South 8 Technologies, Inc.

James Royer

Cyrus Sam Rustomji

Jungwoo Lee

Maciej Lisiak

Andrea Biondi

Denton Iverson

Miguel Ceja

Nick Wayland

Elena Machado

A safe electrolyte comprising a liquefied gas solvent that will transition from a liquid state to a gas state ('gas off') at a pressure of 100 kPa and at a temperature of 293.15 K is disclosed. The electrolyte is a mixture of a compressed gas solvent and a salt, and includes a hydrocarbon solvent of a sufficient concentration to promote solubility of the salt into the compressed gas solvent without phase separation. The molar ratio of the hydrocarbon solvent to the compressed gas solvent is in a range of 10:90 to 90:10. The hydrocarbon solvent may be selected to lower the global warming potential (GWP) of the electrolyte by at least 10%. This safe electrolyte can be used to manufacture an electrochemical energy storage device.

Chemically inert additives for electrochemical cells

Methods and structures are disclosed to dispense a liquefied gas solution from a liquefied gas solution (LGE) container. The LGE container comprises a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the liquefied gas solution within the LGE container. The LGE container temperature is controlled using a temperature control element and a processor connected to the temperature sensor and to the temperature control element. The LGE is transferred from the container into a secondary container through a valve. The method includes the following steps: (a) opening the valve to allow the LGE to flow from the LGE container into the secondary container; (b) taking readings from the temperature sensor; and (c) based on the temperature readings, heating the LGE container to maintain the temperature of the LGE container at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.

Liquefied gas solution container apparatus and method for dispensing

Mechanisms and methods for pressurized fluid injection and sealing into containment vessels using a divided valve mechanism are disclosed. The invention describes designs and methods in which a valve may be plugged by an actuator, and then the valve and actuator are disjoined, allowing the containment vessel to then be sealed but without the additional mass or volume of the actuation mechanism and without fluid loss from the containment vessel.

Mechanisms and methods for pressurized fluid injection and sealing

A setup for preparing a liquified gas electrolyte (LGE) is disclosed. The setup includes a solvent container that contains a liquified gas solvent, a condensing container with an inlet, an outlet and an electrolyte container. The condensing container may contain a salt. The condensing container also has a heat sink and a heating element to raise and lower its internal temperature. A first valve fluidly connects the solvent container to the inlet, and a second valve fluidly connects the electrolyte container to the outlet. The setup has at least two configurations: a solvent transfer configuration, and a salt transfer configuration.

Apparatus and method of liquefied gas electrolyte preparation

A safe electrolyte comprising a liquefied gas solvent that will transition from a liquid state to a gas state ('gas off') at a pressure of 100 kPa and a temperature of 293.15 K is disclosed. A first mixture is formed from a first electrolyte component (one or more solvents) mixed with a second electrolyte component (one or more hydrocarbon co-solvents). The addition of the second electrolyte component (1) lowers the vapor pressure of the first mixture by at least 10% as compared to the vapor pressure of the first electrolyte component alone, when measured at 293.15 K, and (2) results in a vapor pressure of the first mixture above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15 K. The second electrolyte component may also be selected to lower the global warming potential (GWP) of the first mixture by at least 10% as compared to the GWP of the first electrolyte component alone. The safe liquefied gas electrolyte is formed by mixing a third electrolyte component (one or more salts) to the first mixture. This safe liquefied gas electrolyte can then be used to manufacture an electrochemical energy storage device.

Mechanisms and methods for injecting and sealing pressurized fluid into containment vessels using a divided valve mechanism are disclosed. The invention describes designs and methods in which a valve may be plugged by an actuator, and then the valve and actuator may then be disjoined, allowing the containment vessel to thereby be sealed without the additional mass or volume of the actuation mechanism and without fluid loss from the containment vessel.

A battery device is disclosed that includes an ionically conducting electrolyte comprising a mixture of a compressed gas solvent and one or more solid or liquid salts, wherein the compressed gas solvent comprises at least a first component that has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a room temperature of 293.15 K. The device also includes a housing enclosing the ionically conducting electrolyte under a pressurized condition to maintain the compressed gas solvent at a pressure higher than 100 kPa at a room temperature of 293.15 K. The device also includes at least two conducting electrodes in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte.

Electrolyte formulations for electrochemical device

Novel electrolytes, and techniques for making and devices using such electrolytes, which are based on compressed gas solvents are disclosed. Unlike conventional electrolytes, the disclosed electrolytes are based on 'compressed gas solvents' mixed with various salts, referred to as 'compressed gas electrolytes.' Various combinations of salt and solvents are disclosed to increase performance of electrochemical capacitors using liquefied gas electrolytes.

Electrolyte for electrochemical capacitor

Disclosed are novel methods and techniques for introducing liquefied gas solvents into electrochemical devices. Unlike conventional electrolytes, the disclosed electrolytes are based on 'liquefied gas solvents' mixed with various salts, referred to as 'liquefied gas electrolytes.' The disclosed liquefied gas electrolytes can have wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, low temperature capability and/or high-pressure solvent properties. Non-limiting examples of a class of liquefied gases that can be used as solvents for electrolytes include hydrofluorocarbons, and in particular include fluoromethane, difluoromethane, tetrafluoroethane, and pentafluoroethane.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

James Royer