Electrode Structure Or Composition Patents (Class 429/523)
  • Publication number: 20150017570
    Abstract: A noble metal-based electrocatalyst comprises a bimetallic particle comprising a noble metal and a non-noble metal and having a polyhedral shape. The bimetallic particle comprises a surface-segregated composition where an atomic ratio of the noble metal to the non-noble metal is higher in a surface region and in a core region than in a sub-surface region between the surface and core regions. A method of treating a noble metal-based electrocatalyst comprises annealing a bimetallic particle comprising a noble metal and a non-noble metal and having a polyhedral shape at a temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 1100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hong Yang, Jianbo Wu
  • Publication number: 20150017565
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electrocatalysts. The electrocatalyst may include at least one gas-diffusion layer having a first side and a second side, and particle cores adhered to at least one of the first and second sides of the at least one gas-diffusion layer. The particle cores includes surfaces adhered to the at least one of the first and second sides of the at least one gas-diffusion layer and surfaces not in contact with the at least one gas-diffusion layer. Furthermore, a thin layer of catalytically atoms may be adhered to the surfaces of the particle cores not in contact with the at least one gas-diffusion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Radoslav Adzic, Stoyan Bliznakov, Miomir Vukmirovic
  • Patent number: 8932760
    Abstract: An electrode active material, containing ?-MnO2 which is stabilized with a stabilizing cation or molecule with a radius of from 1.35 to 1.55 ?, and wherein a molar ratio of the stabilizing ion or molecule to Mn is from 0.1 to 0.125, is provided. Also provided are a magnesium electrochemical cell having a cathode containing the stabilized ?-MnO2 and a rechargeable magnesium battery having a cathode containing the stabilized ?-MnO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruigang Zhang, Fuminori Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8932784
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plate-like cell, a separator on one side of the plate-like cell, and a separator on the other side of the plate-like cell. The plate-like cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The anode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The cathode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer contains a porous carbon material formed with micro pores, which functions as an electric double layer, and an ion-exchange resin. At least part of the porous carbon material supports a catalytic metal such as platinum. The porous carbon material to be used is preferably a carbide-derived carbon. The carbide-derived carbon preferably has micro pores of 1 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Matsuoka, Shigeru Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20150010850
    Abstract: Embodiments of electrochemical devices are provided herein. In some embodiments, an electrochemical device may include a housing having an inner volume; a first outer electrode disposed within the inner volume and on a first side of the housing; a second outer electrode disposed within the inner volume on a second side of the inner volume opposite the first side; a first inner electrode disposed between the first outer electrode and the second outer electrode; and a second inner electrode disposed between the first inner electrode and the second outer electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: U.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN:RDRL-LOC-I
    Inventors: Rongzhong Jiang, Deryn Chu
  • Patent number: 8921007
    Abstract: A bonding layer, disposed between an interconnect layer and an electrode layer of a solid oxide fuel cell article, may be formed from a yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder having a monomodal particle size distribution (PSD) with a d50 that is greater than about 1 ?m and a d90 that is greater than about 2 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangyong Lin, Yeshwanth Narendar, John D. Pietras, Qiang Zhao, Robert J. Sliwoski, Caroline Levy, Samuel S. Marlin, Aravind Mohanram
  • Publication number: 20140377689
    Abstract: An electrode (31c) for fuel cell comprises: a catalyst carrier (110) that is an electrically-conductive carrier (130) with a catalyst (120) supported thereon; a first electrolyte resin (141); and a second electrolyte resin (142). the first electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in an environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%. the second electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of not less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in the environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicants: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Andri E. Elia
  • Publication number: 20140370421
    Abstract: A method and article of manufacture including a catalytic substrate with a surface layer providing balanced active sites for adsorption/dissociation of H2 and adsorption of OHad for use in AFCs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Dusan Strmcnik, Vojislav Stamenkovic, Nenad Markovic
  • Patent number: 8906575
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly that is expected to prevent or at least minimize electrode contamination includes one or more getters that trap a component or components leached from a first electrode and prevents or at least minimizes them from contaminating a second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Seung Kim, Piotr Zelenay, Christina Johnston
  • Patent number: 8906534
    Abstract: A device is provided that includes a battery layer on a substrate, where a first battery cell is formed in the battery layer. The first battery cell includes a first anode, a first cathode, and a first electrolyte arranged between the first anode and the first cathode, where the first anode, the first cathode, and the first electrolyte are arranged in the battery layer such that perpendicular projections onto the substrate of each of the first anode and the first cathode are non-overlapping. A method of manufacturing such device is also provided. A system is also provide that includes such device for supplying power to an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Romano Hoofman, Aurelie Humbert, Matthias Merz, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev, Remco Henricus Wilhelmus Pijnenburg, Gilberto Curatola
  • Patent number: 8906581
    Abstract: The invention provides catalysts that are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential, have excellent durability and show high oxygen reducing ability. In a process of producing fuel cell electrodes containing a metal oxide and an electron conductive substance, the process includes steps in which a sugar is applied and carbonized on a support layer supporting the metal oxide and the electron conductive substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Kurozumi
  • Publication number: 20140349211
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises: an anode formed of graphene oxide from an acidic pH; a cathode from a pH greater than the acidic pH of the anode; and charge collectors deposited on the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Di Wei, Stefano Marco Borini, Richard White, Jani Kivioja
  • Publication number: 20140349215
    Abstract: Electrochemical cell electrode (100) comprising a nanostructured catalyst support layer (102) having first and second generally opposed major sides (103,104). The first side (103) comprises nanostructured elements (106) comprising support whiskers (108) projecting away from the first side (103). The support whiskers (108) have a first nanoscopic electrocatalyst layer (110) thereon, and a second nanoscopic electrocatalyst layer (112) on the second side (104) comprising a precious metal alloy. Electrochemical cell electrodes (100) described herein are useful, for example, as a fuel cell catalyst electrode for a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark K. Debe, Amy E. Hester
  • Patent number: 8895207
    Abstract: Novel materials comprising a solid support, linker arms and metal-organic complexes, and their use for the electrocatalytic production and oxidation of H2. Such materials can be used for the production of electrodes in the field of electronics, and notably electrodes for fuel cells, electrolysers and photoelectrocatalytical (PEC) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Vincent Artero, Marc Fontecave, Serge Palacin, Alan Le Goff, Bruno Jousselme
  • Patent number: 8889314
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided that includes a pair of unipolar plates having a separator plate disposed therebetween. One of the unipolar plates is produced from a porous material to minimize cathode transport resistance at high current density. A fuel cell stack including a fuel cell and the bipolar plate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Connor, John C. Fagley, Gerald W. Fly, Wenbin Gu, Yeh-Hung Lai, David A. Masten
  • Patent number: 8889315
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst which is not corroded in an acidic electrolyte or at a high potential, is excellent in durability and has high oxygen reduction ability. The catalyst of the present invention is characterized by including a niobium oxycarbonitride. The catalyst of the invention is also characterized by including a niobium oxycarbonitride represented by the composition formula NbCxNyOz, wherein x, y and z represent a ratio of the numbers of atoms and are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0.01?x?2, 0.01?y?2, 0.01?z?3 and x+y+z?5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Ryuji Monden, Hiroshi Konuma, Toshikazu Shishikura, Tadatoshi Kurozumi
  • Patent number: 8883371
    Abstract: Hydrogen storage materials are provided that may be capable of a hydrogenated state and dehydrogenated state. The hydrogen storage material comprises a plurality of hydrogen storage molecular units. Each hydrogen storage molecular unit comprises a transition metal bonded to one or more elements from period 2 of the periodic table, wherein the hydrogen storage material includes at least 6.5% molecular hydrogen by weight when in the hydrogenated state and is stable at temperatures below about 200° C. and at pressures of about 1 atm and below. The hydrogen storage materials may be used in conjunction with fuel cells in portable electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Joydeep Bhattacharjee, Kota V. R. M. Murali
  • Patent number: 8883369
    Abstract: Provided is a connected body connecting electrically between power generation parts of SOFCs, which has high connection strength and high reliability of electric connection. Adjacent two segmented-in-series type SOFCs (100), (100) are connected to each other with a metallic connecting member (300). A “left side end portion of the connecting member (300)” and an “interconnector (30) electrically connected to an air electrode (60) provided on the SOFC (100) on the left side” are electrically connected to each other with a connecting material (80), and a “right side end portion of the connecting member (300)” and the “interconnector (30) electrically connected to a fuel electrode (20) provided on the SOFC (100) on the right side” are electrically connected to each other with the connecting material (80). Both of the interconnectors (30), (30) to be respectively connected to both ends of the metallic connecting member (300) with the connecting material (80) are formed of dense conductive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Koichi Koga
  • Patent number: 8877407
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane, an anode-side separator having a fuel flow channel for supplying fuel, and a cathode-side separator having an oxidant flow channel for supplying oxidant. The anode includes an anode catalyst layer and an anode diffusion layer, and the cathode includes a cathode catalyst layer and a cathode diffusion layer. At least one of the fuel flow channel and the oxidant flow channel has a plurality of parallel linear portions. The anode catalyst layer or the cathode catalyst layer has a plurality of belt-like first regions facing the linear portions and at least one second region between the adjacent first regions. The amount of catalyst in the first regions per unit area is on average larger than the amount of catalyst in the at least one second region per unit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20140322630
    Abstract: An electrochemical system with reduced limiting-current behavior is disclosed. The electrochemical system is useful for fuel cells and bio-sensors. In part, the invention relates a method of reducing or eliminating limiting-current behavior in the operation electrochemical systems, in particular those with ion-selective membrane or electrochemical electrodes, by spatially reducing the convection near the membrane or the electrode. The invention further relates to electrochemical systems in which micropores, microarrays or pillar arrays are used to reduce convection in comparison to conventional systems without microarrays, micropores or pillar arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sung Hee Ko, Sung Jae Kim, Jongyoon Han, HiongYap Gan
  • Patent number: 8871393
    Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell is provided by the present invention. In the methods and systems described herein, a source of fuel is partially oxidized to release protons and electrons, without total oxidation to carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The partially oxidized fuel can be regenerated, by reduction, when the fuel cell is reversed. Other variations of the invention provide a convenient system for hydrogen storage, including steps for both release and recapture of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Ping Liu, John Vajo
  • Publication number: 20140315120
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a substrate with approximately vertically aligned carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotubes configured to have excellent transferability and be able to transfer a carbon nanotube layer that is more uniform in thickness than ever before. Disclosed is a substrate with approximately vertically aligned carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are approximately vertically aligned on the substrate, and wherein, at the substrate side rather than the middle part of the longitudinal direction of the carbon nanotubes, there is a part where the number density of the carbon nanotubes in an approximately parallel plane to the substrate, is smaller than that in other parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Masahiro Imanishi, Shinji Miyamoto, Iwao Sugimoto, Tomoya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8864852
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the fabrication of thin aluminum anode batteries using a highly reproducible process that enables high volume manufacturing of the galvanic cells. A method of fabricating a thin aluminum anode galvanic cell is provided, the method including, depositing a layer of catalytic metal on a surface of a first substrate, depositing and patterning a benzocyclobutene layer to form a reservoir having four sidewalls of benzocyclobutene on the surface of the catalytic layer, depositing a layer of aluminum on a surface of a second substrate and bonding the first substrate to the second substrate to form a galvanic cell bounded by the catalytic metal layer and the aluminum layer and separated by the reservoir walls of benzocyclobutene, the second substrate positioned in overlying relation to contact the four sidewalls of the reservoir with the aluminum layer facing the catalytic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Jay Dlutowski, Melynda C. Calves, John Bumgarner, Larry Langebrake
  • Publication number: 20140308592
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dispersion liquid for an electrode catalyst, the method comprising a step of supporting a precious metal on the surface of a carrier by an electrodeposition process using a raw material mixed solution in which a particulate carrier is dispersed in a solvent and a compound including the precious metal element is dissolved in the solvent, wherein the carrier has oxygen reduction capability and is free of precious metal elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Hajime Maki, Yutaka Ito, Yoshinari Sawabe, Kenichiro Ota
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8859165
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a proton exchange membrane and at least one electrode. The at least one electrode includes a carbon nanotube composite structure. The carbon nanotube composite structure includes a carbon nanotube structure and a catalyst material. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and the catalyst material is dispersed on the carbon nanotubes. A fuel cell using the membrane electrode assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Na Zhang, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8858432
    Abstract: Ingestible event marker systems that include an ingestible event marker (i.e., an IEM) and a personal signal receiver are provided. Embodiments of the IEM include an identifier, which may or may not be present in a physiologically acceptable carrier. The identifier is characterized by being activated upon contact with a target internal physiological site of a body, such as digestive tract internal target site. The personal signal receiver is configured to be associated with a physiological location, e.g., inside of or on the body, and to receive a signal the IEM. During use, the IEM broadcasts a signal which is received by the personal signal receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Proteus Digital Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Robertson, George Savage, Mark Zdeblick, Yashar Behzadi, Benedict Costello, Jeremy Frank, Hooman Hafezi, Tariq Haniff, David O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 8846271
    Abstract: An electrode material, including: catalyst particles formed by performing inclusion, by a porous inorganic material, for a conductive support and metal particles arranged on the conductive support and/or metal particles brought into contact with the conductive support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Kyushu University, National University Corporation
    Inventors: Kenzo Oshihara, Katsuo Suga, Masahiro Kishida, Sakae Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8846272
    Abstract: Anodes for fuel cells, membrane-electrode assemblies for fuel cells including the anodes, and fuel cell systems including the membrane-electrode assemblies are provided. The anode includes a catalyst layer including a platinum-based metal catalyst and a carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst on a catalyst support, and an electrode substrate. The catalyst support may be selected from ThO2, CeO2, Ce2O3, MnxOy (where x ranges from 1 to 2 and y ranges from 1 to 3), Co3O4, ZrO2, TiO2, and combinations thereof. The anode for a fuel cell includes a carbon monoxide oxidizing catalyst, which increases carbon monoxide oxidation, thereby providing high activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-Hyuk Son
  • Publication number: 20140287336
    Abstract: A nanoconverter or nanosensor is disclosed capable of directly generating electricity through physisorption interactions with molecules that are dipole containing organic species in a molecule interaction zone. High surface-to-volume ratio semiconductor nanowires or nanotubes (such as ZnO, silicon, carbon, etc.) are grown either aligned or randomly-aligned on a substrate. Epoxy or other nonconductive polymers are used to seal portions of the nanowires or nanotubes to create molecule noninteraction zones. By correlating certain molecule species to voltages generated, a nanosensor may quickly identify which species is detected. Nanoconverters in a series parallel arrangement may be constructed in planar, stacked, or rolled arrays to supply power to nano- and micro-devices without use of external batteries. In some cases breath, from human or other life forms, contain sufficient molecules to power a nanoconverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Yinmin Wang, Xianying Wang, Alex V. Hamza
  • Patent number: 8835060
    Abstract: Silicon-oxygen batteries comprising a silicon anode as chemical fuel, an air-cathode for dissociating oxygen, and an electrolyte, and applications using the same are provided. The silicon-batteries may utilize air for generating oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Yair Ein-Eli, Digby Donald MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20140255822
    Abstract: Electrocatalytic polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon nanoparticles and methods of synthesizing and using the same are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Tewodros Asefa, Rafael Silva
  • Publication number: 20140248553
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode compartment for an electrochemical cell, including a bicontinuous micro-e?ulsion, wherein catalytic parts are generated in-situ in a fluid, which can act as a cathode as well as an anode. The electrode compartment comprises a connection to supply fuel or an oxidator, for example oxygen, to the compartment. The electrode compartment is part of a refreshing system with a reserve container for an emulsion and a storage container for used emulsion, conduits to connect each of the containers with the electrode compartment and a transport unit, for example a pump, to move the emulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: DELFT ENTERPRISES B.V.
    Inventors: Rutger Alexander David VAN RAALTEN, Krishna Narayan Kumar KOWLGI, Gerardus Joseph Maria KOPER
  • Patent number: 8815443
    Abstract: Dry process based energy storage device structures and methods for using a dry adhesive therein are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Porter Mitchell, Xiaomei Xi, Linda Zhong, Bin Zou
  • Patent number: 8808943
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell including a porous catalyst layer, and a method of manufacturing the same in which an electrode includes a catalyst layer formed adjacent to a surface of an electrolyte membrane, and the catalyst layer has a uniform porosity as pluralities of pores are uniformly distributed on the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-jong You, Yoon-hoi Lee, Chan-ho Pak, Ji-rae Kim
  • Patent number: 8802329
    Abstract: A method of transferring a nanostructured thin catalytic layer from its carrying substrate to a porous transfer substrate and further processing and restructuring the nanostructured thin catalytic layer on the porous transfer substrate is provided. The method includes transferring the nanostructured catalytic layer from its carrying substrate to a transfer substrate. The nanostructured catalytic layer then is processed and reconstructed, including removing the residual materials and adding additional components or layers to the nanostructured catalytic layer, on the transfer substrate. Methods of fabricating catalyst coated membranes with the reconstructed electrode including the nanostructured thin catalytic layer, reconstructed electrode decals, and catalyst coated proton exchange membranes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chunxin Ji, Matthew Dioguardi
  • Patent number: 8802320
    Abstract: An electrolytic membrane for a fuel cell including a crystalline organic and inorganic porous composite, an electrode for a fuel cell including a crystalline organic and inorganic porous composite, and a fuel cell including the electrolytic membrane and/or the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-woo Choi, Ki-hyun Kim, Kyo-sung Park, Seon-ah Jin
  • Publication number: 20140220477
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates for making polymers and methods for making polymers. The present invention also relates generally to polymers and devices comprising the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Avertica, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Brendan Duck
  • Patent number: 8795927
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst layer characterized by comprising composite particles comprising electrode catalyst particles supported on electrically conductive particles, a perfluorocarbonsulfonic acid resin (component A) and a polyazole compound (component B), the content of the composite particles being 20 to 95% by weight, the total weight of component A and component B being 5 to 80% by weight, the weight ratio between component A and component B (A/B) being 1 to 999.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoto Miyake
  • Publication number: 20140212790
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a catalyst product having particular three-dimensional plate-like shape and comprising catalyst nanoparticles and a method for manufacturing same. The present product may be useful in fuel cells or battery applications. In certain embodiments the present catalysts show good catalytic activity and durability even at low catalyst loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Hai Xiong Ruan
  • Patent number: 8791043
    Abstract: An ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) composite catalyst includes an OMC; and metal particles and at least one component selected from a group consisting of nitrogen and sulfur included in the OMC. The ordered mesoporous carbon composite catalyst may be formed by impregnating an ordered mesoporous silica with a mixture of at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen-containing carbon precursor, and a sulfur-containing carbon precursor, a metal precursor, and a solvent; drying and heat-treating the impregnated OMS; carbonizing the dried and heat-treated OMS to obtain a carbon-OMS composite; and removing the OMS from the carbon-OMS composite. A fuel cell may contain the OMC composite catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-ho Pak, Hyuk Chang, Ji-man Kim, Jeong-kuk Shon
  • Publication number: 20140205931
    Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell cathode electrode, comprising a porous skeletal medium, the surface of which medium is modified or otherwise arranged or constructed to induce enhanced activated behaviour, wherein the enhanced activated behaviour is induced by means of increasing the surface area for a given volume of the electrode and/or by increasing the number and/or availability of reactive sites on the electrode. A fuel cell having such a cathode electrode, a method of manufacturing such a cathode electrode, and use of such a cathode electrode in a fuel cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ACAL ENERGY LTD
    Inventors: Andy Creeth, Nick Baynes, Andy Potter, Craig P. Dawson, Louise Clare Downs
  • Publication number: 20140205921
    Abstract: A catalyst for a fuel cell includes an active metal catalyst and a composite supporter supporting the active metal catalyst. The composite supporter includes a spherical-shaped supporter and a fibrous supporter, wherein the fibrous supporter is included in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total amount of the composite supporter. In addition, an electrode for a fuel cell using the same, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the electrode, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Tak Kim, Sung-Yong Cho, Kah-Young Song
  • Publication number: 20140205922
    Abstract: A catalyst for a fuel cell includes an active metal catalyst and a composite supporter supporting the active metal catalyst. The composite supporter includes a spherical-shaped supporter and a fibrous supporter, wherein the fibrous supporter is included in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total amount of the composite supporter. In addition, an electrode for a fuel cell using the same, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the electrode, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee-Tak Kim, Sung-Yong Cho, Kah-Young Song
  • Publication number: 20140205930
    Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst supporting a metal or an alloy on a support, including: independently controlling a temperature of a first supercritical fluid to be first temperature, the first supercritical fluid containing a precursor of the metal or precursor of the alloy that is dissolved in a supercritical fluid; independently controlling a temperature of the support to be a second temperature higher than the temperature of the first supercritical fluid; and supplying the first supercritical fluid controlled to the first temperature to the support, to cause the metal or the alloy to be supported on the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeki Hasegawa, Satoru Aizawa
  • Patent number: 8785077
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel cell connection component, including an interconnect or a current collector. The fuel cell connection component includes conductive fibers oriented at an angle of less than about 90° to at least one electrode in the fuel cell. The fuel cell connection component provides an electrically conductive pathway from the at least one electrode of the fuel cell to an external circuit or to an electrode of a different fuel cell. Embodiments of the present invention also provide fuel cells that include the fuel cell connection component, including fuel cell layers, and methods of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Mark Petersen, Jean-Louis Iaconis, David Lo, Paul Sobejko
  • Patent number: 8785079
    Abstract: This invention provides metal-foam electrodes for batteries and fuel cells. In some variations, an electrode includes a first metal layer disposed on a second metal layer, wherein the first metal layer comprises an electrically conductive, open-cell metal foam with an average cell diameter of about 25 ?m or less. The structure also includes smaller pores between the cells. The electrode forms a one piece monolithic structure and allows thicker electrodes than are possible with current electrode-fabrication techniques. These electrodes are formed from an all-fluidic plating solution. The disclosed structures increase energy density in batteries and power density in fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Adam F. Gross, John Wang, Andrew P. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20140199609
    Abstract: Provided is an electrocatalyst for solid polymer fuel cells capable of increasing the active surface area for reactions in a catalyst component, increasing the utilization efficiency of the catalyst, and reducing the amount of expensive precious metal catalyst used. Also provided are a membrane electrode assembly that uses this electrocatalyst and a solid polymer fuel cell. An electrocatalyst for a solid polymer fuel cell is provided with a catalyst and solid proton conducting material. A liquid conductive material retention part that retains a liquid proton conducting material that connects the catalyst and solid proton conducting material is provided between the same. The surface area of the catalyst exposed within the liquid conductive material retention part is larger than the surface area of the catalyst in contact with the solid proton conducting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iden, Atsushi Ohma, Kei Sakai, Kazuyuki Satou, Yoshitaka Ono, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Ken Akizuki
  • Patent number: 8778563
    Abstract: A nanoconverter or nanosensor is disclosed capable of directly generating electricity through physisorption interactions with molecules that are dipole containing organic species in a molecule interaction zone. High surface-to-volume ratio semiconductor nanowires or nanotubes (such as ZnO, silicon, carbon, etc.) are grown either aligned or randomly-aligned on a substrate. Epoxy or other nonconductive polymers are used to seal portions of the nanowires or nanotubes to create molecule noninteraction zones. By correlating certain molecule species to voltages generated, a nanosensor may quickly identify which species is detected. Nanoconverters in a series parallel arrangement may be constructed in planar, stacked, or rolled arrays to supply power to nano- and micro-devices without use of external batteries. In some cases breath, from human or other life forms, contain sufficient molecules to power a nanoconverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Yinmin Wang, Xianying Wang, Alex V. Hamza
  • Publication number: 20140193739
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an oxygen reducing catalyst having high catalytic activity and high durability using a transition metal (such as titanium); and a method for producing a fuel cell electrode catalyst using the oxygen reducing catalyst. The present invention provides the oxygen reduction catalyst including titanium, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as constituent elements at a specific ratio, wherein in XRD measurement using a Cu—K? ray, peaks are each present in at least regions A and B among regions A to D which occupy 2? ranges of 42° to 43°, B: 36.5° to 37°, 25° to 26°, and 27° to 28°, respectively; and each of maximum peak intensities IA, IB, IC, and ID in the regions A to D satisfies both relationships of IA>IB and 0.3?(IA/(IA+IC+ID))?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Takahashi, Takuya Imai, Ryuji Monden, Yasuaki Wakizaka, Takashi Sato