Patents by Inventor Marshall C. Smart

Marshall C. Smart 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: 10340553
    Abstract: Provided herein are electrolytes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells employing the electrolytes, methods of making the electrochemical cells and methods of using the electrochemical cells over a wide temperature range. Included are electrolyte compositions comprising a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester and optionally comprising one or more additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga
  • Patent number: 9947960
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery cell includes a housing, a cathode disposed within the housing, wherein the cathode comprises a cathode active material, an anode disposed within the housing, wherein the anode comprises an anode active material, and an electrolyte disposed within the housing and in contact with the cathode and anode. The electrolyte consists essentially of a solvent mixture, a lithium salt in a concentration ranging from approximately 1.0 molar (M) to approximately 1.6 M, and an additive mixture. The solvent mixture includes a cyclic carbonate, an non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester. The additive mixture consists essentially of lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) in an amount ranging from approximately 0.5 wt % to approximately 2.0 wt % based on the weight of the electrolyte, and vinylene carbonate (VC) in an amount ranging from approximately 0.5 wt % to approximately 2.0 wt % based on the weight of the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Boutros Hallac, Marshall C. Smart, Frederick C. Krause, Bernhard M. Metz, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, Junwei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20160197378
    Abstract: Provided herein are electrolytes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells employing the electrolytes, methods of making the electrochemical cells and methods of using the electrochemical cells over a wide temperature range. Included are electrolyte compositions comprising a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester and optionally comprising one or more additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Marshall C. SMART, Ratnakumar V. BUGGA
  • Publication number: 20160149263
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery cell includes a housing, a cathode disposed within the housing, wherein the cathode comprises a cathode active material, an anode disposed within the housing, wherein the anode comprises an anode active material, and an electrolyte disposed within the housing and in contact with the cathode and anode. The electrolyte includes a solvent mixture and a lithium salt serving as a primary lithium ion conductor in the electrolyte to allow for lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation processes at the cathode and the anode during charging and discharging of the lithium ion battery cell. The solvent mixture includes a cyclic carbonate and one or more non-cyclic carbonates. The lithium salt is lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI). The solvent mixture and LiFSI are configured to enhance the low temperature performance of the lithium ion battery cell at operating temperatures below 0° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Boutros Hallac, Marshall C. Smart, Frederick C. Krause, Bernhard M. Metz, Ratnakumar V. Bugga
  • Patent number: 9293773
    Abstract: Provided herein are electrolytes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells employing the electrolytes, methods of making the electrochemical cells and methods of using the electrochemical cells over a wide temperature range. Included are electrolyte compositions comprising a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester and optionally comprising one or more additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga
  • Patent number: 9190698
    Abstract: The invention discloses various embodiments of electrolytes for use in lithium-ion batteries, the electrolytes having improved safety and the ability to operate with high capacity anodes and high voltage cathodes. In one embodiment there is provided an electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion battery comprising an anode and a high voltage cathode. The electrolyte has a mixture of a cyclic carbonate of ethylene carbonate (EC) or mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) co-solvent, ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a flame retardant additive, a lithium salt, and an electrolyte additive that improves compatibility and performance of the lithium-ion battery with a high voltage cathode. The lithium-ion battery is charged to a voltage in a range of from about 2.0 V (Volts) to about 5.0 V (Volts).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, Surya G. Prakash, Frederick C. Krause
  • Publication number: 20150221977
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery cell includes a housing, a cathode disposed within the housing, wherein the cathode comprises a cathode active material, an anode disposed within the housing, wherein the anode comprises an anode active material, and an electrolyte disposed within the housing and in contact with the cathode and anode. The electrolyte consists essentially of a solvent mixture, a lithium salt in a concentration ranging from approximately 1.0 molar (M) to approximately 1.6 M, and an additive mixture. The solvent mixture includes a cyclic carbonate, an non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester. The additive mixture consists essentially of lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) in an amount ranging from approximately 0.5 wt % to approximately 2.0 wt % based on the weight of the electrolyte, and vinylene carbonate (VC) in an amount ranging from approximately 0.5 wt % to approximately 2.0 wt % based on the weight of the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Boutros Hallac, Marshall C. Smart, Frederick C. Krause, Bernhard M. Metz, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, Junwei Jiang
  • Patent number: 8920981
    Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment of the invention an electrolyte for use in a lithium ion electrochemical cell. The electrolyte comprises a mixture of an ethylene carbonate (EC), an ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), an ester cosolvent, and a lithium salt. The ester cosolvent comprises methyl propionate (MP), ethyl propionate (EP), methyl butyrate (MB), ethyl butyrate (EB), propyl butyrate (PB), or butyl butyrate (BB). The electrochemical cell operates in a temperature range of from about ?60 degrees Celsius to about 60 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment there is provided a lithium ion electrochemical cell using the electrolyte of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga
  • Patent number: 8889300
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement a lithium-based high energy density flow battery. In one embodiment, a lithium-based high energy density flow battery includes a first anodic conductive solution that includes a lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex dissolved in a solvent, a second cathodic conductive solution that includes a cathodic complex dissolved in a solvent, a solid lithium ion conductor disposed so as to separate the first solution from the second solution, such that the first conductive solution, the second conductive solution, and the solid lithium ionic conductor define a circuit, where when the circuit is closed, lithium from the lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex in the first conductive solution dissociates from the lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex, migrates through the solid lithium ionic conductor, and associates with the cathodic complex of the second conductive solution, and a current is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ratnakumar V. Bugga, William C. West, Andrew Kindler, Marshall C. Smart
  • Patent number: 8804309
    Abstract: Double-layer capacitors capable of operating at extremely low temperatures (e.g., as low as ?80° C.) are disclosed. Electrolyte solutions combining a base solvent (e.g., acetonitrile) and a cosolvent are employed to lower the melting point of the base electrolyte. Example cosolvents include methyl formate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propionitrile, butyronitrile, and 1,3-dioxolane. A quaternary ammonium salt including at least one of triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEMATFB) and spiro-(1,1?)-bipyrrolidium tetrafluoroborate (SBPBF4), is used in an optimized concentration (e.g., 0.10 M to 0.75 M), dissolved into the electrolyte solution. Conventional device form factors and structural elements (e.g., porous carbon electrodes and a polyethylene separator) may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Erik J. Brandon, Marshall C. Smart, William C. West
  • Patent number: 8795903
    Abstract: The invention discloses various embodiments of Li-ion electrolytes containing flame retardant additives that have delivered good performance over a wide temperature range, good cycle life characteristics, and improved safety characteristics, namely, reduced flammability. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, the electrolyte comprising a mixture of an ethylene carbonate (EC), an ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a fluorinated co-solvent, a flame retardant additive, and a lithium salt. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided an electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, the electrolyte comprising a mixture of an ethylene carbonate (EC), an ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a flame retardant additive, a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film forming agent, and a lithium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Kiah A. Smith, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, Surya G. Prakash, Frederick Charles Krause
  • Patent number: 8748046
    Abstract: An embodiment lithium-ion battery comprising a lithium-ion electrolyte of ethylene carbonate; ethyl methyl carbonate; and at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethyl butyrate, ethyl trifluoroacetate, trifluoroethyl acetate, methyl pentafluoropropionate, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl propionate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, G. K. Surya Prakash, Kiah Smith, Pooja Bhalla
  • Publication number: 20120141883
    Abstract: The invention discloses various embodiments of electrolytes for use in lithium-ion batteries, the electrolytes having improved safety and the ability to operate with high capacity anodes and high voltage cathodes. In one embodiment there is provided an electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion battery comprising an anode and a high voltage cathode. The electrolyte has a mixture of a cyclic carbonate of ethylene carbonate (EC) or mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) co-solvent, ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a flame retardant additive, a lithium salt, and an electrolyte additive that improves compatibility and performance of the lithium-ion battery with a high voltage cathode. The lithium-ion battery is charged to a voltage in a range of from about 2.0 V (Volts) to about 5.0 V (Volts).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: University of Southern California, California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakuma V. Bugga, Surya G. Prakash, Frederick C. Krause
  • Publication number: 20120007560
    Abstract: Provided herein are electrolytes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells employing the electrolytes, methods of making the electrochemical cells and methods of using the electrochemical cells over a wide temperature range. Included are electrolyte compositions comprising a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester and optionally comprising one or more additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga
  • Patent number: 8081418
    Abstract: Double-layer capacitors capable of operating at extremely low temperatures (e.g., as low as ?75° C.) are disclosed. Electrolyte solutions combining a base solvent (e.g., acetonitrile) and a cosolvent are employed to lower the melting point of the base electrolyte. Example cosolvents include methyl formate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propionitrile, butyronitrile, and 1,3-dioxolane. An optimized concentration (e.g., 0.10 M to 0.75 M) of salt, such as tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, is dissolved into the electrolyte solution. In some cases (e.g., 1,3-dioxolane cosolvent) additives, such as 2% by volume triethylamine, may be included in the solvent mixture to prevent polymerization of the solution. Conventional device form factors and structural elements (e.g., porous carbon electrodes and a polyethylene separator) may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Erik J. Brandon, Marshall C. Smart, William C. West
  • Publication number: 20110170237
    Abstract: Double-layer capacitors capable of operating at extremely low temperatures (e.g., as low as ?80° C.) are disclosed. Electrolyte solutions combining a base solvent (e.g., acetonitrile) and a cosolvent are employed to lower the melting point of the base electrolyte. Example cosolvents include methyl formate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propionitrile, butyronitrile, and 1,3-dioxolane. A quaternary ammonium salt including at least one of triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEMATFB) and spiro-(1,1?)-bipyrrolidium tetrafluoroborate (SBPBF4), is used in an optimized concentration (e.g., 0.10 M to 0.75 M), dissolved into the electrolyte solution. Conventional device form factors and structural elements (e.g., porous carbon electrodes and a polyethylene separator) may be employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Erik J. Brandon, Marshall C. Smart, William C. West
  • Publication number: 20100047695
    Abstract: The invention discloses various embodiments of Li-ion electrolytes containing flame retardant additives that have delivered good performance over a wide temperature range, good cycle life characteristics, and improved safety characteristics, namely, reduced flammability. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, the electrolyte comprising a mixture of an ethylene carbonate (EC), an ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a fluorinated co-solvent, a flame retardant additive, and a lithium salt. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided an electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion electrochemical cell, the electrolyte comprising a mixture of an ethylene carbonate (EC), an ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a flame retardant additive, a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film forming agent, and a lithium salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Kiah A. Smith, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, Surya G. Prakash, Frederick Charles Krause
  • Publication number: 20090253046
    Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment of the invention an electrolyte for use in a lithium ion electrochemical cell. The electrolyte comprises a mixture of an ethylene carbonate (EC), an ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), an ester cosolvent, and a lithium salt. The ester cosolvent comprises methyl propionate (MP), ethyl propionate (EP), methyl butyrate (MB), ethyl butyrate (EB), propyl butyrate (PB), or butyl butyrate (BB). The electrochemical cell operates in a temperature range of from about ?60 degrees Celsius to about 60 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment there is provided a lithium ion electrochemical cell using the electrolyte of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga
  • Publication number: 20080305401
    Abstract: An embodiment lithium-ion battery comprising a lithium-ion electrolyte of ethylene carbonate; ethyl methyl carbonate; and at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethyl butyrate, ethyl trifluoroacetate, trifluoroethyl acetate, methyl pentafluoropropionate, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl propionate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Marshall C. Smart, Ratnakumar V. Bugga, G.K. Surya Prakash, Kiah Smith, Pooja Bhalla
  • Publication number: 20080304207
    Abstract: Double-layer capacitors capable of operating at extremely low temperatures (e.g., as low as ?75° C.) are disclosed. Electrolyte solutions combining a base solvent (e.g., acetonitrile) and a cosolvent are employed to lower the melting point of the base electrolyte. Example cosolvents include methyl formate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propionitrile, butyronitrile, and 1,3-dioxolane. An optimized concentration (e.g., 0.10 M to 0.75 M) of salt, such as tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate, is disolved into the electrolyte solution. In some cases (e.g., 1,3-dioxolane cosolvent) additives, such as 2% by volume triethylamine, may be included in the solvent mixture to prevent polymerization of the solution. Conventional device form factors and structural elements (e.g., porous carbon electrodes and a polyethylene separator) may be employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Erik J. Brandon, Marshall C. Smart, William C. West