Seeo, Inc.

University of California

Ilan Gur

Mohit Singh

Hany Basam Eitouni

Nitash Balsara

Armand Paul Alivisatos

Delia J Milliron

William Hudson

Michael Geier

Haitao Liu

Nitash Pervez Balsara

An optimal architecture for a polymer electrolyte battery, wherein one or more layers of electrolyte (e.g., solid block-copolymer) are situated between two electrodes, is disclosed. An anolyte layer, adjacent the anode, is chosen to be chemically and electrochemically stable against the anode active material. A catholyte layer, adjacent the cathode, is chosen to be chemically and electrochemically stable against the cathode active material.

High energy lithium battery with separate anolyte and catholyte layers

Electrode assemblies for use in electrochemical cells are provided. The negative electrode assembly comprises negative electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the negative electrode. These properties include reductive stability and ability to accommodate expansion and contraction of the negative electrode active material. Similarly, the positive electrode assembly comprises positive electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the positive electrode. These properties include oxidative stability and the ability to prevent dissolution of transition metals used in the positive electrode active material. A third electrolyte can be used as separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode.

Multiple electrolyte electrochemical cells

Nanostructured gel polymer electrolytes that have both high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength are disclosed. The electrolytes have at least two domains&#x2014;one domain contains an ionically-conductive gel polymer and the other domain contains a rigid polymer that provides structure for the electrolyte. The domains are formed by block copolymers. The first block provides a polymer matrix that may or may not be conductive on by itself, but that can soak up a liquid electrolyte, thereby making a gel. An exemplary nanostructured gel polymer electrolyte has an ionic conductivity of at least 1&#xd7;10S cmat 25&#xb0; C.

Gel polymer electrolytes for batteries

A photovoltaic device having a first electrode layer, a high resistivity transparent film disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode layer, and an inorganic photoactive layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the inorganic photoactive layer is disposed in at least partial electrical contact with the high resistivity transparent film, and in at least partial electrical contact with the second electrode. The photoactive layer has a first inorganic material and a second inorganic material different from the first inorganic material, wherein the first and second inorganic materials exhibit a type II band offset energy profile, and wherein the photoactive layer has a first population of nanostructures of a first inorganic material and a second population of nanostructures of a second inorganic material.

Nanocrystal solar cells processed from solution

The present invention relates generally to electrolyte materials. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides for a solid polymer electrolyte material that is ionically conductive, mechanically robust, and can be formed into desirable shapes using conventional polymer processing methods. An exemplary polymer electrolyte material has an elastic modulus in excess of 1&#xd7;10Pa at 90 degrees C. and is characterized by an ionic conductivity of at least 1&#xd7;10Scm-1 at 90 degrees C. An exemplary material can be characterized by a two domain or three domain material system. An exemplary material can include material components made of diblock polymers or triblock polymers. Many uses are contemplated for the solid polymer electrolyte materials. For example, the present invention can be applied to improve Li-based batteries by means of enabling higher energy density, better thermal and environmental stability, lower rates of self-discharge, enhanced safety, lower manufacturing costs, and novel form factors.

Solid electrolyte material manufacturable by polymer processing methods

A process for forming functionalized nanorods. The process includes providing a substrate, modifying the substrate by depositing a self-assembled monolayer of a bi-functional molecule on the substrate, wherein the monolayer is chosen such that one side of the bi-functional molecule binds to the substrate surface and the other side shows an independent affinity for binding to a nanocrystal surface, so as to form a modified substrate. The process further includes contacting the modified substrate with a solution containing nanocrystal colloids, forming a bound monolayer of nanocrystals on the substrate surface, depositing a polymer layer over the monolayer of nanocrystals to partially cover the monolayer of nanocrystals, so as to leave a layer of exposed nanocrystals, functionalizing the exposed nanocrystals, to form functionalized nanocrystals, and then releasing the functionalized nanocrystals from the substrate.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Ilan Gur