Patents by Inventor Ryan McKenney

Ryan McKenney 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: 11824161
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell which may be used, for example, in a rechargeable battery based on the reversible transfer of halide anions, and a method for making an electrolyte composition for use in the same. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte composition positioned between the two electrodes, where the electrolyte composition contains a crown ether-metal halide complex in a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Christopher Brooks, Ryan Mckenney
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 20210167422
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell which may be used, for example, in a rechargeable battery based on the reversible transfer of halide anions, and a method for making an electrolyte composition for use in the same. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte composition positioned between the two electrodes, where the electrolyte composition contains a crown ether-metal halide complex in a solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Kaoru OMICHI, Christopher BROOKS, Ryan MCKENNEY
  • Patent number: 10950893
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell which may be used, for example, in a rechargeable battery based on the reversible transfer of halide anions, and a method for making an electrolyte composition for use in the same. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte composition positioned between the two electrodes, where the electrolyte composition contains a crown ether-metal halide complex in a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Omichi, Christopher Brooks, Ryan McKenney
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10675681
    Abstract: Multifunctional core@shell nanoparticles (CSNs) useful in electrochemical cells, particularly for use as an electrocatalyst material. The multifunctional CSNs comprise a catalytic core component encompassed by one or more outer shells. Also included are electrochemical cell electrodes and electrochemical cells that electrochemically convert carbon dioxide to, for example, useful fuels (e.g., synthetic fuels) or other products, and which comprise multifunctional CSNs, and methods for making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Ryan McKenney, Christopher Brooks
  • Patent number: 10626021
    Abstract: Methods for preparing solid metal oxide nanoparticles via controlled oxidation comprising preparing a plurality of metal nanoparticles, contacting the plurality of metal nanoparticles with an aqueous agent to provide metal oxide nanoparticles having a desired particle size, and removing the resulting metal oxide nanoparticles from the aqueous agent. Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to solid metal oxide nanoparticles obtained by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Ryan McKenney
  • Publication number: 20190372111
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluoride shuttle battery and nanostructures of copper based cathode materials in the fluoride shuttle battery. The F-shuttle batteries of present disclosure comprise 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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Qingmin XU, Christopher J. Brooks, Ryan Mckenney, Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Simon C. Jones, Thomas F. Miller, III, Stephen A. Munoz
  • Publication number: 20180301764
    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: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Kaoru OMICHI, Ryan MCKENNEY, Qingmin XU, Christopher BROOKS, Simon C. JONES, Isabelle M. DAROLLES, Hongjin TAN
  • Publication number: 20180282173
    Abstract: Methods for preparing solid metal oxide nanoparticles via controlled oxidation comprising preparing a plurality of metal nanoparticles, contacting the plurality of metal nanoparticles with an aqueous agent to provide metal oxide nanoparticles having a desired particle size, and removing the resulting metal oxide nanoparticles from the aqueous agent. Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to solid metal oxide nanoparticles obtained by this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Ryan MCKENNEY
  • Publication number: 20180214945
    Abstract: Multifunctional core@shell nanoparticles (CSNs) useful in electrochemical cells, particularly for use as an electrocatalyst material. The multifunctional CSNs comprise a catalytic core component encompassed by one or more outer shells. Also included are electrochemical cell electrodes and electrochemical cells that electrochemically convert carbon dioxide to, for example, useful fuels (e.g., synthetic fuels) or other products, and which comprise multifunctional CSNs, and methods for making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Ryan McKenney, Christopher Brooks
  • Publication number: 20180175448
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell which may be used, for example, in a rechargeable battery based on the reversible transfer of halide anions, and a method for making an electrolyte composition for use in the same. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte composition positioned between the two electrodes, where the electrolyte composition contains a crown ether-metal halide complex in a solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Kaoru OMICHI, Christopher BROOKS, Ryan MCKENNEY
  • Publication number: 20180175382
    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 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Nam Hawn CHOU, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Patent number: 9294893
    Abstract: A method includes presenting, at a called communication device, first location information corresponding to a first location of a caller communication device. The first location information is presented before an incoming communication is answered. The method also includes presenting, at the called communication device, second location information in response to the incoming communication being answered. The second location information corresponds to a second location of the called communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Millard, Ryan McKenney