Han Liu

US Patent:

7629071, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/017527

Inventors:

Han Liu - Waltham MA, US
Robert C. McDonald - Stow MA, US
Thomas J. McCallum - Ashland MA, US
Anthony B. LaConti - Lynnfield MA, US
John Forchione - Ashland MA, US
Jeanette O'Hara - Honeoye NY, US
Joerg Roth - Trebur, DE

Assignee:

Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC - Newton MA

International Classification:

H01M 4/86
C01B 11/04

US Classification:

429 40, 429 42, 429 44, 428408, 4283166, 42831111

Abstract:

A gas diffusion electrode and method of making the same. According to one embodiment, the electrode comprises a support layer, a first cushioning layer positioned on top of the support layer, a second cushioning layer positioned on top of the first cushioning layer, and a catalyst layer positioned on top of the second cushioning layer. The support layer is a mechanically stable, electrically-conductive, gas porous substrate, such as carbon fiber paper. The first cushioning layer, which is also gas porous, comprises a non-woven mat of electrically-conductive, chemically-inert fibers, preferably carbon nanofibers, bound together with a polymeric binder, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The second cushioning layer is similar to the first cushioning layer, except that carbon black or a similar electrically-conductive, chemically-inert particulate material is included in addition to or instead of the fibrous material for the purpose of fine-tuning pore size.

US Patent:

7807063, Oct 5, 2010

Filed:

Oct 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/970685

Inventors:

Han Liu - Waltham MA, US
Anthony B. LaConti - Lynnfield MA, US

Assignee:

Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC - Newton MA

International Classification:

H01M 2/14
C25B 13/00

US Classification:

216 39, 216 13, 216 17, 216 49, 216 56, 216 67

Abstract:

A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7. 5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 0. 1 to 5 microns, are made by plasma etching and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.

US Patent:

7867669, Jan 11, 2011

Filed:

Oct 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/970673

Inventors:

Han Liu - Waltham MA, US
Anthony B. LaConti - Lynnfield MA, US
Cortney K. Mittelsteadt - Natick MA, US
Thomas J. McCallum - Ashland MA, US

Assignee:

Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC - Newton MA

International Classification:

H01M 8/10
C08J 5/22

US Classification:

429494, 521 27

Abstract:

A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7. 5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 5 microns, are made by laser micromachining and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.