The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 11, 2000
Muguo Chen, Bedford Hills, NY (US);
Lin-Feng Li, Croton-on-Hudson, NY (US);
Tsepin Tsai, Chappaqua, NY (US);
Reveo, Inc., Elmsford, NY (US);
Abstract
Rechargeable electrochemical cells that employ a highly conductive polymer-based solid gel membrane separator disposed between the anode and charging electrode are disclosed. The separator comprises a support or substrate and a polymeric gel composition having an ionic species contained in a solution phase thereof. In preparing the separator, the ionic species is added to a monomer solution prior to polymerization and remains embedded in the resulting polymer gel after polymerization. The ionic species behaves like a liquid electrolyte, while at the same time, the polymer-based solid gel membrane provides a smooth impenetrable surface that allows the exchange of ions for both discharging and charging of the cell. Advantageously, the separator reduces dendrite penetration and prevents the diffusion of reaction products such as metal oxide to remaining parts of the cell. Furthermore, the measured ionic conductivity of the separator is much higher than those of prior art solid electrolytes or electroyte-polymer films. The disclosed rechargeable electrochemical cells include, for example, metal/air, Zn/Ni, Zn/MnO , Zn/AgO, Fe/Ni, and lead-acid systems.