Patents by Inventor Mei Cai

Mei Cai 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: 20220320584
    Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium metal battery including a nonaqueous aprotic organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved or ionized in the nonaqueous aprotic organic solvent. The nonaqueous aprotic organic solvent includes a cyclic carbonate, an acyclic carbonate, and an acyclic fluorinated ether. The lithium salt includes an aliphatic fluorinated disulfonimide lithium salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Mei Cai, Shuru Chen
  • Patent number: 11462765
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a metal-organic framework electrolyte layer, can comprise a plurality of metal-organic frameworks having a porous structure and comprising a solvated salt absorbed in the porous structure; and a polymer. The MOF electrolyte layer can have at least one of a density of less than or equal to 0.3 g/cm3 or a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 500 to 4,000 m2/g. A lithium metal battery can comprise the metal-organic framework electrolyte layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Anne M. Dailly, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11451071
    Abstract: A battery electric vehicle includes a high voltage rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). The RESS includes several battery modules reconfigurable among parallel and series arrangements. During reconfiguration transitions, a low voltage battery services low voltage loads of the battery electric vehicle. The low voltage battery is preconditioned in advance of reconfigurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Shifang Li, Jinming Liu, Yue Fan, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11446903
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer panel, comprising: a center layer comprising graphene, wherein the center layer comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface; a first polymer layer deposited on the first surface of the center layer and a second polymer layer deposited on the second surface of the center layer; and a first glass layer deposited on an outer surface of the first polymer layer and a second glass layer deposited on an outer surface of the second polymer layer; wherein the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer, or any combination(s) thereof comprise carbon filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anne M. Dailly, Mei Cai, Michael D. Richardson, Todd J. Gordon
  • Patent number: 11424509
    Abstract: A method for coating a separator for a battery includes creating an electrostatic field and disposing a substrate material within the electrostatic field. The method further includes applying a coating material to the substrate material in a presence of the electrostatic field and drying the coating material upon the substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ruchira R. Dharmasena, Shuru Chen, Fang Dai, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11417888
    Abstract: An electrode including an electrode active material and a ceramic hydrofluoric acid (HF) scavenger is provided. The ceramic hydrofluoric acid (HF) scavenger includes M2SiO3, MAlO2, M2O—Al2O3—SiO2, or combinations thereof, where M is lithium (Li), sodium (Na), or combinations thereof. Methods of making the electrode are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Jin Liu, Jiagang Xu, Mei Cai, Sherman H. Zeng
  • Publication number: 20220255132
    Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium ion battery includes a nonaqueous aprotic organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the organic solvent. The organic solvent includes a cyclic carbonate, an acyclic carbonate, and an acyclic fluorinated ether for improved low temperature and high voltage performance as well as enhanced thermostability. The ether group has a general formula of R1—O—[R3—O]n—R2, where n=0 or 1, R1 and R2 are each straight-chain C1-C6 fluoroalkyl groups, and, when n=1, R3 is a methylene group or a polyethylene group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20220255187
    Abstract: A method for coating a separator for a battery includes creating an electrostatic field and disposing a substrate material within the electrostatic field. The method further includes applying a coating material to the substrate material in a presence of the electrostatic field and drying the coating material upon the substrate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ruchira R. Dharmasena, Shuru Chen, Fang Dai, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20220246987
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a positive electroactive material. The positive electroactive material includes a phospho-olivine compound. The negative electrode includes lithium metal. The separator is between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator is electrically insulating and ionically conductive. The electrolyte includes a ternary salt and a solvent. The ternary salt includes LiPF6, LiFSI, and LiClO4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan HE, Mei CAI
  • Publication number: 20220238972
    Abstract: A battery system includes an enclosure having opposed first and second major walls, a perimetral wall connecting the first and second major walls along respective perimeters thereof, and an interior defined by the first and second major walls and the perimetral wall, wherein the enclosure is configured for containing an anode assembly, a cathode assembly and an electrolyte within the interior. A longitudinal embossment is formed in the perimetral wall extending outward from the interior and extending along opposed adjacent portions of the first and second perimeters. A wall port is defined in the perimetral wall in fluid communication with the interior, wherein the wall port is configured for permitting flow of the electrolyte therethrough into and out of the interior. First and second electrodes extend through the perimetral wall and are configured for electrical connection with the anode assembly and cathode assembly, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ruchira Dharmasena, Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20220238861
    Abstract: An electrode precursor or slurry according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes a blended electroactive material and a binder solution. The blended electroactive material includes a first electroactive material and a second electroactive material. The first electroactive material includes nickel. The first electroactive material is selected from the group consisting of LiNixCoyMnzO2 where x is greater than 0.6, LiNixCoyAlzO2 where x is greater than 0.6, LiNixCoyMnzAl?O2 where x is greater than 0.6, or any combination thereof. The second electroactive material includes a phosphor-olivine compound at less than or equal to about 30 weight percent of the blended electroactive material. The binder solution including a polymeric binder and a solvent including N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a high-nickel-content positive electrode formed from the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan HE, Biqiong WANG, Mei CAI
  • Patent number: 11372734
    Abstract: Database recovery is based on workload priorities. A database workload is divided into a plurality of workload groups. A workload group of the plurality of workload groups is selected for recovery, in which the selecting is based on a priority of the workload group. One or more recovery actions are performed for the workload group selected for recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong Mei Zhang, Xiaobo Wang, Shuo Li, Sheng Yan Sun, Mei Cai Zeng, Yi Bu Li
  • Publication number: 20220200039
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell for a lithium battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a polymeric separator, and composite flame retardant particles including a particulate host material and a flame retardant material carried by the particulate host material. The composite flame retardant particles may be positioned within the electrochemical cell along a lithium-ion transport path or an electron transport path that extends through or between one or more components of the electrochemical cell. The composite flame retardant particles may be positioned within polymeric portions of a laminate structure that defines a housing in which the electrochemical cell is enclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Mei Cai, Sherman H. Zeng
  • Publication number: 20220199970
    Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium metal battery is manufactured by a method in which a precursor solution is applied to a major surface of a lithium metal substrate to form a precursor coating thereon. The precursor solution includes an organophosphate, a nonpolar organic solvent, and a lithium-containing inorganic ionic compound dissolved therein. At least a portion of the nonpolar organic solvent is removed from the precursor coating to form a protective interfacial layer on the major surface of the lithium metal substrate. The protective interfacial layer exhibits a composite structure including a carbon-based matrix component and a lithium-containing dispersed component. The lithium-containing dispersed component is embedded in the carbon-based matrix component and includes a plurality of lithium-containing inorganic ionic compounds, e.g., lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Mengyuan Chen, Qinglin Zhang, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20220166031
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solid-state bipolar battery that includes negative and positive electrodes having thicknesses between about 100 ?m and about 3000 ?m, and a solid-state electrolyte layer disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode and having a thickness between about 5 ?m and about 100 ?m. The first electrode includes a plurality of negative solid-state electroactive particles embedded on or disposed within a first porous material. The second electrode includes plurality of positive solid-state electroactive particles embedded on or disposed within a second porous material that is the same or different from the first porous material. The solid-state bipolar battery includes a first current collector foil disposed on the first porous material, and a second current collector foil disposed on the second porous material. The first and second current collector foils may each have a thickness less than or equal to about 10 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhe LI, Xiaochao QUE, Haijing LIU, Yong LU, Meiyuan WU, Thomas A. YERSAK, Mei CAI
  • Patent number: 11342549
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sulfur-containing electrodes and methods for forming the same. For example, the method may include disposing an electroactive material on or near a current collector to form an electroactive material layer having a first porosity and applying pressure and heat to the electroactive material layer so that the electroactive material layer has a second porosity. The first porosity is greater than the second porosity. The electroactive material may include a plurality of electroactive material particles and one or more salt additives. The method may further include contacting the electroactive material layer and an electrolyte such that the electrolyte dissolves the plurality of one or more salt particles so that the electroactive material layer has a third porosity. The third porosity may be greater than the second porosity and less than the first porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shuru Chen, Fang Dai, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20220158167
    Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrode includes a carbon membrane having a first face and an opposing second face, wherein at least a portion of the carbon membrane is modified to include an elevated number of nucleation sites for lithium relative to the carbon membrane when unmodified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng XIAO, Hongliang WANG, Gayatri V. DADHEECH, Mei CAI
  • Patent number: 11328878
    Abstract: A porous carbon material includes a hierarchical porous structure including a primary microporous structure and at least one of a secondary mesoporous structure and a secondary macroporous structure. The porous carbon material is formed by combining a halogenated-hydrocarbon, an aprotic hydrocarbon solvent, and a reductant to initiate a reaction that forms intermediate particles having a microporous framework; and subjecting the intermediate particles to a heat treatment at a heat treatment temperature ranging from about 300° C. to less than 1,500° C. for a heat treatment time period ranging from about 20 minutes to about 10 hours to thereby form the porous carbon material. The aprotic hydrocarbon solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene, hexane, cyclohexane, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Jingmei Shen, Mei Cai, Anne M. Dailly
  • Publication number: 20220140394
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrolyte systems and/or separators for electrochemical cells that cycle lithium ions and which may have lithium metal electrodes. The electrochemical cell includes a liquid electrolyte system that fills voids and pores within the electrochemical cell. The electrolyte system includes two or more lithium salts and two or more solvents. The two or more lithium salts include bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiN(FSO2)2) (LIFSI) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO4). The two or more solvents include a first solvent and a second solvent. The first solvent may be a fluorinated cyclic carbonate. The second solvent may be a linear carbonate. A volumetric ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent may be 1:4. The electrochemical cell may include a surface-modified separator that has one or more coatings or fillers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan HE, Mei CAI, Biqiong WANG
  • Patent number: 11309539
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal negative electrode layer physically and chemically bonded to a surface of a negative electrode current collector via an intermediate metal chalcogenide layer. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may comprise a metal oxide, a metal sulfide, a metal selenide, or a combination thereof. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector by exposing the surface to a chalcogen or a chalcogen donor compound. Then, the alkali metal negative electrode layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the intermediate metal chalcogenide layer by contacting at least a portion of the metal chalcogenide layer with a source of sodium or potassium to form a layer of sodium or potassium on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the metal chalcogenide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Meinan He, Shuru Chen, Mei Cai