Revolutionize Battery Research and Development with In-Situ NMR Spectroscopy Technology

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving field of energy storage, metal-air and metal-free air batteries are gaining attention for their potential to deliver higher energy densities and longer lifespans compared to traditional battery technologies. However, the development and optimization of these batteries pose significant challenges, particularly in understanding the complex electrochemical reactions that occur during operation. Our patented “Apparatus for In-Situ NMR Spectroscopy of Metal-Air and Metal-Free Air Batteries” (Patent #10126366) provides a breakthrough solution, offering unparalleled insights into battery behavior and performance.

The Challenge

Metal-air and metal-free air batteries have the potential to revolutionize energy storage, but their commercialization has been hindered by a lack of understanding of the intricate chemical processes involved in their operation. Traditional analytical methods fall short in providing real-time, detailed data on the internal workings of these batteries, making it difficult to optimize their design and performance. Without this critical information, it’s challenging to address issues like degradation, efficiency losses, and overall stability.

The Solution

Our patented apparatus enables in-situ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, allowing researchers and engineers to observe and analyze the electrochemical processes within metal-air and metal-free air batteries as they occur. This technology offers several compelling advantages:

  1. Real-Time, Non-Destructive Analysis: Unlike other methods that require disassembly or post-mortem analysis of batteries, this apparatus allows for real-time observation of chemical reactions inside a fully operational battery. This non-destructive approach preserves the integrity of the battery while providing continuous data, enabling a deeper understanding of its performance under various conditions.
  2. Unparalleled Insight into Battery Chemistry: NMR spectroscopy provides detailed information about the chemical environment inside the battery, including the identification of intermediates and reaction products. This insight is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of charge and discharge processes, electrolyte interactions, and the formation of by-products that can affect battery efficiency and lifespan.
  3. Accelerated Development and Optimization: By using this in-situ NMR technology, researchers can rapidly test and iterate on battery designs, materials, and electrolytes. The ability to monitor changes in real-time allows for quicker identification of performance issues and the effects of different variables, significantly speeding up the R&D process.
  4. Enhanced Battery Performance and Longevity: With the detailed data provided by this technology, it becomes possible to make informed decisions about materials and designs that enhance battery performance, stability, and longevity. This leads to the development of more reliable and efficient batteries, which is critical for applications in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and portable electronics.
  5. Competitive Advantage in a Growing Market: The demand for advanced battery technologies is increasing rapidly across multiple industries. By licensing this patented apparatus, your company gains a powerful tool that can set you apart from competitors. The ability to offer optimized, high-performance batteries can open new market opportunities and establish your brand as a leader in the energy storage sector.

The Opportunity

In an industry where innovation is key to staying ahead, licensing our patented “Apparatus for In-Situ NMR Spectroscopy of Metal-Air and Metal-Free Air Batteries” gives you access to a cutting-edge technology that can transform your research and development capabilities. This apparatus is not just a tool for observation; it’s a gateway to pioneering new battery technologies that can meet the growing demand for efficient, durable, and high-energy-density storage solutions.

Don’t miss the chance to lead the next wave of battery innovation. License this technology today and unlock the full potential of metal-air and metal-free air batteries.

An apparatus for the in situ NMR monitoring of a battery including an anode, a separator and an air cathode is provided. The apparatus includes a non-metallic anode container portion, a non-metallic cathode container portion, and non-metallic connecting structure and sealing structure for connecting and sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define a hermetically sealed interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion. The cathode container portion includes an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air chamber portion can be adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode. A method of evaluating an air cathode battery and a battery assembly for the NMR spectroscopy of an air cathode battery are also disclosed.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for the in situ NMR monitoring of a battery comprising an anode and an air cathode during cycling of the cell, the apparatus comprising:

a non-metallic anode container portion;
a non-metallic cathode container portion;
non-metallic connecting structure for connecting the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define an interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion;
non-metallic sealing structure for hermetically sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion, the sealing structure comprising a first sealing portion in the cathode container portion; and,
the cathode container portion comprising an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet, the air chamber portion being adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode, the cathode container portion comprising a second sealing portion for sealing the air chamber portion to the air cathode, the first and second sealing portions each forming seals when the cathode container portion is joined to the anode container portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing structure comprises a sealing gasket.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting structure comprises a non-metallic clamp.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the volumetric flow capacity of the air inlet exceeds the volumetric flow capacity of the air outlet to create a positive pressure within the air chamber portion.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE), acetal homopolymer resin, polychlorotrifluoro ethane polymer (PCTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plastic, and polyamide-imide (PAI).
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cathode container portion comprises walls defining the air chamber portion.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second sealing portion comprises contact surfaces provided on the walls for contacting the air cathode.

8. An apparatus for the in situ NMR monitoring of a battery comprising an anode and an air cathode, the apparatus comprising:

a non-metallic anode container portion;
a non-metallic cathode container portion;
connecting structure for connecting the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define an interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion, wherein the connecting structure comprises a non-metallic clamp, wherein the non-metallic clamp comprises an annular clamp member defining an opening for receiving the anode container portion and the cathode container portion, and a force-applying member for applying a clamping force to hermetically seal the anode container portion and the cathode container portion;
sealing structure for hermetically sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion; and,
the cathode container portion comprising an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet, the air chamber portion being adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the force-applying member comprises a screw.

10. An apparatus for the in situ NMR monitoring of a battery comprising an anode and an air cathode, the apparatus comprising:

a non-metallic anode container portion;
a non-metallic cathode container portion;
connecting structure for connecting the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define an interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion;

sealing structure for hermetically sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion; and,

the cathode container portion comprising an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet, the air chamber portion being adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode; and,
the apparatus further comprising an NMR coil wrapped around the anode container portion and the cathode container portion, the range for inside diameter coil to anode and cathode container dimension ratios being between 0.3-0.7 in length, 1.02-1.5 in width and 1.01-1.1 in height.

11. A method of evaluating an air cathode battery in situ during cycling of the cell, comprising the steps of:

securing the battery including the anode and air cathode in a hermetically sealed, non-metallic battery container apparatus, wherein the container apparatus comprises a non-metallic anode container portion, a non-metallic cathode container portion, and non-metallic connecting structure and sealing structure for hermetically connecting and sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define a hermetically sealed interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion, the sealing structure comprising a first sealing portion in the cathode container portion; and wherein the cathode container portion comprises an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet, the air chamber portion being adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode, the cathode container portion comprising a second sealing portion for sealing the air chamber portion to the air cathode, the securing comprising joining the cathode container portion to the anode container portion, the first and second sealing portions each forming seals when the cathode container portion is joined to the anode container portion;
placing the battery and the container into a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) device;
flowing air gas comprising oxygen into and out of the container to contact the air cathode of the battery;
operating the battery;
monitoring the operation of the air cathode battery in situ by recording multiple NMR spectra over time as the air cathode battery is operating.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of creating a positive gas pressure within the gas chamber portion with the flow of gas by restricting the flow of gas from the gas chamber portion relative to the flow of gas into the gas chamber portion.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of placing the battery and the container into a NMR device comprises the step of inserting the container within an NMR coil.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE), acetal homopolymer resin, polychlorotrifluoro ethane polymer (PCTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) plastic, and polyamide-imide (PAI).

15. A battery assembly for the in situ NMR spectroscopy of an air cathode battery comprising:

a battery comprising an anode and an air cathode;
a container for the battery comprising a non-metallic anode container portion;
a non-metallic cathode container portion; non-metallic connecting structure and sealing structure for hermetically connecting and sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define a hermetically sealed interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion, the sealing structure comprising a first sealing portion in the cathode container portion; and the cathode container portion comprising an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet, the air chamber portion being adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode, the cathode container portion comprising a second sealing portion for sealing the air chamber portion to the air cathode, the first and second sealing portions each forming seals when the cathode container portion is joined to the anode container portion.
16. The battery assembly of claim 15, wherein the battery comprises a separator.
17. The battery assembly of claim 15, wherein the air cathode portion comprises titanium.
18. The battery assembly of claim 15, wherein the battery comprises a non-ferromagnetic cathode current collector and a non-ferromagnetic anode current collector.

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Title

Apparatus for in-situ NMR spectroscopy of metal-air and metal-free air batteries

Inventor(s)

Jian-Ping Zheng, Annadanesh Shellikeri

Assignee(s)

Florida State University Research Foundation Inc

Patent #

10126366

Patent Date

November 13, 2018

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