Patents by Inventor Michael Hickner
Michael Hickner 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: 11834544Abstract: Described herein are cationic polymers having a plurality of quaternary amino groups, methods of making such polymers, and uses of such polymers as ion exchange membranes in electrochemical devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Carl A. Laskowski, Timothy M. Gillard, Michael Hickner, Liang Zhu
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Publication number: 20210032378Abstract: Described herein are cationic polymers having a plurality of quaternary amino groups, methods of making such polymers, and uses of such polymers as ion exchange membranes in electrochemical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Carl A. Laskowski, Timothy M. Gillard, Michael Hickner, Liang Zhu
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Patent number: 10439248Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the construction and application of batteries by providing a battery system comprising at least one electrochemical panel with at least one electrochemical cell disposed therein, which is configured to enable multi-purpose functionality and applicability of the battery system. Embodiments provide for electrodes and/or current collectors of each electrochemical cell that are transversely orientated with respect to each face of an electrochemical panel. Some embodiments provide for a separator pouch disposed about at least one electrode and/or current collector to electrically insulate the electrode and/or current collector from a structure component of the device. Each electrochemical panel is configured to enable electrical communication with another electrochemical panel and/or an ancillary electric circuit. Each electrochemical panel is configured enable utilization thereof as a structural component of an ancillary structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Christopher D. Rahn, Charles E. Bakis, Michael Hickner, Yancheng Zhang
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Publication number: 20160351939Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the construction and application of batteries by providing a battery system comprising at least one electrochemical panel with at least one electrochemical cell disposed therein, which is configured to enable multi-purpose functionality and applicability of the battery system. Embodiments provide for electrodes and/or current collectors of each electrochemical cell that are transversely orientated with respect to each face of an electrochemical panel. Some embodiments provide for a separator pouch disposed about at least one electrode and/or current collector to electrically insulate the electrode and/or current collector from a structure component of the device. Each electrochemical panel is configured to enable electrical communication with another electrochemical panel and/or an ancillary electric circuit. Each electrochemical panel is configured enable utilization thereof as a structural component of an ancillary structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Christopher D. RAHN, Charles E. BAKIS, Michael HICKNER, Yancheng ZHANG
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Patent number: 8383763Abstract: Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers may include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed into membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed from the sulfonated polymers exhibit improved properties over that of Nafion®. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to the sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100° C., and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
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Publication number: 20110223521Abstract: Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers may include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed into membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed from the sulfonated polymers exhibit improved properties over that of Nafion®. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to the sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100° C., and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
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Patent number: 7790837Abstract: Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers may include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed into membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed from the sulfonated polymers exhibit improved properties over that of Nafion®. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to the sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100° C., and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
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Patent number: 7790314Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is described. The materials for the membrane electrode assembly are formed from sulfonated polymers. A polymer dispersion ink containing the sulfonated polymer and a mixture of solvents is used to form the electrodes on the exchange membrane. The dispersion ink allows for the electrodes to be formed directly on the exchange membrane without significantly dissolving the exchange membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner
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Publication number: 20090239125Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is described. The materials for the membrane electrode assembly are formed from sulfonated polymers. A polymer dispersion ink containing the sulfonated polymer and a mixture of solvents is used to form the electrodes on the exchange membrane. The dispersion ink allows for the electrodes to be formed directly on the exchange membrane without significantly dissolving the exchange membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner
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Patent number: 7544764Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is described. The materials for the membrane electrode assembly are formed from sulfonated polymers. A polymer dispersion ink containing the sulfonated polymer and a mixture of solvents is used to form the electrodes on the exchange membrane. The dispersion ink allows for the electrodes to be formed directly on the exchange membrane without significantly dissolving the exchange membrane.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner
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Publication number: 20080275146Abstract: Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers may include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed into membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed from the sulfonated polymers exhibit improved properties over that of Nafion®. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to the sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100° C., and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
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Patent number: 7361729Abstract: Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers may include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed into membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed from the sulfonated polymers exhibit improved properties over that of Nafion®. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to the sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100° C., and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
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Publication number: 20060251953Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Applicant: Toyota Technical Center USA, Inc.Inventors: Wen Li, Tetsuo Kawamura, Tetsuo Nagami, Hiroaki Takahashi, John Muldoon, John Shelnutt, Yujiang Song, James Miller, Michael Hickner, Craig Medforth
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Publication number: 20060036064Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is described. The materials for the membrane electrode assembly are formed from sulfonated polymers. A polymer dispersion ink containing the sulfonated polymer and a mixture of solvents is used to form the electrodes on the exchange membrane. The dispersion ink allows for the electrodes to be formed directly on the exchange membrane without significantly dissolving the exchange membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2003Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: James McGrath, Michael Hickner
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Publication number: 20020091225Abstract: Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers may include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed into membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed from the sulfonated polymers exhibit improved properties over that of Nafion®. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to the sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100° C., and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim