Patents by Inventor Michael R. Wixom

Michael R. Wixom 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: 9979053
    Abstract: A rechargeable, hybrid battery system incorporates a high power battery component and a high energy density battery component. The voltage of the high energy density battery varies as a function of its state of charge, but remains greater than the voltage of the high power battery throughout the operating range of the battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: A123 Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Viet Vu, Michael R. Wixom
  • Publication number: 20140368158
    Abstract: A rechargeable, hybrid battery system incorporates a high power battery component and a high energy density battery component. The voltage of the high energy density battery varies as a function of its state of charge, but remains greater than the voltage of the high power battery throughout the operating range of the battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Viet Vu, Michael R. Wixom
  • Publication number: 20120199784
    Abstract: Materials useful as electrodes for lithium batteries have very good electronic and ionic conductivities. They are fabricated from a starting mixture which includes a metal, a phosphate ion, and an additive which enhances the transport of lithium ions in the resultant material. The mixture is heated in a reducing environment to produce the material. The additive may comprise a pentavalent metal or a carbon. In certain embodiments the material is a two-phase material. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the materials and lithium batteries which incorporate those electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Wixom, Chuanjing Xu
  • Patent number: 8076030
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium titanate material, which may include an additive, and its use as an electrode in a battery. Specifically disclosed is a lithium titanate based material, with primary particle size larger than 100 nm, having very good high rate charge and discharge capabilities when incorporated into a lithium battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pu Zhang, Suresh Mani, Yet-Ming Chiang, Shih-Chieh Yin, Brian Glomski, Young-Il Jang, Christopher Silkowski, Michael R. Wixom
  • Publication number: 20110068298
    Abstract: Materials useful as electrodes for lithium batteries have very good electronic and ionic conductivities. They are fabricated from a starting mixture which includes a metal, a phosphate ion, and an additive which enhances the transport of lithium ions in the resultant material. The mixture is heated in a reducing environment to produce the material. The additive may comprise a pentavalent metal or a carbon. In certain embodiments the material is a two-phase material. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the materials and lithium batteries which incorporate those electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. WIXOM, Chuanjing XU
  • Patent number: 7879493
    Abstract: Disclosed is a doped lithium titanate and its use as an electrode in a battery. Further disclosed is a method for making an alkali metal titanate, which method includes mixing an alkali metal compound and a titanium compound, impact milling the mixture, and heating the milled mixture for a time, and at a temperature, sufficient to convert the mixture to the alkali metal titanate. The alkali metal compound can be in the form of Li2CO3 and the titanium compound can be in the form of TiO2. A dopant may be included in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pu Zhang, Suresh Mani, Michael R. Wixom
  • Patent number: 7842420
    Abstract: Materials useful as electrodes for lithium batteries have very good electronic and ionic conductivities. They are fabricated from a starting mixture which includes a metal, a phosphate ion, and an additive which enhances the transport of lithium ions in the resultant material. The mixture is heated in a reducing environment to produce the material. The additive may comprise a pentavalent metal or a carbon. In certain embodiments the material is a two-phase material. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the materials and lithium batteries which incorporate those electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Wixom, Chuanjing Xu
  • Publication number: 20090170002
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium titanate material, which may include an additive, and its use as an electrode in a battery. Specifically disclosed is a lithium titanate based material, with primary particle size larger than 100 nm, having very good high rate charge and discharge capabilities when incorporated into a lithium battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Pu Zhang, Suresh Mani, Yet-Ming Chiang, Shih-Chieh Yin, Brian Glomski, Young-II Jang, Christopher Silkowski, Michael R. Wixom
  • Publication number: 20070281211
    Abstract: Disclosed is a doped lithium titanate and its use as an electrode in a battery. Further disclosed is a method for making an alkali metal titanate, which method includes mixing an alkali metal compound and a titanium compound, impact milling the mixture, and heating the milled mixture for a time, and at a temperature, sufficient to convert the mixture to the alkali metal titanate. The alkali metal compound can be in the form of Li2CO3 and the titanium compound can be in the form of TiO2. A dopant may be included in the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: T/J Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pu Zhang, Suresh Mani, Michael R. Wixom
  • Patent number: 7282301
    Abstract: A composite material includes a first phase which comprises LixMy(PO4)z wherein M is at least one metal, y and z are independently 0, and x is less than or equal to 1. The material includes a second phase which has an electronic and/or lithium ion conductivity greater than that of the first phase. The material is prepared by heating a starting mixture which includes lithium, iron, a phosphate ion, and a catalyst in a reducing atmosphere. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the material and batteries which utilize those electrodes as cathodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: T/J Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Wixom, Chuanjing Xu
  • Patent number: 5888669
    Abstract: A non-oxide, transition metal based ceramic material has the general formula A.sub.y M.sub.2 Z.sub.x, wherein A is a group IA element, M is a transition metal and Z is selected from the group consisting of N, C, B, Si, and combinations thereof, and wherein x.ltoreq.2 and y.ltoreq.6-x. In these materials, the group IA element occupies interstitial sites in the metallic lattice, and may be readily inserted into or released therefrom. The materials may be used as catalysts and as electrodes. Also disclosed herein are methods for the fabrication of the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: T/J/ Technologies
    Inventors: Levi T. Thompson, Jr., Michael R. Wixom
  • Patent number: 5837630
    Abstract: Mesoporous desigels are fabricated as nitrides, carbides, borides, and silicides of metals, particularly transition metals, and most particularly early transition metals. The desigels are prepared by forming a gel of a metallic compound, and removing solvent from the gel. In some instances, the thus produced desigel may be further reacted to change its composition, while preserving its mesoporous structure. The materials are particularly suited as electrodes for capacitors, including ultracapacitors, and for batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: T/J Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Lynne Owens, Levi T. Thompson, Jr., Michael R. Wixom
  • Patent number: 5680292
    Abstract: High surface area electrodes for use in electrical and electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices comprise conductive transition metal nitrides, carbides, borides or combinations thereof where the metal is molybdenum or tungsten. Disclosed is a method of manufacturing such electrodes by forming or depositing a layer of metal oxide, then exposing the metal oxide layer at elevated temperature to a source of nitrogen, carbon or boron in a chemically reducing environment to form the desired metal nitride, carbide or boride film. Also disclosed is an ultracapacitor comprised of the new high surface area electrodes having a specific capacitance of 100 mF/cm.sup.2 and an energy density of 100 mJ/cm.sup.3 with improved conductivity and chemical stability when compared to currently available electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: T/J Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi T. Thompson, Jr., Michael R. Wixom, Jeffery M. Parker
  • Patent number: 4991150
    Abstract: A piezoelectric or ferroelectric stress sensing material in intimate electrical communication with an electroluminescent material produces light at an amplitude dependent on the stress applied to the stress sensing material. The light signal is transmitted from the electroluminescent material by fiber optic cable to an optical signal detector. In the preferred embodiments the electroluminescent material comprises a light emitting diode as a small electrical short circuit load across two otherwise insulated faces of a piezoelectric or ferroelectric element. The embodiments include a composite stress sensing and electroluminescent material, separate stress sensing and electroluminescent materials joined by conductive film, foil or wire and additional means to bias, amplify and control the optical signal produced by the electroluminescent material and transmitted by the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Michael R. Wixom