Patents by Inventor Steven Holdcroft

Steven Holdcroft 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: 20160193599
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are anion-conducting polymers that comprise a cationic benzimidazolium and imidazolium moieties. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes comprising the polymers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Simon Fraser University
    Inventors: Owen Thomas, Steven Holdcroft, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 9315630
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are anion-conducting polymers that comprise a cationic benzimidazolium and imidazolium moieties. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes comprising the polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Simon Fraser University
    Inventors: Owen Thomas, Steven Holdcroft, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 9209472
    Abstract: A polymer of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A main structure of the PAEs has a first side formed by multi-phenyl glycol monomer and a second side formed by multi-phenyl dihalo monomer with an electron-withdrawing group. The glycol monomer and the dihalo monomer are reacted with each other by a nucleophilic displacement reaction, so as to form the main structure of the PAEs. A film made of the PAEs has a better size stability under a high water uptake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Wen-yao Huang, Chun-Che Lee, Hsu-feng Lee, Steven Holdcroft
  • Publication number: 20150200411
    Abstract: A polymer of suifonated poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A main structure of the PAEs has a first side formed by multi-phenyl glycol monomer and a second side formed by multi-phenyl dihalo monomer with an electron-withdrawing group. The glycol monomer and the dihalo monomer are reacted with each other by a nucleophilic displacement reaction, so as to form the main structure of the PAEs. A film made of the PAEs has a better size stability under a high water uptake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Wen-yao HUANG, Chun-Che LEE, Hsu-feng LEE, Steven HOLDCROFT
  • Patent number: 9018336
    Abstract: A polymer of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A main structure of the PAEs has a first side formed by multi-phenyl glycol monomer and a second side formed by multi-phenyl dihalo monomer with an electron-withdrawing group. The glycol monomer and the dihalo monomer are reacted with each other by a nucleophilic displacement reaction, so as to form the main structure of the PAEs. A film made of the PAEs has a better size stability under a high water uptake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Wen-yao Huang, Chun-Che Lee, Hsu-feng Lee, Steven Holdcroft
  • Patent number: 8987407
    Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst layer having sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The manufacturing method includes steps of: providing at least one type of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s; mixing the sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s with a catalyst composition to prepare a catalyst slurry; and coating the catalyst slurry to form a film which is dried to be an electrode catalyst layer, in which the weight ratio of the sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s is 5-50 wt %. The sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s in the electrode catalyst layer can provide good thermal stability, glass transition temperature, chemical resistance, mechanical properties, water impermeability, low proton transmission loss, and a relatively simple process to shorten the manufacturing time and lower the cost thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Wen-yao Huang, Chun-Che Lee, Hsu-feng Lee, Steven Holdcroft
  • Publication number: 20150073063
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are anion-conducting polymers that comprise a cationic benzimidazolium and imidazolium moieties. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes comprising the polymers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Owen Thomas, Steven Holdcroft, Andrew Wright
  • Publication number: 20150031849
    Abstract: A polymer of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A main structure of the PAEs has a first side formed by multi-phenyl glycol monomer and a second side formed by multi-phenyl dihalo monomer with an electron-withdrawing group. The glycol monomer and the dihalo monomer are reacted with each other by a nucleophilic displacement reaction, so as to form the main structure of the PAEs. A film made of the PAEs has a better size stability under a high water uptake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Wen-yao Huang, Chun-Che Lee, Hsu-feng Lee, Steven Holdcroft
  • Publication number: 20150030965
    Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst layer having sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The manufacturing method includes steps of: providing at least one type of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s; mixing the sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s with a catalyst composition to prepare a catalyst slurry; and coating the catalyst slurry to form a film which is dried to be an electrode catalyst layer, in which the weight ratio of the sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s is 5-50 wt %. The sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s in the electrode catalyst layer can provide good thermal stability, glass transition temperature, chemical resistance, mechanical properties, water impermeability, low proton transmission loss, and a relatively simple process to shorten the manufacturing time and lower the cost thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: National Sun Yat-sen University
    Inventors: Wen-yao HUANG, Chun-Che LEE, Hsu-feng LEE, Steven HOLDCROFT
  • Publication number: 20040247976
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell and an electrochemical cell comprising a curable perfluorosulfonate ionomer based electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition comprises between 10 wt % and 50 wt % of a perfluoro-sulfonate ionomer (PFSI) comprising acidic groups for transporting protons; between 10 wt % and 89 wt % of a monomer for dissolving the PFSI; between 1 wt % and 60 wt % of a cross linking agent having at least two vinyl functionalities; and wherein upon combining the PFSI, monomer and cross linking agent, a curable electrolyte solution is formed with at least 50 wt % of the above components based on the total weight percent of the formed solution. The invention relates to a method for producing the curable liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Holdcroft, Jianfei Yu
  • Publication number: 20040247977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell and an electrochemical cell comprising a curable protonic polymer based electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition comprises between 10 wt % and 50 wt % of a protonic polymer comprising acidic groups for transporting protons; between 10 wt % and 89 wt % of a monomer for dissolving the protonic polymer; between 1 wt % and 60 wt % of a cross linking agent having at least two vinyl functionalities; and wherein upon combining the protonic polymer, monomer and cross linking agent, a curable electrolyte solution is formed with at least 50 wt % of the above components based on the total weight percent of the formed solution. The invention relates to a method for producing the curable liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Holdcroft, Jianfei Yu
  • Patent number: 6765027
    Abstract: Ion-exchange materials comprising a polymeric backbone and a plurality of pendent styrenic or fluoridated styrenic macromonomers covalently bonded thereto, wherein the plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers comprise a uniform number of styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units, and wherein predominantly all of the styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units have at least one charged group. Processes for making such material, as well as products related thereto, are also disclosed. In a representative embodiment, the ion-exchange material is utilized as a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) for use in a PEM fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Holdcroft, Jianfu Ding, Carmen Chuy, Charles Stone, Anne E Morrison
  • Publication number: 20030078308
    Abstract: Ion-exchange materials comprising a polymeric backbone and a plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers covalently bonded thereto, wherein the plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers comprise a uniform number of styrenic or fluorinated styrenic monomer repeat units, and wherein predominantly all of the styrenic or fluorinated styrenic monomer repeat units have at least one charged group. Processes for making such materials, as well as products related thereto, are also disclosed. In a representative embodiment, the ion-exchange material is utilized as a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) for use in a PEM fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Holdcroft, Jianfu Ding, Carmen Chuy, Charles Stone, Anne E. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5561030
    Abstract: Thin films of substantially pure soluble polythiophenes and oligothiophenes undergo cross-linking and insolubilization upon irradiation with UV/visible light, without additives. Irradiation of thin polymer films through a photomask and subsequent development with solvent leaves a polymeric image of the mask. The resulting .pi.-conjugated polymeric pattern can be rendered electronically conducting by oxidation. The electronic conductivity of these films is high and is similar to that found for oxidized, non-irradiated films. Furthermore, the conductivity can be regulated over eight orders of magnitude by controlled oxidation. Thus, the fabrication of electronically conducting, organic "wires" or "channels" using conventional semiconductor photolithographic techniques can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Simon Fraser University
    Inventors: Steven Holdcroft, Mohamed S. A. Abdou