Patents by Inventor Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka

Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka 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: 10411252
    Abstract: A positive electrode composition includes a binder material; an electrically conductive material dispersible in the binder material and comprising a plurality of conductive carbon particles; an active material dispersible in the binder material and comprising a plurality of active particles; and a coating agent comprising one of a non-lithiated polymer, an at least partially-lithiated polymer, and a fully-lithiated polymer. The coating agent is disposed on and at least partially encapsulates at least one of: each of the plurality of conductive carbon particles and each of the plurality of active particles. A positive electrode of a lithium ion electrochemical cell includes a current collector comprising aluminum and a layer formed from the positive electrode composition and disposed on the current collector. A method of forming the positive electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka, Jung-Hyun Kim, Bob R. Powell, Jr., Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 10122002
    Abstract: A lithium-ion conducting, solid electrolyte is deposited on a thin, flexible, porous alumina membrane which is placed between co-extensive facing side surfaces of a porous, lithium-accepting, negative electrode and a positive electrode formed of a porous layer of particles of a compound of lithium, a transition metal element, and optionally, another metal element. A liquid electrolyte formed, for example, of LiPF6 dissolved in an organic solvent, infiltrates the electrode materials of the two porous electrodes for transport of lithium ions during cell operation. But the solid electrolyte permits the passage of only lithium ions, and the negative electrode is protected from damage by transition metal ions or other chemical species produced in the positive electrode of the lithium-ion cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jung Hyun Kim, Bob R. Powell, Jr., Meng Jiang, Peng Lu, Xingcheng Xiao, Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka
  • Publication number: 20170229705
    Abstract: A positive electrode composition includes a binder material; an electrically conductive material dispersible in the binder material and comprising a plurality of conductive carbon particles; an active material dispersible in the binder material and comprising a plurality of active particles; and a coating agent comprising one of a non-lithiated polymer, an at least partially-lithiated polymer, and a fully-lithiated polymer. The coating agent is disposed on and at least partially encapsulates at least one of: each of the plurality of conductive carbon particles and each of the plurality of active particles. A positive electrode of a lithium ion electrochemical cell includes a current collector comprising aluminum and a layer formed from the positive electrode composition and disposed on the current collector. A method of forming the positive electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka, Jung-Hyun Kim, Bob R. Powell, JR., Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Publication number: 20160211498
    Abstract: A lithium-ion conducting, solid electrolyte is deposited on a thin, flexible, porous alumina membrane which is placed between co-extensive facing side surfaces of a porous, lithium-accepting, negative electrode and a positive electrode formed of a porous layer of particles of a compound of lithium, a transition metal element, and optionally, another metal element. A liquid electrolyte formed, for example, of LiPF6 dissolved in an organic solvent, infiltrates the electrode materials of the two porous electrodes for transport of lithium ions during cell operation. But the solid electrolyte permits the passage of only lithium ions, and the negative electrode is protected from damage by transition metal ions or other chemical species produced in the positive electrode of the lithium-ion cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jung Hyun Kim, Bob R. Powell, JR., Meng Jiang, Peng Lu, Xingcheng Xiao, Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka
  • Publication number: 20150162602
    Abstract: An electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, is provided. The electrode material may be a negative electrode comprising silicon. A nanocomposite surface coating comprising carbon and metal oxide comprising a metal selected from a group consisting of: titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), tin (Sn), and combinations thereof is particularly useful with negative silicon-based electrodes to minimize or prevent charge capacity loss in the electrochemical cell. The coating may be ultra-thin with a thickness of less than or equal to about 60 nm. Methods for making such materials and using such coatings to minimize charge capacity fade in lithium ion electrochemical cells are likewise provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka, Michael P. Balogh
  • Publication number: 20140242452
    Abstract: A lithium-ion cell has a positive electrode comprising at least one active material comprising a lithium transition metal compound in a binder comprising at least one binder material with functional groups selected from alkali and alkaline earth salts of acid groups and hydroxyl groups, amine groups, isocyanate groups, urethane groups, urea groups, amide groups, and combinations of these; a negative electrode comprising metallic lithium or a lithium host material with appropriately low operation voltage vs. metallic lithium; a nonaqueous solution of a lithium salt; and an electrically nonconductive, ion-pervious separator positioned between the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka, Junghyun Kim, Zicheng Li, Timothy J. Fuller, Nicholas P. Irish, Bob R. Powell, JR., Ion C. Halalay