Patents by Inventor Vincent L. Sprenkle

Vincent L. Sprenkle 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: 11942595
    Abstract: Rechargeable batteries include a NiyFe1-y cathode where 0?y?1, an anode comprising a current collector, a porous separator positioned between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte comprising MAlX4, wherein M is Na, Li, K, or a combination thereof, and X is Cl, Br, I, or a combination thereof, and wherein the electrolyte is a solid at temperatures less than 50° C. The batteries are temperature activated. The electrolyte temperature is increased above its melting point while charging and reduced below the melting point for energy storage, such as seasonal energy storage. The electrolyte temperature is increased above the melting point again to discharge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Guosheng Li, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Minyuan M. Li, David M. Reed, Evgueni Polikarpov
  • Publication number: 20230051932
    Abstract: An anolyte for a redox-flow battery (RFB) comprising a metal-ion complex and a phosphonate-based ligand having a phosphonic group wherein the phosphonic acid group is directly coordinated to a metal-ion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Aaron M. Hollas, Guosheng Li, Minyuan Mil Li, Qian Huang, David M. Reed, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Patent number: 11532832
    Abstract: All-vanadium sulfate redox flow battery systems have a catholyte and an anolyte comprising an aqueous supporting solution including chloride ions and phosphate ions. The aqueous supporting solution stabilizes and increases the solubility of vanadium species in the electrolyte, allowing an increased vanadium concentration over a desired operating temperature range. According to one example, the chloride ions are provided by MgCl2, and the phosphate ions are provided by (NH4)2HPO4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Xiaoliang Wei, Bin Li, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Publication number: 20220393230
    Abstract: Rechargeable batteries include a NiyFe1-y cathode where 0?y?1, an anode comprising a current collector, a porous separator positioned between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte comprising MAlX4, wherein M is Na, Li, K, or a combination thereof, and X is Cl, Br, I, or a combination thereof, and wherein the electrolyte is a solid at temperatures less than 50° C. The batteries are temperature activated. The electrolyte temperature is increased above its melting point while charging and reduced below the melting point for energy storage, such as seasonal energy storage. The electrolyte temperature is increased above the melting point again to discharge the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Guosheng Li, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Minyuan M. Li, David M. Reed, Evgueni Polikarpov
  • Patent number: 11145894
    Abstract: A dense ??-alumina/zirconia composite solid electrolyte and process for fabrication are disclosed. The process allows fabrication at temperatures at or below 1600° C. The solid electrolytes include a dense composite matrix of ??-alumina and zirconia, and one or more transition metal oxides that aid the conversion and densification of precursor salts during sintering. The composite solid electrolytes find application in sodium energy storage devices and power-grid systems and devices for energy applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Lu, Jin Yong Kim, Guosheng Li, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Publication number: 20200259200
    Abstract: All-vanadium sulfate redox flow battery systems have a catholyte and an anolyte comprising an aqueous supporting solution including chloride ions and phosphate ions. The aqueous supporting solution stabilizes and increases the solubility of vanadium species in the electrolyte, allowing an increased vanadium concentration over a desired operating temperature range. According to one example, the chloride ions are provided by MgCl2, and the phosphate ions are provided by (NH4)2HPO4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Xiaoliang Wei, Bin Li, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Patent number: 10727539
    Abstract: Disclosed are cathodes having electron-conductive high-surface-area materials, aqueous non-halide-containing electrolytes, secondary zinc-iodine energy storage devices using the same, and methods for assembling the same. The disclosed high-surface-area materials and the aqueous non-halide-containing electrolyte solutions can contribute together to the confinement of the active iodine species in the cathode and to the minimization of shuttle effects and self-discharging. The non-halide-containing electrolyte salts can facilitate preferential adsorption of the iodine species to the cathode material rather than dissolution in the aqueous electrolyte solution, thereby contributing to the confinement of the active iodine species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventors: Bin Li, Huilin Pan, Zimin Nie, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Patent number: 10693183
    Abstract: A sodium-ion battery that includes an anode comprising hard carbon and lithium; and an electrolyte composition comprising an ether solvent and a sodium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Xiaolin Li, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Patent number: 10673090
    Abstract: All-vanadium sulfate redox flow battery systems have a catholyte and an anolyte comprising an aqueous supporting solution including chloride ions and phosphate ions. The aqueous supporting solution stabilizes and increases the solubility of vanadium species in the electrolyte, allowing an increased vanadium concentration over a desired operating temperature range. According to one example, the chloride ions are provided by MgCl2, and the phosphate ions are provided by (NH4)2HPO4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Xiaoliang Wei, Bin Li, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Patent number: 10615407
    Abstract: An energy storage device comprising a cathode comprising: (i) an Fe source; (ii) at least one sulfur species and (iii) NaCl, wherein the mol percent of S is less than 10, based on the total moles of (i), (ii) and (iii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Guosheng Li, Jin Yong Kim, Xiaochuan Lu, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Patent number: 10454124
    Abstract: Embodiments of an aqueous electrolyte comprising a base and a phenazine derivative are disclosed. Redox flow batteries including the aqueous electrolyte are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Wei, Wei Wang, Aaron M. Hollas, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Zimin Nie, Bin Li
  • Patent number: 10381667
    Abstract: A redox flow battery stack cell frame comprising a support frame and a monolithic bipolar plate integrated within the support frame is disclosed. The bipolar plate comprises a plurality of interdigitated flow channels on at least one surface. The support frame comprises an inlet manifold formed into a facing surface of the first side of the frame, the inlet manifold comprising fluid inlet distribution channels in a serpentine arrangement, each fluid inlet distribution channel aligned with a single inlet flow channel of the bipolar plate; and an outlet manifold formed into the facing surface of the opposing side of the frame, the outlet manifold comprising fluid outlet distribution channels in a serpentine arrangement, each fluid outlet distribution channel aligned with a single outlet flow channel of the bipolar plate. Redox flow battery stack cells and stacks comprising the stack cell frame are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Edwin C. Thomsen, David M. Reed, Brian J. Koeppel, Kurtis P. Recknagle, Vilayanur V. Viswanathan, Alasdair J. Crawford, Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Bin Li
  • Publication number: 20180366757
    Abstract: Embodiments of an aqueous electrolyte comprising a base and a phenazine derivative are disclosed. Redox flow batteries including the aqueous electrolyte are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Wei, Wei Wang, Aaron M. Hollas, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Zimin Nie, Bin Li
  • Publication number: 20180342771
    Abstract: Disclosed are cathodes having electron-conductive high-surface-area materials, aqueous non-halide-containing electrolytes, secondary zinc-iodine energy storage devices using the same, and methods for assembling the same. The disclosed high-surface-area materials and the aqueous non-halide-containing electrolyte solutions can contribute together to the confinement of the active iodine species in the cathode and to the minimization of shuttle effects and self-discharging. The non-halide-containing electrolyte salts can facilitate preferential adsorption of the iodine species to the cathode material rather than dissolution in the aqueous electrolyte solution, thereby contributing to the confinement of the active iodine species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Bin Li, Huilin Pan, Zimin Nie, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Patent number: 9793566
    Abstract: An aqueous redox flow battery system includes an aqueous catholyte and an aqueous anolyte. The aqueous catholyte may comprise (i) an optionally substituted thiourea or a nitroxyl radical compound and (ii) a catholyte aqueous supporting solution. The aqueous anolyte may comprise (i) metal cations or a viologen compound and (ii) an anolyte aqueous supporting solution. The catholyte aqueous supporting solution and the anolyte aqueous supporting solution independently may comprise (i) a proton source, (ii) a halide source, or (iii) a proton source and a halide source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Tianbiao Liu, Bin Li, Xiaoliang Wei, Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Publication number: 20170288243
    Abstract: A redox flow battery stack cell frame comprising a support frame and a monolithic bipolar plate integrated within the support frame is disclosed. The bipolar plate comprises a plurality of interdigitated flow channels on at least one surface. The support frame comprises an inlet manifold formed into a facing surface of the first side of the frame, the inlet manifold comprising fluid inlet distribution channels in a serpentine arrangement, each fluid inlet distribution channel aligned with a single inlet flow channel of the bipolar plate; and an outlet manifold formed into the facing surface of the opposing side of the frame, the outlet manifold comprising fluid outlet distribution channels in a serpentine arrangement, each fluid outlet distribution channel aligned with a single outlet flow channel of the bipolar plate. Redox flow battery stack cells and stacks comprising the stack cell frame are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Edwin C. Thomsen, David M. Reed, Brian J. Koeppel, Kurtis P. Recknagle, Vilayanur V. Viswanathan, Alasdair J. Crawford, Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Bin Li
  • Patent number: 9748595
    Abstract: Improved metal-based redox flow batteries (RFBs) can utilize a metal and a divalent cation of the metal (M2+) as an active redox couple for a first electrode and electrolyte, respectively, in a first half-cell. For example, the metal can be Zn. The RFBs can also utilize a second electrolyte having I?, anions of Ix (for x?3), or both in an aqueous solution, wherein the I? and the anions of Ix (for x?3) compose an active redox couple in a second half-cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Bin Li, Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Publication number: 20160365548
    Abstract: New compliant polymer seals and methods for making and sealing energy storage devices are disclosed. Compliant polymer seals become viscous at the operation temperature which seals cathode and anode chambers following assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Guosheng Li, Hee-Jung Chang, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Publication number: 20160308233
    Abstract: An aqueous redox flow battery system includes an aqueous catholyte and an aqueous anolyte. The aqueous catholyte may comprise (i) an optionally substituted thiourea or a nitroxyl radical compound and (ii) a catholyte aqueous supporting solution. The aqueous anolyte may comprise (i) metal cations or a viologen compound and (ii) an anolyte aqueous supporting solution. The catholyte aqueous supporting solution and the anolyte aqueous supporting solution independently may comprise (i) a proton source, (ii) a halide source, or (iii) a proton source and a halide source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Tianbiao Liu, Bin Li, Xiaoliang Wei, Zimin Nie, Wei Wang, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle
  • Publication number: 20160301097
    Abstract: A sodium-ion battery that includes an anode comprising hard carbon and lithium; and an electrolyte composition comprising an ether solvent and a sodium salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Xiaolin Li, Jun Liu, Vincent L. Sprenkle