Patents by Inventor Jocelyn Hicks Garner
Jocelyn Hicks Garner 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: 11175269Abstract: Devices and methods are employed to detect substances in a medium. The device comprises an electrogenic bacterium that selectively interacts with a substance to produce electrons. A portion of the electrons provides power to the device and a portion of the electrons generates a signal as an indication of the presence of a substance in the medium. The method comprises contacting the electrogenic bacterium of the device with a medium suspected of containing the substance and measuring the signal generated by the electrons.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Tina T. Salguero
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Patent number: 10267779Abstract: Devices and methods are employed to detect substances in a medium. The device comprises an electrogenic bacterium that selectively interacts with a substance to produce electrons. A portion of the electrons provides power to the device and a portion of the electrons generates a signal as an indication of the presence of a substance in the medium. The method comprises contacting the electrogenic bacterium of the device with a medium suspected of containing the substance and measuring the signal generated by the electrons.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Tina T. Salguero
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Patent number: 10164231Abstract: This invention, in some variations, provides a separator for a lithium-sulfur battery, comprising a porous substrate that is permeable to lithium ions; and a lithium-ion-conducting metal oxide layer on the substrate, wherein the metal oxide layer includes deposits of sulfur that are intentionally introduced prior to battery operation. The deposits of sulfur may be derived from treatment of the metal oxide layer with one or more sulfur-containing precursors (e.g., lithium polysulfides) prior to operation of the lithium-sulfur battery. Other variations provide a method of charging a lithium-sulfur battery that includes the disclosed separator, the charging being accomplished by continuously applying a substantially constant voltage to the lithium-sulfur battery until the battery charging current is at or below a selected current.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Wen Li, Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner
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Patent number: 10033030Abstract: Variations of the invention provide an improved aluminum battery consisting of an aluminum anode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a cathode comprising a metal oxide, a metal fluoride, a metal sulfide, or sulfur. The cathode can be fully reduced upon battery discharge via a multiple-electron reduction reaction. In some embodiments, the cathode materials are contained within the pore volume of a porous conductive carbon scaffold. Batteries provided by the invention have high active material specific energy densities and good cycling stabilities at a variety of operating temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: John J. Vajo, Adam F. Gross, Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Elena Sherman, Sky Van Atta
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Patent number: 9625410Abstract: Devices and methods are employed to detect substances in a medium. The device comprises an electrogenic bacterium that selectively interacts with a substance to produce electrons. A portion of the electrons provides power to the device and a portion of the electrons generates a signal as an indication of the presence of a substance in the medium. The method comprises contacting the electrogenic bacterium of the device with a medium suspected of containing the substance and measuring the signal generated by the electrons.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Tina T. Salguero
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Patent number: 9502735Abstract: This invention provides lithium-based batteries that include one or more inorganic barrier layers disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to lithium-containing compounds, such as lithium polysulfides or lithium dendrites. The inorganic barrier layer may be in direct contact with the anode or cathode, or electrically isolated from the anode and cathode. The principles disclosed herein solve the problem of maintaining electrical isolation of the anode and cathode, while providing efficient lithium-ion conduction without crossover of other lithium species that would otherwise limit the power performance of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Jun Liu
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Patent number: 9478825Abstract: This invention provides lithium-based batteries that include one or more inorganic barrier layers disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to lithium-containing compounds, such as lithium polysulfides or lithium dendrites. The inorganic barrier layer may be in direct contact with the anode or cathode, or electrically isolated from the anode and cathode. The principles disclosed herein solve the problem of maintaining electrical isolation of the anode and cathode, while providing efficient lithium-ion conduction without crossover of other lithium species that would otherwise limit the power performance of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Jun Liu
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Patent number: 9425455Abstract: Variations of the invention provide an improved aluminum battery consisting of an aluminum anode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a cathode comprising a metal oxide, a metal fluoride, a metal sulfide, or sulfur. The cathode can be fully reduced upon battery discharge via a multiple-electron reduction reaction. In some embodiments, the cathode materials are contained within the pore volume of a porous conductive carbon scaffold. Batteries provided by the invention have high active material specific energy densities and good cycling stabilities at a variety of operating temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: John J. Vajo, Adam F. Gross, Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Elena Sherman, Sky Van Atta
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Patent number: 9252455Abstract: This invention provides lithium-based batteries that include one or more inorganic barrier layers disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to lithium-containing compounds, such as lithium polysulfides or lithium dendrites. The inorganic barrier layer may be in direct contact with the anode or cathode, or electrically isolated from the anode and cathode. The principles disclosed herein solve the problem of maintaining electrical isolation of the anode and cathode, while providing efficient lithium-ion conduction without crossover of other lithium species that would otherwise limit the power performance of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Jun Liu
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Patent number: 9160013Abstract: The present invention provides methods for fabricating a fuel cell membrane structure that can dramatically reduce fuel crossover, thereby improving fuel cell efficiency and power output. Preferred composite membrane structures include an inorganic layer situated between the anode layer and the proton-exchange membrane. The inorganic layer can conduct protons in unhydrated form, rather than as hydronium ions, which reduces fuel crossover. Some methods of this invention include certain coating steps to effectively deposit an inorganic layer on an organic proton-exchange membrane.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Adam F. Gross, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Ping Liu, John J. Vajo, Chaoyin Zhou
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Patent number: 9029025Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell has a three-dimensional and ordered structure. The anode material fills an entire anode compartment, and it is arranged to allow fluid flow within the anode compartment. The power output of microbial fuel cells is enhanced, primarily by increasing the formation and viability of electrogenic biofilms on the anodes of the microbial fuel cells. The anode material in a microbial fuel cell allows for the growth of a microbial biofilm to its natural thickness. In the instance of members of the Geobacteraceae family, the biofilm is able grow to a depth of about 40 microns.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Tina T. Salguero, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Souren Soukiazian
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Publication number: 20140220237Abstract: The present invention provides methods for fabricating a fuel cell membrane structure that can dramatically reduce fuel crossover, thereby improving fuel cell efficiency and power output. Preferred composite membrane structures include an inorganic layer situated between the anode layer and the proton-exchange membrane. The inorganic layer can conduct protons in unhydrated form, rather than as hydronium ions, which reduces fuel crossover. Some methods of this invention include certain coating steps to effectively deposit an inorganic layer on an organic proton-exchange membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: HRL LABORATORIES, LLCInventors: Adam F. GROSS, Jocelyn HICKS-GARNER, Ping LIU, John J. VAJO, Chaoyin ZHOU
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Publication number: 20140217992Abstract: This invention, in some variations, provides a separator for a lithium-sulfur battery, comprising a porous substrate that is permeable to lithium ions; and a lithium-ion-conducting metal oxide layer on the substrate, wherein the metal oxide layer includes deposits of sulfur that are intentionally introduced prior to battery operation. The deposits of sulfur may be derived from treatment of the metal oxide layer with one or more sulfur-containing precursors (e.g., lithium polysulfides) prior to operation of the lithium-sulfur battery. Other variations provide a method of charging a lithium-sulfur battery that includes the disclosed separator, the charging being accomplished by continuously applying a substantially constant voltage to the lithium-sulfur battery until the battery charging current is at or below a selected current.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Wen LI, Ping LIU, Jocelyn HICKS-GARNER
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Patent number: 8735013Abstract: The present invention provides methods for fabricating a fuel cell membrane structure that can dramatically reduce fuel crossover, thereby improving fuel cell efficiency and power output. Preferred composite membrane structures include an inorganic layer situated between the anode layer and the proton-exchange membrane. The inorganic layer can conduct protons in unhydrated form, rather than as hydronium ions, which reduces fuel crossover. Some methods of this invention include certain coating steps to effectively deposit an inorganic layer on an organic proton-exchange membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Chaoyin Zhou, Adam F. Gross, John J. Vajo
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Patent number: 8715853Abstract: Variations of the invention provide an improved aluminum battery consisting of an aluminum anode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a cathode comprising a metal oxide, a metal fluoride, a metal sulfide, or sulfur. The cathode can be fully reduced upon battery discharge via a multiple-electron reduction reaction. In some embodiments, the cathode materials are contained within the pore volume of a porous conductive carbon scaffold. Batteries provided by the invention have high active material specific energy densities and good cycling stabilities at a variety of operating temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: John J. Vajo, Adam F. Gross, Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Elena Sherman, Sky Van Atta
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Patent number: 8241798Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell has a three-dimensional and ordered structure. The anode material fills an entire anode compartment, and it is arranged to allow fluid flow within the anode compartment. The power output of microbial fuel cells is enhanced, primarily by increasing the formation and viability of electrogenic biofilms on the anodes of the microbial fuel cells. The anode material in a microbial fuel cell allows for the growth of a microbial biofilm to its natural thickness. In the instance of members of the Geobacteraceae family, the biofilm is able grow to a depth of about 40 microns.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Tina T. Salguero, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Souren Soukiazian
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Patent number: 8114544Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell has a three-dimensional and ordered structure. The anode material fills an entire anode compartment, and it is arranged to allow fluid flow within the anode compartment. The power output of microbial fuel cells is enhanced, primarily by increasing the formation and viability of electrogenic biofilms on the anodes of the microbial fuel cells. The anode material in a microbial fuel cell allows for the growth of a microbial biofilm to its natural thickness. In the instance of members of the Geobacteraceae family, the biofilm is able grow to a depth of about 40 microns.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Tina T. Salguero, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Souren Soukiazian
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Patent number: 8039681Abstract: This invention relates to carbon materials, such as a fullerene molecule or a curved carbon nanostructure, that are functionalized by addition chemistry performed on surface C—C double bond.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Paul J. Krusic, Clarence G. Law, Helen S. M. Lu, Zhen-Yu Yang, Jocelyn Hicks Garner