Patents by Inventor VIJAY K. RAMANI

VIJAY K. RAMANI 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).

  • PH-gradient-enabled microscale bipolar interfaces for direct liquid-fuel/oxidant fuel cells
    Patent number: 11949136
    Abstract: Described herein are direct liquid fuel cells with an alkaline anodic fuel stream including a solution of liquid fuel such as alcohols, ethers, glycols or compounds of hydrazine, and an acidic cathode oxidant stream including a solution of a suitable oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide or a gas steam with 1% to 100% O2. These cells are used as primary stationary and/or mobile power sources and also function in a secondary role as range extenders when coupled with a primary power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Vijay K. Ramani, Shrihari Sankarasubramanian
  • Microscale-bipolar-interface-enabled pH gradients in electrochemical devices
    Patent number: 11616246
    Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of method of inducing or providing a pH gradient in electrochemical or chemical systems. Briefly, the pH gradient is induced by use of coated particles or films with an ion exchange ionomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Vijay K. Ramani, Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Shrihari Sankarasubramanian
  • REACTANT-TRANSPORT ENGINEERING FOR HIGH-POWER DIRECT LIQUID-FUEL/OXIDANT FUEL CELLS
    Publication number: 20220407088
    Abstract: Described herein are flow field plates comprising a flow field pattern and fuel cells comprising the flow field plates comprising a flow field pattern. The flow field plates and fuel cells are applicable to fuel cells and stacks over a range of sizes and fuel/oxidant combinations as long as the fuel and oxidant are incompressible liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Shrihari Sankarasubramanian, Zhongyang Wang, Vijay K. Ramani
  • Triblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) as separators in electrochemical devices
    Patent number: 11482713
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to triblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and methods for making same. The membranes are useful as separators in electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, water desalination systems, and redox flow batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Vijay K. Ramani
  • REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20220059860
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a redox flow battery (RFB). The battery generally includes: a positive electrolyte that is a first metal ion, a negative electrolyte that is a second metal ion, an ion exchange membrane positioned between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte. The membrane is configured to restrict and/or prevent the passage of the first metal ion and/or the second metal ion therethrough, and is configured to maintain ionic conductivity between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Shrihari Sankarasubramanian, Vijay K. Ramani
  • PH-GRADIENT-ENABLED MICROSCALE BIPOLAR INTERFACES FOR DIRECT LIQUID-FUEL/OXIDANT FUEL CELLS
    Publication number: 20220052365
    Abstract: Described herein are direct liquid fuel cells with an alkaline anodic fuel stream including a solution of liquid fuel such as alcohols, ethers, glycols or compounds of hydrazine, and an acidic cathode oxidant stream including a solution of a suitable oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide or a gas steam with 1% to 100% O2. These cells are used as primary stationary and/or mobile power sources and also function in a secondary role as range extenders when coupled with a primary power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Vijay K. Ramani, Shrihari Sankarasubramanian
  • TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER BASED ANION EXCHANGE MEMBRANES (AEMs) AS SEPARATORS IN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20220006104
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to triblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and methods for making same. The membranes are useful as separators in electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, water desalination systems, and redox flow batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Vijay K. Ramani
  • Redox flow battery
    Patent number: 11177497
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a redox flow battery (RFB). The battery generally includes: a positive electrolyte that is a first metal ion, a negative electrolyte that is a second metal ion, an ion exchange membrane positioned between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte. The membrane is configured to restrict and/or prevent the passage of the first metal ion and/or the second metal ion therethrough, and is configured to maintain ionic conductivity between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Shrihari Sankarasubramanian, Vijay K. Ramani
  • DOPED ANION EXCHANGE MEMBRANES (AEMs) FOR HIGHLY SELECTIVE SEPARATORS IN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20210299650
    Abstract: Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for separators in electrochemical devices and methods for making same are disclosed herein. AEMs include chloromethylated SEBS triblock copolymer functionalized with TRIS cations and chloromethylated QPEK-C functionalized with TMA cations. Composite AEMs further include metal oxide fillers. Reinforced AEMs and reinforced composite AEMs further include a reinforcement material base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Shrihari Sankarasubramanian, Vijay K. Ramani, Yunzhu Zhang, Javier Parrondo
  • TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER BASED ANION EXCHANGE MEMBRANES (AEMs) AS SEPARATORS IN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20210111414
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to triblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and methods for making same. The membranes are useful as separators in electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, water desalination systems, and redox flow batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Vijay K. Ramani
  • Triblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) as separators in electrochemical devices
    Patent number: 10910656
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to triblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and methods for making same. The membranes are useful as separators in electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and redox flow batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Vijay K. Ramani
  • MICROSCALE-BIPOLAR-INTERFACE-ENABLED PH GRADIENTS IN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20190312293
    Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of method of inducing or providing a pH gradient in electrochemical or chemical systems. Briefly, the pH gradient is induced by use of coated particles or films with an ion exchange ionomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Vijay K. Ramani, Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Shrihari Sankarasubramanian
  • REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20190280323
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a redox flow battery (RFB). The battery generally includes: a positive electrolyte that is a first metal ion, a negative electrolyte that is a second metal ion, an ion exchange membrane positioned between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte. The membrane is configured to restrict and/or prevent the passage of the first metal ion and/or the second metal ion therethrough, and is configured to maintain ionic conductivity between the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Shrihari Sankarasubramanian, Vijay K. Ramani
  • TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER BASED ANION EXCHANGE MEMBRANES (AEMs) AS SEPARATORS IN ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20190044158
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to triblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and methods for making same. The membranes are useful as separators in electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and redox flow batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Zhongyang Wang, Javier Parrondo, Vijay K. Ramani
  • Non-carbon mixed-metal oxide support for electrocatalysts
    Patent number: 10090533
    Abstract: A non-carbon support particle is provided for use in electrocatalyst. The non-carbon support particle consists essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide. The titanium and ruthenium can have a mole ratio ranging from 1:1 to 9:1 in the non-carbon support particle. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the non-carbon support and electrocatalyst taught herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay K. Ramani, Ellazar Niangar, Nilesh Dale, Taehee Han
  • Non-Carbon Mixed-Metal Oxide Support for Electrocatalysts
    Publication number: 20170098832
    Abstract: A non-carbon support particle is provided for use in electrocatalyst. The non-carbon support particle consists essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide. The titanium and ruthenium can have a mole ratio ranging from 1:1 to 9:1 in the non-carbon support particle. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the non-carbon support and electrocatalyst taught herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Vijay K. Ramani, Ellazar Niangar, Nilesh Dale, Taehee Han
  • REVERSIBLE ALKALINE MEMBRANE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL-WATER ELECTROLYZER
    Publication number: 20150349368
    Abstract: Devices, systems, methods and/or processes based on or employing a reversible anion exchange polymer electrolyte membrane (AEM). A unitized membrane electrode assembly includes an anion exchange polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode. These electrodes each contain an anion exchange polymer electrolyte binder. The unitized membrane electrode assembly is effective in an alkaline environment for fuel cell operation and water electrolyzer operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher G. ARGES, Javier PARRONDO, Vijay K. RAMANI
  • NON-CARBON MIXED-METAL OXIDE SUPPORT FOR ELECTROCATALYSTS
    Publication number: 20150221953
    Abstract: A non-carbon support particle is provided for use in electrocatalyst. The non-carbon support particle consists essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide. The titanium and ruthenium can have a mole ratio ranging from 1:1 to 9:1 in the non-carbon support particle. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the non-carbon support and electrocatalyst taught herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: VIJAY K. RAMANI, ELLAZAR NIANGAR, NILESH DALE, TAEHEE HAN