John L Watkins

US Patent:

8012633, Sep 6, 2011

Filed:

Oct 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/871824

Inventors:

John Howard Gordon - Salt Lake City UT, US
Shekar Balagopal - Sandy UT, US
Sai Bhavaraju - West Jordan UT, US
John Joseph Watkins - West Jordan UT, US

Assignee:

Ceramatec, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

H01M 12/06

US Classification:

429405, 429101, 429480

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

8159192, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Jul 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/189176

Inventors:

Ashok V. Joshi - Salt Lake City UT, US
John Howard Gordon - Salt Lake City UT, US
Sai Bhavaraju - West Jordan UT, US
John Joseph Watkins - West Jordan UT, US

Assignee:

Ceramatec, Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

H02J 7/14
H02J 1/10
H01M 6/18
H01M 4/00
H01M 10/26

US Classification:

320137, 307 44, 429129, 429247, 429206, 429223, 4292182

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20090061288, Mar 5, 2009

Filed:

Sep 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/205759

Inventors:

John Howard Gordon - Salt Lake City UT, US
John Joseph Watkins - West Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

H01M 6/16
H01M 4/24
H01M 6/18
H01M 2/16

US Classification:

429 50, 42923195, 429246, 429322, 429307

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20100239893, Sep 23, 2010

Filed:

Mar 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/725319

Inventors:

John Howard Gordon - Salt Lake City UT, US
John Joseph Watkins - West Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

H01M 10/44
H01M 4/58

US Classification:

429 50, 4292181

Abstract:

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

US Patent:

20110104526, May 5, 2011

Filed:

Nov 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/940864

Inventors:

Chett Boxley - Park City UT, US
W. Grover Coors - San Diego CA, US
John Joseph Watkins - West Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

H01M 2/00
H01M 10/02

US Classification:

429 50, 429304, 429305, 429310

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20120007561, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Jul 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/189177

Inventors:

Ashok V. Joshi - Salt Lake City UT, US
John Howard Gordon - Salt Lake City UT, US
Sai Bhavaraju - West Jordan UT, US
John Joseph Watkins - West Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320127

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20180321180, Nov 8, 2018

Filed:

May 18, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/984158

Inventors:

- San Diego CA, US
John J. Watkins - West Jordan UT, US
Geoffrey A. Barrall - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

G01N 27/327
G01N 33/487
G01N 33/543

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20140106472, Apr 17, 2014

Filed:

Apr 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/110089

Inventors:

Eric N. Ervin - Park City UT, US
John J. Watkins - West Jordan UT, US
Geoffrey A. Barrall - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

ELECTRONIC BIOSCIENCES, INC. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01N 27/327
G01N 33/543

US Classification:

436501, 422 69, 205775, 427301, 216 52

Abstract:

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.