Katherine L 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:

20130130126, May 23, 2013

Filed:

Oct 12, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/650845

Inventors:

Katherine E. Harrison - Arlington MA, US
Castro S.T. Laicer - Watertown MA, US

Assignee:

GINER, INC. - Newton MA

International Classification:

H01M 4/583

US Classification:

429338, 4292318, 429223, 429217, 429188, 429199, 429344, 429341, 429340, 429342, 429343, 252506, 977742, 977948

Abstract:

Electrochemical cell for high-voltage operation and electrode coatings for the same. The electrochemical cell and electrode coatings of the present invention can preferably withstand charging voltages to at least 5-Volts. In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell can include an anode, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode, the cathode, and the separator are operatively associated with the electrolyte. The cathode can include, for example, a mixture of a metal oxide, an elongated carbon structure, and a conductive material. The metal oxide can be, for example, a lithium-nickel-manganese oxide, such as LiNiMnO. The elongated carbon structure can be, for example, a carbon nanotube, a carbon fibril, or a carbon fiber. The conductive material can be, for example, a conductive carbon. The metal oxide, the elongated carbon structure, and the conductive material can be bound together, for example, with a binder.

US Patent:

20200025740, Jan 23, 2020

Filed:

Feb 27, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/287431

Inventors:

- Newton MA, US
Avni A. Argun - Newton MA, US
Katherine E. Harrison - Arlington MA, US

International Classification:

G01N 33/18
G01N 27/327
G01N 27/42

Abstract:

Method and system for detection and quantification of oxidizable organics in water. The method involves the partial electrolytic decomposition of the oxidizable organics in a short time frame, preferably less than five seconds, and does not involve the use of toxic reagents. The system includes an electrochemical sensor probe that, in turn, includes a boron-doped diamond microelectrode array. The system additionally includes an electronic transducer and a computing device. The system utilizes an analysis technique to convert sensor signal to a result that can be correlated with COD or BOD values obtained by standard methods. The method and system are particularly suitable for, but not limited to, use in monitoring of water quality at wastewater treatment plants. By employing the method before and after adding aerobic microorganisms to the sample, the method may be used to distinguish biologically oxidizable organics from total oxidizable organics.

US Patent:

20180166741, Jun 14, 2018

Filed:

Nov 1, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/801118

Inventors:

- Newton MA, US
Jarrod D. Milshtein - Cambridge MA, US
Katherine Harrison - Arlington MA, US
Mario Moreira - Hudson MA, US
Brian Rasimick - Boston MA, US

International Classification:

H01M 10/0562
H01M 10/052
H01M 10/04
H01M 4/02

Abstract:

A composite membrane that is suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell including the composite membrane, and a method of making the composite membrane. In one embodiment, the composite membrane includes a porous support and a solid electrolyte. The porous support is a unitary structure made of a polymer that is non-conductive to ions. The porous support is shaped to include a plurality of straight-through pores. The solid electrolyte has alkali ion conductivity and preferably completely fills at least some of the pores of the porous support. A variety of techniques may be used to load the solid electrolyte into the pores. According to one technique, the solid electrolyte is melted and then poured into the pores of the porous support. Upon cooling, the electrolyte re-solidifies, forming a monolithic structure within the pores of the porous support.

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.