Patents by Inventor Zhengming Zhang

Zhengming Zhang 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: 12134259
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Eric Robert White, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A Nark, Insik Jeon, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Paul Vido, Zhengming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240347784
    Abstract: A battery separator is provided comprising a microporous membrane comprising one or more layers of a polyolefin and a heat absorption layer affixed to a surface of the microporous membrane, wherein the heat absorption layer is configured to absorb heat and reduce thermal propagation within a battery cell. The heat absorption layer can comprise at least one of a phase change material or a high heat capacity material configured to absorb heat in or above a normal battery cell operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Wenbin Yin
  • Publication number: 20240329146
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of measuring the internal short resistance of a battery separator comprising one or more layers of a polyolefin is provided. A method comprises applying a force via a force component comprising a ball to a test stack, the test stack comprising an anode, a separator, and a cathode, deforming the test stack until an electrical short occurs, and determining an ISR value for the separator, the value corresponding to an overall ISR, or at least in one of the MD, TD, or Z-direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Wenbin Yin
  • Publication number: 20240313347
    Abstract: In one aspect, a battery separator comprises a microporous membrane having one or more layers of a polyolefin, wherein the microporous membrane has an electrical resistance (ER) of less than 10 ?/mm at a compression pressure of 1,000 lbs. In some embodiments, the microporous membrane has an electrical resistance of less than 25 ?/mm at a compression pressure of 5,000 lbs, an electrical resistance of less than 37 ?/mm at a compression pressure of 7,500 lbs, and/or an electrical resistance of less than 47 ?/mm at a compression pressure of 10,000 lbs. In some embodiments, the microporous membrane exhibits a compression from about 5% to about 10% under a stress of 8 N/mm2, and wherein the microporous membrane exhibits an elastic recovery from 50% to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Wenbin Yin
  • Publication number: 20240297408
    Abstract: Equipment or methods are provided for addressing the failure mode that thermal runaway cell emits flammable smoke, igniting the flammable smoke causes an EDV fire and providing new or proprietary solutions, components, materials or chemicals, to achieve the following: non-flammable smoke can be generated during cell thermal runaway resulting in smoke only, cell reaction strength is reduced by dropping Tmax for the reaction, and/or thermal-propagation can be prevented, whereby many EDV and ESS fires may be prevented and safe EDVs and ESSs may be possible. Novel or improved batteries, anodes, separators, solutions on li ion battery fires, and/or fire suppression systems, chemicals, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventor: Zhengming Zhang
  • Patent number: 12077630
    Abstract: Polyurethane foams are made by curing a reaction mixture that contains an aromatic polyisocyanate, at least one isocyanate-reactive material having an average functionality of at least 2 and an equivalent weight of at least 200 per isocyanate-reactive group, at least one blowing agent, at least one surfactant and at least one catalyst, at least one acetoacetate ester or amide and at least one aminoalcohol or alkylhydroxylamine. Foams so produced emit low levels of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Zhengming Tang, Hongliang Chen, Jian Zou, Shaoguang Feng, Steven Zhang, Degang Zhang, Ping Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240274976
    Abstract: New and/or improved coatings, layers or treatments for porous substrates, including battery separators or separator membranes, and/or coated or treated porous substrates, including coated battery separators, and/or batteries or cells including such coatings or coated separators, and/or related methods including methods of manufacture and/or of use thereof are disclosed. Also, new or improved coatings for porous substrates, including battery separators, which comprise at least a matrix material or a polymeric binder, and heat-resistant particles with additional additives, materials or components, and/or to new or improved coated or treated porous substrates, including battery separators, where the coating comprises at least a matrix material or a polymeric binder, and heat-resistant particles with additional additives, materials or components are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Michael B. Lane, Insik Jeon, Edward Kruger, Xiang Yu, Ronnie E. Smith, Stefan Reinartz, Junqing Ma, Daniel R. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20240258571
    Abstract: 2. A composite for forming an improved semi-solid state electrolyte. The composite has a layer formed including lithium metaphosphate (LiPO3). The layer may include a mixture of LiPO3 and PEO. The composite may be wet with liquid electrolyte to form the semi-solid state electrolyte. When used in a semi-solid state battery, the semi-solid state electrolyte provides beneficial results, including improved cycle life and less lithium dendrite growth. Another composite for forming an improved semi-solid state electrolyte has a layer formed including LiTaO3 and LiNbO3. Yet another composite has a single layer formed to include a mixture of a polyethylene oxide and a lithium-containing salt, including a lithium salt including niobium, tantalum, or mixtures thereof. Such composites may be wet with liquid electrolyte to form the semi-solid state electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Wenbin Yin, Jialin Mao
  • Publication number: 20240234950
    Abstract: A heat-resistant sticky coating for use on a membrane or lithium ion battery separator is disclosed. The coating has at least improved dry adhesion to an electrode for a lithium ion battery. The coating includes heat-resistant particles with a water-soluble sticky polymer on their surface. The water-soluble sticky polymer may be a polyethylene oxide (PEO). The coating may also include particles of water-insoluble sticky polymer. The water-insoluble sticky polymer may be a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) homopolymer, copolymer, or terpolymer. The water-insoluble sticky polymer may be in the same layer of the coating as the heat-resistant particles with the water-soluble sticky polymer on their surface, or it may be in a different layer. A method for forming the heat-resistant sticky coating is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Wenbin Yin, Zhengming Zhang, Stefan Reinartz, Takeda Hisashi, Xiang Yu
  • Publication number: 20240194956
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Paul M. Halmo, Xiaomin Zhang, Paul D. Vido, Zhengming Zhang, Lie Shi, Daniel R. Alexander, Jill V. Watson
  • Publication number: 20240136659
    Abstract: A heat-resistant sticky coating for use on a membrane or lithium ion battery separator is disclosed. The coating has at least improved dry adhesion to an electrode for a lithium ion battery. The coating includes heat-resistant particles with a water-soluble sticky polymer on their surface. The water-soluble sticky polymer may be a polyethylene oxide (PEO). The coating may also include particles of water-insoluble sticky polymer. The water-insoluble sticky polymer may be a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) homopolymer, copolymer, or terpolymer. The water-insoluble sticky polymer may be in the same layer of the coating as the heat-resistant particles with the water-soluble sticky polymer on their surface, or it may be in a different layer. A method for forming the heat-resistant sticky coating is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Wenbin Yin, Zhengming Zhang, Stefan Reinartz, Takeda Hisashi, Xiang Yu
  • Patent number: 11949124
    Abstract: New and/or improved coatings, layers or treatments for porous substrates, including battery separators or separator membranes, and/or coated or treated porous substrates, including coated battery separators, and/or batteries or cells including such coatings or coated separators, and/or related methods including methods of manufacture and/or of use thereof are disclosed. Also, new or improved coatings for porous substrates, including battery separators, which comprise at least a matrix material or a polymeric binder, and heat-resistant particles with additional additives, materials or components, and/or to new or improved coated or treated porous substrates, including battery separators, where the coating comprises at least a matrix material or a polymeric binder, and heat-resistant particles with additional additives, materials or components are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Michael B. Lane, Insik Jeon, Edward Kruger, Xiang Yu, Ronnie E. Smith, Stefan Reinartz, Junqing Ma, Daniel R. Alexander
  • Patent number: 11909006
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Halmo, Xiaomin Zhang, Paul D. Vido, Zhengming Zhang, Lie Shi, Daniel R. Alexander, Jill V. Watson
  • Publication number: 20240055726
    Abstract: This application is directed to dry-process porous membranes comprising polyethylene and to methods for forming such membranes. Some of the dry-process porous membranes may comprise polyethylene that has been irradiated with electron-beam irradiation. The dry-process porous membranes disclosed herein may be used in the following: lithium ion batteries, including those utilizing nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium metal, or lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries, and/or large format lithium ion batteries, textiles, garments, PPE, filters, medical products, house products, fragrance devices, and/or disposable lighters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Changqing Wang Adams, Zhengming Zhang, Stefan Reinartz
  • Publication number: 20240012700
    Abstract: Techniques for governing access to third-party application programming interfaces (API's) are disclosed. A proxy service exposes an API configured to receive requests, from user-facing services, to perform functions of backend services. The proxy service stores a usage policy that defines a criterion that is (a) different from any authorization criterion and (b) associated with using a function of a backend service. The proxy service receives a request to perform the function of the first backend service for a user-facing service and determines that the request does not satisfy the usage policy. Based on determining that the request does not satisfy the usage policy, the proxy service refrains from accessing the backend service to perform the function responsive to the request, and transmits an alert to the user-facing service indicating that the request does not satisfy the usage policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Tuck Chang, Zhengming Zhang
  • Patent number: 11809923
    Abstract: Techniques for governing access to third-party application programming interfaces (API's) are disclosed. A proxy service exposes an API configured to receive requests, from user-facing services, to perform functions of backend services. The proxy service stores a usage policy that defines a criterion that is (a) different from any authorization criterion and (b) associated with using a function of a backend service. The proxy service receives a request to perform the function of the first backend service for a user-facing service and determines that the request does not satisfy the usage policy. Based on determining that the request does not satisfy the usage policy, the proxy service refrains from accessing the backend service to perform the function responsive to the request, and transmits an alert to the user-facing service indicating that the request does not satisfy the usage policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Tuck Chang, Zhengming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230318141
    Abstract: A ceramic-coated battery separator having a microporous polyolefin membrane and a ceramic coating on at least one surface of the microporous polyolefin membrane, wherein the ceramic-coated separator exhibits a strain shrinkage of 0% at temperatures greater than or equal to 120 degrees Celsius is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Xuefa Li, Lie Shi, Premanand Ramadass, Paul M. Halmo, Xiaomin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230207892
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Paul M. Halmo, Xiaomin Zhang, Paul D. Vido, Zhengming Zhang, Lie Shi, Daniel R. Alexander, Jill V. Watson
  • Patent number: 11594765
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Halmo, Xiaomin Zhang, Paul D. Vido, Zhengming Zhang, Lie Shi, Daniel R. Alexander, Jill V. Watson
  • Publication number: 20230017765
    Abstract: A lithium ion rechargeable battery comprises: a negative electrode adapted to give up electrons during discharge, a positive electrode adapted to gain electrons during discharge, a microporous separator sandwiched between said positive electrode and said negative electrode, an organic electrolyte being contained within said separator and being in electrochemical communication with said positive electrode and said negative electrode, and an oxidative barrier interposed between said separator and said positive electrode, and thereby preventing oxidation of said separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Pankaj Arora