Ceramatec, Inc.

Electronic Biosciences, Inc.

John Joseph Watkins

John Howard Gordon

Sai Bhavaraju

Ashok V Joshi

Geoffrey A Barrall

Eric N Ervin

Chett Boxley

W Grover Coors

Shekar H Balagopal

Joann Watkins

Provided are site specific chemically modified nanopore devices and methods for manufacturing and using them. Site specific chemically modified nanopore devices can be used for analyte sensing and analysis, for example.

Site specific chemically modified nanopore devices

The present invention provides a method for providing electrical potential from a solid-state sodium-based secondary cell (or rechargeable battery). A secondary cell is provided that includes a solid sodium metal negative electrode that is disposed in a non-aqueous negative electrolyte solution that includes an ionic liquid. Additionally, the cell comprises a positive electrode that is disposed in a positive electrolyte solution. In order to separate the negative electrode and the negative electrolyte solution from the positive electrolyte solution, the cell includes a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane. The cell is maintained and operated at a temperature below the melting point of the negative electrode and is connected to an external circuit.

Method for providing electrical potential from a sodium-based secondary cell

The present invention provides a solid-state sodium-based secondary cell (or rechargeable battery). While the secondary cell can include any suitable component, in some cases, the secondary cell comprises a solid sodium metal negative electrode that is disposed in a non-aqueous negative electrolyte solution that includes an ionic liquid. Additionally, the cell comprises a positive electrode that is disposed in a positive electrolyte solution. In order to separate the negative electrode and the negative electrolyte solution from the positive electrolyte solution, the cell includes a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane. Because the cell's negative electrode is in a solid state as the cell functions, the cell may operate at room temperature. Additionally, where the negative electrolyte solution contains the ionic liquid, the ionic liquid may impede dendrite formation on the surface of the negative electrode as the cell is recharged and sodium ions are reduced onto the negative electrode.

Solid-state sodium-based secondary cell having a sodium ion conductive ceramic separator

A lithium-sulfur battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an anode containing lithium and a cathode comprising elemental sulfur. The cathode may include at least one solvent selected to at least partially dissolve the elemental sulfur and Li2S. A substantially non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane is provided between the anode and the cathode to keep sulfur or other reactive species from migrating therebetween. In certain embodiments, the lithium-sulfur battery may include a separator between the anode and the non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane. This separator may prevent the lithium in the anode from reacting with the non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane. In certain embodiments, the separator is a porous separator infiltrated with a lithium-ion-conductive electrolyte.

Lithium&#x2014;sulfur battery with a substantially non-porous lisicon membrane and porous lisicon layer

A method for discharging a nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.

Method of discharging a nickel-metal hydride battery

A method for charging a nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.

Method for charging a nickel-metal hydride battery

A metal-air battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a cathode to reduce oxygen molecules and an alkali-metal-containing anode to oxidize the alkali metal (e.g., Li, Na, and K) contained therein to produce alkali-metal ions. An aqueous catholyte is placed in ionic communication with the cathode to store reaction products generated by reacting the alkali-metal ions with the oxygen containing anions. These reaction products are stored as solutes dissolved in the aqueous catholyte. An ion-selective membrane is interposed between the alkali-metal containing anode and the aqueous catholyte. The ion-selective membrane is designed to be conductive to the alkali-metal ions while being impermeable to the aqueous catholyte.

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West Jordan, UT, United States of America

John Joseph Watkins