Patents by Inventor Meinan HE

Meinan HE 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: 11955666
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ruchira Dharmasena, Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20240047821
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interfacial lithium fluoride layer for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is disclosed. In the method, a substrate is positioned in a reaction chamber of an atomic layer deposition reactor and a lithium fluoride (LiF) precursor is introduced into the reaction chamber such that the LiF precursor contacts and chemically reacts with functional groups on the substrate. Then, an oxidant is introduced into the reaction chamber to form a single molecular layer of lithium fluoride on the substrate. The lithium fluoride layer is formed on the substrate at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 110 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 250 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Biqiong WANG, Meinan HE, Mei CAI, Andrew J. GALANT, William OSAD
  • Publication number: 20240039002
    Abstract: A battery cell includes a first current collector and a cathode electrode arranged adjacent to the first current collector and including lithium active material. A separator is arranged adjacent to the cathode electrode. The battery cell includes a second current collector. A porous conductive layer is arranged on the second current collector between the second current collector and the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Meng JIANG, Meinan HE, Biqiong WANG, Jiazhi HU, Fan XU, Louis G. HECTOR, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240038962
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separating layer that physically separates the first and second electrodes, and a porous layer disposed between the separating layer and the first electrode. The porous layer includes a porous material having a plurality of pores and a lithiating material that at least partially fills the pores of the plurality. The porous layer can be a continuous coating disposed on a surface of the separating layer opposing the first electrode or a continuous coating disposed on a surface of the first electrode opposing the separating layer. The porous material can include zeolites, aerogels, silicon oxides, porous aluminum oxides, titanium oxides, manganese oxides, and/or magnesium oxides. The lithiating material can include lithium peroxide and can fill between about 30 and about 60% of the pores of the porous material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng XIAO, Sherman H. ZENG, Meinan HE
  • Publication number: 20230335753
    Abstract: An anodeless electrochemical cell is provided that includes a positive electroactive material layer and a patterned current collector. The patterned current collector includes a non-conductive substrate and a conductive network disposed over a surface of the non-conductive substrate. The surface of the non-conductive substrate defines a first surface area, and a perimeter of the conductive network defines a second surface area. The second surface area covers greater than 90% of the first surface area. The conductive network includes a framework having plurality of pores, such that the conductive network has a porosity greater than or equal to about 20 vol. % to less than or equal to about 95 vol. %. During a charging event, the pores are configured to receive deposited lithium metal. The anodeless electrochemical cell further includes a separator between the positive electroactive material layer and the patterned current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meng JIANG, Jiazhi HU, Biqiong WANG, Meinan HE, Fan XU, Michael P. BALOGH
  • Patent number: 11784349
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Mei Cai, Shuru Chen
  • Patent number: 11735776
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrolyte system for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The electrolyte system may include an aliphatic fluorinated disulfonimide lithium salt in a mixture of organic solvents. The mixture of organic solvents may include a first solvent and a second solvent. The first solvent may include an ether solvent, a carbonate solvent, or a mixture of ether and carbonate solvents. The second solvent may include a fluorinated ether. A molar ratio of the aliphatic fluorinated disulfonimide lithium salt to the first solvent may be greater than or equal to about 1:1.2 to less than or equal to about 1:2. A molar ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent may be greater than or equal to about 1:1 to less than or equal to about 1:4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shuru Chen, Meinan He, Fang Dai, Mark Verbrugge, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11688882
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Mei Cai, Biqiong Wang
  • Publication number: 20230187612
    Abstract: A positive electrode including a plurality of electroactive particles defining an electroactive layer is provided. A first lithium-containing coating is disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive layer. The first lithium-containing coating covers between about 30% and about 50% of a total exposed surface area of the electroactive layer. A second lithium-containing coating encompasses at least one electroactive particle of the plurality of electroactive particles. The second lithium-containing coating covers between about 95% and about 100% of the at least one electroactive particle. The first and second lithium-containing coatings each have a thickness between about 0.2 nm and about 5 nm. The positive electrode further includes an electrolyte additive that aids in the formation of a first passivation layer on exposed surfaces of the first lithium-containing coating, and a second passivation layer on exposed surfaces of the second lithium-containing coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Biqiong WANG, Meinan HE, Anne M. DAILLY, Matthew BECKNER, Mei CAI
  • Patent number: 11637324
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11637321
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11600825
    Abstract: A positive electrode for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium metal battery may include an aluminum metal substrate and a protective layer disposed on a major surface of the aluminum metal substrate. The protective layer may include a conformal aluminum fluoride coating layer. A positive electrode active material layer may overlie the protective layer on the major surface of the aluminum metal substrate. The positive electrode active material layer may include a plurality of interconnected pores, which may be infiltrated with a nonaqueous electrolyte that includes a lithium imide salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Biqiong Wang, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11600814
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Meinan He, Biqiong Wang, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20230064146
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrolyte system for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The electrolyte system may include an aliphatic fluorinated disulfonimide lithium salt in a mixture of organic solvents. The mixture of organic solvents may include a first solvent and a second solvent. The first solvent may include an ether solvent, a carbonate solvent, or a mixture of ether and carbonate solvents. The second solvent may include a fluorinated ether. A molar ratio of the aliphatic fluorinated disulfonimide lithium salt to the first solvent may be greater than or equal to about 1:1.2 to less than or equal to about 1:2. A molar ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent may be greater than or equal to about 1:1 to less than or equal to about 1:4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shuru CHEN, Meinan HE, Fang DAI, Mark VERBRUGGE, Mei CAI
  • Patent number: 11557758
    Abstract: Solvent-free methods of making a component, like an electrode, for an electrochemical cell are provided. A particle mixture is processed in a dry-coating device having a rotatable vessel defining a cavity with a rotor. The rotatable vessel is rotated at a first speed in a first direction and the rotor at a second speed in a second opposite direction. The particle mixture includes first inorganic particles (e.g., electroactive particles), second inorganic particles (e.g., ceramic HF scavenging particles), and third particles (e.g., electrically conductive carbon-containing particles). The dry coating creates coated particles each having a surface coating (including second inorganic particles and third particles) disposed over a core region (the first inorganic particle). The coated particles are mixed with polymeric particles in a planetary and centrifugal mixer that rotates about a first axis and revolves about a second axis. The polymeric particles surround each of the plurality of coated particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin Liu, Xingcheng Xiao, Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11502287
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell, a porous or non-porous metal substrate may be provided. A precursor solution may be applied to a surface of the metal substrate. The precursor solution may comprise a chalcogen donor compound dissolved in a solvent. The precursor solution may be applied to the surface of the metal substrate such that the chalcogen donor compound reacts with the metal substrate and forms a conformal metal chalcogenide layer on the surface of the metal substrate. A conformal lithium metal layer may be formed on the surface of the metal substrate over the metal chalcogenide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Shuru Chen, Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • 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: 11462723
    Abstract: Presented are electrochemical devices with copper-free electrodes, methods for making/using such devices, and lithium alloy-based electrode tabs and current collectors for rechargeable lithium-class battery cells. A method of manufacturing copper-free electrodes includes feeding an aluminum workpiece, such as a strip of aluminum sheet metal, into a masking device. The masking device then applies a series of dielectric masks, such as strips of epoxy resin or dielectric tape, onto discrete areas of the workpiece to form a masked aluminum workpiece with masked areas interleaved with unmasked areas. The masked workpiece is then fed into an electrolytic anodizing solution, such as sulfuric acid, to form an anodized aluminum workpiece with anodized surface sections on the unmasked areas interleaved with un-anodized surface sections underneath the dielectric masks of the masked areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Hongliang Wang, Meinan He
  • Publication number: 20220302449
    Abstract: Electrode materials for electrochemical cells and batteries and methods of producing such materials are disclosed herein. The electrode materials comprise an active lithium metal oxide material prepared by: (a) contacting the lithium metal oxide material with an aqueous acidic solution containing one or more metal cations; and (b) heating the so-contacted lithium metal oxide from step (a) to dryness at a temperature below 200° C. The metal cations in the aqueous acidic solution comprise one or more metal cations selected from the group consisting of an alkaline earth metal ion, a transition metal ion, and a main group metal ion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Jason CROY, Arturo GUTIERREZ, Michael M. THACKERAY, Meinan HE
  • Patent number: 11417882
    Abstract: Electrode materials for electrochemical cells and batteries and methods of producing such materials are disclosed herein. The electrode materials comprise an active lithium metal oxide material prepared by: (a) contacting the lithium metal oxide material with an aqueous acidic solution containing one or more metal cations; and (b) heating the so-contacted lithium metal oxide from step (a) to dryness at a temperature below 200° C. The metal cations in the aqueous acidic solution comprise one or more metal cations selected from the group consisting of an alkaline earth metal ion, a transition metal ion, and a main group metal ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Croy, Arturo Gutierrez, Michael M. Thackeray, Meinan He