Zinc Anode Patents (Class 429/406)
  • Patent number: 9455438
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for preparing an electrode mix comprising (i) adding an electrode active material, a conductive material and a binder to a solvent, (ii) further adding a surfactant to the mixture of step (i), and (iii) mixing the resulting mixture of step (ii) and an electrode mix for secondary batteries prepared by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: SooHyun Lim, Jihyun Kim, Tae Jin Park
  • Patent number: 9293781
    Abstract: An automotive or other power system including a flow cell, in which the stack that provides power is readily isolated from the storage vessels holding the cathode slurry and anode slurry (alternatively called “fuel”) is described. A method of use is also provided, in which the “fuel” tanks are removable and are separately charged in a charging station, and the charged fuel, plus tanks, are placed back in the vehicle or other power system, allowing fast refueling. The technology also provides a charging system in which discharged fuel is charged. The charged fuel can be placed into storage tanks at the power source or returned to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the charged fuel in the storage tanks can be used at a later date. The charged fuel can be transported or stored for use in a different place or time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: 24M Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Ricardo Bazzarella
  • Patent number: 9263779
    Abstract: A lithium air battery module including a lithium air battery cell including a first electrolyte; an additional electrolyte disposed non-adjacent the first electrolyte; and a housing which accommodates the lithium air battery cell and the additional electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-joon Lee, Dong-min Im, Young-gyoon Ryu, Victor Roev, Sang-bok Ma, Min-sik Park
  • Patent number: 9252467
    Abstract: A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an electrochemical cell is proposed. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve body having an aperture and microactuators movable from a first closed aperture position to at least a second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body aperture. These microactuators control the movement of spring-like shape-retaining interior aperture covers, which covers can be belleville springs or flat springs. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell potential or a separate source. The latter assembly can be located outside or inside the cell housing, for example between a fluid inlet aperture and the fluid consuming electrode. Using a printing process to deposit at least one of the layers is proposed for making the multilayer microvalve assembly for a fluid depolarized battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Brooke Schumm, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9214708
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an ionically conductive medium flowing through a plurality of electrochemical cells. One or more gas vents are provided along a flow path for the ionically conductive medium, so as to permit gasses that evolve in the ionically conductive medium during charging or discharging to vent outside the cell system, while constraining the ionically conductive medium within the flow path of the electrochemical cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Grant Friesen, Todd Trimble, Michael Mihalka, Andrew Goodfellow
  • Patent number: 9202631
    Abstract: Provided is a porous film that can contribute to improving the cycle characteristics of an electric cell by improving binding characteristics, for a porous film provided on a surface of an electrode used in a secondary cell and the like. The porous film comprises a water-soluble polymer, an inorganic filler, and a water-insoluble particulate polymer including 0.5-40 mass % of a monomer unit having a hydrophilic group selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid groups, hydroxyl groups, and sulfonate groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ZEON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Wakizaka, Mayumi Fukumine
  • Patent number: 9160017
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell startup apparatus and method, particularly, a fuel cell startup method, by which in an emergency situation such as when a high-voltage battery mounted on a fuel cell vehicle is completely discharged, fuel cell startup can be achieved without assistance of a high-voltage power source. To this end, an air supply port, which is connected to an emergency air supplier, is formed on an air supply line configured to supply air to a cathode of a fuel cell stack, and the emergency air supplier supplies the air to the fuel cell stack when complete discharge of a high-voltage battery and is removably engaged to the air supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Jo Oh, Jong Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9136539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a half-cell including an electrode formed of an electron collector containing one or more transition metals from groups 4 to 12 of the Period Table of the Elements, and of an electrochemically active material present on the surface of the electron collector in the form of a nanostructured conversion film containing nanoparticles having an average diameter of between 1 nm and 1000 nm. The electrochemically active material contains at least one compound of the transition metal or the transition metals present in the electron collector. The invention further includes a continuous film of a lithium-ion conductive, solid electrolyte that is water- and air-impermeable and that is deposited directly onto, covering totally, the surface of the nanostructured active material of the electrode. The continuous film of solid electrolyte having a thickness of between 1 ?m and 50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Electricite de France
    Inventors: Stephane Lascaud, Philippe Stevens
  • Patent number: 9130228
    Abstract: A lithium ion oxygen battery capable of achieving a high energy density without being decreased in performance due to moisture or carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is provided. A lithium ion oxygen battery 1 comprises a positive electrode 2 containing oxygen as an active material and a lithium source, a negative electrode 3 made of a material capable of occluding or releasing lithium ions, and an electrolyte layer 4 sandwiched between the positive electrode 2 and the negative electrode 3 and capable of conducting the lithium ions. The positive electrode 2, the negative electrode 3, and the electrolyte layer 4 are housed in a hermetic case 5. The positive electrode 2 comprises an oxygen storage material and a lithium compound (excluding a combined metal oxide of lithium and another metal) as the lithium source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Taniuchi, Kiyoshi Tanaami, Hiroshi Sakai, Mao Hori, Yuji Isogai
  • Patent number: 9048511
    Abstract: An air electrode for a metal-air battery includes an air electrode catalyst and an electrically conductive material, and the air electrode catalyst contains a layered double hydroxide. Discharge capacity can be improved by incorporating the air electrode of this invention in a metal-air battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fuminori Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20150140456
    Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell is provided having a housing formed by a can and a cup, with a sealing gasket disposed therebetween. First and second electrodes and electrolyte are disposed within the housing. The cup has a peripheral wall and a cup edge portion that extends inward, away from the can wall at angle less than 180° relative to a longitudinal axis of the cell housing. The gasket likewise has a base that extends inward, and a surface of the cup edge portion is sealingly engaged with the gasket base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Allen, Robert M. Janmey
  • Patent number: 9029027
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an electrochemical cell comprising: (i) a fuel electrode comprising a metal fuel, (ii) a positive electrode, (iii) an ionically conductive medium, and (iv) a dopant; the electrodes being operable in a discharge mode wherein the metal fuel is oxidized at the fuel electrode and the dopant increases the conductivity of the metal fuel oxidation product. In an embodiment, the oxidation product comprises an oxide of the metal fuel which is doped degenerately. In an embodiment, the positive electrode is an air electrode that absorbs gaseous oxygen, wherein during discharge mode, oxygen is reduced at the air electrode. Embodiments of the invention also relate to methods of producing an electrode comprising a metal and a doped metal oxidation product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fluidic, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Robert A. Zeller, Paul B. Johnson, Elise E. Switzer
  • Publication number: 20150125764
    Abstract: Flow battery. The battery includes high energy density fluid electrodes having a selected non-Newtonian rheology and structure for providing intermittent flow pulses of controlled volume and duration of the fluid electrodes, the structure adapted to promote interfacial slip to improve flow uniformity. The battery disclosed herein provides a potential solution to large-scale electrical energy storage needs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kyle Christopher Smith, W. Craig Carter, Yet-Ming Chiang
  • Publication number: 20150111115
    Abstract: Provided is a metal-air battery capable of inhibiting deterioration of battery performance. The metal-air battery includes an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode, and a housing configured to house the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte, wherein the anode is capable of being ejected from the housing and the anode includes an anode active material, a carbon dioxide absorbent, and an electroconductive holding body configured to hold the anode active material and the carbon dioxide absorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Iwao NITTA
  • Publication number: 20150093660
    Abstract: The present invention describes an electrode material based on carbon foam impregnated with particulate carbon, and a method for preparing the electrode material. The electrode material may be used as a cathode active material in a metal-air/metal-oxygen battery, such as a lithium-air, sodium-air, magnesium-air, zinc-air, tin-air or silicon-air battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV/SA
    Inventor: Fanny Jeanne Julie Barde
  • Publication number: 20150077981
    Abstract: An electronic personal vaporizer is provided, including a shell having a flexible printed circuit board; and a printed battery printed on the flexible printed circuit board. The printed battery may be printed onto the flexible printed circuit board via application of inks to the flexible printed circuit board. The vaporizer may further include an electroluminescent light source printed on the flexible printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Cameron Lanning Cormack
  • Publication number: 20150010833
    Abstract: The invention provides for a fully electrically rechargeable metal anode battery systems and methods of achieving such systems. An electrically rechargeable metal anode cell may comprise a metal electrode, an air contacting electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte separating the metal electrode and the air contacting electrode. In some embodiments, the metal electrode may directly contact the liquid electrolyte and no separator or porous membrane is needed between the air contacting electrode and the electrolyte. Rechargeable metal anode cells may be electrically connected to one another through a centrode connection where a metal electrode of one cell and an air contacting electrode of a second cell are electrically connected. Air tunnels or pathways may be provided between individual metal anode cells arranged in a stack. In some embodiments, an electrolyte flow management system may also be provided to maintain liquid electrolyte at constant levels during charge and discharge cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Eos Energy Storage, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Amendola, Michael Binder, Phillip J. Black, Stefanie Sharp-Goldman, Lois Johnson, Michael Kunz, Michael Oster, Tesia Chciuk, Regan Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140370401
    Abstract: An air cathode battery is provided that uses a zinc slurry anode with carbon additives. The battery is made from an air cathode and a zinc slurry anode. The zinc slurry anode includes zinc particles, an alkaline electrolyte, with a complexing agent and carbon additives in the alkaline electrolyte. A water permeable ion-exchange membrane and electrolyte chamber separate the zinc slurry from the air cathode. The carbon additives may, for example, be graphite, carbon fiber, carbon black, or carbon nanoparticles. The proportion of carbon additives to zinc is in the range of 2.5 to 10% by weight. The proportion of alkaline electrolyte in the zinc slurry is in the range of 50 to 80% by volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Hidayat Kisdarjono, Yuhao Lu, Jong-Jan Lee, David Evans, Long Wang
  • Publication number: 20140363746
    Abstract: A rechargeable lithium cell comprising a cathode having a cathode active material, an anode having an anode active material, a porous separator electronically separating the anode and the cathode, a non-flammable quasi-solid electrolyte in contact with the cathode and the anode, wherein the electrolyte contains a lithium salt dissolved in a first organic liquid solvent with a concentration sufficiently high so that the electrolyte exhibits a vapor pressure less than 0.01 kPa when measured at 20° C., a flash point at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than the flash point of the first organic liquid solvent alone, a flash point higher than 150° C., or no flash point. This battery cell is non-flammable and safe, has a long cycle life, high capacity, and high energy density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Hui He, Bor Z. Jang, Yanbo Wang, Aruna Zhamu
  • Patent number: 8900761
    Abstract: Triethylboron is a useful precursor for depositing films in an atomic layer deposition process. This precursor is useful for depositing boron containing films. Boron containing films are excellent lubricating coatings for zinc powders, improving their flow properties and simplifying powder handling. This makes the coated zinc powders especially useful for battery applications in which a zinc powder is used as an anode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: David M. King, Dean S. Dinair
  • Patent number: 8895197
    Abstract: The present application relates to an electrochemical metal-air cell in which a low temperature ionic liquid is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Daniel A. Buttry
  • Publication number: 20140318106
    Abstract: A metal-gas battery that utilizes an exhaust gas stream from a combustion engine as reactive gases is provided. Almost constant concentration of exhaust gases are supplied to the metal-gas battery via an existing engine systematic combustion system. The systematic combustion system keeps a definite air fuel mixture (A/F) that acts to enhance the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the metal-gas battery leverages the existing vehicle air management system. Exhaust heat of the exhaust gases is sometimes utilized for the heat control of the vehicle, and then the cooled exhaust gases are introduced into the metal-air battery to be consumed during a cathode reduction reaction to create and store electrical energy. The metal-gas battery supports the cleaning of exhausted gases using existing emission catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuminori Mizuno, Paul T. Fanson
  • Publication number: 20140308594
    Abstract: A cathode for a metal air battery includes a cathode structure having pores. The cathode structure has a metal side and an air side. The porosity decreases from the air side to the metal side. A metal air battery and a method of making a cathode for a metal air battery are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Nancy J. DUDNEY, James W. KLETT, Jagjit NANDA, Chaitanya Kumar NARULA, Sreekanth PANNALA
  • Publication number: 20140295298
    Abstract: Some batteries can exhibit greatly improved performance by utilizing electrodes having randomly arranged graphene nanosheets forming a network of channels defining continuous flow paths through the electrode. The network of channels can provide a diffusion pathway for the liquid electrolyte and/or for reactant gases. Metal-air batteries can benefit from such electrodes. In particular Li-air batteries show extremely high capacities, wherein the network of channels allow oxygen to diffuse through the electrode and mesopores in the electrode can store discharge products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jiguang Zhang, Jie Xiao, Jun Liu, Wu Xu, Xiaolin Li, Deyu Wang
  • Publication number: 20140255803
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses graphene supported bifunctional catalysts and metal-air batteries comprising the same. In one aspect, a metal-air battery comprises a metal anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between the metal anode and the cathode, and a catalyst on the cathode. The catalyst reduces both the charge overpotential and discharge overpotential of the battery. The catalyst is disposed on a graphene support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: K. Y. Simon Ng, Steve O. Salley, Kapila Wadumesthrige
  • Patent number: 8822087
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a metal-air battery which can inhibit decrease of discharge capacity and increase of battery's internal resistance caused by the repeated charge and discharge. The metal-air battery comprises: a cathode; an electrolyte layer; and an anode, wherein the cathode, the electrolyte layer, and the anode are laminated in the order mentioned; the cathode comprises a plurality of cathode material layers arranged at intervals; and the direction for laminating the cathode, the electrolyte layer, and the anode intersect with the array direction of the plurality of cathode material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukinari Kotani, Fuminori Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20140227616
    Abstract: Provided is a zinc-air secondary battery capable of preventing both of the short-circuiting between positive and negative electrodes caused by zinc dendrites and the carbon dioxide incorporation. This zinc-air secondary battery includes an air electrode (12) functioning as a positive electrode; an inorganic solid electrolyte body (14) provided in direct contact with one side of the air electrode and having hydroxide ion conductivity; a metal negative electrode (16) provided opposite to the air electrode with respect to the inorganic solid electrolyte body and comprising zinc or a zinc alloy; and an electrolyte solution in which the metal negative electrode is immersed, the electrolyte solution being separated from the air electrode by the inorganic solid electrolyte body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Naohito YAMADA, Kazuhiro YAMAMOTO, Takahiro TOMITA
  • Publication number: 20140205919
    Abstract: A gas diffusion layer contains a substrate formed of a carbon containing material and a micro porous layer. The gas diffusion layer can be obtained by dispersing carbon black with a BET surface area of at most 200 m2/g, carbon nanotubes with a BET surface area of at least 200 m2/g and with an average outer diameter of at most 25 nm and a dispersion medium at a shearing rate of at least 1,000 seconds?1 and/or such that, in the dispersion produced, at least 90% of all carbon nanotubes have a mean agglomerate size of at most 25 ?m. The dispersion is applied to at least one portion of at least one side of the substrate, and the dispersion is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicants: FUTURE CARBON GMBH, SGL CARBON SE
    Inventors: PETER WILDE, RUEDIGER SCHWEISS, STEFAN FORERO, MELANIE HABERKORN, TIM SCHUBERT
  • Publication number: 20140193723
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells having desirable electronic and ionic conductivities, and associated systems and methods, are generally described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Karthikeyan Kumaresan, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik
  • Publication number: 20140193722
    Abstract: The performance of an ABx type metal hydride alloy is improved by adding an element to the alloy which element is operative to enhance the surface area morphology of the alloy. The alloy may include surface regions of differing morphologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: OVONIC BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Benjamin Reichman, Michael A. Fetcenko
  • Publication number: 20140191727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rechargeable accumulator comprising one or more metal-air cells, each cell comprising a first terminal (1) and a second terminal (2), a metallic negative electrode (3) for metal-air cell, connected to the first terminal (1), a first positive electrode (4) for releasing oxygen, a second positive electrode (5) which is a porous air electrode containing at least one oxygen reducing catalyst, an electrolyte, control means (6) suitable for continuously comparing the voltage measured between the terminal (2) and the terminal (1) with a setpoint value and for dispatching a switching signal to the switching means (7) when the measured voltage becomes smaller than the setpoint value, switching means (7) suitable for receiving a switching signal originating from the control means (6) and for connecting and disconnecting the air electrode (5) of the second terminal (2). The present invention also relates to a method using such an accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE
    Inventors: Gwenaelle Toussaint, Philippe Stevens, Bernard Toussaint
  • Patent number: 8771883
    Abstract: An alkaline battery of this invention includes: a negative electrode including a negative electrode mixture that contains a zinc alloy as an active material, the zinc alloy containing at least aluminum; an alkaline electrolyte; and a positive electrode. The alkaline electrolyte includes an aqueous KOH solution and LiOH and an aluminum compound that are dissolved in the aqueous KOH solution. The alkaline battery has excellent high-rate discharge characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Harunari Shimamura, Koshi Takamura, Nobuharu Koshiba
  • Patent number: 8758947
    Abstract: Some batteries can exhibit greatly improved performance by utilizing electrodes having randomly arranged graphene nanosheets forming a network of channels defining continuous flow paths through the electrode. The network of channels can provide a diffusion pathway for the liquid electrolyte and/or for reactant gases. Metal-air batteries can benefit from such electrodes. In particular Li-air batteries show extremely high capacities, wherein the network of channels allow oxygen to diffuse through the electrode and mesopores in the electrode can store discharge products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jiguang Zhang, Jie Xiao, Jun Liu, Wu Xu, Xiaolin Li, Deyu Wang
  • Publication number: 20140147757
    Abstract: An article having a continuous network of zinc and a continuous network of void space interpenetrating the zinc network. The zinc network is a fused, monolithic structure. A method of: providing an emulsion having a zinc powder and a liquid phase; drying the emulsion to form a sponge; sintering the sponge to form a sintered sponge; heating the sintered sponge in an oxidizing atmosphere to form an oxidized sponge having zinc oxide on the surface of the oxidized sponge; and electrochemically reducing the zinc oxide to form a zinc metal sponge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Ssecretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Debra R. Rolison, Joseph F. Parker, Jeffrey W. Long
  • Publication number: 20140127596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium-air battery, and more particularly, to a lithium-air battery which comprises a gas diffusion-type positive electrode formed in a portion thereof contacting air, and which employs a low-volatility electrolyte, thus exhibiting the effect of preventing volatilization of the electrolyte, thereby enabling the battery to be used over a long period of time without safety problems and without degradation of the charging/discharging characteristics of the battery, and the effect of air flowing into the battery being provided in a quicker and more uniform manner while passing through the gas diffusion-type positive electrode, thus improving the performance of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: IUCF-HYU(INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY)
    Inventors: Yang Kook Sun, Hun Gi Jung
  • Publication number: 20140120430
    Abstract: Provided are a liquid activated air battery and an assembled liquid activated air battery, which can be reduced in size, as well as a method of using the liquid activated air battery and the assembled liquid activated air battery. The liquid activated air battery includes: an electrode assembly comprising a cathode and an anode; and a space that serves as a liquid container to store a liquid component of an electrolyte of the air battery before injection and also serves as a gas flowing member through which oxygen-containing gas of an active material of the air battery flows after injection. The assembled liquid activated air battery includes a plurality of the liquid activated air battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Mori Nagayama, Yoshiko Tsukada, Nobutaka Chiba
  • Publication number: 20140113206
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an electrochemical cell comprising: (i) a fuel electrode comprising a metal fuel, (ii) a positive electrode, (iii) an ionically conductive medium, and (iv) a dopant; the electrodes being operable in a discharge mode wherein the metal fuel is oxidized at the fuel electrode and the dopant increases the conductivity of the metal fuel oxidation product. In an embodiment, the oxidation product comprises an oxide of the metal fuel which is doped degenerately. In an embodiment, the positive electrode is an air electrode that absorbs gaseous oxygen, wherein during discharge mode, oxygen is reduced at the air electrode. Embodiments of the invention also relate to methods of producing an electrode comprising a metal and a doped metal oxidation product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Robert A. ZELLER, Paul B. JOHNSON, Elise E. SWITZER
  • Publication number: 20140106241
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell has an electrode which includes a zinc-indium alloy as electrochemically active material, wherein the alloy is present in the form of particles and the entirety of the particles is composed of at least two particle fractions differing in indium concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: VARTA Microbattery GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelia Csrenko, Ulrich Kohls, Bernd Kreidler, Hermann Löffelmann, Andreas Rupp
  • Patent number: 8697297
    Abstract: A metal air battery capable of obtaining larger charge-discharge capacity than before, is provided. The metal air battery 1 includes a negative electrode 2 including one metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Zn, Mg, Al, and Fe, a positive electrode 3 including a mixture of a carbon material and an oxygen-storing material, and an electrolyte interposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The electrolyte is immersed in a separator 4. The negative electrode 2 includes metal Li. The oxygen-storing material includes a composite oxide of yttrium and manganese. The oxygen-storing material preferably has a hexagonal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanaami, Yuji Isogai
  • Publication number: 20140087273
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a precipitation zone located between the negative electrode and the positive electrode and in fluid communication with the positive electrode, and a fluid electrolyte within the positive electrode and the precipitation zone, wherein the precipitation zone is configured such that a discharge product which is produced as the cell discharges is preferentially precipitated within the precipitation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John F. Christensen, Paul Albertus, Timm Lohmann, Nalin Chaturvedi
  • Publication number: 20140087274
    Abstract: The Invention provides a zinc-air cell comprising at least one zinc-incorporating structure, at least one oxygen evolving structure and at least one air electrode; wherein said zinc-air cell comprises a first pair of electrodes for the charging of said air cell, said electrode pair comprising said at least one zinc-incorporating structure and said at least one oxygen evolving structure; and wherein said zinc-air cell comprises a second pair of electrodes for the discharging of said air cell, said electrode pair comprising said at least one zinc-incorporating structure and said at least one air electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Dekel Tzidon, Jonathan R. Goldstein, Avi Yadgar
  • Publication number: 20140072886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable electrochemical zinc-oxygen cells comprising A) at least one anode comprising metallic zinc, B) at least one gas diffusion electrode comprising (B1) at least one cathode active material, and (B2) optionally at least one solid medium through which gas can diffuse, and C) an aqueous electrolyte comprising boric acid. The present invention further relates to uses of the inventive rechargeable electrochemical zinc-oxygen cells, to zinc-air batteries comprising the inventive rechargeable electrochemical zinc-oxygen cells, and to the use of an aqueous electrolyte comprising boric acid for production or for operation of rechargeable electrochemical zinc-oxygen cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Tobias URBAN, Thomas Giesenberg, Eva Mutoro, Sigmar Braeuninger, Gunter Bechtloff
  • Publication number: 20140065496
    Abstract: The invention relates to gas diffusion electrodes for rechargeable electrochemical cells, which comprise at least one support material bearing at least one catalyst, wherein the support material comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of electrically conductive metal oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides and organic semiconductors. The present invention further relates to a process for producing such gas diffusion electrodes and also rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising such gas diffusion electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Alexander Panchenko, Sigmar Braeuninger, Claudia Querner, Arnd Garsuch
  • Publication number: 20140023942
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell in the form of a button cell includes an electrode 1) composed essentially of zinc or a zinc alloy, and 2) aluminum hydroxide and/or at least one aluminate, and a method of producing an electrochemical cell including mixing a zinc powder or a zinc-containing powder with aluminum hydroxide and/or at least one aluminate and, optionally, an electrode binder, a conductivity-improving additive and/or a corrosion inhibitor, to form an electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Cornelia Csrenko, Bernd Kreidler, Ulrich Kohls, Hermann Loffelmann, Andreas Rupp
  • Patent number: 8603702
    Abstract: Provided is a zinc air fuel cell with enhanced cell performance which includes a separator-electrode assembly including a perforated metal plate as a cathode current collector, a catalyst-coated carbon paper, a separator, a perforated metal plate as an anode current collector, and a tilted nonconductive support. A metal plate may be placed on the tilted nonconductive support and connected to the anode current collector in the separator-electrode assembly to enlarge the active area of the anode current collector. Performance may be efficiently enhanced by minimizing a distance between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector, and by adding a metal plate which plays a role of an additional anode current collector on the tilted nonconductive support so as to increase the overall active area of anode current collector contacting with zinc pellets and to resultantly enhance the ionization of zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hong Gon Kim, Dong Jin Suh, Chang Soo Kim, Hyun Joo Lee, Byoung Koun Min
  • Publication number: 20130323610
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst, an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst prepared thereby, and an electrode for a metal-air battery using the oxygen reduction reaction catalyst, wherein transition metal ions are adsorbed on a commercially available melamine foam and carbonized, and carbon black is supported on a porous structure of the carbonized melamine foam support, thereby economically preparing the oxygen reduction reaction catalyst that is able to maximize an effect of promoting the oxygen reduction reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jung-Yun KIM, Ho-Il Lee, Jae-Phil Cho, Jang-Soo Lee
  • Publication number: 20130309584
    Abstract: An air-metal secondary battery module includes one or more metal-air secondary battery units, each of which has a water intake part for taking an aqueous solution therein and a gas outlet port for discharging gas generated during charging; an aqueous solution storage unit which stores the aqueous solution; an aqueous solution supply unit which connects the one or more water intake parts to the aqueous solution storage unit; and a gas discharge unit which is connected to the one or more gas outlet ports to discharge the gas discharged from the gas outlet ports to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: E.M.W.ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Hoon Ryou, Jae Kyung Kong
  • Publication number: 20130280623
    Abstract: The present invention has been achieved to provide a metal-air battery that allows removal of a metallic compound without suspending power supply. The metal-air battery of the present invention includes: first and second electrolytic tanks for storing an electrolytic solution; a metallic electrode to serve as an anode provided in the first electrolytic tank; and an air electrode to serve as a cathode, wherein the metallic electrode is formed of a metal which becomes a metallic ion or composes a metallic compound in the electrolytic solution with progress of a battery reaction, the first and second electrolytic tanks are communicated with each other for allowing the electrolytic solution in the first electrolytic tank to move into the second electrolytic tank, and the metallic ion or the metallic compound in the electrolytic solution is precipitated as a metallic compound precipitate in the second electrolytic tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito YOSHIDA, Hirotaka MIZUHATA, Tomohisa YOSHIE, Masaki KAGA, Shinobu TAKENAKA, Tomoharu ARAI
  • Patent number: 8557449
    Abstract: An air cathode for a metal-air battery is disclosed which contains a catalyst chosen to make the metal air battery more easily rechargeable. This catalyst is based on cobalt phosphate, cobalt borate mixed metal cobalt phosphates, mixed metal cobalt borates, or mixed metal cobalt phosphate borates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Wilson Hago, Ivan Marc Lorkovic
  • Publication number: 20130189592
    Abstract: The invention provides part solid, part fluid and flow electrochemical cells, for example, metal-air and lithium-air batteries and three-dimensional electrode arrays for use in part solid, part fluid electrochemical and flow cells and metal-air and lithium-air batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Farshid ROUMI, Jamshid ROUMI