Patents by Inventor William F. Wilkening
William F. Wilkening 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).
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Publication number: 20240113320Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T.S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 11735761Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Publication number: 20220029191Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 11121397Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 11108077Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 11108076Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Publication number: 20200313225Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Publication number: 20200091547Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Publication number: 20190386334Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 10320027Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 10312545Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Publication number: 20180269520Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T.S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Publication number: 20180048018Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T.S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 9780404Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 9419274Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of porous structures comprising sulfur in electrochemical cells. Such materials may be useful, for example, in forming one or more electrodes in an electrochemical cell. For example, the systems and methods described herein may comprise the use of an electrode comprising a conductive porous support structure and a plurality of particles comprising sulfur (e.g., as an active species) substantially contained within the pores of the support structure. The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that, in some embodiments, the sizes of the pores within the porous support structure and/or the sizes of the particles within the pores can be tailored such that the contact between the electrolyte and the sulfur is enhanced, while the electrical conductivity and structural integrity of the electrode are maintained at sufficiently high levels to allow for effective operation of the cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, Savannah V. Burnside-Joubert
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Patent number: 9105938Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Patent number: 9077041Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of porous structures comprising electrode active materials, which can be used as electrodes in electrochemical cells. In certain embodiments, the electrodes described herein can comprise a first porous support structure (e.g., a plurality of particles, which can be porous in certain cases) in which electrode active material is at least partially contained. The first porous support structure can be, in some embodiments, at least partially contained within the pores of a second porous support structure (e.g., an agglomeration of elongated fibers, a porous web formed by sintered particles, etc.) containing pores that are larger than the components of the first porous support structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Savannah V. Burnside, Christopher T. S. Campbell, Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, William F. Wilkening
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Publication number: 20150180084Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, John D. Affinito, Lowell D. Jones, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor P. Kovalev, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, John A. Martens
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Publication number: 20150155550Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of porous structures comprising sulfur in electrochemical cells. Such materials may be useful, for example, in forming one or more electrodes in an electrochemical cell. For example, the systems and methods described herein may comprise the use of an electrode comprising a conductive porous support structure and a plurality of particles comprising sulfur (e.g., as an active species) substantially contained within the pores of the support structure. The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that, in some embodiments, the sizes of the pores within the porous support structure and/or the sizes of the particles within the pores can be tailored such that the contact between the electrolyte and the sulfur is enhanced, while the electrical conductivity and structural integrity of the electrode are maintained at sufficiently high levels to allow for effective operation of the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: Sion Power CorporationInventors: William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, Savannah V. Burnside-Joubert
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Patent number: 9034421Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells, electrodes, and related methods. In some embodiments, a removable filler material may be employed during fabrication of an electrochemical cell, or component thereof, to produce electrochemical devices having improved cell performance and rate capability. Electrochemical cells may exhibit enhanced utilization of electroactive species and/or increased accessibility of electroactive species within the electrochemical cell during operation. In some cases, the invention may provide electrodes which advantageously possess both high loading of an electroactive species (e.g., greater than 1.5 mg/cm2), while also maintaining the stability and good mechanical properties of the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, Savannah V. Burnside