Fuel Cell With Solid Electrolyte Patents (Class 429/479)
  • Patent number: 11984625
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing an electrochemically active unit that includes a membrane and at least one assembly, which includes a gas diffusion layer and a sealing element produced on the gas diffusion layer. The method is reliably performable with less expenditure on process apparatuses and process time and includes the following: producing the sealing element on the gas diffusion layer; connecting the sealing element and/or the gas diffusion layer to a support element; and assembling the membrane and the at least one assembly, which includes the gas diffusion layer and the sealing element, to form the electrochemically active unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: EKPO FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Stahl, Juergen Kraft
  • Patent number: 11984598
    Abstract: An ion conductive layer can include a hygroscopic ion conductive material, such as a halide-based material. In an embodiment, the ion conductive layer can include an organic material, ammonium halide, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ruofan Wang, Yuto Takagi, Michael McGahan, Vladimir Ouspenski, Gaurav Assat, Chuanping Li
  • Patent number: 11955645
    Abstract: Catalysts comprising a Ta layer having an outer layer with a layer comprising Pt directly thereon, wherein the Ta layer has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 30 nanometers, wherein the layer comprising Pt has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 50 nanometers, and wherein the Pt and Ta are present in an atomic ratio in a range from 0.01:1 to 10:1. Catalyst described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. L. Steinbach, Andrew T. Haug, Krzysztof A. Lewinski, Amy E. Hester, Grant M. Thoma, Cedric Bedoya, Zhenhua Zeng, Jeffrey P. Greeley
  • Patent number: 11942665
    Abstract: A separator member for a fuel cell includes: a first resin layer including a resin; and a graphite layer that is layered on the first resin layer and substantially made of graphite. The layering amount of the graphite layer is 50 g/m2 or less, and the volume resistivity of the graphite is 3 m?·cm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ARISAWA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Yoshida, Kio Miyaji, Kenichi Watabe
  • Patent number: 11936080
    Abstract: Anode materials comprising various compositions of strontium iron cobalt molybdenum oxide (SFCM) for low- or intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) are provided. These materials offer high conductivity achievable at intermediate and low temperatures and can be used to prepare the anode layer of a SOFC. A method of making a low- or intermediate temperature SOFC having an anode layer including SFCM is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
    Inventors: Ke-Ji Pan, Eric D. Wachsman, Mohammed Hussain Abdul Jabbar
  • Patent number: 11901591
    Abstract: Fuel cell assemblies comprising at least one thermally compensated coolant channel are provided. The thermally compensated coolant channel has a cross-sectional area that decreases in the coolant flow direction along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments, such thermally compensated coolant channels can be used to provide substantially uniform heat flux, and substantially isothermal conditions, in fuel cells operating with substantially uniform current density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Loop Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Paone, Sean Michael Mackinnon, Raoul Jacob Kingma, Sheilah Melissa Galati, Greg John Montie
  • Patent number: 11894563
    Abstract: Described herein are novel alumina substrate-supported thin film SOFCs that may be produced at significantly reduced cost while providing improved robustness, high electrochemical performance, and the capability of effective carbon deposition resistance while still using Ni-cermet as an anode functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Xingjian Xue, Chunlei Ren
  • Patent number: 11888165
    Abstract: To provide a catalyst layer that is low in gas diffusion resistance and proton resistance even when a support having a small specific surface area is used. The catalyst layer is a catalyst layer for fuel cells, wherein the catalyst layer comprises a catalyst metal, a support and a conductive additive; wherein the support supports the catalyst metal; wherein a specific surface area of the support is 600 m2/g-C or less; wherein the conductive additive does not support the catalyst metal and has a larger aspect ratio than the support; wherein the aspect ratio of the conductive additive is more than 10; wherein, when a total mass of the catalyst layer is 100 mass %, a percent of the conductive additive contained in the catalyst layer is more than 2 mass % and less than 20 mass %; and wherein the conductive additive is a non-hydrophilized conductive additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kitao
  • Patent number: 11802330
    Abstract: A formation method is provided. During this formation method, a metallic substrate is provided. A coating is deposited onto the metallic substrate using a suspension plasma spray process. The coating is formed from or otherwise includes copper oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill Concordia University, Concordia University, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Joël Larose, Amit Roy, Navid Sharifi, Pantcho Stoyanov, Christian Moreau, Richard Chromik, Mary Makowiec
  • Patent number: 11799095
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a base material and a covering part located on the base material and containing a first element. The base material contains chromium. The first element has a smaller value of first ionization energy and a smaller absolute value of free energy formation of oxide than chromium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Hirao, Akihiro Hara, Atsuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11742506
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly capable of reducing consumption of an electrolyte membrane. Specifically, in the present disclosure, a polymer film replaces a non-reaction portion of a conventional electrolyte membrane, so it is possible to prevent waste of a high-priced electrolyte membrane. Consequently, production of membrane-electrode assemblies is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ki Sub Lee
  • Patent number: 11735732
    Abstract: An ion conductive layer can include a hygroscopic ion conductive material, such as a halide-based material. In an embodiment, the ion conductive layer can include an organic material, ammonium halide, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ruofan Wang, Yuto Takagi, Michael McGahan, Vladimir Ouspenski, Gaurav Assat, Chuanping Li
  • Patent number: 11735762
    Abstract: Provided are an anode for an all solid cell and a method of fabricating the same. The anode may include an anode current collector, a conductive material of which one end contacts a part of the anode current collector, a conductive coating layer surrounding the conductive material, an anode active material which contacts the other end of the conductive material, and a solid electrolyte. The conductive coating layer may prevent the conductive material and the solid electrolyte from being electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
    Inventors: Oh Min Kwon, Yong Sub Yoon, Sung Woo Noh, Sun Ho Choi, Moon Ju Cho, Dong Wook Shin, Chan Hwi Park
  • Patent number: 11718144
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a vehicle driving battery that generates heat during charging and discharging and a liquid heat transfer medium that transfers heat received from the battery. The system further includes a heat receiver that causes the heat transfer medium to receive heat through heat exchange with the battery and that includes a portion in contact with the heat transfer medium and made of a material containing aluminum. The system further includes a refrigerant heat exchanger that causes the heat transfer medium to release heat through heat exchange with a refrigerant and that includes a portion in contact with the heat transfer medium and made of a material containing aluminum. The heat transfer medium includes a liquid base material including water, an orthosilicic acid ester compatible with the liquid base material, and an azole derivative and has an electric insulation property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Fuse, Kouji Inagaki, Ryuta Kobayakawa, Shinya Kasamatsu, Saori Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11721816
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated flow battery stack with a heat exchanger for thermal control of the battery during operation. The battery can comprise a stack consisting a plurality of electrochemical cells, each cell comprising a pair of electrodes separated by a membrane and sandwiched between a pair of bipolar plates. Each bipolar plate is shared between two adjacent cells. The stack is connected to an external electrical circuit by two current collectors placed at each end of the stack. At least one current collector plate is thermally coupled to a heat exchange plate which can be configured to have its temperature varied through external means. The heat exchange plate exchanges heat with the battery stack and maintains the temperature of the stack, by implication, maintains the temperature of the circulating electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DELECTRIK SYSTEMS PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventors: Vishal Onkarmal Mittal, Sunil Bhat, Mainpal Singh
  • Patent number: 11699798
    Abstract: A direct alcohol fuel cell having an inner housing, and a proton exchange membrane separating an anode section from a cathode section. The anode section contains an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst that is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The cathode section contains a cathode collection element having one or more ventilation holes is electrically connected to a cathode catalyst. An oleophobic filter and/or an anion-exchange membrane is provided, which cathode catalyst via the one or more ventilation holes and the oleophobic filter and/or the anion-exchange membrane is in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant. The inner housing has a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to contain the anode section, the PEM and the cathode section, the bottom and/or the walls having holes allowing fluid communication from a fuel supply to the anode section. The fuel cell is suited for microelectronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Torsten Lund-Olesen, Kasper Vestentoft, Oskar Tynelius, Jacob Lindner Bonde, Jan Harry Hales, Leif Hojslet Christensen
  • Patent number: 11670796
    Abstract: Provided are an all-solid state secondary battery including a positive electrode active material layer, a negative electrode active material layer, and a solid electrolyte layer and being coated with an exterior material layer, in which at least a part of the exterior material layer is a rubber-coating layer having a gas transmission coefficient of less than 40 cc·20 ?m/m2·24 h·atm, an exterior material for an all-solid state secondary battery, and a method for manufacturing an all-solid state secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mochizuki, Masaomi Makino, Tomonori Mimura
  • Patent number: 11611084
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane and method for generating the membrane provide a resistance as low as possible to minimize ohmic losses. The membrane has a low permeability for redox-active species. If redox-active species still cross the membrane, this transport is balanced during charge and discharge preventing a net vanadium flux and associated capacity fading. The membrane is mechanically robust, chemically stable in electrolyte solution, and low cost. A family of ion exchange membranes including a bilayer architecture achieves these requirements. The bilayer membrane includes two polymers, i) a polymer including N-heterocycles with electron lone pairs acting as proton acceptor sites and ii) a mechanically robust polymer acting as a support, which can be a dense cation exchange membrane or porous support layer. This bilayer architecture permits a very thin polymer film on a supporting polymer to minimize ohmic resistance and tune electrolyte transport properties of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Paul Scherrer Institut
    Inventors: Lorenz Gubler, Fabio J. Oldenburg, Alexander Arndt
  • Patent number: 11581599
    Abstract: An ambient water condenser system is described having a condensation chamber which at least partially contains or surrounds a fluid reservoir which contains a volume or mass of an aqueous hygroscopic solution for condensing water from ambient air and a distillation process for extracting the water from the solution. The fluid reservoir has a heat source, a lower porous hydrophobic membrane, and an upper porous hydrophobic membrane. The heat source causes the hygroscopic solution near the top of reservoir to have a higher temperature which causes it to have a higher water vapor pressure, whereby the water vapor passing through the upper porous hydrophobic membrane and into the condensation chamber condenses into liquid water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson IP Holding, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11581530
    Abstract: Articles and methods including layers for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells are provided. As described herein, a layer, such as a protective layer for an electrode, may comprise a plurality of particles (e.g., crystalline inorganic particles, amorphous inorganic particles). In some aspects, at least a portion of the plurality of particles (e.g., inorganic particles) are fused to one another. For instance, in some aspects, the layer may be formed by aerosol deposition or another suitable process that involves subjecting the particles to a relatively high velocity such that fusion of particles occurs during deposition. In some cases, the protective layer may be porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Laramie, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Hui Du, Joern Kulisch, Marina Safont-Sempere, Klaus Leitner, Holger Schneider
  • Patent number: 11515545
    Abstract: The invention provides an air electrode material powder for solid oxide fuel cells, comprising particles of a perovskite composite oxide represented by the general formula ABO3, and comprising La and Sr as the A-site elements, and Co and Fe as the B-site elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SAKAI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norimune Hirata, Minoru Yoneda
  • Patent number: 11502306
    Abstract: An electrochemical device can include a cathode layer including an ionic conductor material and an electronic conductor material. The cathode layer can include a ratio of (Vi/Ve) of a volume of the ionic conductor material (Vi) to a volume of the electronic conductor material (Ve) of at least 1.3. In an embodiment, the cathode layer can include a median surface diffusion length (Ls) greater than 0.33 microns. In an embodiment, the cathode layer can include a cathode functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Sophie Marie Claire Poizeau, Juliette Lea Marylou Maria, John D. Pietras
  • Patent number: 11471860
    Abstract: A composition consisting essentially of a perovskite crystalline structure includes ions of a first metal M1 which occupies an A-site of the perovskite crystalline structure and ions of a second metal M2 which occupies a B-site of the perovskite crystalline structure. M2 has two oxidation states capable of forming a redox couple suitable for reversibly catalyzing an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and an oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The composition also includes ions of a third metal M3 at least a portion of which substitutes for M1 in the A-site of the perovskite crystalline structure, and at least a portion of which optionally also substitutes for M2 in the B-site of the perovskite crystalline structure. At least some of the ions of M3 have a different oxidation state to the ions of M1. The composition also includes atoms of an element X, which is a chalcogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ilika Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Brian Elliott Hayden, Christopher Vian, Kieren Bradley, Hugo Jungius, Kyriakos Giagloglou
  • Patent number: 11462751
    Abstract: A thermally insulated housing for a heat-producing, heat-radiating device such as an integrated CPOX reformer and SOFC stack includes an assembly of thermal insulation sections that presents an indirect, or tortuous, path that inhibits the flow of IR vectors to the walls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: WATT FUEL CELL CORP.
    Inventors: Caine Finnerty, Paul Dewald, Mathew Isenberg
  • Patent number: 11404705
    Abstract: A plurality of channel elements provided in a bipolar plate have different widths depending on positions, so that the velocity of flow of the fluid increases from an inlet toward an outlet of the bipolar plate and water generated when the fluid is condensed on the downstream side of the bipolar plate can be discharged more smoothly. In addition, a plurality of channel elements have different contact angles depending on positions of the plurality of channel elements so that the contact angle increases toward the outlet side of the bipolar plate. Thus, the reaction gas can be more concentrated on the surface of a gas diffusion layer. Even if the concentration of the reaction gas is reduced at the outlet side of the bipolar plate, the diffusion of the reaction gas is well performed, so that performance reduction can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Min Soo Kim, Sung Hoon Choi, Dong Gyun Kang, In Seop Lim
  • Patent number: 11355761
    Abstract: A polyelemental catalyst structure. The structure includes a region formed of a first metal material, a first core region formed of a second metal material, and a second core region formed of a third metal material. The first core region has interfacial contact with the region. The second core region has interfacial contact with the first core region. The polyelemental catalyst structure includes platinum (Pt), a first metal MI, a second metal MII and a third metal MIII. The first metal MI is configured to enhance catalytic activity of Pt. The second metal MII is configured to enhance stability of the polyelemental catalyst structure. The third metal MIII is configured to enhance covalent bonding between Pt, the first metal MI, the second metal MII and/or the third metal MIII.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Soo Kim, Jonathan Mailoa, Nathan Craig, Charles Tuffile
  • Patent number: 11316173
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first fluid flow plate including a first plurality of first channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of first channel has first channel cross-sectional flow areas. A second fluid flow plate includes a second plurality of second channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of second channels has second channel cross-sectional flow areas. A membrane electrode assembly is located between the first plate and the second plate. The first flow plate includes a passage for a flow of a fluid entirely on a seam side of the first flow plate as the first plurality of first channels. The passage has a cross-sectional area for flow of the fluid smaller than the first channel cross-sectional flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: PLUG POWER INC.
    Inventors: Charles Carlstrom, Owen Carlstrom
  • Patent number: 11283084
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to electrode structures. In one aspect, a method includes: providing an electrode layer comprising a ceramic, the ceramic being porous; providing a catalyst precursor, the catalyst precursor being a cathode catalyst precursor or an anode catalyst precursor; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in a first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 750° C. to 950° C., the catalyst precursor forming a catalyst, the catalyst being a cathode catalyst or an anode catalyst; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in the first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 300° C. to 700° C., the catalyst precursor forming the catalyst, the catalyst being the cathode catalyst or the anode catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Michael C. Tucker, Emir Dogdibegovic
  • Patent number: 11171339
    Abstract: Provided is a carbon foam and a membrane electrode assembly having linear portions and node portions joining the linear portions; and a carbon foam and a membrane electrode assembly having linear portions and node portions joining the linear portions, where the carbon content is 51 mass % or more, and the mean deviation of coefficient of friction by the Kawabata evaluation system method is 0.006 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junya Yamashita, Satomi Fukunaga, Atsushi Suzuki, Shozo Takada
  • Patent number: 11145885
    Abstract: A battery includes a redox flow anode chamber coupled to an anode current collector, a separator, and an external container in fluid connection with the redox flow anode chamber. The external container has therein a solid phosphorus material. A first redox-active mediator and the second redox-active mediator are circulated through the half-cell electrode chamber and the external container. During a charging cycle the first redox-active mediator is reduced at the current collector electrode and the reduced first mediator reduces the phosphorus material, and wherein during a discharging cycle the second redox-active mediator is oxidized at the anode current collector electrode, and the second redox-active mediator is then reduced by the reduced phosphorus material. A method of operating a battery and a method of making a battery are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Frank M. Delnick, Jagjit Nanda, Ethan C. Self
  • Patent number: 11110439
    Abstract: In relation to a Cu-based delafossite-type oxide that is effective as an exhaust gas purification catalyst, Cu is placed in a high catalytic activity low-valence state, whereby a novel Cu-based delafossite-type oxide having higher activity than in the past is provided. Proposed is a delafossite-type oxide for an exhaust gas purification catalyst that is represented by a general formula ABO2, wherein Cu and Ag are contained in the A site of the general formula, one or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Al, Cr, Ga, Fe, Co, Ni, In, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Y, V, and Ti are contained in the B site of the general formula, and Ag is contained at a ratio of 0.001 at. % or more and less than 20 at. % in the A site of the general formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumio Kato, Masataka Ogasawara, Toshiharu Moriya, Katsuya Iwashina, Hironori Iwakura
  • Patent number: 11101487
    Abstract: A fuel cell battery includes a plurality of stacks. Each of the stacks is a module containing a cell, and a base plate and a cover plate sandwiching the cell therebetween. In a state where the stacks are stacked together with a gasket being sandwiched between two adjacent stacks of the stacks, the two adjacent stacks are connected to each other by a connecting bolt. The gasket has, at a central part thereof, a contact plate that is elastic and electrically conductive. When the gasket is sandwiched between the two adjacent stacks, the contact plate is brought into abutment with the cover plate and the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takada
  • Patent number: 11018346
    Abstract: A hybrid catalyst coating composed of a conformal thin film with exsoluted PrOx nano-particles. The conformal PNM thin film can be a perovskite composition of PrNi0.5Mn0.5O3 (PNM). The PrOx nano-particles dramatically enhance the oxygen reduction reaction kinetics via a high concentration of oxygen vacancies while the thin PNM film effectively suppresses strontium segregation from the cathode of an intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Meilin Liu, Dong Ding, Yu Chen, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10938052
    Abstract: Anode materials comprising various compositions of strontium iron cobalt molybdenum oxide (SFCM) for low- or intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) are provided. These materials offer high conductivity achievable at intermediate and low temperatures and can be used to prepare the anode layer of a SOFC. A method of making a low- or intermediate temperature SOFC having an anode layer including SFCM is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Ke-Ji Pan, Eric D. Wachsman, Mohammed Hussain Abdul Jabbar
  • Patent number: 10930744
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a control electrode. The oxide semiconductor layer includes tin and tungsten. An average coordination number of oxygen atoms to tin atoms is greater than 3 but less than 4. The first electrode is electrically connected to a first end portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The second electrode is electrically connected to a second end portion of the oxide semiconductor layer on a side opposite to the first end portion. The control electrode opposes a portion of the oxide semiconductor layer between the first end portion and the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuki Kanrei
  • Patent number: 10930942
    Abstract: Fuel cell assemblies comprising at least one thermally compensated coolant channel are provided. The thermally compensated coolant channel has a cross-sectional area that decreases in the coolant flow direction along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments, such thermally compensated coolant channels can be used to provide substantially uniform heat flux, and substantially isothermal conditions, in fuel cells operating with substantially uniform current density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Loop Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Paone, Sean Michael MacKinnon, Raoul Jacob Kingma, Sheilah Melissa Galati, Greg John Montie
  • Patent number: 10916780
    Abstract: A membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly for a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer, an anode diffusion layer joined to the anode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly, and a cathode diffusion layer joined to the cathode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly, in which at least one of the anode diffusion layer and the cathode diffusion layer includes a microporous layer that makes contact with the membrane electrode assembly, the microporous layer contains a cerium compound, and at least one of the electrolyte membrane, the anode catalyst layer, and the cathode catalyst layer comprises cerium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Nakanishi, Tadashi Kawamoto, Yuta Ikehata, Kyoko Tsusaka, Takashi Asano, Naoki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10903509
    Abstract: The invention relates to metal supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), fuel cell stacks containing the same, methods of their manufacture and use thereof. The SOFC of the invention utilises an extended electrolyte and barrier layers to prevent specific types of corrosion of the metal substrate. This new coating approach reduces the rate of degradation of the fuel cells and improves system reliability when operated over long durations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: CERES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Adam Bone, Robert Leah, Subhasish Mukerjee, Mahfujur Rahman, Ahmet Selcuk
  • Patent number: 10749198
    Abstract: The present specification relates to a method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly, a membrane-electrode assembly manufactured using the same, and a fuel cell comprising the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Lee Jin Ghil, Hyuk Kim, Sangwoo Lee, Doyoung Kim, Minju Choo
  • Patent number: 10722870
    Abstract: Provided is a novel exhaust gas purification catalyst, which uses a Cu-based delafossite oxide, capable of increasing the exhaust gas purification performance compared to the case of using the Cu-based delafossite oxide alone. Proposed is an exhaust gas purification catalyst comprising a delafossite-type oxide represented by a general formula ABO2 and an inorganic porous material, wherein Cu is contained in the A site of the general formula of the delafossite oxide, one or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Al, Cr, Ga, Fe, Co, Ni, In, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Y, V, and Ti are contained in the B site thereof, and Cu is contained in 3 to 30% relative to the total content (mass) of the delafossite-type oxide and the inorganic porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumio Kato, Masataka Ogasawara, Toshiharu Moriya, Katsuya Iwashina, Hironori Iwakura
  • Patent number: 10622643
    Abstract: A carbon separator for a solid polymer fuel cell is provided that includes a core material made of steel, and a carbon layer. The chemical composition of the steel is, by mass %, C: more than 0.02% to 0.12% or less, Si: 0.05 to 1.5%, Al: 0.001 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.01 to 1.0%, P: 0.045% or less, S: 0.01% or less, N: 0.06% or less, V: 0.5% or less, Cr: more than 13.0% to less than 25.0%, Mo: 0 to 2.5%, Ni: 0 to 0.8%, Cu: 0 to 0.8%, REM: 0 to 0.1%, B: 0 to 1.0%, Sn: 0 to 2.5%, In: 0 to 0.1%, and the balance: Fe and impurities. The steel has therein precipitates including M23C6 type Cr carbides that are finely precipitated and dispersed. A part of the precipitates protrude from the steel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshio Tarutani
  • Patent number: 10593979
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, with a membrane, a catalyst layer (16) and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer (16) has a first side facing the membrane and a second side facing the gas diffusion layer. In the catalyst layer (16) an ionomer content increases towards the membrane. The catalyst layer (16) has a first sublayer (22) in which catalyst particles (26) are coated with a first ionomer (28). The catalyst layer (16) further has a second sublayer (24) with a second ionomer (32) which is closer to the membrane than the first sublayer (22). Pores (30) are present at least between the coated catalyst particles (26). Further, a method for preparing such a membrane electrode assembly, a fuel cell system and a vehicle with a fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Carmen Chuy, Scott McDermid, Kyoung Bai, Tran Ngo
  • Patent number: 10553876
    Abstract: A method is provided that modifies a catalyst layer of a membrane catalyst layer assembly, which is manufactured by transferring the catalyst layer formed on a transfer sheet onto an electrolyte membrane. In the catalyst layer correction method, presence or absence of a defect in the catalyst layer is detected. The defect is removed based on the size and position of the detected defect. The portion from which the defect has been removed is repaired by application thereto of a correcting ink corresponding to the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okonogi, Aurel Funar, Yasuhiro Numao, Tooru Kosemura, Takayuki Hirao, Kimio Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10431839
    Abstract: A method of production of a channel member for fuel cell use comprising a step of obtaining a sheet-shaped first conductor part 11 containing a carbon material of at least one of carbon nanotubes, granular graphite, and carbon fibers and a first resin, a step of laying a sheet-shaped second conductor part 21 containing a carbon material and a second resin with a lower melting point than the first resin to form a sheet-shaped base part 13, a step of transferring a grooved surface 51 to a surface to form a grooved base part 16 provided with groove part 15, a step of laying a sheet-shaped third conductor part 31 containing a carbon material and a third resin with a lower melting point than the first resin, and a step of integrally joining the grooved base part and the third conductor part by hot melt bonding to cover the groove parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FUTAMURA KAGAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuzo Imaizumi, Naomi Goto, Naoki Shiba
  • Patent number: 10263272
    Abstract: A gas passage forming body for a fuel battery includes gas passages and water guide passages. A communication passage is arranged between one of the water guide passages and a gas passage that is adjacent to the water guide passage and is in communication with the adjacent gas passage and water guide passage to permit water to move therethrough. An aid portion is arranged at water drainage ends of two adjacent ones of the water guide passages and aids bonding of water drained from the water drainage ends of the two adjacent ones of the water guide passages. Thus, water drainage from the water guide passages of the gas passage forming body is improved, and water in the gas passages is reduced. As a result, the battery performance of the fuel battery is improved due to an improvement in gas diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Hashimoto, Kousuke Kawajiri, Satoshi Futami
  • Patent number: 10020122
    Abstract: A symmetric hybrid supercapacitor has two internally hybridized electrodes having both faradic and capacitatively active materials. More specifically, the symmetric hybrid supercapacitor has a cathode and an anode. The cathode contains LiMnxFe1-xPO4. The LiMnxFe1-xPO4 is used as electrode material for the hybrid supercapacitor. The condition applies that 0.1<x<0.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Severin Hahn, Elisabeth Buehler, Pallavi Verma
  • Patent number: 10006363
    Abstract: An electrical power system for an aircraft including a turbine engine coupled to the aircraft and providing propulsive thrust and emitting heat during operation to define a high temperature source, a cryogenic fuel system located within the aircraft and providing fuel for the turbine and emitting heat at a lower temperature than the heat from the turbine engine to define a low temperature source and an electrical power generator located on the aircraft and having a thermodynamic generator using the temperature difference to generate electrical power and a method for producing electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adon Delgado, Jr., Todd James Buchholz, Christopher Dale Mathias
  • Patent number: 9943841
    Abstract: A method to manufacture an ion exchange membrane involves treatment of the membrane in a strong base to strengthen the membrane, decrease the membrane solubility, and create linkages that can be detected by analysis using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Dioxide Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Masel, Syed Dawar Sajjad, Mark J. Pellerite
  • Patent number: 9914649
    Abstract: A composition of matter is disclosed which is a perovskite having a composition A2?xA?xB2?yB?yO6??, where A is a praseodymium (Pr) element at the A-site of the perovskite, A? is a strontium (Sr) element at the A-site of the perovskite, B is a cobalt (Co) element at the B-site of the perovskite, and B? is a manganese (Mn) element at the B-site of the perovskite, and where 0<x ?1 and 0<y<2. Also disclosed is an electrode material Conformally coated with the composition of matter. Also disclosed are methods of producing the composition of matter and conformally coating the electrode material. Also disclosed an electrode is conformally coated with a praseodymium strontium manganese perovskite and a method for the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Ding, Meilin Liu
  • Patent number: 9911982
    Abstract: A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a perfluorocyclobutyl-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes perfluorocyclobutyl-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the perfluorocyclobutyl-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the perfluorocyclobutyl-containing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James Mitchell, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou