Patents by Inventor Niall Donnelly

Niall Donnelly 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: 20210005926
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: TIM HOLME, Niall Donnelly, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto, Dong Hee Anna Choi
  • Patent number: 10862161
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna Choi, Niall Donnelly, Tim Holme, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto
  • Patent number: 10840544
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto, Dong Hee Anna Choi
  • Publication number: 20200333076
    Abstract: Setter plates are fabricated from Li-stuffed garnet materials having the same, or substantially similar, compositions as a garnet Li-stuffed solid electrolyte. The Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, reduce the evaporation of Li during a sintering treatment step and/or reduce the loss of Li caused by diffusion out of the sintering electrolyte. Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, maintain compositional control over the solid electrolyte during sintering when, upon heating, lithium is prone to diffuse out of the solid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Sriram IYER, Tim HOLME, Niall DONNELLY
  • Patent number: 10804564
    Abstract: Set forth herein are pellets, thin films, and monoliths of lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having engineered surfaces. These engineered surfaces have a list of advantageous properties including, but not limited to, low surface area resistance, high Li+ ion conductivity, low tendency for lithium dendrites to form within or thereupon when the electrolytes are used in an electrochemical cell. Other advantages include voltage stability and long cycle life when used in electrochemical cells as a separator or a membrane between the positive and negative electrodes. Also set forth herein are methods of making these electrolytes including, but not limited to, methods of annealing these electrolytes under controlled atmosphere conditions. Set forth herein, additionally, are methods of using these electrolytes in electrochemical cells and devices. The instant disclosure further includes electrochemical cells which incorporate the lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes set forth herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold Allenic, Cheng-Chieh Chao, Lei Cheng, Niall Donnelly, William H. Gardner, Tim Holme, Sriram Iyer, Shuang Li
  • Patent number: 10746468
    Abstract: Setter plates are fabricated from Li-stuffed garnet materials having the same, or substantially similar, compositions as a garnet Li-stuffed solid electrolyte. The Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, reduce the evaporation of Li during a sintering treatment step and/or reduce the loss of Li caused by diffusion out of the sintering electrolyte. Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, maintain compositional control over the solid electrolyte during sintering when, upon heating, lithium is prone to diffuse out of the solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Sriram Iyer, Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20200216361
    Abstract: Set forth herein are processes and materials for making ceramic thin films by casting ceramic source powders and precursor reactants, binders, and functional additives into unsintered thin films and subsequently sintering the thin films under controlled atmospheres and on specific substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Oleh KARPENKO, Gengfu XU, Niall DONNELLY, Sriram IYER, Tim HOLME
  • Publication number: 20200176743
    Abstract: Set forth herein are electrochemical cells which include a negative electrode current collector, a lithium metal negative electrode, an oxide electrolyte membrane, a bonding agent layer, a positive electrode, and a positive electrode current collector. The bonding agent layer advantageously lowers the interfacial impedance of the oxide electrolyte at least at the positive electrode interface and also optionally acts as an adhesive between the solid electrolyte separator and the positive electrode interface. Also set forth herein are methods of making these bonding agent layers including, but not limited to, methods of preparing and depositing precursor solutions which form these bonding agent layers. Set forth herein, additionally, are methods of using these electrochemical cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Zhebo CHEN, Niall DONNELLY, Tim HOLME, Deepika SINGH
  • Patent number: 10651502
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly, Sriram Iyer, Adrian Winoto, Mohit Singh, Will Hudson, Dong Hee Anna Choi, Oleh Karpenko
  • Patent number: 10563918
    Abstract: Setter plates are fabricated from Li-stuffed garnet materials having the same, or substantially similar, compositions as a garnet Li-stuffed solid electrolyte. The Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, reduce the evaporation of Li during a sintering treatment step and/or reduce the loss of Li caused by diffusion out of the sintering electrolyte. Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, maintain compositional control over the solid electrolyte during sintering when, upon heating, lithium is prone to diffuse out of the solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Sriram Iyer, Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20200003494
    Abstract: Setter plates are fabricated from Li-stuffed garnet materials having the same, or substantially similar, compositions as a garnet Li-stuffed solid electrolyte. The Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, reduce the evaporation of Li during a sintering treatment step and/or reduce the loss of Li caused by diffusion out of the sintering electrolyte. Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, maintain compositional control over the solid electrolyte during sintering when, upon heating, lithium is prone to diffuse out of the solid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Sriram IYER, Tim HOLME, Niall DONNELLY
  • Publication number: 20200006806
    Abstract: Set forth herein are pellets, thin films, and monoliths of lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having engineered surfaces. These engineered surfaces have a list of advantageous properties including, but not limited to, low surface area resistance, high Li+ ion conductivity, low tendency for lithium dendrites to form within or thereupon when the electrolytes are used in an electrochemical cell. Other advantages include voltage stability and long cycle life when used in electrochemical cells as a separator or a membrane between the positive and negative electrodes. Also set forth herein are methods of making these electrolytes including, but not limited to, methods of annealing these electrolytes under controlled atmosphere conditions. Set forth herein, additionally, are methods of using these electrolytes in electrochemical cells and devices. The instant disclosure further includes electrochemical cells which incorporate the lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes set forth herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Arnold ALLENIC, Cheng-Chieh CHAO, Lei CHENG, Niall DONNELLY, Will N. GARDNER, Tim HOLME, Sriram IYER, Shuang LI
  • Publication number: 20190372158
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna CHOI, Niall Donnelly, Tim HOLME, Will HUDSON, Sriram IYER, Oleh KARPENKO, Mohit SINGH, Adrian WINOTO
  • Publication number: 20190334204
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly
  • Patent number: 10439251
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also disclosed herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also disclosed herein are methods for preparing dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device. Also disclosed herein are sintering techniques, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly, Sriram Iyer, Adrian Winoto, Mohit Singh, Will Hudson, Dong Hee Anna Choi, Oleh Karpenko, Kian Kerman
  • Patent number: 10431850
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also disclosed herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also disclosed herein are methods for preparing dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device. Also disclosed herein are sintering techniques, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna Choi, Niall Donnelly, Tim Holme, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Kian Kerman, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto
  • Patent number: 10431806
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to battery technologies and processing techniques thereof. In various embodiments, ceramic electrolyte powder material (or component thereof) is mixed with two or more flux to form a fluxed powder material. The fluxed powder material is shaped and heated again at a temperature less than 1100° C. to form a dense lithium conducting material. There are other variations and embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Niall Donnelly, Tim Holme
  • Patent number: 10422581
    Abstract: Setter plates are fabricated from Li-stuffed garnet materials having the same, or substantially similar, compositions as a garnet Li-stuffed solid electrolyte. The Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, reduce the evaporation of Li during a sintering treatment step and/or reduce the loss of Li caused by diffusion out of the sintering electrolyte. Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, maintain compositional control over the solid electrolyte during sintering when, upon heating, lithium is prone to diffuse out of the solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Sriram Iyer, Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20190280331
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Tim HOLME, Niall DONNELLY
  • Patent number: 10403931
    Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly