Patents by Inventor Qingmin Xu

Qingmin Xu 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: 11881581
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Patent number: 11749797
    Abstract: A fluoride shuttle (F-shuttle) battery and nanostructures of copper based cathode materials in the fluoride shuttle battery. The F-shuttle batteries include a liquid electrolyte, which allows the F-shuttle batteries to operate under room temperature. The minimum thickness of copper layer within the copper nanostructures is no more than 20 nm. The thickness of copper layer within the copper nanostructures is controlled and reduced to ensure the energy densities of F-shuttle batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Qingmin Xu, Christopher J. Brooks, Ryan Mckenney, Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Simon C. Jones, Thomas F. Miller, III, Stephen A. Munoz
  • Patent number: 11728485
    Abstract: An anode for a fluoride ion electrochemical cell is provided and includes a layered material of hard carbon, nitrogen doped graphite, boron doped graphite, TiS2, MoS2, TiSe2, MoSe2, VS2, VSe2, electrides of alkali earth metal nitrides, electrides of metal carbides, or combinations thereof. The anode may be included in a fluoride ion electrochemical cell, which additionally includes a cathode and a fluoride ion electrolyte arranged between the cathode and the anode. At least one of the cathode and the anode reversibly exchange the fluoride ions with the electrolyte during charging or discharging of the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks
  • Patent number: 11710825
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to electrochemically active structures and methods of making thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to electrochemically active structure comprising a crystalline electride comprising a nitride or carbide of at least one of: an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a lanthanide metal, or a combination thereof, wherein the electride has a lattice capable of intercalating at least one ion, thereby releasing at least one electron into an external circuit; and wherein a change in lattice volume of the electride upon intercalating the at least one ion is less than about 40%. Further, methods of making these electrochemically active structures are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott C. Warren, Daniel L. Druffel, Jacob Pawlik, Adam H. Woomer, Qingmin Xu, Kaoru Omichi, Christopher Brooks
  • Publication number: 20230135901
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluoride ion batteries and structures of metal based electrode materials for various fluoride ion batteries. The structures of the metal based electrode materials comprise one or more shells or interfaces, enabling the electrodes to operate at room temperature with a liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Qingmin XU, Christopher J. BROOKS, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan K. MCKENNEY, Simon JONES, Victoria DAVIS, Stephen MUNOZ, Jeongmin KIM, Keith BILLINGS, Thomas MILLER, III, Robert H. GRUBBS, William WOLF, Nam Hawn CHOU
  • Patent number: 11621438
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fluoride (F) ion batteries and F shuttle batteries comprising an anode with a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, a cathode comprising a core shell structure, and a liquid fluoride battery electrolyte. According to some aspects, the components therein enable discharge and recharge at room-temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Qingmin Xu, Christopher J. Brooks, Kaoru Omichi, Simon Jones, Victoria Davis, Stephen Munoz, Jeongmin Kim, Keith Billings, Thomas Miller, III, Robert H. Grubbs, William Wolf
  • Patent number: 11581582
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluoride ion batteries and structures of metal based electrode materials for various fluoride ion batteries. The structures of the metal based electrode materials comprise one or more shells or interfaces, enabling the electrodes to operate at room temperature with a liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Qingmin Xu, Christopher J. Brooks, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan K. McKenney, Simon Jones, Victoria Davis, Stephen Munoz, Jeongmin Kim, Keith Billings, Thomas Miller, III, Robert H. Grubbs, William Wolf, Nam Hawn Chou
  • Publication number: 20220093918
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan MCKENNEY, Qingmin XU, Christopher BROOKS, Simon C. JONES, Isabelle M. DAROLLES, Hongjin TAN
  • Patent number: 11251420
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Publication number: 20220037652
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan MCKENNEY, Qingmin XU, Christopher BROOKS, Simon C. JONES, Isabelle M. DAROLLES, Hongjin TAN
  • Patent number: 11228026
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making an electrochemically active material, which comprises metal nanostructures encapsulated in LaF3 shells. The electrochemically active material may be included in an electrode of an F-shuttle battery that includes a liquid electrolyte, which, optionally, allows the F-shuttle batteries to operate at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qingmin Xu, Christopher J. Brooks, Ryan K. McKenney
  • Publication number: 20210367274
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. The fluoride-conducting encapsulant may comprise one or more metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Patent number: 11177512
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. The fluoride-conducting encapsulant may comprise one or more metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Publication number: 20210151755
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to electrochemically active structures and methods of making thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to electrochemically active structure comprising a crystalline electride comprising a nitride or carbide of at least one of: an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a lanthanide metal, or a combination thereof, wherein the electride has a lattice capable of intercalating at least one ion, thereby releasing at least one electron into an external circuit; and wherein a change in lattice volume of the electride upon intercalating the at least one ion is less than about 40%. Further, methods of making these electrochemically active structures are disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Scott C. Warren, Daniel L. Druffel, Jacob Pawlik, Adam H. Woomer, Qingmin Xu, Kaoru Omichi, Christopher Brooks
  • Publication number: 20200335788
    Abstract: An anode for a fluoride ion electrochemical cell is provided and includes a layered material of hard carbon, nitrogen doped graphite, boron doped graphite, TiS2, MoS2, TiSe2, MoSe2, VS2, VSe2, electrides of alkali earth metal nitrides, electrides of metal carbides, or combinations thereof. The anode may be included in a fluoride ion electrochemical cell, which additionally includes a cathode and a fluoride ion electrolyte arranged between the cathode and the anode. At least one of the cathode and the anode reversibly exchange the fluoride ions with the electrolyte during charging or discharging of the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks
  • Patent number: 10727487
    Abstract: An anode for a fluoride ion electrochemical cell is provided and includes a layered material of hard carbon, nitrogen doped graphite, boron doped graphite, TiS2, MoS2, TiSe2, MoSe2, VS2, VSe2, electrides of alkali earth metal nitrides, electrides of metal carbides, or combinations thereof. The anode may be included in a fluoride ion electrochemical cell, which additionally includes a cathode and a fluoride ion electrolyte arranged between the cathode and the anode. At least one of the cathode and the anode reversibly exchange the fluoride ions with the electrolyte during charging or discharging of the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks
  • Publication number: 20200185776
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fluoride (F) ion batteries and F shuttle batteries comprising an anode with a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, a cathode comprising a core shell structure, and a liquid fluoride battery electrolyte. According to some aspects, the components therein enable discharge and recharge at room-temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Qingmin XU, Christopher J. BROOKS, Kaoru OMICHI, Simon JONES, Victoria DAVIS, Stephen MUNOZ, Jeongmin KIM, Keith BILLINGS, Thomas MILLER, III, Robert H. GRUBBS, William WOLF
  • Publication number: 20200185722
    Abstract: An electrochemically active structure having a core and a shell at least partially surrounding the core. Also a method of making the electrochemically active structure as described herein as well as electrochemical cells comprising the electrochemically active structure as described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Qingmin XU, Christopher BROOKS, Ryan MCKENNEY, Thomas MILLER, III, Simon C. JONES, Steve MUNOZ, Victoria DAVIS
  • Publication number: 20200108229
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluoride ion batteries and structures of metal based electrode materials for various fluoride ion batteries. The structures of the metal based electrode materials comprise one or more shells or interfaces, enabling the electrodes to operate at room temperature with a liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Qingmin XU, Christopher J. BROOKS, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan K. MCKENNEY, Simon Jones, Victoria DAVIS, Stephen MUNOZ, Jeongmin KIM, Keith BILLINGS, Thomas MILLER, III, Robert H. GRUBBS, William WOLF
  • Publication number: 20190393490
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making an electrochemically active material, which comprises metal nanostructures encapsulated in LaF3 shells. The electrochemically active material may be included in an electrode of an F-shuttle battery that includes a liquid electrolyte, which, optionally, allows the F-shuttle batteries to operate at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Qingmin XU, Christopher J. Brooks, Ryan K. McKenney