Patents by Inventor John T. Vaughey

John T. Vaughey 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).

  • Patent number: 11145905
    Abstract: A lithium-ion electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode comprising elemental silicon, a microporous separator membrane between the first and second electrodes, and an electrolyte in contact with the electrodes and the membrane. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt at a concentration in the range of about 0.1 M to about 5 M, and an additional metal salt at a concentration in the range of about 0.001 to about 5 M dissolved in an organic solvent. The additional metal salt comprises a metal cation that can form a lithium-silicon-metal Zintl phase; and the first electrode comprises metallic lithium or a cathode active material capable of donating and accepting lithium ions to and from the second electrode during electrochemical cycling. Electrolytes for use with silicon-containing electrodes also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Vaughey, Binghong Han, Baris Key, Fulya Dogan Key, Chen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200321655
    Abstract: A lithium-ion electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode comprising elemental silicon, a microporous separator membrane between the first and second electrodes, and an electrolyte in contact with the electrodes and the membrane. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt at a concentration in the range of about 0.1 M to about 5 M, and an additional metal salt at a concentration in the range of about 0.001 to about 5 M dissolved in an organic solvent. The additional metal salt comprises a metal cation that can form a lithium-silicon-metal Zintl phase; and the first electrode comprises metallic lithium or a cathode active material capable of donating and accepting lithium ions to and from the second electrode during electrochemical cycling. Electrolytes for use with silicon-containing electrodes also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: John T. VAUGHEY, Binghong HAN, Baris KEY, Fulya Dogan KEY, Chen LIAO
  • Patent number: 10593996
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a high voltage cathode configured to operate at 1.5 volts or greater, an anode including Mg0, and an electrolyte including an at least one organic solvent, at least one magnesium salt, and at least one additive agent including a Lewis base, wherein the electrolyte is halogen-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Vaughey, Niya Sa, Hao Wang, Baris Key
  • Publication number: 20190067743
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a high voltage cathode configured to operate at 1.5 volts or greater, an anode including Mg0, and an electrolyte including an at least one organic solvent, at least one magnesium salt, and at least one additive agent including a Lewis base, wherein the electrolyte is halogen-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Vaughey, Niya Sa, Hao Wang, Baris Key
  • Patent number: 10090519
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode including an early transition metal fluoro-bronze; an anode including magnesium metal; and an electrolyte; wherein: the early transition metal fluoro-bronze is configured for intercalation of magnesium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kenneth Poeppelmeier, John T. Vaughey, Jared Incorvati, Lindsay Fuoco
  • Patent number: 9698448
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a high voltage cathode configured to operate at 1.5 volts or greater; an anode including Mg0; and an electrolyte including an ether solvent and a magnesium salt; wherein: a concentration of the magnesium salt in the ether is 1 M or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony K. Burrell, Niya Sa, Danielle Lee Proffit, Albert Lipson, Chen Liao, John T. Vaughey, Brian J. Ingram
  • Patent number: 9647266
    Abstract: An isolated salt comprising a compound of formula (H2X)(TiO(Y)2) or a hydrate thereof, wherein X is 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and Y is oxalate anion (C2O4?2), when heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of at least about 275° C. to less than about 400° C., decomposes to form an amorphous titania/carbon composite material comprising about 40 to about 50 percent by weight titania and about 50 to about 60 percent by weight of a carbonaceous material coating the titania. Heating the composite material at a temperature of about 400 to 500° C. crystallizes the titania component to anatase. The titania materials of the invention are useful as components of the cathode or anode of a lithium or lithium ion electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Vaughey, Andrew Jansen, Christopher D. Joyce
  • Patent number: 9601801
    Abstract: An electrolyte includes compounds of formula M1Xn and M2Zm; and a solvent wherein M1 is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, Al, or Zn; M2 is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, Al, or Zn; X is a group forming a covalent bond with M1; Z is a halogen or pseudo-halogen; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Liao, Zhengcheng Zhang, Anthony Burrell, John T. Vaughey
  • Publication number: 20160308203
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode including an early transition metal fluoro-bronze; an anode including magnesium metal; and an electrolyte; wherein: the early transition metal fluoro-bronze is configured for intercalation of magnesium ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth Poeppelmeier, John T. Vaughey, Jared Incorvati, Lindsay Fuoco
  • Publication number: 20160308248
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a high voltage cathode configured to operate at 1.5 volts or greater; an anode including Mg0; and an electrolyte including an ether solvent and a magnesium salt; wherein: a concentration of the magnesium salt in the ether is 1 M or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony K. Burrell, Niya Sa, Danielle Lee Proffit, Albert Lipson, Chen Liao, John T. Vaughey, Brian J. Ingram
  • Patent number: 9300000
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-aqueous redox flow battery comprising a negative electrode immersed in a non-aqueous liquid negative electrolyte, a positive electrode immersed in a non-aqueous liquid positive electrolyte, and a cation-permeable separator (e.g., a porous membrane, film, sheet, or panel) between the negative electrolyte from the positive electrolyte. During charging and discharging, the electrolytes are circulated over their respective electrodes. The electrolytes each comprise an electrolyte salt (e.g., a lithium or sodium salt), a transition-metal free redox reactant, and optionally an electrochemically stable organic solvent. Each redox reactant is selected from an organic compound comprising a conjugated unsaturated moiety, a boron cluster compound, and a combination thereof. The organic redox reactant of the positive electrolyte is selected to have a higher redox potential than the redox reactant of the negative electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew N. Jansen, John T. Vaughey, Zonghai Chen, Lu Zhang, Fikile R. Brushett
  • Publication number: 20160020485
    Abstract: An electrolyte includes compounds of formula M1Xn and M2Zm; and a solvent wherein M1 is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, Al, or Zn; M2 is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, Al, or Zn; X is a group forming a covalent bond with M1; Z is a halogen or pseudo-halogen; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Chen Liao, Zhengcheng Zhang, Anthony Burrell, John T. Vaughey
  • Publication number: 20150180027
    Abstract: Multi-component intermetallic negative electrodes prepared by electrochemical deposition for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries are disclosed. More specifically, the invention relates to composite intermetallic electrodes comprising two or more compounds containing metallic or metaloid elements, at least one element of which can react with lithium to form binary, ternary, quaternary or higher order compounds, these compounds being in combination with one or more other metals that are essentially inactive toward lithium and act predominantly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the electronic conductivity of, and as current collection agent for, the electrode. The invention relates more specifically to negative electrode materials that provide an operating potential between 0.05 and 2.0 V vs. metallic lithium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. THACKERAY, Lynn TRAHEY, John T. Vaughey
  • Patent number: 8974959
    Abstract: Multi-component intermetallic negative electrodes prepared by electrochemical deposition for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries are disclosed. More specifically, the invention relates to composite intermetallic electrodes comprising two or more compounds containing metallic or metaloid elements, at least one element of which can react with lithium to form binary, ternary, quaternary or higher order compounds, these compounds being in combination with one or more other metals that are essentially inactive toward lithium and act predominantly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the electronic conductivity of, and as current collection agent for, the electrode. The invention relates more specifically to negative electrode materials that provide an operating potential between 0.05 and 2.0 V vs. metallic lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Thackeray, Lynn Trahey, John T. Vaughey
  • Publication number: 20150044542
    Abstract: An isolated salt comprising a compound of formula (H2X)(TiO(Y)2) or a hydrate thereof, wherein X is 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and Y is oxalate anion (C2O4?2), when heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of at least about 275° C. to less than about 400° C., decomposes to form an amorphous titania/carbon composite material comprising about 40 to about 50 percent by weight titania and about 50 to about 60 percent by weight of a carbonaceous material coating the titania. Heating the composite material at a temperature of about 400 to 500° C. crystallizes the titania component to anatase. The titania materials of the invention are useful as components of the cathode or anode of a lithium or lithium ion electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Vaughey, Andrew Jansen, Christopher D. Joyce
  • Patent number: 8871374
    Abstract: An isolated salt comprising a compound of formula (H2X)(TiO(Y)2) or a hydrate thereof, wherein X is 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and Y is oxalate anion (C2O4?2), when heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of at least about 275° C. to less than about 400° C., decomposes to form an amorphous titania/carbon composite material comprising about 40 to about 50 percent by weight titania and about 50 to about 60 percent by weight of a carbonaceous material coating the titania. Heating the composite material at a temperature of about 400 to 500° C. crystallizes the titania component to anatase. The titania materials of the invention are useful as components of the anode of a lithium or lithium ion electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Vaughey, Andrew Jansen, Christopher D. Joyce
  • Publication number: 20130224538
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-aqueous redox flow battery comprising a negative electrode immersed in a non-aqueous liquid negative electrolyte, a positive electrode immersed in a non-aqueous liquid positive electrolyte, and a cation-permeable separator (e.g., a porous membrane, film, sheet, or panel) between the negative electrolyte from the positive electrolyte. During charging and discharging, the electrolytes are circulated over their respective electrodes. The electrolytes each comprise an electrolyte salt (e.g., a lithium or sodium salt), a transition-metal free redox reactant, and optionally an electrochemically stable organic solvent. Each redox reactant is selected from an organic compound comprising a conjugated unsaturated moiety, a boron cluster compound, and a combination thereof. The organic redox reactant of the positive electrolyte is selected to have a higher redox potential than the redox reactant of the negative electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew N. JANSEN, John T. VAUGHEY, Zonghai CHEN, Lu ZHANG, Fikile R. BRUSHETT
  • Patent number: 8313721
    Abstract: This invention provides a lithium-oxygen or lithium-air electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a porous activated positive electrode comprising lithium-rich electrocatalytic materials suitable for use in lithium-oxygen (air) cells and batteries. The activated positive electrode is produced by activating a precursor electrode formed from a material comprising one or more metal oxide compounds of general formula xLi2O.yMOz, in which 0<x?4, 0<y?1, and 0<z?3, in which M is typically, but not exclusively, a transition metal, excluding Li2MnO3 as a sole metal oxide compound in the precursor electrode. Li2O is extracted from the above-mentioned precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. The invention extends to batteries containing such electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Thackeray, Christopher S. Johnson, Sun-Ho Kang, Lynn Trahey, John T. Vaughey
  • Publication number: 20120107671
    Abstract: An isolated salt comprising a compound of formula (H2X)(TiO(Y)2) or a hydrate thereof, wherein X is 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and Y is oxalate anion (C2O4?2), when heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of at least about 275° C. to less than about 400° C., decomposes to form an amorphous titania/carbon composite material comprising about 40 to about 50 percent by weight titania and about 50 to about 60 percent by weight of a carbonaceous material coating the titania. Heating the composite material at a temperature of about 400 to 500° C. crystallizes the titania component to anatase. The titania materials of the invention are useful as components of the anode of a lithium or lithium ion electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Vaughey, Andrew Jansen, Christopher D. Joyce
  • Patent number: 8124280
    Abstract: This invention relates to intermetallic negative electrode compounds for non-aqueous, electrochemical lithium cells and batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to one or more electrode components or compositions, one of which contains the basic structural unit of a MM?3 intermetallic compound, in which M and M? are comprised of one or more metals. The MM?3 intermetallic electrode compounds can be mixed, blended or integrated with one or more other intermetallic compounds, such as isostructural M3M? compounds. The electrodes are of particular use in rechargeable lithium-ion cells and batteries in numerous applications such as portable electronic devices, medical devices, space, aeronautical and defense-related devices and in transportation applications such as electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M Thackeray, John T. Vaughey