DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 13 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Sherstyuk (US 20170005497).
Regarding claim 13, Sherstyuk teaches a method of charging a battery having a metal negative electrode (paragraph [0095] teaches a system which uses a vibration transducer on electrodes within a battery utilizing ultrasonic technology),
the method comprising providing a battery having less than a full charge (figures 1A-E shows battery cells);
vibrating the battery at ultrasonic frequencies ([0095] teaches a vibration transducer vibrating the electrodes in the battery); and
charging the battery, wherein the vibrating and charging occur concurrently (paragraph [0094] discloses wherein vibrations are applied as vibration pulses used for charging the battery, thus vibration and charging are performed simultaneously).
Regarding claim 20, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises measuring an electrochemical cell's voltage, current, impedance, resistance, pressure, temperature, evolved gases, or physical deformations ([0046] discloses wherein the battery may be charged in temperatures up to 65° C).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1 – 3 and 24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sherstyuk (US 20170005497) in view of Bae (US 20160056644).
Regarding claim 1, Sherstyuk teaches a method for ultrasonically vibrating a metal negative electrode (paragraph [0095] teaches a system which uses a vibration transducer on electrodes within a battery utilizing ultrasonic technology),
comprising providing an electrochemical cell (figures 1A-E shows battery cells),
vibrating the metal negative electrode ultrasonically ([0095] teaches a vibration transducer vibrating the electrodes in the battery); and
charging the electrochemical cell, wherein the vibrating and charging occur simultaneously (paragraph [0094] discloses wherein vibrations are applied as vibration pulses used for charging the battery, thus vibration and charging are performed simultaneously).
Sherstyuk does not explicitly teach wherein the electrochemical cell comprises: a positive electrode, a solid electrolyte, and a metal negative electrode.
Bae teaches wherein the electrochemical cell comprises: a positive electrode, a solid electrolyte, and a metal negative electrode (paragraph [0039] teaches wherein the electrochemical cell, battery banks, includes a positive electrode, a solid electrolyte, and a metal negative electrode).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyukuk reference with the charging system of the Bae reference so that the lifetime of the batteries may be easily extended.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Bae reference in [0003] wherein the lifetime of batteries is extended.
Regarding claim 2, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the charging occurs at a temperature lower than 80° C., 75° C., 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., 50° C., 45° C., 40° C., 35° C., 30° C., 25° C., 20° C., 15° C., 10° C., 5° C., 0° C., −5° C., −10° C., −15° C., −20° C., −25° C., or −30° C ([0046] discloses wherein the battery may be charged in temperatures up to 65° C).
Regarding claim 3, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 1, wherein the charging occurs at a temperature at least higher than −30° C ([0046] discloses wherein the battery may be charged in temperatures up to 65° C).
Regarding claim 24, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 1 wherein the electrochemical cell is in a battery (figures 1A-E shows battery cells).
Claims 4 – 6, 21, 22, 25 and 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sherstyuk (US 20170005497) in view of Bae (US 20160056644) as applied to claim 1 and in further view of Albertus (US 20160093904 )
Regarding claim 4, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 1, but do not explicitly teach wherein the metal negative electrode is a lithium (Li) metal negative electrode.
Albertus teaches wherein the metal negative electrode is a lithium (Li) metal negative electrode (defined in [0038] wherein the negative electrode may be formed of Lithium metal).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Albertus reference so that the battery capacity is increased.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0005] wherein battery capacity is increased.
Regarding claim 5, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 1, but do not explicitly teach wherein the metal negative electrode is a sodium (Na) metal negative electrode.
Albertus teaches wherein the metal negative electrode is a sodium (Na) metal negative electrode (defined in [0038] wherein the negative electrode may be formed of sodium metal).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Albertus reference so that the battery capacity is increased.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0005] wherein battery capacity is increased.
Regarding claim 6, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 1, but do not explicitly teach wherein the metal negative electrode is a zinc (Zn) metal negative electrode.
Albertus teaches wherein the metal negative electrode is a zinc (Zn) metal negative electrode (defined in [0038] wherein the negative electrode may be formed of zinc metal).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Albertus reference so that the battery capacity is increased.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0005] wherein battery capacity is increased.
Regarding claim 21, Sherstyuk and Bae teaches a electrochemical cell but does not explicitly teach having a Li-metal negative electrode made by the method of claim 1.
Albertus teaches having a Li-metal negative electrode made by the method of claim 1 (defined in [0038] wherein the negative electrode may be formed of Lithium metal).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Albertus reference so that the battery capacity is increased.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0005] wherein battery capacity is increased.
Regarding claim 22, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the electrochemical cell but does not explicitly teach having a Li-metal negative electrode healed by the method of claim 1.
Albertus teaches having a Li-metal negative electrode healed by the method of claim 1 (defined in [0038] wherein the negative electrode may be formed of Lithium metal).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Albertus reference so that the battery capacity is increased.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0005] wherein battery capacity is increased.
Regarding claim 25, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 1, but does not explicitly teach wherein the battery is in a car.
Albertus teaches wherein the battery is in a car (paragraph [0030] disclose wherein the batteries are comprised within a car or a vehicle).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Albertus reference so that the battery capacity is increased.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0005] wherein battery capacity is increased.
Regarding claim 26, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 1, but does not explicitly teach wherein the battery is in use in a car.
Albertus teaches wherein the battery is in a car (paragraph [0030] disclose wherein the batteries are comprised within a car or a vehicle).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Albertus reference so that the battery capacity is increased.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0005] wherein battery capacity is increased.
Claims 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sherstyuk (US 20170005497) in view of Bae (US 20160056644) as applied to claim 1 and in further view of Takahashi (US 20140342219 ).
Regarding claim 7, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 1, but do not explicitly teach wherein the solid electrolyte is a sulfide-based electrolyte, a garnet-based electrolyte, or a borohydride-based electrolyte.
Takahashi teaches wherein the solid electrolyte is a sulfide-based electrolyte, a garnet-based electrolyte, or a borohydride-based electrolyte (defined in paragraph [0131] wherein the solid electrolyte includes a sulfide-based electrolyte).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Takahashi reference so that the battery’s capacity may be restored when there is a decrease in capacity.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0019] wherein the battery’s capacity is restored.
Claims 8 – 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sherstyuk (US 20170005497) in view of Bae (US 20160056644) as applied to claim 1 and in further view of Balogh (US 20160181594 ).
Regarding claim 8, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 1, but do not explicitly teach further comprising applying a pressure to the metal negative electrode.
Balogh teaches comprising applying a pressure to the metal negative electrode (paragraph [0058] discloses wherein pressure is applied to the negative electrode with a pressure equal to about 15psi -2900psi).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Balogh reference so that the capacity fade is minimized.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Balogh reference in paragraph [0009] wherein capacity fade is minimized.
Regarding claim 9, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 8, but do not explicitly teach wherein the applied pressure is at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 pounds per square inch (PSI).
Balogh teaches wherein the applied pressure is at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 pounds per square inch (PSI) (paragraph [0058] discloses wherein pressure is applied to the negative electrode with a pressure equal to about 15psi -2900psi).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Balogh reference so that the capacity fade is minimized.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Balogh reference in paragraph [0009] wherein capacity fade is minimized.
Regarding claim 10, Sherstyuk and Bae teach the method of claim 8, but do not explicitly teach wherein the applied pressure is less than 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10 PSI.
Balogh teaches wherein the applied pressure is less than 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10 PSI (paragraph [0058] discloses wherein pressure is applied to the negative electrode with a pressure equal to about 15psi -2900psi).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Balogh reference so that the capacity fade is minimized.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Balogh reference in paragraph [0009] wherein capacity fade is minimized.
Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sherstyuk (US 20170005497) in view of Takahashi (US 20140342219 ).
Regarding claim 11, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 1, but does not explicitly teach wherein the solid electrolyte is a sulfide-based electrolyte.
Takahashi teaches wherein the solid electrolyte is a sulfide-based electrolyte (defined in paragraph [0131] wherein the solid electrolyte includes a sulfide-based electrolyte).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk reference with the electrode system of the Takahashi reference so that the battery’s capacity may be restored when there is a decrease in capacity.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Albertus reference in paragraph [0019] wherein the battery’s capacity is restored.
Claims 15-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sherstyuk (US 20170005497) and in further view of Balogh (US 20160181594 ).
Regarding claim 15, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 13, but does not explicitly teach further comprising applying a pressure to the metal negative electrode.
Balogh teaches comprising applying a pressure to the metal negative electrode (paragraph [0058] discloses wherein pressure is applied to the negative electrode with a pressure equal to about 15psi -2900psi).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Balogh reference so that the capacity fade is minimized.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Balogh reference in paragraph [0009] wherein capacity fade is minimized.
Regarding claim 16, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 13, but does not explicitly teach wherein the applied pressure is at least 10 pounds per square inch (PSI), 20 PSI, 30 PSI, 40 PSI, 50 PSI, 60 PSI 70 PSI, 80 PSI, 90 PSI, 100 PSI, 200 PSI, 300, PSI 400 PSI, 500 PSI, 600 PSI, 700 PSI, 800 PSI, 900 PSI, 1000 PSI, 2000 PSI, 3000 PSI, or 4000 PSI.
Balogh teaches wherein the applied pressure is at least 10 pounds per square inch (PSI), 20 PSI, 30 PSI, 40 PSI, 50 PSI, 60 PSI 70 PSI, 80 PSI, 90 PSI, 100 PSI, 200 PSI, 300, PSI 400 PSI, 500 PSI, 600 PSI, 700 PSI, 800 PSI, 900 PSI, 1000 PSI, 2000 PSI, 3000 PSI, or 4000 PSI (paragraph [0058] discloses wherein pressure is applied to the negative electrode with a pressure equal to about 15psi -2900psi).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Balogh reference so that the capacity fade is minimized.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Balogh reference in paragraph [0009] wherein capacity fade is minimized.
Regarding claim 17, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 13, but does not explicitly teach wherein the applied pressure is less than 600 PSI, 500 PSI, 400 PSI, 300 PSI, 200 PSI, 100 PSI, 80 PSI, 70 PSI, 60 PSI, 50 PSI, 40 PSI, 30 PSI, 20 PSI, or 10 PSI.
Balogh teaches wherein the applied pressure is less than 600 PSI, 500 PSI, 400 PSI, 300 PSI, 200 PSI, 100 PSI, 80 PSI, 70 PSI, 60 PSI, 50 PSI, 40 PSI, 30 PSI, 20 PSI, or 10 PSI (paragraph [0058] discloses wherein pressure is applied to the negative electrode with a pressure equal to about 15psi -2900psi).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Balogh reference so that the capacity fade is minimized.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Balogh reference in paragraph [0009] wherein capacity fade is minimized.
Regarding claim 18, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 17, but does not explicitly teach where the applied pressure is 300 PSI or less.
Balogh teaches where the applied pressure is 300 PSI or less (paragraph [0058] discloses wherein pressure is applied to the negative electrode with a pressure equal to about 15psi -2900psi).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk and Bae references with the electrode system of the Balogh reference so that the capacity fade is minimized.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Balogh reference in paragraph [0009] wherein capacity fade is minimized.
Claim 19 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sherstyuk (US 20170005497) and in further view of Nishi (US 20150037620)
Regarding claim 19, Sherstyuk teaches the method of claim 13, but does not explicitly teach wherein the current at which the charging occurs is at least 1 mA/cm2, 2 mA/cm2, 3 mA/cm2, 4 mA/cm2, 5 mA/cm2, 6 mA/cm2, or 10 mA/cm2.
Nishi teaches wherein the current at which the charging occurs is at least the charging occurs is at least 1 mA/cm2, 2 mA/cm2, 3 mA/cm2, 4 mA/cm2, 5 mA/cm2, 6 mA/cm2, or 10 mA/cm2 (defined in paragraph [0425] wherein charging is performed at least 1 mA/cm2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Sherstyuk references with the electrode system of the Nishi reference so that the battery state is stabilized during charging.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Nishi reference in paragraph [425] wherein battery state is stabilized.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
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ALEXIS BOATENG PACHECO
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2859
/ALEXIS B PACHECO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
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