Patents by Inventor Patrick Pietrasz

Patrick Pietrasz 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: 20240063419
    Abstract: A coating system for a solid-state battery includes a feeder for a first substrate foil, and an electrolyte dispenser between two electrode dispensers. The first electrode dispenser has a first mixture of a first solid active material and a first solid electrolyte therein, and deposits a first electrode layer on the foil. The electrolyte dispenser deposits an electrolyte layer on the first electrode layer. The second electrode dispenser has a second mixture of second solid active material and a second solid electrolyte, and deposits a second electrode layer on the electrolyte layer. A roller provides a second substrate foil downstream of the second electrode dispenser on the second electrode layer to form a layered structure. The system also includes drums for press rolling the layered structure to form a solid-state battery, with the layers being continuously deposited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick PIETRASZ, Gunho KWAK, Chi PAIK
  • Publication number: 20240055574
    Abstract: A method for forming one or more layers of a lithium-ion battery includes a step of sequentially depositing a wet coating and a free-standing material layer onto a moving substrate to form a first bilayer on the substrate. The first bilayer including a wet coating-derived layer and the free-standing material layer. The first bilayer is heat roll pressed to form a second bilayer in which the wet coating-derived layer is at least partially dried and adhered to the free-standing material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Gunho Kwak, Patrick Pietrasz, Chi Paik
  • Publication number: 20240030406
    Abstract: A mixed positive electrode material for a battery includes a primary positive electrode material that includes nickel in an amount from about 30 weight percent to about 99 weight percent of the total weight of the primary positive electrode material. The primary positive electrode material has a structure that allowed intercalation and de-intercalation of lithium ions. The mixed positive electrode material also includes a secondary positive electrode material having a structure that allows intercalation and de-intercalation of sodium ions. Advantageously, the mixed positive electrode material can be used as the cathode active material in a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Feng LI, Patrick PIETRASZ, Chi PAIK
  • Publication number: 20230261176
    Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layer coating on a substrate for an anode or cathode includes preparing a first mixture including a first solvent and a first active material, preparing a second mixture including a second solvent and a second active material, combining the first mixture and the second mixture to form a slurry, and coating the substrate with the slurry. The first solvent and the second solvent are immiscible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Pietrasz, Eunsung Lee, Gunho Kwak, Feng Li, Chi Paik
  • Patent number: 10811693
    Abstract: A fuel cell oxidation reduction reaction catalyst comprising a carbon substrate, an amorphous metal oxide intermediate layer on the substrate, and an intertwined matrix of platinum and elemental niobium arranged to form a surface metal layer covering the intermediate layer such that upon oxidation, the niobium binds with oxygen resulting in strengthened bonds between the platinum and the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kerrie K. Gath, Jun Yang, Chunchuan Xu, Patrick Pietrasz, Richard E. Soltis, Mark John Jagner, James Waldecker, Zijie Lu, Mark S. Sulek
  • Publication number: 20180062181
    Abstract: A fuel cell oxidation reduction reaction catalyst comprising a carbon substrate, an amorphous metal oxide intermediate layer on the substrate, and an intertwined matrix of platinum and elemental niobium arranged to form a surface metal layer covering the intermediate layer such that upon oxidation, the niobium binds with oxygen resulting in strengthened bonds between the platinum and the intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kerrie K. Gath, Jun Yang, Chunchuan Xu, Patrick Pietrasz, Richard E. Soltis, Mark John Jagner, James Waldecker, Zijie Lu, Mark S. Sulek
  • Patent number: 9666876
    Abstract: An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst (ORR) and a method for making the catalyst are provided. The method may include depositing (e.g., by PVD) conductive catalyst material onto a non-conductive substrate, such as particles or powder, to form an intermediate ORR catalyst. The intermediate ORR catalyst may then be heat treated and another deposition process may be performed to form a thin, electrically interconnected catalyst network layer overlying the non-conductive substrate. The catalyst material may include, for example, platinum, gold, or other platinum group or noble metals, or alloys thereof. The non-conductive substrate may be a ceramic, for example, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Pietrasz, Kerrie Gath, Chunchuan Xu, Jun Yang
  • Patent number: 9468909
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst (ORR) and a method for making the catalyst are provided. The method may include depositing a metal oxide on a graphitized carbon or graphene substrate. A platinum catalyst may then be deposited over the metal oxide to provide an ORR catalyst for use in, for example, a PEMFC. The metal oxide may be niobium oxide and may have an amorphous structure. The platinum catalyst may form a thin, electrically interconnected network structure overlaying the metal oxide. The ORR catalyst may be prepared by alternating the deposition of the metal oxide and the platinum catalyst, for example, using physical vapor deposition. The ORR catalyst may have a specific activity of at least 1,000 ?A/cm2 Pt and may approach or achieve bulk Pt activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Chunchuan Xu, Patrick Pietrasz, Kerrie Gath, Benjamin Pence, Mark John Jagner, James Waldecker, Shinichi Hirano, Michael Alan Tamor
  • Patent number: 9343749
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method of forming a platinum thin film is provided, including performing a first atomic layer deposition (ALD) process on a substrate using a first platinum organometallic precursor in a first step and an oxidizing precursor in a second step to form an at least partially coated substrate. A second ALD process is then performed on the at least partially coated substrate using a second platinum organometallic precursor in a first step and a reducing precursor in a second step to form a thin film of platinum on the substrate. The first ALD process may be performed for 5 to 150 cycles to nucleate platinum on the substrate surface and the second ALD process may be performed thereafter to grow the thin film and remove surface oxides. A conformal platinum thin film having a thickness of 1 to 10 monolayers may be deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Pietrasz, Jun Yang
  • Publication number: 20160028093
    Abstract: An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst (ORR) and a method for making the catalyst are provided. The method may include depositing (e.g., by PVD) conductive catalyst material onto a non-conductive substrate, such as particles or powder, to form an intermediate ORR catalyst. The intermediate ORR catalyst may then be heat treated and another deposition process may be performed to form a thin, electrically interconnected catalyst network layer overlying the non-conductive substrate. The catalyst material may include, for example, platinum, gold, or other platinum group or noble metals, or alloys thereof. The non-conductive substrate may be a ceramic, for example, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick PIETRASZ, Kerrie GATH, Chunchuan XU, Jun YANG
  • Publication number: 20150375208
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst (ORR) and a method for making the catalyst are provided. The method may include depositing a metal oxide on a graphitized carbon or graphene substrate. A platinum catalyst may then be deposited over the metal oxide to provide an ORR catalyst for use in, for example, a PEMFC. The metal oxide may be niobium oxide and may have an amorphous structure. The platinum catalyst may form a thin, electrically interconnected network structure overlaying the metal oxide. The ORR catalyst may be prepared by alternating the deposition of the metal oxide and the platinum catalyst, for example, using physical vapor deposition. The ORR catalyst may have a specific activity of at least 1,000 ?A/cm2 Pt and may approach or achieve bulk Pt activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: JUN YANG, CHUNCHUAN XU, PATRICK PIETRASZ, KERRIE GATH, BENJAMIN PENCE, MARK JOHN JAGNER, JAMES WALDECKER, SHINICHI HIRANO, MICHAEL ALAN TAMOR
  • Patent number: 9178219
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an electrochemical device includes a substrate having a substrate surface; an amorphous metal oxide layer supported on the substrate surface; and a noble metal catalyst supported on the amorphous metal oxide layer to form a catalyst layer. The amorphous metal oxide layer may contact only 25 to 75 percent of the substrate surface. The amorphous metal oxide layer may include less than 10 weight percent of crystalline metal oxide. In certain instances, the amorphous metal oxide layer is substantially free of crystalline metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Patrick Pietrasz, Chunchuan Xu, Richard E. Soltis, Mark S. Sulek, Robert F. Novak
  • Patent number: 9178220
    Abstract: A catalyst assembly having a substrate including an intermetallic compound of W and Ir. The weight ratio of W to Ir is in a range between a first ratio and a second ratio. A catalyst includes at least one noble metal is supported on and contacts the substrate. The first ratio may be in the range of 48:52 and the second ratio may be in the range of 51:49.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Pietrasz, Jun Yang, Mark S. Sulek
  • Publication number: 20150093685
    Abstract: An oxygen reduction reaction catalyst and method for making the catalyst includes a graphitized carbon substrate with an amorphous metal oxide layer overlying the surface of the substrate. The amorphous metal oxide layer has a worm-like structure. A catalyst overlies the metal oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Patrick Pietrasz, Chunchuan Xu, Shinichi Hirano
  • Publication number: 20140356765
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method of forming a platinum thin film is provided, including performing a first atomic layer deposition (ALD) process on a substrate using a first platinum organometallic precursor in a first step and an oxidizing precursor in a second step to form an at least partially coated substrate. A second ALD process is then performed on the at least partially coated substrate using a second platinum organometallic precursor in a first step and a reducing precursor in a second step to form a thin film of platinum on the substrate. The first ALD process may be performed for 5 to 150 cycles to nucleate platinum on the substrate surface and the second ALD process may be performed thereafter to grow the thin film and remove surface oxides. A conformal platinum thin film having a thickness of 1 to 10 monolayers may be deposited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Pietrasz, Jun Yang
  • Publication number: 20140220475
    Abstract: A catalyst assembly having a substrate including an intermetallic compound of W and Ir. The weight ratio of W to Ir is in a range between a first ratio and a second ratio. A catalyst includes at least one noble metal is supported on and contacts the substrate. The first ratio may be in the range of 48:52 and the second ratio may be in the range of 51:49.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Pietrasz, Jun Yang, Mark S. Sulek
  • Publication number: 20140178792
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an electrochemical device includes a catalyst promoter including an amorphous metal oxide, the amorphous metal oxide being of an amount greater than 50 percent by weight of the total weight of the substrate, and a substrate including graphene and supporting the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Patrick Pietrasz, Chunchuan Xu, Richard E. Soltis, Mark S. Sulek, Mark S. Ricketts