Patents by Inventor Jean Nei

Jean Nei 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: 20160230255
    Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloys comprising a) at least one main phase, b) a storage secondary phase and c) a catalytic secondary phase, where the weight ratio of the catalytic secondary phase abundance to the storage secondary phase abundance is ?3; or comprising a) at least one main phase, b) from 0 to about 13.3 wt % of a storage secondary phase and c) a catalytic secondary phase, where the alloy comprises from 0.05 at % to 0.98 at % of one or more rare earth elements; or comprising a) at least one main phase, b) from 0 to about 13.3 wt % of a storage secondary phase and c) a catalytic secondary phase, where the alloy comprises for example i) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb and Hf and ii) one or more elements selected from the group consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Sn, Al, Co, Cu, Mo, W, Fe, Si, Sn and rare earth elements, where the atomic ratio of ii) to i) is from about 1.80 to about 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Diana Wong, Jean Nei
  • Publication number: 20160233506
    Abstract: Certain nickel hydroxide active cathode materials for use in alkaline rechargeable batteries are capable of transferring >1.3 electrons per Ni atom under reversible electrochemical conditions. The specific capacity of the nickel hydroxide active materials is for example ?325 mAh/g. The cathode active materials exhibit an additional discharge plateau near 0.8 V vs. a metal hydride (MH) anode. Ni in an oxidation state of less than 2, such as Ni1+, is able to participate in electrochemical reactions when using the present cathode active materials. It is possible that up to 2.3 electrons, up to 2.5 electrons or more may be transferred per Ni atom under electrochemical conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Lixin Wang, William Mays, Benjamin Reichman, Hu Chao-Ian, Diana Wong, Jean Nei
  • Publication number: 20160233461
    Abstract: Provided are sealed pouch-cell batteries that are alkaline batteries or non-aqueous proton-conducing batteries. A pouch cell includes a flexible housing such as is used for pouch cell construction where the housing is in the form of a pouch, a cathode comprising a cathode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an anode comprising an anode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an electrolyte that is optionally an alkaline or proton-conducting electrolyte, and wherein the pouch does not include or require a safety vent or other gas absorbing or releasing system as the anode active material and the cathode active material do not increase the internal atmospheric pressure any more than 2 psig during cycling. The batteries provided function contrary to the art recognized belief that such battery systems were impossible due to unacceptable gas production during cycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo-hsiung Young, Jean Nei, Tiejun Meng
  • Publication number: 20160233505
    Abstract: Certain nickel hydroxide active cathode materials for use in alkaline rechargeable batteries are capable of transferring >1.3 electrons per Ni atom under reversible electrochemical conditions. The specific capacity of the nickel hydroxide active materials is for example ?325 mAh/g. The cathode active materials exhibit an additional discharge plateau near 0.8 V vs. a metal hydride (MH) anode. Ni in an oxidation state of less than 2, such as Ni1+, is able to participate in electrochemical reactions when using the present cathode active materials. It is possible that up to 2.3 electrons, up to 2.5 electrons or more may be transferred per Ni atom under electrochemical conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Lixin Wang, William Mays, Benjamin Reichman, Hu Chao-Ian, Diana Wong, Jean Nei
  • Publication number: 20160204429
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity than that predicted by the alloy's gaseous hydrogen storage capacity at 2 MPa. The hydrogen storage alloy may have an electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity 5 to 15 times higher than that predicted by the maximum gaseous phase hydrogen storage capacity thereof. The hydrogen storage alloy may be selected from alloys of the group consisting of A2B, AB, AB2, AB3, A2B7, AB5 and AB9. The hydrogen storage alloy may further be selected from the group consisting of: a) Zr(VxNi4.5-x); wherein 0<x?0.5; and b) Zr(VxNi3.5-x); wherein 0<x?0.9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Taihei Ouchi, Jean Nei
  • Publication number: 20160172676
    Abstract: Heterogeneous metal hydride (MH) compositions comprising a main region comprising a first metal hydride and a secondary region comprising one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of second metal hydrides, metals, metal alloys and further metal compounds are suitable as anode materials for lithium ion cells. The first metal hydride is for example MgH2. Methods for preparing the composition include coating, mechanical grinding, sintering, heat treatment and quenching techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Jean Nei
  • Publication number: 20160172669
    Abstract: Heterogeneous metal hydride (MH) compositions comprising a main region comprising a first metal hydride and a secondary region comprising one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of second metal hydrides, metals, metal alloys and further metal compounds are suitable as anode materials for lithium ion cells. The first metal hydride is for example MgH2. Methods for preparing the composition include coating, mechanical grinding, sintering, heat treatment and quenching techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Jean Nei
  • Publication number: 20160141727
    Abstract: A metal hydride battery comprising at least one negative electrode, at least one positive electrode, a casing having said electrodes positioned therein and an electrolyte composition, where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of protic acids, protic ammonium compounds, protic oxonium compounds, aprotic ammonium compounds, aprotic oxonium compounds, aprotic phosphonium compounds and alkali or alkali earth metal salts; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkali earth metal hydroxides and alkali or alkali earth metal alkoxides and an organic solvent; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an alkali metal hydroxide, water and one or more further components selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, further ionic compounds and additives; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylate compounds and
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Jean Nei, Diana Wong, Wentao Li, Lixin Wang
  • Publication number: 20160141724
    Abstract: A metal hydride battery comprising at least one negative electrode, at least one positive electrode, a casing having said electrodes positioned therein and an electrolyte composition, where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of protic acids, protic ammonium compounds, protic oxonium compounds, aprotic ammonium compounds, aprotic oxonium compounds, aprotic phosphonium compounds and alkali or alkali earth metal salts; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkali earth metal hydroxides and alkali or alkali earth metal alkoxides and an organic solvent; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an alkali metal hydroxide, water and one or more further components selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, further ionic compounds and additives; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylate compounds and
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Jean Nei, Diana Wong, Wentao Li, Lixin Wang
  • Publication number: 20160141723
    Abstract: Metal hydride batteries comprising an electrolyte composition which comprises an aqueous solution comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal oxide/hydroxides and ammonium hydroxides where when the electrolyte composition comprises KOH, the composition also comprises a further compound selected from the group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal oxide/hydroxides and ammonium hydroxides, exhibit reduced degradation of the anode material during operation. Anode materials advantageously exhibit ?95% of the degradation of the same anode material in the same battery when replacing the electrolyte composition with 6 M aqueous KOH and exhibit conductivity of ?50% of that of 6 M aqueous KOH. Anode materials are for example ABx high capacity hydrogen storage alloys comprising Mg where x is from about 0.5 to about 5 and which has a discharge capacity of ?400 mAh/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Jean Nei, Kwo Young, Damian Rotarov
  • Publication number: 20160141726
    Abstract: A metal hydride battery comprising at least one negative electrode, at least one positive electrode, a casing having said electrodes positioned therein and an electrolyte composition, where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of protic acids, protic ammonium compounds, protic oxonium compounds, aprotic ammonium compounds, aprotic oxonium compounds, aprotic phosphonium compounds and alkali or alkali earth metal salts; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkali earth metal hydroxides and alkali or alkali earth metal alkoxides and an organic solvent; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an alkali metal hydroxide, water and one or more further components selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, further ionic compounds and additives; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylate compounds and
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Jean Nei, Diana Wong, Wentao Li, Lixin Wang
  • Publication number: 20160141725
    Abstract: A metal hydride battery comprising at least one negative electrode, at least one positive electrode, a casing having said electrodes positioned therein and an electrolyte composition, where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of protic acids, protic ammonium compounds, protic oxonium compounds, aprotic ammonium compounds, aprotic oxonium compounds, aprotic phosphonium compounds and alkali or alkali earth metal salts; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkali earth metal hydroxides and alkali or alkali earth metal alkoxides and an organic solvent; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an alkali metal hydroxide, water and one or more further components selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, further ionic compounds and additives; or where the electrolyte composition comprises an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylate compounds and
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Jean Nei, Diana Wong, Wentao Li, Lixin Wang
  • Patent number: 9343735
    Abstract: A hybrid power cell is provided that combines a nickel-metal hydride battery, solid state hydrogen storage, and alkaline fuel cell technologies in a single cell operating within a targeted intermediate temperature range. A cell includes a cathode that is capable of using raw atmospheric air as an oxygen source and an anode that is capable of reversible electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage, where the anode and the cathode are highly functional at intermediate temperatures. The resulting hybrid power cell overcomes prior challenges of reliable high-capacity grid-tied energy storage necessary for greater renewable energy adoption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwo-hsiung Young, Diana Wong, Jean Nei, Benjamin Reichman, Benjamin Chao, William Mays
  • Publication number: 20150333327
    Abstract: A multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is ?30 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is 8 wt % and where the alloy comprises a mischmetal where Nd in the mischmetal is <50 at % or a multi-phase hydrogen storage alloy comprising one or more rare earth elements, a hexagonal Ce2Ni7 phase and a hexagonal Pr5Co19 phase, where the Ce2Ni7 phase abundance is from about 30 to about 72 wt % and the Pr5Co19 phase abundance is ?8 wt % have improved electrochemical performance. The alloys are useful in an electrode in a metal hydride battery, a fuel cell or a metal hydride air battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Taihei Ouchi, Jean Nei, Diana Wong, Shigekazu Yasuoka
  • Publication number: 20150295290
    Abstract: A hybrid power cell is provided that combines a nickel-metal hydride battery, solid state hydrogen storage, and alkaline fuel cell technologies in a single cell operating within a targeted intermediate temperature range. A cell includes a cathode that is capable of using raw atmospheric air as an oxygen source and an anode that is capable of reversible electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage, where the anode and the cathode are highly functional at intermediate temperatures. The resulting hybrid power cell overcomes prior challenges of reliable high-capacity grid-tied energy storage necessary for greater renewable energy adoption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwo-hsiung Young, Diana Wong, Jean Nei, Benjamin Reichman, Benjamin Chao, William Mays
  • Publication number: 20150295289
    Abstract: A hybrid power cell is provided that combines a nickel-metal hydride battery, solid state hydrogen storage, and alkaline fuel cell technologies in a single cell operating within a targeted intermediate temperature range. A cell includes a cathode that is capable of using raw atmospheric air as an oxygen source and an anode that is capable of reversible electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage, where the anode and the cathode are highly functional at intermediate temperatures. The resulting hybrid power cell overcomes prior challenges of reliable high-capacity grid-tied energy storage necessary for greater renewable energy adoption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: OVONIC BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kwo-hsiung Young, Diana Wong, Jean Nei, Benjamin Reichman, Benjamin Chao, William Mays
  • Publication number: 20140140885
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity than that predicted by the alloy's gaseous hydrogen storage capacity at 2 MPa. The hydrogen storage alloy may have an electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity 5 to 15 times higher than that predicted by the maximum gaseous phase hydrogen storage capacity thereof. The hydrogen storage alloy may be selected from alloys of the group consisting of A2B, AB, AB2, AB3, A2B7, AB5 and AB9. The hydrogen storage alloy may further be selected from the group consisting of: a) Zr(VxNi4.5-x); wherein 0<x?0.5; and b) Zr(VxNi3.5-x); wherein 0<x?0.9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Taihei Ouchi, Jean Nei