Patents by Inventor James A. McKinney

James A. McKinney 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: 20240144177
    Abstract: A system, method, process, and mechanism for fulfilling multi-vendor orders within a drive-through complex with a vertical transport system that delivers the multi-vendor orders to pick-up stations located below the floors with the vendors. The system receives an order from a user device of a user, wherein the order includes at least two sub-orders. The sub-orders are processed based at least on the preparation times. The sub-orders are tracked and an available drive-through lane with an available pick-up station is determined for the order including the sub-orders. Notifications may be sent to a user or third party user for order pick-up. When the order is complete, it is consolidated and the order is transferred to the available pick-up station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Pavilion Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Davies, Daniel Montano, James Farnell, Marnie Harris, Andrew McKinney, Dave Meadows, Jim Gamble, Jeff Blake
  • Patent number: 11929494
    Abstract: An electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery and method of forming the same, the electrode material including composite particles, each composite particle including: a primary particle including an electrochemically active material; and an envelope disposed on the surface of the primary particle. The envelope includes turbostratic carbon having a Raman spectrum having: a D band having a peak intensity (ID) at wave number between 1330 cm-1 and 1360 cm-1; a G band having a peak intensity (IG) at wave number between 1530 cm-1 and 1580 cm-1; and a 2D band having a peak intensity (I2D) at wave number between 2650 cm-1 and 2750 cm-1. In one embodiment, a ratio of ID/IG ranges from greater than zero to about 1.1, and a ratio of I2D/IG ranges from about 0.4 to about 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: NANOGRAF CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua J. Lau, Aaron Yost, James McKinney, Cary Michael Hayner, Jack Cavanaugh, Seonbaek Ha
  • Patent number: 11916221
    Abstract: Composite anode materials and methods of making same, the anode materials including capsules including graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, or a combination thereof, and particles of an active material disposed inside of the capsules. The particles may each include a core and a buffer layer surrounding the core. The core may include crystalline silicon, and the buffer layer may include a silicon oxide, a lithium silicate, carbon, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NANOGRAF CORPORATION
    Inventors: James McKinney, Cary M. Hayner, Joshua J. Lau, Seonbaek Ha, Francis Wang
  • Patent number: 11735740
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bell, You Li, Jesse Baucom, John Thorne, Qianwen Huang, Anurag Kumar, Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Patent number: 11631893
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode an anode positioned opposite the cathode. The anode includes a hybrid artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) layer encapsulating the anode. The hybrid A-SEI layer includes a first active component, a second active component disposed on the first active component, and a plurality of carbon-containing aggregates interwoven throughout the first and second active components and configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The cathode includes a porous carbon-based structure configured to expand in a presence of polysulfide (PS) shuttle within one or more portions of the battery. An electrolyte is dispersed between the anode and the cathode and in contact with both the anode and the cathode. The plurality of carbon-containing aggregates can include a polymer, which includes a cross-linked polymeric network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena Rogojina, Qianwen Huang, Jerzy Gazda, Jeffrey Bell, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20230067032
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bell, You Li, Jesse Baucom, John Thorne, Qianwen Huang, Anurag Kumar, Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Patent number: 11588150
    Abstract: An electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery and method of forming the same, the electrode material including composite particles, each composite particle including: a primary particle including an electrochemically active material; and an envelope disposed on the surface of the primary particle. The envelope includes turbostratic carbon having a Raman spectrum having: a D band having a peak intensity (ID) at wave number between 1330 cm?1 and 1360 cm?1; a G band having a peak intensity (IG) at wave number between 1530 cm?1 and 1580 cm?1; and a 2D band having a peak intensity (I2D) at wave number between 2650 cm?1 and 2750 cm?1. In one embodiment, a ratio of ID/IG ranges from greater than zero to about 1.1, and a ratio of I2D/IG ranges from about 0.4 to about 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NANOGRAF CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua J. Lau, Aaron Yost, James McKinney, Cary Michael Hayner, Jack Cavanaugh, Seonbaek Ha
  • Patent number: 11539074
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery comprising a cathode and an anode positioned opposite the cathode. A hybrid artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) layer is deposited on the anode and includes a plurality of active components. A blended material is interwoven throughout the plurality of active components and configured to inhibit growth of Lithium (Li) dendritic structures from the anode to the cathode. The blended material includes a combination of crystalline sp2-bound carbon domains of graphene sheets and a plurality of flexible wrinkle areas positioned at joinder points of two of more of the crystalline sp2-bound carbon domains of graphene sheets and a polymeric matrix configured to bind the plurality of active components and the blended material together. An electrolyte is in contact with the hybrid A-SEI and the cathode and a separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The blended material includes curable carboxylate salts of metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena Rogojina, Qianwen Huang, Jerzy Gazda, Jeffrey Bell, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Patent number: 11508966
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bell, You Li, Jesse Baucom, John Thorne, Qianwen Huang, Anurag Kumar, Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Patent number: 11171325
    Abstract: A negative electrode of a lithium ion electrochemical cell, the negative electrode including an active electrode material that includes a first component and a second component. The first component may include graphene, silicon, or a combination thereof. The second component may include silicon. The active electrode material may include particles in which the second component is encapsulated by the first component. The negative electrode may have an internal porosity of between 40 to 60 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NANOGRAF CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua J. Lau, Cary M. Hayner, Seonbaek Ha, James Mckinney, Francis Wang, Christine A. Frysz
  • Patent number: 11133495
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a lithium (Li) ion battery that includes an anode, a cathode positioned opposite to the anode, a porous separator positioned between the anode and the cathode, and a liquid electrolyte in contact with the anode and the cathode. The anode includes an electrically conductive substrate. A first film is deposited on the electrically conductive substrate. The first film includes a first concentration of carbon particles in contact with each other and defines a first electrical conductivity for the first film. Each of the carbon particles includes a plurality of aggregates formed of few layer graphene sheets. The plurality of aggregates form a porous structure configured to undergo a lithiation, which can include any one or more of an intercalation operation or a plating operation. The anode and the cathode can include an electroactive material. The porous structure can provide conduction between the few layer graphene sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: LytEn, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Jeffrey Bell, Anurag Kumar, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs, Michael W. Stowell
  • Patent number: 11127941
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an electrochemical cell electrode including a film layer deposited on an electrically conductive substrate. The film layer includes a concentration of carbon aggregates formed from a plurality of few layer graphene sheets orthogonally fused together. A porous structure is defined by the plurality of few layer graphene sheets and is configured to any provide for electrical conduction between contact points between any two or more of the plurality of few layer graphene sheets or host an electroactive material. The electrochemical cell electrode can be an anode. The electroactive material can include an elemental lithium (Li) interspersed in a D-spacing between adjacent few layer graphene sheets in the anode. An additional film can be deposited on the film. The film can be configured to provide a first electrical conductivity and the additional film can be configured to provide a second electrical conductivity different from the first electrical conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: LytEn, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Lanning, Jerzy Gazda, Jeffrey Bell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs, Michael W. Stowell
  • Patent number: 11127942
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods of manufacturing an anode, which can include nucleating a plurality of carbon particles at a first concentration level, forming a first film on a sacrificial substrate based on the first concentration level, each of the carbon particles defined by a plurality of aggregates formed of few layer graphene sheets fused together, defining a porous structure based on the few layer graphene sheets; and infusing a molten lithium (Li) metal into the porous structure. A plurality of interconnected porous channels can be defined based on the plurality of carbon particles. A second film can be formed by nucleating the carbon particles at a second concentration level on the first film. The first film can be configured to provide a first electrical conductivity and the second film can be configured to provide a second electrical conductivity different than the first electrical conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: LytEn, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Jeffrey Bell, David Cao, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs, Michael W. Stowell
  • Publication number: 20210126244
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a lithium (Li) ion battery that includes an anode, a cathode positioned opposite to the anode, a porous separator positioned between the anode and the cathode, and a liquid electrolyte in contact with the anode and the cathode. The anode includes an electrically conductive substrate. A first film is deposited on the electrically conductive substrate. The first film includes a first concentration of carbon particles in contact with each other and defines a first electrical conductivity for the first film. Each of the carbon particles includes a plurality of aggregates formed of few layer graphene sheets. The plurality of aggregates form a porous structure configured to undergo a lithiation, which can include any one or more of an intercalation operation or a plating operation. The anode and the cathode can include an electroactive material. The porous structure can provide conduction between the few layer graphene sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Jeffrey Bell, Anurag Kumar, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs, Michael W. Stowell
  • Publication number: 20210126286
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode an anode positioned opposite the cathode. The anode includes a hybrid artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) layer encapsulating the anode. The hybrid A-SEI layer includes a first active component, a second active component disposed on the first active component, and a plurality of carbon-containing aggregates interwoven throughout the first and second active components and configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The cathode includes a porous carbon-based structure configured to expand in a presence of polysulfide (PS) shuttle within one or more portions of the battery. An electrolyte is dispersed between the anode and the cathode and in contact with both the anode and the cathode. The plurality of carbon-containing aggregates can include a polymer, which includes a cross-linked polymeric network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena Rogojina, Qianwen Huang, Jerzy Gazda, Jeffrey Bell, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20210126243
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an electrochemical cell electrode including a film layer deposited on an electrically conductive substrate. The film layer includes a concentration of carbon aggregates formed from a plurality of few layer graphene sheets orthogonally fused together. A porous structure is defined by the plurality of few layer graphene sheets and is configured to any provide for electrical conduction between contact points between any two or more of the plurality of few layer graphene sheets or host an electroactive material. The electrochemical cell electrode can be an anode. The electroactive material can include an elemental lithium (Li) interspersed in a D-spacing between adjacent few layer graphene sheets in the anode. An additional film can be deposited on the film. The film can be configured to provide a first electrical conductivity and the additional film can be configured to provide a second electrical conductivity different from the first electrical conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Lanning, Jerzy Gazda, Jeffrey Bell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs, Michael W. Stowell
  • Publication number: 20210126246
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods of manufacturing an anode, which can include nucleating a plurality of carbon particles at a first concentration level, forming a first film on a sacrificial substrate based on the first concentration level, each of the carbon particles defined by a plurality of aggregates formed of few layer graphene sheets fused together, defining a porous structure based on the few layer graphene sheets; and infusing a molten lithium (Li) metal into the porous structure. A plurality of interconnected porous channels can be defined based on the plurality of carbon particles. A second film can be formed by nucleating the carbon particles at a second concentration level on the first film. The first film can be configured to provide a first electrical conductivity and the second film can be configured to provide a second electrical conductivity different than the first electrical conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Jeffrey Bell, David Cao, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs, Michael W. Stowell
  • Publication number: 20210126287
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery comprising a cathode and an anode positioned opposite the cathode. A hybrid artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) layer is deposited on the anode and includes a plurality of active components. A blended material is interwoven throughout the plurality of active components and configured to inhibit growth of Lithium (Li) dendritic structures from the anode to the cathode. The blended material includes a combination of crystalline sp2-bound carbon domains of graphene sheets and a plurality of flexible wrinkle areas positioned at joinder points of two of more of the crystalline sp2-bound carbon domains of graphene sheets and a polymeric matrix configured to bind the plurality of active components and the blended material together. An electrolyte is in contact with the hybrid A-SEI and the cathode and a separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The blended material includes curable carboxylate salts of metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena Rogojina, Qianwen Huang, Jerzy Gazda, Jeffrey Bell, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20210126258
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bell, You Li, Jesse Baucom, John Thorne, Qianwen Huang, Anurag Kumar, Jerzy Gazda, Bruce Lanning, Michael W. Stowell, Prashanth Jampani Hanumantha, James McKinney, George Clayton Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20210057720
    Abstract: Composite anode materials and methods of making same, the anode materials including capsules including graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, or a combination thereof, and particles of an active material disposed inside of the capsules. The particles may each include a core and a buffer layer surrounding the core. The core may include crystalline silicon, and the buffer layer may include a silicon oxide, a lithium silicate, carbon, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: James McKinney, Cary M. Hayner, Joshua J. Lau, Seonbaek Ha, Francis Wang