Manganese (e.g., Manganate, Etc.) Patents (Class 423/599)
  • Patent number: 7029724
    Abstract: A method of forming an A site deficient thin film manganate material on a substrate from corresponding precursor(s), comprising liquid delivery and flash vaporization thereof to yield a precursor vapor, and transporting the precursor vapor to a chemical vapor deposition reactor for formation of an A site deficient manganate thin film on a substrate. The invention also contemplates a device comprising an A site deficient manganate thin film, wherein the manganate layer is formed on the substrate by such a process and is of the formula LaxMyMnO3, where M=Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba, and (x+y)<1.0, and preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.99.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Baum, Galena Doubinina, Daniel Studebaker
  • Patent number: 7018607
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for synthesizing a crystalline metal oxide powder material containing two or more uniformly distributed metal elements. Crystalline, water containing, oxygen containing inorganic acid salts of the metals are heated to liquefy the salts. The apparent solution contains a uniform mixture of the metal elements. The water is removed from the liquid and the resulting powder calcined in air to decompose the acid salts to a mixed metal crystalline oxide. The method is particularly useful to make doped LiNiO2 type crystals using hydrated nitrate or nitrite salts of Li, Ni and the dopant elements. Examples of useful salts are LiNO3.H2O, Ni(NO3)2.6H2O, Co(NO3)2.6H2O, Al(NO3)3.9H2O, and Mg(NO3)2.6H2O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gholam-Abbas Nazri, Gregory Charles Garabedian
  • Patent number: 7011908
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manganese bismuth mixed metal oxide cathode material through a solid-state reaction between manganese dioxide, and either bismuth or a bismuth compound in a compound having the general formula MnOy(Bi2O3)x, which affords charge transfer catalytic behavior that allows the cathode to be fully reversible at suppressed charge potentials and increased discharge potentials. The MnOy(Bi2O3)x cathode material may be incorporated into an electrochemical cell with either a lithium metal or lithium ion anode and an organic electrolyte. The present invention provides a compound with the general formula MnOy(Bi2O3)x, where subscript x is between 0.05 and 0.25, subscript y is about 2 and the overcharge protection is not needed as the subscript z approaches 0.0. In the preferred embodiment, a cathode material where subscript x is between 0.05 and 0.135 with the formula MnO2(Bi2O3)0.12 provides the much-needed full reversibility, high voltage stability and reduced charge transfer impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Terrill B. Atwater, Alvin J. Salkind, Arek Suszko
  • Patent number: 7008608
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium-cobalt-manganese oxide having the formula Li[CoxLi(1/3?x/3)Mn(2/3?2x/3)]O2(0.05<X<0.9) which provide a stable structure and a superior discharge capacity, and the method of synthesizing of the same. The method of synthesizing the oxides according to the present invention comprises: preparing an aqueous solution of lithium salt, cobalt salt, and manganese salt; forming a gel by burning the aqueous solution; making oxide powder by burning the gel; forming a fine oxide powder having a layered structure by the twice of treatments. The lithium-cobalt-manganese oxide synthesized according to the present invention has a stable and superior electrochemical characteristic. The oxide is synthesized by simple and low cost heat treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yong Joon Park, Young Sik Hong, Xianglan Wu, Kwang Man Kim, Young Gi Lee, Kwang Sun Ryu, Soon Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 6998069
    Abstract: The electrode material for positive electrodes of rechargeable lithium batteries is based on a lithium transition metal oxide. Said lithium transition metal oxide is a lithium transmission metal mixed oxide with at least two transition metals (for example nickel and/or manganese), has a layer structure and is doped (for example, with aluminium and/or boron). This inventive electrode material is characterized by a high cycle stability, yet is still economical to produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ferro GmbH
    Inventors: Marcello Coluccia, Reinhard Nesper, Petr Novak
  • Patent number: 6982048
    Abstract: The present invention provides a potassium-doped mixed metal oxide cathode material formed by advantageously alloying MnO2 with potassium and lithium to provide a new mixed metal oxide cathode material as the positive electrode in rechargeable lithium and lithium ion electrochemical cells. By alloying MnO2 with potassium and lithium in a LixKyMn2O4 compound, the cathode materials of the present invention afford overcharge protection that allows the cathode to be fully reversible. Manganese dioxide doped with potassium was initially examined as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium and lithium-ion batteries in order to provide a new mixed metal oxide cathode material as the positive electrode in rechargeable lithium and lithium ion electrochemical cells. The LixKyMn2O4 material is incorporated into an electrochemical cell with either a lithium metal or lithium ion anode and an organic electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Terrill B. Atwater, Alvin J. Salkind
  • Patent number: 6974566
    Abstract: A process to produce mixed metal oxides and metal oxide compounds. The process includes evaporating a feed solution that contains at least two metal salts to form an intermediate. The evaporation is conducted at a temperature above the boiling point of the feed solution but below the temperature where there is significant crystal growth or below the calcination temperature of the intermediate. The intermediate is calcined, optionally in the presence of an oxidizing agent, to form the desired oxides. The calcined material can be milled and dispersed to yield individual particles of controllable size and narrow size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Sabacky, Timothy M. Spitler, Jan Prochazka
  • Patent number: 6960335
    Abstract: Nanostructured and layered lithium manganese oxide powders and methods of producing same. The powders are represented by the chemical formula, LixMn1-yMyO2, where 0.5<x<1.33, 0?y?0.5 and have an average primary particle diameter from 5 nm to 300 nm, preferably between 5 and 100 nm, and M is at least one cation dopant. The powders can be formed into active cathode materials in Li-ion and Li rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nanopowder Enterprises Inc
    Inventors: Amit Singhal, Ganesh Skandan
  • Patent number: 6929788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a lithium manganese complex oxide Li1+xMn2?xO4 (0?x?0.12) used as a cathode active material of a lithium or lithium ion secondary battery. The present invention provides a method for preparing a manganese compound comprising the step of simultaneously applying a mechanical force and heat energy to a manganese compound to remove defects present in particles of the manganese compound and to control the aggregation of particles and the shape of the aggregated particles, a method for preparing a lithium manganese complex oxide with a spinel structure using the manganese compound prepared by the above method as a raw material, and a lithium or lithium ion secondary battery using the lithium manganese complex oxide with a spinel structure prepared by the above method as a cathode active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: LG Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Kyu Park, Seong-Yong Park, Ki-Young Lee, Joon-Sung Bae
  • Patent number: 6924064
    Abstract: A positive active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided comprising lithium manganese oxide having such a spinel structure that the half-width (2?) of the reflection peak corresponding to 440 plane as determined by X-ray diffractometry using CuK? ray is not greater than 0.145°. The use of this positive active material makes it possible to obtain a secondary battery which exhibits a good cycle life performance at room temperature and high temperatures and a reduced capacity drop when stored at high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuro Kondo, Junichi Toriyama, Masanao Terasaki
  • Patent number: 6908708
    Abstract: A method of preparing layered lithium-chromium-manganese oxides having the formula Li[CrxLi(1/3?x/3) Mn(2/3?2x/3)]O2 where 0.1?X?0.5 for lithium batteries. Homogeneous precipitation is prepared by adding lithium hydroxide (LiOH) solution to a mixed solution of chromium acetate (Cr3(OH)2(CH3CO2)7) and manganese acetate ((CH3CO2)2Mn.4H2O), while precursor powders are prepared by firing the precipitation. After that, the precursor powders are subjected to two heat treatment to yield Li[CrxLi(1/3?x/3) Mn(2/3?2x/3)]O2 with ?-LiFeO2 structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Xianglan Wu, Yong Joon Park, Kwang Sun Ryu, Soon Ho Chang, Young-Sik Hong
  • Patent number: 6899860
    Abstract: According to the process of this invention, first a manganese oxide seed is prepared, which is then grown to obtain manganese oxide having large particle diameters. The manganese oxide thus obtained is reacted with a lithium compound, whereby lithium manganate having large particle diameters can be obtained. Since the lithium manganate has large particle diameters and gives a high packing density, lithium batteries with a high energy density can be provided by using the lithium manganate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokuo Suita, Kenzi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 6890500
    Abstract: The invention is directed to open-framework and microporous solids well suited for use in catalysis and ion exchange. The microporous solids are constructed by using a salt template which can be readily removed without destroying the framework of the micropore. Various microporous solids can be formed having different geometric structures depending upon the templating salt used and the concentration. Examples of two compounds include Na2Cs[Mn3(P2O7)2]Cl and K2.02Cs2.90[Cu3(P2O7)2]Cl2.92. Both compounds have 3-D (Mn, Cu)—P—O frameworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Shiou-Jyh Hwu, Qun Huang, Mutlu Ulutagay
  • Patent number: 6890456
    Abstract: A cathode electroactive material for use in lithium ion secondary cells, process for producing the material, and lithium ion secondary cells using the cathode electroactive material, wherein the electroactive material predominantly comprises an Li—Mn composite oxide particles with the spinel structure and particles of the electroactive material have an average porosity of 15% or less, the porosity being calculated by employing the following equation: Porosity (%)=(A/B)×100 (wherein A represents a total cross-section area of pores included in a cross-section of one secondary particle, and B represents the cross-section area of one secondary particle), a tapping density of 1.9 g/ml or more, a size of crystallites of 400 ?-960 ?, a lattice constant of 8.240 ? or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Takao Noda, Akihiko Shirakawa, Joseph Gaze, Yoshiaki Yamauchi, Fumiyoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 6875416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing lithium-transition metal mixtures of general formula Lix(M1yM21-y)nOnz, wherein M1 represents nickel, cobalt or manganese, M2 represents chromium, cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum or aluminium, and is different from M1, n is 2 if M1 represents manganese and is 1 otherwise, x is comprised between 0.9 and 1.2, y is comprised between 0.5 and 1.0 and z is comprised between 1.9 and 2.1. According to the inventive method, an intimate mixture composed of transition metal compounds containing oxygen and of a lithium compound containing oxygen is calcinated, said mixture being obtained by processing a solid powder transition metal compound with a solution of said lithium compound, and then drying. At least the M1 compound is used in powder form having a specific surface of at least 20 m2/g (BET) and calcination is carried out in a fluidised bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: H. C. Starck GmbH & Co
    Inventors: Mathias Benz, Wolfgang Kummer, Evelyn Pross, Josef Schmoll, Wolfgang Schweda, Daniel Duff, Ricarda Leiberich, Christoph Schild, Ulrich Krynitz, Juliane Meese-Marktscheffel, Viktor Stoller
  • Patent number: 6869547
    Abstract: Stabilized lithiated manganese oxide (LMO) is prepared by reacting cubic spinel lithium manganese oxide particles and particles of an alkali metal compound in air for a time and at a temperature sufficient to decompose at least a portion of the alkali metal compound, providing a treated lithium manganese oxide. The reaction product is characterized as particles having a core or bulk structure of cubic spinel lithium manganese oxide and a surface region which is enriched in Mn+4 relative to the bulk. X-ray diffraction data and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data are consistent with the structure of the stabilized LMO being a central bulk of cubic spinel lithium manganese oxide with a surface layer or region comprising A2MnO3, where A is an alkali metal. Electrochemical cells containing the stabilized LMO of the invention have improved charging and discharging characteristics and maintain integrity over a prolonged life cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Barker, M. Yazid Saldi, Jeffrey L. Swoyer
  • Patent number: 6869596
    Abstract: A UV screening composition comprising particles which are capable of absorbing UV light so that electrons and positively charged holes are formed within the particles, characterised in that the particles are adapted to minimise migration to the surface of the particles of the electrons and/or the positively charged holes when said particles are exposed to UV light in an aqueous environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: ISIS Innovation Limited
    Inventors: John Sebastian Knowland, Peter James Dobson, Gareth Wakefield
  • Patent number: 6838072
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing lithium intercalation compounds by plasma reaction comprising the steps of: forming a feed solution by mixing lithium nitrate or lithium hydroxide or lithium oxide and the required metal nitrate or metal hydroxide or metal oxide and between 10-50% alcohol by weight; mixing the feed solution with O2 gas wherein the O2 gas atomizes the feed solution into fine reactant droplets, inserting the atomized feed solution into a plasma reactor to form an intercalation powder; and if desired, heating the resulting powder to from a very pure single phase product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Peter C. Kong, Robert J. Pink, Lee O. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040265693
    Abstract: The positive electrode active material of the present invention is characterized in that its main component is a lithium metal oxide, and the lithium concentration at the surface portion of the primary particles that make up the active material is lower than that in the interior thereof. There will be less increase in internal resistance with a secondary cell made using this active material. The above-mentioned active material can be manufactured, for example, by bringing the raw active material into contact with a treatment liquid containing metal ions, and thereby lowering the lithium concentration at the surface portion of the primary particles that make up the raw active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Saeko Kurachi
  • Publication number: 20040253516
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide positive electrode material in which a discharge rate characteristic and battery capacity are hardly deteriorated in the environment of low temperature of −30° C., its manufacturing method and a lithium secondary battery using the positive electrode material. The invention is characterized by the positive electrode material in which plural primary particles are flocculated and a secondary particle is formed, and the touch length of the primary particles is equivalent to 10 to 70% of the length of the whole periphery on the section of the touched primary particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Toyotaka Yuasa, Masahiro Kasai, Genei Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6830822
    Abstract: A pigment with modified properties because of the powder size being below 100 nanometers. Blue, yellow and brown pigments are illustrated. Nanoscale coated, un-coated, whisker inorganic fillers are included. Stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric composition are disclosed. The pigment nanopowders taught comprise one or more elements from the group actinium, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cesium, cobalt, copper, chalcogenide, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, gallium, gold, hafnium, hydrogen, indium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mendelevium, mercury, molybdenum, neodymium, neptunium, nickel, niobium, nitrogen, oxygen, osmium, palladium, platinum, potassium, praseodymium, promethium, protactinium, rhenium, rubidium, scandium, silver, sodium, strontium, tantalum, terbium, thallium, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: NanoProducts Corporation
    Inventor: Tapesh Yadav
  • Publication number: 20040234854
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries of general formula Li1+xNi&agr;Mn&bgr;A&ggr;O2 and further wherein A is Mg, Zn, Al, Co, Ga, B, Zr, or Ti and 0<x<0.2, 0.1≦&agr;≦0.5, 0.4≦&bgr;≦0.6, 0≦&ggr;≦0.1 and a method of manufacturing the same. Such an active material is manufactured by employing either a solid state reaction method or an aqueous solution method or a sol-gel method which is followed by a rapid quenching from high temperatures into liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Sun-Ho Kang, Khalil Amine
  • Publication number: 20040234857
    Abstract: A positive active material for lithium secondary batteries is provided with which a lithium secondary battery having a high energy density and excellent charge/discharge cycle performance can be obtained. Also provided is a lithium secondary battery having a high energy density and excellent charge/discharge cycle performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Ryuji Shiozaki, Akihiro Fujii, Kazuya Okabe, Toshiyuki Nukuda
  • Publication number: 20040234855
    Abstract: Provided are a cathode material capable of improving battery characteristics by improving its structural stability, a method of manufacturing the cathode material, and a battery using the cathode material. A cathode comprises a complex oxide represented by LiaMnbCrcAl1−b−cOd or Li1+e(MnfCrgM1−f−g)1−eOh. The values of a through h are within a range of 1.0<a<1.6, 0.5<b+c<1, 1.8<d<2.5, 0<e<0.4, 0.2<f<0.5, 0.3<g<1, f+g<1 and 1.8<h<2.5, and M is at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ti, Mg and Al. The crystalline structure can be stabilized by Ti, Mg or Al, and charge-discharge cycle characteristics can be improved. Moreover, the charge capacity can be improved by an excessive amount of lithium, and even after charge, a certain amount of lithium remains in the crystalline structure, so the stability of the crystalline structure can be further improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Guohua Li
  • Patent number: 6821678
    Abstract: Manganese dioxide for lithium primary batteries which is obtained by soda neutralization and heat treatment of electrolytic manganese dioxide and has a sodium content of 0.05 to 0.2% by weight and a process for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sumida, Kiyoteru Enomoto, Masaki Sato
  • Patent number: 6821498
    Abstract: An oxygen ion conducting ceramic oxide that has applications in industry including fuel cells, oxygen pumps, oxygen sensors, and separation membranes. The material is based on the idea that substituting a dopant into the host perovskite lattice of (La,Sr)MnO3 that prefers a coordination number lower than 6 will induce oxygen ion vacancies to form in the lattice. Because the oxygen ion conductivity of (La,Sr)MnO3 is low over a very large temperature range, the material exhibits a high overpotential when used. The inclusion of oxygen vacancies into the lattice by doping the material has been found to maintain the desirable properties of (La,Sr)MnO3, while significantly decreasing the experimentally observed overpotential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: John Vaughey, Michael Krumpelt, Xiaoping Wang, J. David Carter
  • Publication number: 20040223905
    Abstract: A low temperature process for lithiating hydroxides and forming lithiated metal oxides of suitable crystalinity in-situ. M(OH)2 is added to an aqueous solution of LiOH. An oxidant is introduced into the solution which is heated below 150° C. and, if necessary, agitated. The resultant LiMO2 becomes crystallized in-situ and is subsequently removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: INCO LIMITED
    Inventors: Feng Zou, Mohammad Jahangir Hossain, Juraj Babjak, Quan Min Yang, Samuel Walton Marcuson
  • Patent number: 6814894
    Abstract: A lithium-manganese complex oxide represented by a formula Li[Mn2-X-YLiXMY]O4+&dgr; (wherein M is at least one element selected from the groups IIa, IIIb and VIII of the 3rd and 4th periods, and 0.02≦X≦0.10, 0.05≦Y≦0.30 and −0.2≦&dgr;<0.2), having a spinel crystalline structure of 0.22° or less of half value width of the (400) plane of powder X-ray diffraction by CuK&agr; and an average diameter of crystal grains by SEM observation of 2 &mgr;m or less, and a spinel crystalline structure lithium-manganese complex oxide having a BET specific surface area of 1.0 m2·g−1 or less; production methods thereof; and a lithium secondary battery which uses the lithium-manganese complex oxide as the positive electrode active material are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Tosoh Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Shoji, Kazuaki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20040208818
    Abstract: A cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell having a c-axis length of lattice constant of 14.080 to 14.160 Å, an average particle size of 0.1 to 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Toda Kogyo Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Maeda, Shoichi Fujino, Mitsuaki Hatatani, Hiroyasu Watanabe, Norimiki Sugiyama, Hideaki Sadamura
  • Publication number: 20040202933
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery having high energy density and of excellent safety, and a cathode active material used therefor are provided. The cathode active material is a Li-containing composite oxide comprising a plurality of transition metal elements selected from Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu, in which the composition of the transition metal elements is in a range not inclined to particular transition metal elements. The composite oxide having a crystal structure in which the range of an angle &bgr; formed between a axis and b axis of the crystallographic structure is controlled as: 90° <&bgr;≦110°. The composite oxide is used as the cathode active material of a lithium ion secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamaki, Masahiro Kasai, Yoshiaki Kumashiro, Takayuki Hirashige
  • Publication number: 20040202938
    Abstract: A cathode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery includes a spinel lithium manganese composite oxide expressed by the general formula: Lia(NixMn2−x−q−rQqRr)O4, wherein 0.4≦x≦0.6, 0<q, 0≦r, x+q+r<2, 0<a<1.2, Q is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Na, K and Ca, and R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, Be, B, Mg and Al.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro Noguchi, Tatsuji Numata, Daisuke Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20040191628
    Abstract: As a positive electrode active material, a lithium transition metal complex oxide having a layered rock-salt structure containing lithium (Li) and containing magnesium atoms (Mg) substituted for part of lithium atoms (Li) is used. The lithium transition metal complex oxide is formed by chemical or electrochemical substitution of Mg atoms for part of Li atoms in LiCoO2, LiMnO2, LiFeO2, LiNiO2, or the like. A cell is prepared in which a negative electrode 2 and a positive electrode 1 including the lithium transition metal complex oxide (positive electrode active material) are disposed in a non-aqueous electrolyte 5 including a lithium salt, and part of Li in the lithium transition metal complex oxide is extracted by discharging the cell. Then, the electrolyte including Li is replaced with an electrolyte including Mg; and the cell is discharged, so that Mg atoms are substituted for the part of Li atoms in the lithium transition metal complex oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Inoue, Masahisa Fujimoto, Masaharu Itaya
  • Publication number: 20040175617
    Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell includes a cathode including lambda-manganese dioxide (&lgr;-MnO2), an anode including lithium or a lithium alloy, a separator interposed between the cathode and the anode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte contacting the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Bowden, Klaus Brandt, Paul A. Christian, Zhiping Jiang
  • Publication number: 20040175618
    Abstract: There is provided a lithium secondary battery having a high capacity and excellent high-rate discharge characteristic and charge/discharge cycle characteristic. The lithium secondary battery comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode and an ionic conductor, wherein the positive electrode comprises lithium metal composite oxide particles; the lithium metal composite oxide particles comprise a plurality of secondary particles in an elongated shape each comprised of a plurality of primary particles with an average particle size of 0.1 to 1 &mgr;m so aggregated as to form a void therebetween; and the secondary particle is columnar or planar and has an average size in a long length direction of 5 to 15 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Inoue, Soichiro Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20040175616
    Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode including lambda-manganese dioxide, an anode including zinc, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an alkaline electrolyte contacting the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: William L. Bowden, Klaus Brandt, Paul A. Christian, Zhiping Jiang
  • Patent number: 6787232
    Abstract: This invention concerns intercalation compounds and in particular lithium intercalation compounds which have improved properties for use in batteries. Compositions of the invention include particulate metal oxide material having particles of multicomponent metal oxide, each including an oxide core of at least first and second metals in a first ratio, and each including a surface coating of metal oxide or hydroxide that does not include the first and second metals in the first ratio formed by segregation of at least one of the first and second metals from the core. The core may preferably comprise LixMyNzO2 wherein M and N are metal atom or main group elements, x, y and z are numbers from about 0 to about 1 and y and z are such that a formal charge on MyNz portion of the compound is (4−x), and having a charging voltage of at least about 2.5V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Donald R. Sadoway, Young-Il Jang, Biyan Huang
  • Patent number: 6783855
    Abstract: A process for preparing phosphor particles of a host oxide doped with a rare earth or manganese which comprises: preparing an aqueous solution of salts of the host ion and of the dopant ion and a water soluble compound which decomposes under the reaction conditions to convert said salts into hydroxycarbonate, heating the solution so as to cause said compound to decompose, recovering the resulting precipitate and calcining it at a temperature of at least 500° C. Substantially monocrystalline particles can be obtained by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ISIS Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Peter James Dobson, Gareth Wakefield
  • Patent number: 6780810
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multifunctional reusable catalyst and to a process for the preparation thereof on a single matrix of the support to perform multicomponent reaction in a single pot. The multifunctional catalysts of the invention are useful for the synthesis of chiral vicinal diols by tandem and/or simultaneous reactions involving Heck coupling, N-oxidation and AD reaction of olefins in presence of cinchona alkaloid compounds both as an native one and immobilized one in the said matrix support. This invention also relates to a process for preparing vicinal diols by asymmetric dihydroxylation of olefins in presence of cinchona alkaloid compounds employing reusable multifunctional catalysts as heterogeneous catalysts in place of soluble osmium catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Boyapati Manoranjan Choudary, Naidu Sreenivasa Chowdari, Sateesh Madhi, Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam
  • Patent number: 6780347
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing cathodes loaded with manganese oxide that are suitable for use in metal-air cells. The manganese oxide is prepared from the reduction of potassium permanganate by sodium formate at a substantially neutral pH level to produce manganese oxide sols. The sols are then mixed with a carbon slurry to produce a colloidal suspension. The suspension is subsequently waterproofed before being filtered, washed, dried, and rolled to produce the active catalyst layer for the cathode during discharge of the cell. The catalyst layer is then laminated with a current collector and air diffusion layer. A separator is then added to provide a carbon-based air cathode loaded with manganese oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest Ndzebet
  • Patent number: 6780394
    Abstract: A perovskite feedstock (powder or preform) is placed in a high-pressure cell of a high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) apparatus and subjected to pressures in excess of about 2 kbar and temperatures above about 800° C. for a time adequate to increase the density of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh S. Vagarali, John W. Lucek
  • Patent number: 6780393
    Abstract: A method of producing fine particles of an oxide of a metal, comprising the steps of: preparing an acidic solution which contains ions of the metal; precipitating fine particles of a hydroxide of the metal by adding an alkaline solution to the acidic solution; collecting the fine particles of the hydroxide of the metal precipitated in a mixed solution of the acidic solution and the alkaline solution; mixing fine particles of a carbon with the collected fine particles of the hydroxide of the metal; and heat-treating a mixture of the fine particles of the hydroxide of the metal and the fine particles of the carbon at a predetermined temperature in a non-reducing atmosphere, whereby the fine particles of the oxide of the metal are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Noritake Co., Limited
    Inventors: Norimitsu Murayama, Woosuck Shin, Sumihito Sago, Makiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6773851
    Abstract: Li2Mn4O8+z, with z greater than zero and less than one, is prepared from LiMnO4 and an appropriate complimentary compound, such as MnOOH, MnO2 or MnCO3 precursors. The Li2Mn4O8+z is useful in highly oxidized lithium manganospinels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William A. Ferrando, William P. Kilroy, Steven Dallek
  • Patent number: 6764790
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery using a lithium manganese oxide for a positive active material having a cubic spinel structure which has a crystallite size of 58 nm or greater and/or a lattice distortion of 0.09% or less. The ratio of Li/Mn in the lithium manganese oxide is preferably greater than 0.5. In synthesizing the lithium manganese oxide, a mixed compound including salts and/or oxides of each of the elements is fired in an oxidizing atmosphere in a range of 650° C. to 1000° C. for 5 to 50 hours, with the properties of the crystal being improved by firing two or more times, preferably with an increase in firing temperature over the temperature of the previous firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6756154
    Abstract: A cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell having a c-axis length of lattice constant of 14.080 to 14.160 Å, an average particle size of 0.1 to 5.0 &mgr;m, and a composition represented by the formula: LiCo(1−x−y)MnxMgyO2 wherein x is a number of 0.008 to 0.18; and y is a number of 0 to 0.18. This cathode active material is capable of maintaining an initial discharge capacity required for secondary cells and showing improved charge/discharge cycle characteristics under high temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Toda Kogyo Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Maeda, Shoichi Fujino, Mitsuaki Hatatani, Hiroyasu Watanabe, Norimiki Sugiyama, Hideaki Sadamura
  • Publication number: 20040120882
    Abstract: Collections of particles comprising multiple a metal oxide can be formed with average particle sizes less than about 500 nm. In some embodiments, the particle collections have particle size distributions such that at least about 95 percent of the particles have a diameter greater than about 40 percent of the average diameter and less than about 160 percent of the average diameter. Also, in further embodiments, the particle collections have particle size distribution such that effectively no particles have a diameter greater than about four times the average diameter of the collection of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Sujeet Kumar, Hariklia Dris Reitz, Craig R. Horne, James T. Gardner, Ronald J. Mosso, Xiangxin Bi
  • Publication number: 20040115534
    Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a Li—Mn—Ni oxide for a lithium secondary battery having a composition of Li[NixLi(1/3-2x/3)Mn(2/3-X/3)O2 (0.05<X<0.6), including the steps of: a] preparing an aqueous solution by resolving lithium salt, manganese salt and nickel salt into distilled water; b) forming gel by heating the aqueous solution; c) preparing oxide powder by burning the gel; d) performing a first thermal treatment on the oxide powder, and grinding the resultant; and e) performing a second thermal treatment on the resultant powder, and grinding the resultant. The technology of the present invention can prepare a Li—Mn—Ni oxide having a composition of Li[NixLi(1/3-2x/3)Mn(2/3-x/3)O2 (0.05<X<0.6) to be used as a cathode material of a lithium secondary battery having a stable and excellent electrochemical characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Yong-Joon Park, Young-Sik Hong, Xianglan Wu, Kwang Sun Ryu, Kwang Man Kim, Young-Gi Lee, Soon Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 6749648
    Abstract: Lithium metal oxide particles have been produced having average diameters less than about 100 nm. Composite metal oxides of particular interest include, for example, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium titanium oxides and derivatives thereof. These nanoparticles composite metal oxides can be used as electroactive particles in lithium or lithium ion batteries. Batteries of particular interest include lithium titanium oxide in the negative electrode and lithium cobalt manganese oxide in the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: NanaGram Corporation
    Inventors: Sujeet Kumar, Craig R. Horne
  • Publication number: 20040110063
    Abstract: A lithium-containing complex oxide represented by General Formula: Li1+x+&agr;Ni(1−x−y+&dgr;)/2Mn(1−x−y−&dgr;)/2MyO2 (where 0≦x≦0.15, −0.05≦x+&agr;≦0.2, 0≦y≦0.4; −0.1≦&dgr;≦0.1 (when 0≦y≦0.2) or −0.24≦&dgr;≦0.24 (when 0.2<y≦0.4); and M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Al, Ge, Zr and Sn) is provided. The lithium-containing complex oxide contains secondary particles formed of flocculated primary particles. The primary particles have a mean particle diameter of 0.3 to 3 &mgr;m, and the secondary particles have a mean particle diameter of 5 to 20 &mgr;m. By using this lithium-containing complex oxide as a positive active material, a non-aqueous secondary battery having a high capacity, excellent cycle durability and excellent storage characteristics at a high temperature is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Kazutaka Uchitomi, Atsushi Ueda, Shigeo Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20040109821
    Abstract: A novel technique by which not only pentavalent arsenic but trivalent arsenic, which has been difficult to remove, can be efficiently removed. The manganese/oxygen compound which adsorbs arsenic is characterized by being a product of burning or heating which comprises an oxygen compound of bismuth and an oxygen compound of manganese and by containing manganese as a major component. It is used to treat an aqueous arsenic solution to thereby adsorptively remove the arsenic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Hideki Koyanaka, Toshihiro Kasai
  • Patent number: 6737195
    Abstract: Disclosed is a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery. The positive active material includes at least one compound represented by formulas 1 to 4 and a metal oxide or composite metal oxide layer formed on the compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-Jin Kweon, Hyun-Sook Jung, Yong-Chul Park, Geun-Bae Kim