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).

  • Patent number: 10403932
    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. 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. Disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin 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: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna Choi, Niall Donnelly, Tim Holme, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto
  • Publication number: 20190260073
    Abstract: Provided herein are defect-free solid-state separators which are useful as Li+ ion-conducting electrolytes in electrochemical cells and devices, such as, but not limited to, rechargeable batteries. In some examples, the separators have a Li+ ion-conductivity greater than 1*10?3 S/cm at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Cheng-Chieh CHAO, Zhebo CHEN, Lei CHENG, Niall DONNELLY, Tim HOLME, Tommy HUANG, Sriram IYER, Kian KERMAN, Harsh MAHESHWARI, Jagdeep SINGH, Gengfu XU
  • Publication number: 20190245178
    Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to rechargeable batteries and solid electrolytes therefore which include lithium-stuffed garnet oxides, for example, in a thin film, pellet, or monolith format wherein the density of defects at a surface or surfaces of the solid electrolyte is less than the density of defects in the bulk. In certain disclosed embodiments, the solid-state anolyte, electrolyte, and catholyte thin films, separators, and monoliths consist essentially of an oxide that conducts Li+ ions. In some examples, the disclosure herein presents new and useful solid electrolytes for solid-state or partially solid-state batteries. In some examples, the disclosure presents new lithium-stuffed garnet solid electrolytes and rechargeable batteries which include these electrolytes as separators between a cathode and a lithium metal anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: David CAO, Cheng-Chieh CHAO, Zhebo CHEN, Lei CHENG, Niall DONNELLY, Wes Hermann, Tim HOLME, Tommy HUANG, Kian KERMAN, Yang LI, Harsh MAHESHWARI
  • Patent number: 10361455
    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: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold Allenic, Cheng-Chieh Chao, Lei Cheng, Niall Donnelly, Will Gardner, Tim Holme, Sriram Iyer, Shuang Li
  • Patent number: 10347936
    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. 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. Disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin 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: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna Choi, Niall Donnelly, Tim Holme, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto
  • Patent number: 10347937
    Abstract: The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, wherein these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li7La3Zr2O12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Beck, Cheng-Chieh Chao, Lei Cheng, Niall Donnelly, William H. Gardner, Tim Holme, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Yang Li, Gengfu Xu
  • Publication number: 20190207251
    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: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna CHOI, Niall DONNELLY, Tim HOLME, Will HUDSON, Sriram IYER, Oleh KARPENKO, Mohit SINGH, Adrian WINOTO
  • Publication number: 20190190001
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Niall DONNELLY, Tim HOLME
  • Patent number: 10305141
    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. 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. Disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin 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: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna Choi, Niall Donnelly, Tim Holme, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto
  • Patent number: 10290895
    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. 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. Disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin 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: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly, Sriram Iyer, Adrian Winoto, Mohit Singh, Will Hudson, Dong Hee Anna Choi, Oleh Karpenko
  • Publication number: 20190103630
    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: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna CHOI, Niall DONNELLY, Tim HOLME, Will HUDSON, Sriram IYER, Oleh KARPENKO, Mohit SINGH, Adrian WINOTO
  • Publication number: 20190020059
    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: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna CHOI, Niall DONNELLY, Tim HOLME, Will HUDSON, Sriram IYER, Oleh KARPENKO, Mohit SINGH, Adrian WINOTO
  • Publication number: 20180375149
    Abstract: The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, wherein these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li7La3Zr2O12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Larry BECK, Cheng-Chieh CHAO, Lei CHENG, Niall DONNELLY, Will GARDNER, Tim HOLME, Will HUDSON, Sriram IYER, Oleh KARPENKO, Yang LI, Gengfu XU
  • Publication number: 20180342764
    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: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly, Sriram Iyer, Adrian Winoto, Mohit Singh, Will Hudson, Dong Hee Anna Choi, Oleh Karpenko
  • Patent number: 10103405
    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: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Anna Choi, Niall Donnelly, Tim Holme, Will Hudson, Sriram Iyer, Oleh Karpenko, Mohit Singh, Adrian Winoto
  • Publication number: 20180191028
    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: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Arnold ALLENIC, Cheng-Chieh CHAO, Lei CHENG, Niall DONNELLY, Will GARDNER, Tim HOLME, Sriram IYER, Shuang LI
  • Patent number: 10008742
    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 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly
  • Patent number: 9970711
    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 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Sriram Iyer, Tim Holme, Niall Donnelly
  • Patent number: 9966630
    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: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Cheng, Sriram Iyer, Will Gardner, Tim Holme, Shuang Li, Cheng-chieh Chao, Niall Donnelly, Arnold Allenic
  • Publication number: 20180094858
    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: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Sriram IYER, Tim HOLME, Niall DONNELLY