Nanotek Instruments, Inc.

Xiqing Wang

Bor Z Jang

Aruna Zhamu

Yanbo Wang

Guorong Chen

Qing Fang

ChenGuang Liu

A method of operating a lithium-ion cell comprising (a) a cathode comprising a carbon or graphitic material having a surface area to capture and store lithium thereon; (b) an anode comprising an anode active material; (c) a porous separator disposed between the two electrodes; (d) an electrolyte in ionic contact with the two electrodes; and (e) a lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes to obtain an open circuit voltage (OCV) from 0.5 volts to 2.8 volts when the cell is made; wherein the method comprises: (A) electrochemically forming the cell from the OCV to either a first lower voltage limit (LVL) or a first upper voltage limit (UVL), wherein the first LVL is no lower than 0.1 volts and the first UVL is no higher than 4.6 volts; and (B) cycling the cell between a second LVL and a second UVL.

Method of operating a lithium-ion cell having a high-capacity cathode

This invention provides a portable computing device powered by a surface-mediated cell (SMC)-based power source, the portable device comprising a computing hardware sub-system and a rechargeable power source electrically connected to the hardware and providing power thereto, wherein the power source contains at least a surface-mediated cell. The portable computing device is selected from a laptop computer, a tablet, an electronic book (e-book), a smart phone, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a hand-held calculator or computer, or a personal digital assistant.

Surface-mediated cell-powered portable computing devices and methods of operating same

An energy storage stack of at least two surface-mediated cells (SMCs) internally connected in parallel or in series. The stack includes: (A) At least two SMC cells, each consisting of (i) a cathode comprising a porous cathode current collector and a cathode active material; (ii) a porous anode current collector; and (iii) a porous separator disposed between the cathode and the anode; (B) A lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with all the electrodes, wherein the cathode active material has a specific surface area no less than 100 m/g in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (C) A lithium source. This new-generation energy storage device exhibits the highest power densities of all energy storage devices, much higher than those of all the lithium ion batteries, lithium ion capacitors, and supercapacitors.

Stacks of internally connected surface-mediated cells and methods of operating same

This invention provides a vehicle powered by a surface-mediated cell (SMC)-based power source, comprising a vehicle frame, at least a wheel supporting the frame or a propeller connected to the frame, a drive unit connected to the wheel or propeller, and a power source electrically connected to the drive unit, wherein the power source contains at least a surface-mediated cell. The vehicle can be a micro-EV (using the SMC for the stop-start function), HEV, plug-in HEV, all-electric vehicle, power-assisted bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, tricycle, automobile, wheelchair, fork lift, golf cart, specialty vehicle, bus, truck, train, rapid-transit vehicle, boat, or air vehicle. The ultra-high power density enables the SMC to provide pulsed power or increased current demands when the vehicle is accelerating or hill-climbing. The SMC also enables the power source to recuperate the braking energy when the vehicle decelerates, brakes, or simply moves down-hill.

Surface-mediated cell-powered vehicles and methods of operating same

A surface-mediated cell (SMC) comprising: (a) a cathode comprising a carbon-based cathode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (b) an anode comprising an anode current collector alone, or combined anode current collector and anode active material; (c) a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (d) a lithium-containing electrolyte, wherein the anode and/or cathode active material has a specific surface area no less than 100 m/g in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (e) a lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes when the cell is made, and the cell has an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of at least 0.8 volts; wherein the cell operates between a lower voltage limit lower than the OCV and an upper limit of between 3.8 and 4.5 volts.

Surface-mediated cells with high power density and high energy density

A surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging energy storage device comprising: (a) A positive electrode (cathode) comprising a cathode active material that is not a functional material (bearing no functional group reactive with lithium), but having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (b) A negative electrode (anode) comprising an anode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (c) A porous separator disposed between the two electrodes; and (d) A lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the anode active material and/or the cathode active material has a specific surface area of no less than 100 m/g in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; wherein at least one of the two electrodes contains therein a lithium source prior to a first charge or a first discharge cycle of the energy storage device. This new generation of energy storage device exhibits the best properties of both the lithium ion battery and the supercapacitor.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Xiqing Wang