact any hardware components during the deposition. A web may be supported before and after the deposition chamber but not inside the deposition chamber. At such support points, the web may be exposed to different conditions (e.g., temperature) than during the deposition. Also provided are substrates having materials deposited on both sides that may be fabricated by the methods and apparatuses.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Ronald J. Mosso, Ghyrn E. Loveness
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Patent number: 10096817Abstract: Provided herein are novel template electrode materials and structures for lithium ion cells. Related methods are also provided. According to various embodiments, an electrode can include a nanostructured template, an electrochemically active material layer coating the template, and a first intermediate layer between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer. In one arrangement, the nanostructured template includes silicide nanowires. The electrochemically active material may be any of silicon, tin, germanium, carbon, metal hydrides, silicides, phosphides, and nitrides. The first intermediate layer may facilitate adhesion between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer, electronic conductivity within the electrode, and/or stress relaxation between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Amprius, Inc.Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Song Han, Zuqin Liu
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Patent number: 10044046Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing materials on both side of a web while it passes a substantially vertical direction are provided. In particular embodiments, a web does not contact any hardware components during the deposition. A web may be supported before and after the deposition chamber but not inside the deposition chamber. At such support points, the web may be exposed to different conditions (e.g., temperature) than during the deposition.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Amprius, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Mosso, Ghyrn E. Loveness
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Publication number: 20180210083Abstract: A system for enhanced object detection and identification is disclosed. The system provides new capabilities in object detection and identification. The system can be used with a variety of vehicles, such as autonomous cars, human-driven motor vehicles, robots, drones, and aircraft and can detect objects in adverse operating conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or sun glare. Enhanced object detection can also be used to detect objects in the environment around a stationary object. Additionally, such systems can rapidly identify and classify objects based on the encoded information in the emitted or reflected signals from the materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Rainer J. Fasching, Ghyrn E. Loveness
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Publication number: 20180090755Abstract: Provided are battery electrode structures that maintain high mass loadings (i.e., large amounts per unit area) of high capacity active materials in the electrodes without deteriorating their cycling performance. These mass loading levels correspond to capacities per electrode unit area that are suitable for commercial electrodes even though the active materials are kept thin and generally below their fracture limits. A battery electrode structure may include multiple template layers. An initial template layer may include nanostructures attached to a substrate and have a controlled density. This initial layer may be formed using a controlled thickness source material layer provided, for example, on a substantially inert substrate. Additional one or more template layers are then formed over the initial layer resulting in a multilayer template structure with specific characteristics, such as a surface area, thickness, and porosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Zuqin Liu, Song Han, Ghyrn E. Loveness
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Publication number: 20170338464Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Rainer J. Fasching, Zuqin Liu, Song Han, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Constantin I. Stefan
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Patent number: 9780365Abstract: Provided are battery electrode structures that maintain high mass loadings (i.e., large amounts per unit area) of high capacity active materials in the electrodes without deteriorating their cycling performance. These mass loading levels correspond to capacities per electrode unit area that are suitable for commercial electrodes even though the active materials are kept thin and generally below their fracture limits. A battery electrode structure may include multiple template layers. An initial template layer may include nanostructures attached to a substrate and have a controlled density. This initial layer may be formed using a controlled thickness source material layer provided, for example, on a substantially inert substrate. Additional one or more template layers are then formed over the initial layer resulting in a multilayer template structure with specific characteristics, such as a surface area, thickness, and porosity.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Amprius, Inc.Inventors: Zuqin Liu, Song Han, Ghyrn E. Loveness
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Patent number: 9698410Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Amprius, Inc.Inventors: Rainer J. Fasching, Zuqin Liu, Song Han, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Constantin I. Stefan
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Publication number: 20170098819Abstract: Provided herein are novel template electrode materials and structures for lithium ion cells. Related methods are also provided. According to various embodiments, an electrode can include a nanostructured template, an electrochemically active material layer coating the template, and a first intermediate layer between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer. In one arrangement, the nanostructured template includes silicide nanowires. The electrochemically active material may be any of silicon, tin, germanium, carbon, metal hydrides, silicides, phosphides, and nitrides. The first intermediate layer may facilitate adhesion between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer, electronic conductivity within the electrode, and/or stress relaxation between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2012Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: AMPRIUS INC.Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Song Han, Zuqin Liu
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Patent number: 9543564Abstract: Battery systems using coated conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Protective coatings may be an oxide, phosphate, or fluoride, and may be lithiated. The coating may selectively isolate the conversion material from the electrolyte. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with coated conversion material are also provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: QuantumScape CorporationInventors: Rainer Fasching, Joseph Han, Jon Shan, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Eric Tulsky, Timothy Holme
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Publication number: 20160190600Abstract: Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Yi Cui, Song Han, Ghyrn E. Loveness
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Publication number: 20160164135Abstract: Positive electrode films for a Li-secondary battery are provided. The films include composite particles including a mixed electronic ionic conductor (MEIC), a metal fluoride (MF), and optionally an electrically conductive additive comprising carbon. The films include a catholyte and a binder that are both in contact with the composite particle surfaces but not contained therein. The composite particles are characterized by a porosity of less than about 15% v/v at 25° C. Methods of forming positive electrode films for a Li-secondary battery are also provided. Methods of forming positive electrode films including annealed composite particles for a Li-secondary battery are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: QuantumScape CorporationInventors: Rainer J. Fasching, Will Hudson, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Eric Tulsky, Adrian Winoto, Aram Yang, Arnold Allenic
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Publication number: 20160064725Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Rainer J. Fasching, Zuqin Liu, Song Han, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Constantin I. Stefan
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Publication number: 20160049655Abstract: Battery systems using doped conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Doped conversion material may include a defect-rich structure or an amorphous or glassy structure, including at least one or more of a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, a reducing cation species, and a dopant. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with doped conversion material are also provided herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: QuantumScape CorporationInventors: Rainer J. Fasching, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Aram Yang, Arnold Allenic, Timothy Holme
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Publication number: 20160013483Abstract: Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, William S. Delhagen, Rainer Fasching, Song Han, Zuqin Liu