Patents by Inventor Simone Zuercher

Simone Zuercher 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: 11362324
    Abstract: A precursor composition of a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery, a negative electrode comprising or formed from the precursor composition, a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrode, a device comprising the negative electrode, methods of making the precursor composition, negative electrode and Li-ion battery, and uses of the precursor composition or components thereof for increasing discharge capacity and/or reducing discharge capacity loss and/or improving cycling stability of a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
    Inventors: Pirmin Ulmann, Sergio Pacheco Benito, Simone Zürcher, Marlene Rodlert-Bacilieri, Patrick Lanz, Michael Spahr
  • Publication number: 20210265620
    Abstract: A silicon-carbon particulate composite suitable for use as active material in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery, a precursor composition comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite, a negative electrode comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite and/or precursor composition, a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrodes, a method of manufacturing the silicon-carbon particulate composite, precursor composition, negative electrode and Li-ion battery, the use of the silicon-carbon particulate composite in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery to inhibit or prevent silicon pulverization during cycling, for example, during 1st cycle Li intercalation or de-intercalation and/or to maintain electrochemical capacity after 100 cycles, and a device, energy storage cell, or energy storage and conversion system comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite and/or precursor composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Pirmin ULMANN, Sergio PACHECO BENITO, Simone ZÜRCHER, Patrick LANZ, Michael SPAHR
  • Patent number: 11081690
    Abstract: A silicon-carbon particulate composite suitable for use as active material in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery, a precursor composition comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite, a negative electrode comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite and/or precursor composition, a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrodes, a method of manufacturing the silicon-carbon particulate composite, precursor composition, negative electrode and Li-ion battery, the use of the silicon-carbon particulate composite in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery to inhibit or prevent silicon pulverization during cycling, for example, during 1st cycle Li intercalation or de-intercalation and/or to maintain electrochemical capacity after 100 cycles, and a device, energy storage cell, or energy storage and conversion system comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite and/or precursor composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: IMERYS GRAPHITE & CARBON SWITZERLAND LTD.
    Inventors: Pirmin Ulmann, Sergio Pacheco Benito, Simone Zürcher, Patrick Lanz, Michael Spahr
  • Patent number: 10870761
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel carbon black materials characterized by a good retention of their structure in the compressed state, as shown, e.g., by a relatively high ratio of compressed OAN/OAN. The materials may inter alia be characterized by a low viscosity in dispersions and by exhibiting low electrical resistivity. Such materials can be advantageously used in various applications, for example in the manufacture of electrochemical cells such as lithium ion batteries or as conductive additive in polymer composite materials. The disclosure also describes a procedure for making such a material as well as well as downstream uses and products comprising said carbon black material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: ImerTech SAS
    Inventors: Michael E. Spahr, Simone Zürcher, Marlene Rodlert-Bacilieri, Flavio Mornaghini, Thomas M. Gruenberger
  • Publication number: 20200227747
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel process for preparing isotropic carbonaceous composite particles with favorable crystallographic, morphological & mechanical properties, wherein relatively fine carbonaceous primary particles are coated with a carbonaceous binder precursor material, agglomerated and finally heat-treated at temperatures between about 1850 and 3500° C. to convert the binder precursor material to non-graphitic or graphitic carbon, thereby resulting in stable highly isotropic carbonaceous composite materials wherein the primary particles of the aggregate are held together by the carbonized/graphitized binder. The present disclosure also relates to the isotropic carbonaceous composite particles obtainable by the process described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Michael SPAHR, Pirmin ULMANN, Simone ZÜRCHER, Sergio PACHECO BENITO, Hiroyuki TAKI
  • Patent number: 10707487
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel surface-modified carbonaceous particulate material having a hydrophilic non-graphitic carbon coating. The material can for example be produced by CVD-coating of a carbonaceous particulate material such as graphite followed by an oxidation treatment under defined conditions. The resulting material exhibits a more hydrophilic surface compared to an unmodified CVD-coated carbon material, which is desirable in many applications, such as when used as an active material in the negative electrode of lithium ion batteries or in a polymer composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
    Inventors: Michal Gulas, Pirmin Ulmann, Simone Zürcher, Michael Spahr
  • Patent number: 10637058
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel process for preparing isotropic carbonaceous composite particles with favorable crystallographic, morphological & mechanical properties, wherein relatively fine carbonaceous primary particles are coated with a carbonaceous binder precursor material, agglomerated and finally heat-treated at temperatures of between about 1850 and 3500° C. to convert the binder precursor material to non-graphitic or graphitic carbon, thereby resulting in stable highly isotropic carbonaceous composite materials wherein the primary particles of the aggregate are held together by the carbonized/graphitized binder. The present disclosure also relates to the isotropic carbonaceous composite particles obtainable by the process described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ImerTech SAS
    Inventors: Michael Spahr, Pirmin Ulmann, Simone Zürcher, Sergio Pacheco Benito, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Publication number: 20190330067
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wet-milled and dried carbonaceous sheared nano-leaves generally characterized by a BET SSA of less than about 40 m2/g and a bulk density from about 0.005 to about 0.04 g/cm3, and compositions comprising such carbonaceous sheared nano-leaves. The present disclosure further relates to methods for preparing them, and their use as a conductive additive in composites such as polymer blends, ceramics, and mineral materials, or as solid lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Sergio PACHECO BENITO, Raffaeie GILARDI, Flavio MORNAGHINI, Simone ZÜRCHER, Michael SPAHR
  • Publication number: 20190237755
    Abstract: A precursor composition of a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery, a negative electrode comprising or formed from the precursor composition, a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrode, a device comprising the negative electrode, methods of making the precursor composition, negative electrode and Li-ion battery, and uses of the precursor composition or components thereof for increasing discharge capacity and/or reducing discharge capacity loss and/or improving cycling stability of a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Pirmin ULMANN, Sergio PACHECO BENITO, Simone ZÜRCHER, Marlene RODLERT-BACILIERI, Patrick LANZ, Michael SPAHR
  • Publication number: 20190237749
    Abstract: A silicon-carbon particulate composite suitable for use as active material in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery, a precursor composition comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite, a negative electrode comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite and/or precursor composition, a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrodes, a method of manufacturing the silicon-carbon particulate composite, precursor composition, negative electrode and Li-ion battery, the use of the silicon-carbon particulate composite in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery to inhibit or prevent silicon pulverization during cycling, for example, during 1st cycle Li intercalation or de-intercalation and/or to maintain electrochemical capacity after 100 cycles, and a device, energy storage cell, or energy storage and conversion system comprising the silicon-carbon particulate composite and/or precursor composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Pirmin ULMANN, Sergio PACHECO BENITO, Simone ZÜRCHER, Patrick LANZ, Michael SPAHR
  • Publication number: 20190207206
    Abstract: A silicon particulate suitable for use as active material in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery, to a precursor composition comprising the silicon particulate, a negative electrode comprising the silicon particulate and/or precursor composition, a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrodes, the use of the silicon particulate to inhibit or prevent silicon pulverization when used as active material in a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery and/or (ii) to maintain electrochemical capacity of a negative electrode, methods for making the silicon particulate, precursor composition, negative electrode and Li-ion battery, and devices comprising the silicon particulate and/or precursor composition and/or negative electrode and/or Li-ion battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Pirmin ULMANN, Sergio PACHECO BENITO, Simone ZÜRCHER, Patrick LANZ, Michael SPAHR
  • Publication number: 20180183060
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel process for preparing isotropic carbonaceous composite particles with favorable crystallographic, morphological & mechanical properties, wherein relatively fine carbonaceous primary particles are coated with a carbonaceous binder precursor material, agglomerated and finally heat-treated at temperatures of between about 1850 and 3500° C. to convert the binder precursor material to non-graphitic or graphitic carbon, thereby resulting in stable highly isotropic carbonaceous composite materials wherein the primary particles of the aggregate are held together by the carbonized/graphitized binder. The present disclosure also relates to the isotropic carbonaceous composite particles obtainable by the process described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Michael SPAHR, Pinmin ULMANN, Simone ZÜRCHER, Sergio PACHECO BENITO, Hiroyuki TAKI
  • Publication number: 20180155552
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel carbon black materials characterized by a good retention of their structure in the compressed state, as shown, e.g., by a relatively high ratio of compressed OAN/OAN. The materials may inter alia be characterized by a low viscosity in dispersions and by exhibiting low electrical resistivity. Such materials can be advantageously used in various applications, for example in the manufacture of electrochemical cells such as lithium ion batteries or as conductive additive in polymer composite materials. The disclosure also describes a procedure for making such a material as well as well as downstream uses and products comprising said carbon black material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Michael E. SPAHR, Simone ZÜRCHER, Marlene RODLERT-BACILIERI, Flavio MORNAGHINI, Thomas M. GRUENBERGER
  • Patent number: 9991016
    Abstract: Surface-modified carbon hybrid particles may be characterized by a high surface area and a high mesopore content. Surface-modified carbon hybrid particles may be in agglomerated form. Surface-modified carbon hybrid particles may be used, for example, as conductive additives. Dispersions of such compounds in a liquid medium in the presence of a surfactant may be used, for example, as conductive coatings. Polymer compounds filled with the surface-modified carbon hybrid particles may be formed. Surface-modified carbon hybrid particles may be used, for example, as carbon supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
    Inventors: Dario Cericola, Giovanni Juri, Simone Zürcher, Michael E. Spahr
  • Publication number: 20170200950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel surface-modified carbonaceous particulate material having a hydrophilic non-graphitic carbon coating. The material can for example be produced by CVD-coating of a carbonaceous particulate material such as graphite followed by an oxidation treatment under defined conditions. The resulting material exhibits a more hydrophilic surface compared to an unmodified CVD-coated carbon material, which is desirable in many applications, such as when used as an active material in the negative electrode of lithium ion batteries or in a polymer composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Michal GULAS, Pirmin ULMANN, Simone ZÜRCHER, Michael SPAHR
  • Publication number: 20170033360
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing surface-modified carbonaceous particles, wherein said carbonaceous particles are coated with a surface layer of amorphous carbon by dispersing carbonaceous material with an amphiphilic compound, spray drying of the dispersion and subsequent calcination of the dried material. The disclosure also pertains to surface-modified carbonaceous particles coated with amorphous carbon, which can for example be obtained by the process of the invention. The present disclosure further relates to the use of the surface-modified carbonaceous particles in a variety of technical applications, such as its use as an active material for negative electrodes of lithium ion batteries. The present disclosure also relates to a carbon brush or a polymer composite material, and generally compositions comprising said surface-modified carbonaceous particles, optionally together with other carbonaceous or non-carbonaceous materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Julie MICHAUD, Michael SPAHR, Simone ZÜRCHER
  • Patent number: 9527740
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ground expanded graphite agglomerate compositions, methods for making such agglomerates, their use as conductive additives, and conductive composites including such ground expanded graphite agglomerates. The disclosure also relates to methods for making such composites and the use of such composites in preparing thermally conductive materials. The agglomerates may be characterized by a certain softness allowing the agglomerates to dissolve, for example, through shear forces applied during compounding, thereby leading to an improved feedability and a highly homogenous distribution of the expanded graphite material in the composite matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: IMERYS GRAPHITE & CARBON SWITZERLAND SA
    Inventors: Eusebiu Grivei, Fabio Rota, Jean-Christophe Rietsch, Simone Zuercher, Raffaele Gilardi, Michael Spahr
  • Publication number: 20160145107
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ground expanded graphite agglomerate compositions, methods for making such agglomerates, their use as conductive additives, and conductive composites including such ground expanded graphite agglomerates. The disclosure also relates to methods for making such composites and the use of such composites in preparing thermally conductive materials. The agglomerates may be characterized by a certain softness allowing the agglomerates to dissolve, for example, through shear forces applied during compounding, thereby leading to an improved feedability and a highly homogenous distribution of the expanded graphite material in the composite matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: EUSEBIU GRIVEI, FABIO ROTA, JEAN-CHRISTOPHE RIETSCH, SIMONE ZUERCHER, RAFFAELE GILARDI, MICHAEL SPAHR
  • Patent number: 9187612
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ground expanded graphite agglomerate compositions, methods for making such agglomerates, their use as conductive additive, and conductive composites including such ground expanded graphite agglomerates. The disclosure also pertains to methods for making such composites and the use of such composites in preparing thermally conductive materials. The agglomerates may be characterized by a certain softness allowing the agglomerates to dissolve, e.g., through shear forces applied during compounding, thereby leading to an improved feedability and a highly homogenous distribution of the expanded graphite material in the composite matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland SA
    Inventors: Eusebiu Grivei, Fabio Rota, Jean-Christophe Rietsch, Simone Zuercher, Raffaele Gilardi, Michael Spahr
  • Publication number: 20150079477
    Abstract: Surface-modified, low surface area synthetic graphite may have a BET surface from 1.0 to 4.0 m2/g and a crystallite size Lc to crystallite size La ratio of greater than 1. Processes for modifying the surface of low surface area synthetic graphite may result in surface-modified, low surface area synthetic graphite have a BET surface from 1.0 to 4.0 m2/g and a crystallite size Lc to crystallite size La ratio of greater than 1. Such synthetic graphite may have many uses, including for example, as a negative electrode material in lithium-ion batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michael E. Spahr, Pirmin A. Ulmann, Simone Zürcher, Michal Gulas, Flavio Mornaghini