Patents by Inventor Sichao Ma

Sichao Ma 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: 20240401214
    Abstract: Carbon oxide electrolyzers may be characterized by: (a) a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a cathode layer, an anode layer, and one or more polymeric electrolyte layers between and in contact with the cathode layer and the anode layer; (b) a porous transport layer (PTL) proximate the anode layer, and (c) optionally, a microporous layer (MPL) disposed between the MEA and the PTL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse Duran, David Frank, Sichao Ma, Simon Gregory Stone, Adel B Jilani, John Kreuder
  • Publication number: 20240368780
    Abstract: A method of forming a gas diffusion layer includes causing, at least in part, a stack of layers to be arranged between compressing surfaces of a press, the stack of layers including a plurality of gas diffusion layers. The method also includes causing, at least in part, the press to apply one or more compression cycles to the stack of layers to reduce a combined, uncompressed thickness of the plurality of gas diffusion layers between about 2% and about 30%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Corp, Timothy A. Bekkedahl, Kendra P. Kuhl, Sichao Ma, Gleb Smilyanski, Will Gasperini
  • Patent number: 12116683
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for operating carbon oxide (COx) reduction reactors (CRRs) for producing methane (CH4). Embodiments of the systems and methods may also be used for producing other organic compounds including alcohols, carboxylic acids, and other hydrocarbons such as ethylene (CH2CH2). According to various embodiments, the systems and methods may be characterized by one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes a cathode catalyst layer with a relatively low catalyst loading. In some embodiments, a bipolar MEA includes a thin cation-conducting layer and a thin anion-conducting layer, with the cation-conducting layer being thicker than the anion-conducting layer. In other embodiments a pure anion exchange polymer only membrane may be used to bridge the cathode catalyst and the anode catalyst. These and other features are described further below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Sara Hunegnaw, Ajay R. Kashi, Kendra P. Kuhl, Morgan George, Sichao Ma, Ziyang Huo, Etosha R. Cave, Kenneth X. Hua
  • Publication number: 20240327999
    Abstract: Disclosed are membrane electrode assemblies having a cathode layer comprising a carbon oxide reduction catalyst that promotes reduction of a carbon oxide; an anode layer comprising a catalyst that promotes oxidation of a water; a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) layer disposed between, and in contact with, the cathode layer and the anode layer; and a salt having a concentration of at least about 10 uM in at least a portion of the MEA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Etosha R. Cave, Sichao Ma, Qun Zeng, Sara Hunegnaw, Kendra P. Kuhl, George Leonard, Ashley D. Mishra, Ajay R. Kashi
  • Patent number: 12077874
    Abstract: A method of forming a gas diffusion layer includes causing, at least in part, a stack of layers to be arranged between compressing surfaces of a press, the stack of layers including a plurality of gas diffusion layers. The method also includes causing, at least in part, the press to apply one or more compression cycles to the stack of layers to reduce a combined, uncompressed thickness of the plurality of gas diffusion layers between about 2% and about 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Corp, Timothy A. Bekkedahl, Kendra P. Kuhl, Sichao Ma, Gleb Smilyanski, Will Gasperini
  • Patent number: 12043912
    Abstract: Disclosed are membrane electrode assemblies having a cathode layer comprising a carbon oxide reduction catalyst that promotes reduction of a carbon oxide; an anode layer comprising a catalyst that promotes oxidation of a water; a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) layer disposed between, and in contact with, the cathode layer and the anode layer; and a salt having a concentration of at least about 10 uM in at least a portion of the MEA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Etosha R. Cave, Sichao Ma, Qun Zeng, Sara Hunegnaw, Kendra P. Kuhl, George Leonard, Ashley D. Mishra, Ajay R. Kashi
  • Publication number: 20240145745
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for operating carbon oxide (COx) reduction reactors (CRR) and related apparatus. In some embodiments, the methods involve shutting off, reducing, or otherwise controlling current during various operation stages including hydration, break-in, normal operation, planned shut-offs, and extended shutoff or storage periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Sichao Ma, Sara Hunegnaw, Ziyang Huo, Kendra P. Kuhl, Etosha R. Cave, Ashley D. Mishra, Edward Izett, Alvin Leung, Timothy A. Bekkedahl
  • Publication number: 20240141512
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a system for a carbon oxide electrolysis plant incorporating advanced electrochemical reactors incorporating membrane electrode assemblies as well as control mechanisms. The system provides efficient transport and production rates while minimizing the competing hydrogen formation reaction. The system may use multiple electrochemical reactors, scaling up production with high energy efficiency, while providing flexibility in the types of chemical product outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Lisa C. Wynia, Gregory J. DiCosola, Kendra P. Kuhl, Sichao Ma, Carter S. Haines, Timothy A. Bekkedahl, Heegun Park, Nicholas A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240133058
    Abstract: Provided herein are membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for COx reduction. According to various embodiments, the MEAs are configured to address challenges particular to COx including managing water in the MEA. Bipolar and anion-exchange membrane (AEM)-only MEAs are described along with components thereof and related methods of fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ziyang Huo, Lihui Wang, Kenneth X. Hua, Sichao Ma, Edward Izett, Sara Hunegnaw, Ajay R. Kashi, Etosha R. Cave, Kendra P. Kuhl, Maxwell Goldman, Angelica L. Reyes, Kathryn L. Corp
  • Publication number: 20240060194
    Abstract: Various COx electrolyzer multi-cell architectures are provided, including various frame, flow field, gas diffusion layer, and repeat unit designs that may be particularly useful in the context of multi-cell COx electrolyzer cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Simon Gregory Stone, Steven George Goebel, Timothy A. Bekkedahl, Emerson Gallagher, Bevan Moss, Sichao Ma, Noel Farrell, Dave Whittaker
  • Patent number: 11888191
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for operating carbon oxide (COx) reduction reactors (CRR) and related apparatus. In some embodiments, the methods involve shutting off, reducing, or otherwise controlling current during various operation stages including hydration, break-in, normal operation, planned shut-offs, and extended shutoff or storage periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Sichao Ma, Sara Hunegnaw, Ziyang Huo, Kendra P. Kuhl, Etosha R. Cave, Ashley D. Mishra, Edward Izett, Alvin Leung, Timothy A. Bekkedahl
  • Publication number: 20230332306
    Abstract: A method of forming a gas diffusion layer includes causing, at least in part, a stack of layers to be arranged between compressing surfaces of a press, the stack of layers including a plurality of gas diffusion layers. The method also includes causing, at least in part, the press to apply one or more compression cycles to the stack of layers to reduce a combined, uncompressed thickness of the plurality of gas diffusion layers between about 2% and about 30%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Corp, Timothy A. Bekkedahl, Kendra P. Kuhl, Sichao Ma, Gleb Smilyanski, Will Gasperini
  • Publication number: 20230265568
    Abstract: Provided herein are membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for COx reduction and carbon dioxide reduction reactors (CRRs) that include MEAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Kendra P. Kuhl, Etosha R. Cave, George Leonard, Ziyang Huo, Lihui Wang, Kenneth S. Hua, Sichao Ma, Edward Izett, Sara Hunegnaw, Ajay R. Kashi, Maxwell Goldman, Angelica L. Reyes, Kathryn L. Corp
  • Publication number: 20230265572
    Abstract: A system preferably including a carbon dioxide reactor. A method for carbon dioxide reactor control, preferably including selecting carbon dioxide reactor aspects based on a desired output composition, running a carbon dioxide reactor under controlled process conditions to produce a desired output composition, and/or altering the process conditions to alter the output composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Kendra Kuhl, Etosha Cave, Nicholas Flanders, Sichao Ma, Qun Zeng, George Leonard
  • Patent number: 11680328
    Abstract: Provided herein are membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for COx reduction. According to various embodiments, the MEAs are configured to address challenges particular to COx including managing water in the MEA. Bipolar and anion-exchange membrane (AEM)-only MEAs are described along with components thereof and related methods of fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Ziyang Huo, Lihui Wang, Kenneth X. Hua, Sichao Ma, Edward Izett, Sara Hunegnaw, Ajay R. Kashi, Etosha R. Cave, Kendra P. Kuhl, Maxwell Goldman, Angelica L. Reyes, Kathryn L. Corp
  • Publication number: 20230175146
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the concentration of a desired COx reduction reaction product are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods include ethylene purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Ajay R. Kashi, Aya K. Buckley, Sichao Ma, Kendra P. Kuhl, Sara Hunegnaw, Etosha R. Cave, Luka Stevic
  • Publication number: 20230136397
    Abstract: Disclosed are membrane electrode assemblies having a cathode layer comprising a carbon oxide reduction catalyst that promotes reduction of a carbon oxide; an anode layer comprising a catalyst that promotes oxidation of a water; a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) layer disposed between, and in contact with, the cathode layer and the anode layer; and a salt having a concentration of at least about 10 uM in at least a portion of the MEA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Etosha R. Cave, Sichao Ma, Qun Zeng, Sara Hunegnaw, Kendra P. Kuhl, George Leonard, Ashley D. Mishra, Ajay R. Kashi
  • Patent number: 11578415
    Abstract: Disclosed are membrane electrode assemblies having a cathode layer comprising a carbon oxide reduction catalyst that promotes reduction of a carbon oxide; an anode layer comprising a catalyst that promotes oxidation of a water; a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) layer disposed between, and in contact with, the cathode layer and the anode layer; and a salt having a concentration of at least about 10 uM in at least a portion of the MEA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Etosha R. Cave, Sichao Ma, Qun Zeng, Sara Hunegnaw, Kendra P. Kuhl, George Leonard, Ashley D. Mishra, Ajay R. Kashi
  • Publication number: 20220393203
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for operating carbon oxide (COX) reduction reactors (CRR) and related apparatus. In some embodiments, the methods involve shutting off, reducing, or otherwise controlling current during various operation stages including hydration, break-in, normal operation, planned shut-offs, and extended shutoff or storage periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Sichao Ma, Sara Hunegnaw, Ziyang Huo, Kendra P. Kuhl, Etosha R. Cave, Ashley D. Mishra, Edward Izett, Alvin Leung, Timothy A. Bekkedahl
  • Patent number: 11512403
    Abstract: A system preferably including a carbon dioxide reactor. A method for carbon dioxide reactor control, preferably including selecting carbon dioxide reactor aspects based on a desired output composition, running a carbon dioxide reactor under controlled process conditions to produce a desired output composition, and/or altering the process conditions to alter the output composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Twelve Benefit Corporation
    Inventors: Kendra Kuhl, Etosha Cave, Nicholas Flanders, Sichao Ma, Qun Zeng, George Leonard