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).

  • Patent number: 11834544
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Carl A. Laskowski, Timothy M. Gillard, Michael Hickner, Liang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20210032378
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Carl A. Laskowski, Timothy M. Gillard, Michael Hickner, Liang Zhu
  • Patent number: 10439248
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Rahn, Charles E. Bakis, Michael Hickner, Yancheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160351939
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher D. RAHN, Charles E. BAKIS, Michael HICKNER, Yancheng ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8383763
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
  • Publication number: 20110223521
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 7790837
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 7790314
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner
  • Publication number: 20090239125
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner
  • Patent number: 7544764
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner
  • Publication number: 20080275146
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 7361729
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim
  • Publication number: 20060251953
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20060036064
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: James McGrath, Michael Hickner
  • Publication number: 20020091225
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Michael Hickner, Feng Wang, Yu-Seung Kim