Robert J Huggins

US Patent:

20020102462, Aug 1, 2002

Filed:

Dec 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/005450

Inventors:

Robert Huggins - Stanford CA, US
Andreas Netz - Kiel, DE

International Classification:

H01M004/40

US Classification:

429/231900, 429/231950, 205/059000

Abstract:

A method to reduce the initial irreversible capacity in an alkali metal-based electrochemical cell, and thus the necessity for the presence of an additional alkali metal source material in the cell comprising a pre-charging step performed by either electrochemical or chemical means.

US Patent:

20030135989, Jul 24, 2003

Filed:

Jan 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/053050

Inventors:

Robert Huggins - Stanford CA, US
Andreas Netz - Kiel, DE

International Classification:

H01M004/04

US Classification:

029/623100, 205/059000

Abstract:

A method to reduce the initial irreversible capacity in an alkali metal-based electrochemical cell, and thus the necessity for the presence of additional alkali metal source material in the cell comprising one or more preliminary reactions performed by either electrochemical or chemical means.

US Patent:

20070117018, May 24, 2007

Filed:

Nov 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/561542

Inventors:

Robert Huggins - Stanford CA, US

International Classification:

H01M 4/58
C01B 33/00
C01B 33/06

US Classification:

429231950, 423324000, 423344000

Abstract:

An inorganic electroactive material is provided containing Si and/or B as a microstructural-defining element. The material allows for reversible electrochemical insertion/extraction of Li ions therein/therefrom. In addition, the material may have a high specific reversible capacity and may allow for the substantially reversible electrochemical reaction to be carried out at a high reversible potential versus Li/Li. Also provided is an electrochemical cell using the material in a positive electrode and a method for preparing a positive electrode.

US Patent:

20100034732, Feb 11, 2010

Filed:

May 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/454389

Inventors:

Robert A. Huggins - Stanford CA, US
Yi Cui - Sunnyvale CA, US
Riccardo Ruffo - Bresso, IT
Fabio La Mantia - Palermo, IT

International Classification:

C01B 3/04

US Classification:

4236582

Abstract:

A method of producing hydrogen is provided that includes exposing a hydrogen-extracting (H-x) material to water, where the H-x material includes a crystal structure having interstitial space available for the insertion of protons and the water can be liquid water or vapor water. A spontaneous electrochemical reaction occurs, whereby water chemically decomposes in contact with the H-x material, the resulting hydrogen is stored in the H-x material and the resulting oxygen is emitted as a gas. This reaction proceeds until it is limited by a hydrogen loading capacity of the H-x material and/or the electrochemical potential of the H-x material relative to the water. The H-x material is heated to recover the stored hydrogen in a temperature range of 20 to 1000 degrees Celsius. This process is reversible, as it can be repeated many times. No electricity or consumable chemicals are required.

US Patent:

20100221596, Sep 2, 2010

Filed:

Feb 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/700442

Inventors:

Robert A. Huggins - Stanford CA, US
Colin D. Wessells - Eugene OR, US
Yi Cui - Sunnyvale CA, US

International Classification:

H01M 6/42
H01M 4/58
H01M 4/82
H01M 6/00

US Classification:

429149, 4292182, 296231, 296235

Abstract:

Energy storage cells, batteries and associated methods and uses are implemented in a variety of manners. Consistent with one such implementation, a lithium ion and hydrogen ion battery cell includes a first electrode configured to store energy by interacting with lithium cations. A second electrode is configured to store energy by interacting with hydrogen cations. An aqueous electrolyte separates the first electrode from the second electrode and provides both the lithium cations and the hydrogen cations.

US Patent:

44367961, Mar 13, 1984

Filed:

Jul 30, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/288563

Inventors:

Robert A. Huggins - Stanford CA
Bernard A. Boukamp - Achterste Kamp, NL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01M 440

US Classification:

429112

Abstract:

Alkali metal based electrochemical cells offer a great deal of promise for applications in many areas such as electric vehicles and load leveling purposes in stationary power plants. Lithium is an attractive candidate as the electroactive species in such cells since lithium is very electropositive, abundant and light weight. One type of lithium-based cell utilizes a molten salt electrolyte and normally is operated at elevated temperatures. The subject invention provides an electrochemical cell in one embodiment of which lithium is the electroactive species. The cell comprises an electrolyte, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, either or both of which is an all-solid, composite microstructural electrode containing both a reactant phase and a mixed ionic-electronic conducting phase. The cells of the subject invention exhibit improved kinetic features, current and power densities. Repeated charging and discharging of these cells can be accomplished without appreciable loss of capacity.

US Patent:

43150594, Feb 9, 1982

Filed:

Jul 18, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/170254

Inventors:

Ian D. Raistrick - Menlo Park CA
Jaime Poris - Portola Valley CA
Robert A. Huggins - Stanford CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01M 636

US Classification:

429112

Abstract:

Lithium-based cells are promising for applications such as electric vehicles and load-leveling for power plants since lithium is very electropositive and light weight. One type of lithium-based cell utilizes a molten salt electrolyte and is operated in the temperature range of about 400. degree. -500. degree. C. Such high temperature operation accelerates corrosion problems and a substantial amount of energy is lost through heat transfer. The present invention provides an electrochemical cell (10) which may be operated at temperatures between about 100. degree. -170. degree. C. Cell (10) comprises an electrolyte (16), which preferably includes lithium nitrate, and a lithium or lithium alloy electrode (12).

US Patent:

53764692, Dec 27, 1994

Filed:

Sep 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/129948

Inventors:

Turgut M. Gur - Palo Alto CA
Robert A. Huggins - Stanford CA

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Stanford CA

International Classification:

H01M 812

US Classification:

429 17

Abstract:

A high temperature fuel cell (10) having first and second temperature zones (14, 16) for directly converting carbon fuel (12) to electrical energy comprises a first heat source (22), a second heat source (26), and a housing (18) that includes a non-porous section (15) and a solid electrolyte (30) having first and second electrolyte surfaces (32, 34) to which first and second electrodes (36, 38) are electrically connected. The first heat source (26) establishes first temperature zone (14) in the vicinity of the solid electrolyte (30) for adjusting the conductivity of the solid electrolyte (30) and electrodes (36, 38). The second heat source (26) is positioned in the vicinity of non-porous section (15) of housing (18) a distance from first heat source (22) to establish second temperature zone (16). A fuel compartment (20) defined by the first electrolyte surface (32) of solid electrolyte (30) and the non-porous section (15) of housing (18) spans first and second temperature zones (14, 16) to allow intermixing of oxygen provided through solid electrolyte (30) and a carbon fuel (12) which is located primarily in second temperature zone (16). The fuel compartment (20) may be provided with a gas inlet (25), gas outlet (27), and return line (31) through which non-reactive gas can be circulated to enhance the mixing of oxygen with carbon fuel (12).