Seeo, Inc.

Robert Boschgmbh

Zymochem, Inc.

Jonathan C Pistorino

Hany Basam Eitouni

Russell Clayton Pratt

Kulandaivelu Sivanandan

Jin Yang

Mohit Singh

Allison Flynn

Harshal Akshay Chokhawala

Vishal Vijay

Steven Michael Lam

Xiao-Liang Wang

Among other things, the present disclosure provides technologies useful as super absorbent polymers.

Biodegradable high-performance absorbent polymers and methods thereof

New polymer compositions based on poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and other high-softening-temperature polymers are disclosed. These materials have a microphase domain structure that has an ionically-conductive phase and a phase with good mechanical strength and a high softening temperature. In some arrangements, the structural block has a softening temperature of about 210&#xb0; C. These materials can be made with either homopolymers or with block copolymers. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, they can be used as electrolytes that have both high ionic conductivity and good mechanical properties.

Polymer compositions based on PXE

A novel solid block copolymer electrolyte material is described. The material has first structural polymer blocks that make up a structural domain that has a modulus greater than 1&#xd7;10Pa at 25&#xb0; C. There are also second ionically-conductive polymer blocks and a salt that make up an ionically-conductive domain adjacent to the structural domain. Along with the second ionically-conductive polymers, there is also a crosslinked network of third polymers, which interpenetrates the ionically-conductive domain. The third polymers are miscible with the second polymers. It has been shown that the addition of such an interpenetrating, crosslinked polymer network to the ionically-conductive domain improves the mechanical properties of the block copolymer electrolyte with no sacrifice in ionic conductivity.

Crosslinked-interpenetrating networked block copolymer electrolytes for lithium batteries

Syntheses of graft copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated functional groups are described. Grafting of fluorinated groups reduces the Tof PEO and also increases the miscibility of PEO with ionic liquids, so that addition of ionic liquids improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed copolymers containing fluorinated functionality have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such copolymers can be used as either solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Peo-based graft copolymers with pendant fluorinated groups for use as electrolytes

Composites of lithium-ion-conducting ceramic and polymeric materials make superior separators and electrolytes for use in lithium batteries. The ceramic material provides a high conductivity pathway for lithium-ions, enhancing the properties of the less conductive polymeric material. The polymeric material provides flexibility, binding, and space-filling properties, mitigating the tendency of rigid ceramic materials to break or delaminate. The interface between the polymer and ceramic can be made to have a low ionic resistance through the use of additives and coatings.

Ceramic-polymer composite electrolytes for lithium polymer batteries

Polymer electrolytes incorporating PS-PEO block copolymers, PXE additives, and lithium salts provide improved physical properties relative to PS-PEO block copolymers and lithium salt alone, and thus provide improved battery performance.

Block copolymer electrolytes containing polymeric additives

Syntheses of alternating copolymers based on PEO and fluorinated polymers are described. Introduction of fluorinated polymer chains reduces the Tof PEO and also increases the affinity and miscibility with ionic liquids, which improves ionic conductivity even at room temperature. The disclosed polymers containing PFPE have superior safety and are more flame retardant as compared to traditional electrolytes. Such alternating copolymers can be used as solid or gel electrolytes in Li batteries.

Copolymers of PEO and fluorinated polymers as electrolytes for lithium batteries

PEO-based graft copolymers with pendant fluorinated groups for use as electrolytes

Electrode assemblies for use in electrochemical cells are provided. The negative electrode assembly includes negative electrode active material and an electrolyte chosen specifically for its useful properties in the negative electrode. Such properties include reductive stability and ability to accommodate expansion and contraction of the negative electrode active material. Similarly, the positive electrode assembly includes 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. A cell is constructed with a cathode that includes a fluorinated electrolyte which does not penetrate into the solid-state polymer electrolyte separator between it and the lithium-based anode. Such an assembly improves charge transport properties without compromising the strength and durability of the separator.

Multi-phase electrolyte lithium batteries

New block polymer electrolytes have been developed which have higher conductivities than previously reported for other block copolymer electrolytes. The new materials are constructed of multiple blocks (&#x3e;5) of relatively low domain size. The small domain size provides greater protection against formation of dendrites during cycling against lithium in an electrochemical cell, while the large total molecular weight insures poor long range alignment, which leads to higher conductivity. In addition to higher conductivity, these materials can be more easily synthesized because of reduced requirements on the purity level of the reagents.

Small domain-size multiblock copolymer electrolytes

A new and efficient method of functionalizing high molecular weight polymers through alkylation using a metal hetero alkylbase is described. This novel procedure can also be used to synthesize polymer-based macro-initiators containing radical initiating groups at the chain-ends for synthesis of block copolymers.

Nucleophilic high molecular weight polymer functionalization through alkylation

A new synthetic method to prepare high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) with a very narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI&#x3c;1.5) is described. The method involves a metal free initiator system, thus avoiding dangerous, flammable organometallic compounds.

Growing community of inventors

Oakland, CA, United States of America

Jonathan C Pistorino