Katherine Harrison

US Patent:

20090218235, Sep 3, 2009

Filed:

Dec 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/317935

Inventors:

Robert C. McDonald - Stow MA, US
Katherine E. Harrison - North Cambridge MA, US
Min Chen - Naperville IL, US

International Classification:

G01N 27/26

US Classification:

205775, 204431

Abstract:

Metal-oxide gas sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor includes a layer or pellet of tungsten trioxide (WO) substituted with one or more added metals. Preferably, the added metals are substituted in a concentration between about 0.005 and 10%, have an oxidation state less than +6, and possess a similar ionic radius to W. The substituted metal oxides are preferably formed as nanoparticles and sintered into a dense structure or coating possessing a surface-depletion layer sensitive to the surface adsorption of gas molecules and whose resistance changes in a predictable manner with gas adsorption. The extent of resistance change, rate of change and rate of desorption can be different for different gases, depending on the gas molecule's polarizability, dipole moments and electron configuration. The sensor can be used in a wide range of temperatures and corrosive conditions because of the intrinsic stability of the substituted metal oxides.

US Patent:

20100255353, Oct 7, 2010

Filed:

Dec 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/653655

Inventors:

Robert C. McDonald - Stow MA, US
Katherine E. Harrison - North Cambridge MA, US
Shelly L. Van Blarcom - West Newton MA, US
Shannon O'Toole - Westborough MA, US
Michael P. Moeller - Waltham MA, US

International Classification:

H01M 10/50
H01M 2/00
H01B 1/22
B32B 15/08

US Classification:

429 62, 4271261, 252512, 428422, 977773, 977948

Abstract:

A composite thermal switch material suitable for use in controlling short circuits in lithium ion batteries. The switch material comprises a substantially homogeneous matrix of metallic nanoparticles and non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles, the non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles being fused to one another and having a greater thermal expansion coefficient than the metallic nanoparticles, the metallic nanoparticles and the non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles being present in said substantially homogeneous matrix in relative proportions such that the composite thermal switch material is electrically conductive below a switching temperature and is substantially non-electrically conductive at or above the switching temperature.

US Patent:

20120237848, Sep 20, 2012

Filed:

Nov 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/373512

Inventors:

Cortney K. Mittelsteadt - Wayland MA, US
Castro S.T. Laicer - Watertown MA, US
Katherine E. Harrison - North Cambridge MA, US
Bryn M. McPheeters - Gothenburg NE, US

International Classification:

C25B 9/10
C25B 9/18
H01M 8/10
H01M 8/24
B82Y 30/00

US Classification:

429480, 204252, 204253, 977752, 977750, 977762

Abstract:

An electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell or an electrolyzer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, the membrane including a solid polymer electrolyte and a non-particulate, electrically-conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and/or metal nanowires. In addition, each bipolar plate also includes an electrically-conductive fluid chamber in contact with the electrically-conductive, selectively-permeable membrane and further includes a non-porous and electrically-conductive plate in contact with the fluid chamber.

US Patent:

20170263908, Sep 14, 2017

Filed:

Mar 8, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/453409

Inventors:

- Newton MA, US
Mario Moreira - Hudson MA, US
Katherine Harrison - Arlington MA, US

International Classification:

H01M 2/16
H01G 11/52
H01G 11/84
H01M 2/14

Abstract:

An electrochemical cell, such as a capacitor or a secondary battery, is formed with a heat-resistant separator comprising a crosslinked membrane. The heat resistant separator is formed by exposing a polymeric membrane to a suitable condition, such as electron beam irradiation, to form the cross linked separator. In certain embodiments, the heat-resistant separator can be in the form of a laminate. In other embodiments, the heat-resistant separator includes inorganic particulate additives. The separator improves both safety and electrochemical performance of electrochemical cells, including lithium-ion batteries, such as by protecting against off-normal thermal abuse conditions and internal shorts from dendrite formation. The heat-resistant separator also provides improvements in high-rate and power density performance capabilities of secondary batteries.