| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080268323 | Sealed Joint Structure for Electrochemical Device - Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode. One or more brazes structurally and electrically connects the first electrode to the metal joint housing and forms a gas tight seal between the first electrode and the second electrode. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080318132 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PROTECTION OF ACTIVE METAL ANODES AND POLYMER ELECTROLYTES - Electrochemical structures with a protective interlayer for prevention of deleterious reactions between an active metal electrode and polymer electrolytes, and methods for their fabrication. The structures may be incorporated in battery cells. The interlayer is capable of protecting an active metal anode and a polymer electrolyte from deleterious reaction with one another while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to enhance performance of a battery cell in which the structure is incorporated. The interlayer has a high ionic conductivity, at least 10 | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090005824 | ELECTROTRANSPORT DEVICES, METHODS AND DRUG ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES - A drug electrode assembly usefully employed in an electrotransport device for the delivery of drugs across a tissue surface includes an electrode, a drug reservoir which stores the drug (including an ionized (e.g., anionic) or neutrally charged drug species), and a liquid impermeable solid-state assist ion conducting barrier layer interposed between the electrode and the drug reservoir. The barrier layer can be a single-ion conductor of a specific (unique) species of ion called the assist ion. During drug delivery, the assist ion moves across the barrier layer into or out of the drug reservoir, and as the assist ion crosses the barrier layer/drug reservoir interphase, the drug species moves to the tissue surface. The assist ion can be, for example, sodium ions (Na | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090069740 | PROTECTED DONOR ELECTRODES FOR ELECTRO-TRANSPORT DRUG DELIVERY - This invention provides new and novel devices and methods for administering donor ions to a mammalian subject, especially the delivery of alkali, alkaline earth, transition metal ions and simple anions (donor ions) to a body component, for example across a body or tissue surface such as skin or a mucosal membrane, or for delivery of donor ions directly to bodily fluids in a controllable and reproducible manner. In certain embodiments the device comprises a donor electrode that is a source of a donor ion; a protective architecture that is ionically conductive to the donor ion, configured for application to a skin surface and positioned to isolate the donor electrode from the skin surface; and a counter electrode assembly configured for application to a skin surface, where the counter electrode assembly comprises a counter electrode operably coupled to the donor electrode. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090071835 | ALLEVIATION OF VOLTAGE DELAY IN LITHIUM-LIQUID DEPOLARIZER/ELECTROLYTE SOLVENT BATTERY CELLS - Voltage delay in an active metal anode/liquid cathode battery cell can be significantly reduced or completely alleviated by coating the active metal anode (e.g., Li) surface with a thin layer of an inorganic compound with Li-ion conductivity using chemical treatment of Li surface. Particularly, preferred examples of such compounds include lithium phosphate, lithium metaphosphate, and/or their mixtures or solid solutions with lithium sulphate. These compounds can be formed on the Li surface by treatment with diluted solutions of the following individual acids: H | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090152125 | FLUORINE SEPARATION AND GENERATION DEVICE - A process and apparatus for the electrolytic separation of fluorine from a mixture of gases is disclosed. Also described is the process and apparatus for the generation of fluorine from fluorine/fluoride containing solids, liquids or gases. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090286114 | ACTIVE METAL FUEL CELLS - Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090297935 | IONICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBRANES FOR PROTECTION OF ACTIVE METAL ANODES AND BATTERY CELLS - Disclosed are ionically conductive membranes for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The membranes may be incorporated in active metal negative electrode (anode) structures and battery cells. In accordance with the invention, the membrane has the desired properties of high overall ionic conductivity and chemical stability towards the anode, the cathode and ambient conditions encountered in battery manufacturing. The membrane is capable of protecting an active metal anode from deleterious reaction with other battery components or ambient conditions while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to facilitate manufacture and/or enhance performance of a battery cell in which the membrane is incorporated. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090311567 | HYDROGELS FOR AQUEOUS LITHIUM/AIR BATTERY CELLS - Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090311596 | CATHOLYTES FOR AQUEOUS LITHIUM/AIR BATTERY CELLS - Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090311603 | HIGH ENERGY DENSITY AQUEOUS LITHIUM/AIR BATTERY CELLS - Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090311605 | CATHODES AND RESERVOIRS FOR AQUEOUS LITHIUM/AIR BATTERY CELLS - Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100038012 | JOINED CONCENTRIC TUBES - Tubular objects having two or more concentric layers that have different properties are joined to one another during their manufacture primarily by compressive and friction forces generated by shrinkage during sintering and possibly mechanical interlocking. It is not necessary for the concentric tubes to display adhesive-, chemical- or sinter-bonding to each other in order to achieve a strong bond. This facilitates joining of dissimilar materials, such as ceramics and metals. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100104934 | ACTIVE METAL / AQUEOUS ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND SYSTEMS - Alkali (or other active) metal battery and other electrochemical cells incorporating active metal anodes together with aqueous cathode/electrolyte systems. The battery cells have a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal anode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and/or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the anode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and/or cathode material in conjunction with the anode. Also, optimization of electrolytes or cathode-side solvent systems may be done without impacting anode stability or performance. In particular, Li/water, Li/air and Li/metal hydride cells, components, configurations and fabrication techniques are provided. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100112454 | COMPLIANT SEAL STRUCTURES FOR PROTECTED ACTIVE METAL ANODES - Protected anode architectures have ionically conductive protective membrane architectures that, in conjunction with compliant seal structures and anode backplanes, effectively enclose an active metal anode inside the interior of an anode compartment. This enclosure prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment external to the anode compartment, which may include aqueous, ambient moisture, and/or other materials corrosive to the active metal. The compliant seal structures are substantially impervious to anolytes, catholyes, dissolved species in electrolytes, and moisture and compliant to changes in anode volume such that physical continuity between the anode protective architecture and backplane are maintained. The protected anode architectures can be used in arrays of protected anode architectures and battery cells of various configurations incorporating the protected anode architectures or arrays. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100255398 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL STACK ASSEMBLY - Multiple stacks of tubular electrochemical cells having a dense electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode preferably deposited as thin films arranged in parallel on stamped conductive interconnect sheets or ferrules. The stack allows one or more electrochemical cell to malfunction without disabling the entire stack. Stack efficiency is enhanced through simplified gas manifolding, gas recycling, reduced operating temperature and improved heat distribution. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100273067 | ACTIVE METAL FUEL CELLS - Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20110014522 | PROTECTED ACTIVE METAL ELECTRODE AND BATTERY CELL WITH IONICALLY CONDUCTIVE PREOTECTIVE ARCHITECTURE - Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110033772 | SINTERED POROUS STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - Simple, low cost methods of manufacturing highly porous structures are provided. The methods involve building up porous structures with elements shaped to provide the desired strength, porosity and pore structure of the porous structure and then sintering the elements together to form the structure. Also provided are novel sintered porous structures made up of sintered non-spherical elements. In certain embodiments, the shaped green elements and the porous structure are simultaneously sintered. Also provided are novel sintered porous structures made up of sintered non-spherical elements. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110039144 | IN SITU FORMED IONICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBRANES FOR PROTECTION OF ACTIVE METAL ANODES AND BATTERY CELLS - Disclosed are ionically conductive membranes for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The membranes may be incorporated in active metal negative electrode (anode) structures and battery cells. In accordance with the invention, the membrane has the desired properties of high overall ionic conductivity and chemical stability towards the anode, the cathode and ambient conditions encountered in battery manufacturing. The membrane is capable of protecting an active metal anode from deleterious reaction with other battery components or ambient conditions while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to facilitate manufacture and/or enhance performance of a battery cell in which the membrane is incorporated. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110054561 | IMPLANTABLE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY, IMPLANTABLE ELECTROCHEMICAL POWER CELLS AND IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE ASSEMBLIES - Electrochemical power cells having an open-cell architecture for electrically powering an implantable medical device system include a first and a second electrode assembly, wherein at least one is a biocompatible hermetically sealed anode assembly (e.g., that of a lithium anode assembly). The power cell can be a biological lithium semi-fuel cell in which a bodily constituent partakes in the cell discharge reaction at the cathode as an active reagent. The active cathode reagent can be oxygen supplied from the body. In a particularly suitable application, the biological lithium semi-fuel cell provides electrical power to a cardiac pacemaker device, such as for a novel cardiac pacemaker system. | 03-03-2011 |
