How a Hybrid Layer Stops Metal Growths in Lithium Batteries
This patent describes a special multi-layered electrolyte system for lithium metal batteries that uses a stiff, hybrid material to block dangerous metal growths, aiming for safer, higher-energy batteries.
Original patent title: “Lithium metal battery with hybrid electrolyte system”
This patent describes a special multi-layered electrolyte system for lithium metal batteries that uses a stiff, hybrid material to block dangerous metal growths, aiming for safer, higher-energy batteries. Granted to GM Global Technology Operations in 2020 with 22 claims and 13 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2037.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes an electrolyte system designed for electrochemical cells, especially lithium metal batteries, to prevent the formation of dendrites. It features a solid dendrite-blocking layer that is both ionically conducting (lets ions pass) and electrically insulating (stops electrons, preventing short circuits). This blocking layer, as described in ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1, has a high shear modulus of at least 7.5 GPa at 23° C, meaning it's very stiff. It's a hybrid, made from a solid-state ceramic, glass, or glass-ceramic (like lithium phosphorous sulfide) combined with a solid-state polymer, specifically polyethylene oxide. This blocking layer sits between a first liquid electrolyte (which interfaces with the positive electrode) and an interface layer. The interface layer, in turn, connects to the negative electrode (which contains lithium metal) and can be a second liquid electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte, or a solid-state electrolyte. For example, in an electric car battery, this system would allow lithium ions to move efficiently while physically stopping lithium metal dendrites from growing and causing a short circuit.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Electrolyte systems that do not include a solid dendrite-blocking layer.
- Dendrite-blocking layers that are not a hybrid of a solid-state ceramic/glass and a solid-state polymer like polyethylene oxide.
- Dendrite-blocking layers with a shear modulus less than 7.5 GPa at 23° C.
- Electrolyte systems where the dendrite-blocking layer is not positioned between a first liquid electrolyte and an interface layer.
- Systems that lack the specific interface layer comprising a second liquid, gel polymer, or solid-state electrolyte.
- Dendrite prevention methods that rely solely on chemical additives without a physical, high-shear-modulus blocking layer.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in combining a high mechanical strength (a shear modulus of at least 7.5 GPa) with ionic conductivity in a hybrid material (ceramic/glass and polymer) to physically stop dendrite growth. This unique combination allows lithium ions to pass through while being tough enough to block the problematic metal structures, which was a significant hurdle for lithium metal battery development.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Next-generation electric vehicle batteries
High-capacity batteries for portable electronics
Grid-scale energy storage systems
Aerospace and drone battery applications
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Lithium metal batteries hold the promise of significantly higher energy density compared to current lithium-ion batteries, meaning devices could last longer or be lighter. However, a major challenge is the formation of lithium dendrites, which are tiny, tree-like metal growths that can pierce the separator, causing short circuits, overheating, and even fires. This patent offers a solution to this critical safety and performance issue by introducing a robust physical barrier, potentially enabling the widespread adoption of safer and more powerful lithium metal batteries in electric vehicles and portable electronics.
Filed
August 15, 2017
Granted
February 18, 2020
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is actively researching advanced battery technologies, particularly for electric vehicles. Other companies like Solid Power, QuantumScape, and Factorial Energy are also heavily invested in developing solid-state and lithium metal battery solutions that address dendrite formation and improve safety and energy density.
Market impact
This patent addresses a core limitation of lithium metal batteries, which have the potential to significantly increase energy density. If successful, this technology could enable electric vehicles with much longer ranges and faster charging times, and portable electronic devices with extended battery life. It could also reduce the fire risks associated with current liquid electrolyte batteries, potentially leading to new safety standards and broader market acceptance for next-generation battery chemistries.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes an electrolyte system designed for electrochemical cells, especially lithium metal batteries, to prevent the formation of dendrites. It features a solid dendrite-blocking layer that is both ionically conducting (lets ions pass) and electrically insulating (stops electrons, preventing short circuits). This blocking layer, as described in Claim 1, has a high shear modulus of at least 7.5 GPa at 23° C, meaning it's very stiff. It's a hybrid, made from a solid-state ceramic, glass, or glass-ceramic (like lithium phosphorous sulfide) combined with a solid-state polymer, specifically polyethylene oxide. This blocking layer sits between a first liquid electrolyte (which interfaces with the positive electrode) and an interface layer. The interface layer, in turn, connects to the negative electrode (which contains lithium metal) and can be a second liquid electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte, or a solid-state electrolyte. For example, in an electric car battery, this system would allow lithium ions to move efficiently while physically stopping lithium metal dendrites from growing and causing a short circuit.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in combining a high mechanical strength (a shear modulus of at least 7.5 GPa) with ionic conductivity in a hybrid material (ceramic/glass and polymer) to physically stop dendrite growth. This unique combination allows lithium ions to pass through while being tough enough to block the problematic metal structures, which was a significant hurdle for lithium metal battery development.
What it does not cover
- Electrolyte systems that do not include a solid dendrite-blocking layer.
- Dendrite-blocking layers that are not a hybrid of a solid-state ceramic/glass and a solid-state polymer like polyethylene oxide.
- Dendrite-blocking layers with a shear modulus less than 7.5 GPa at 23° C.
- Electrolyte systems where the dendrite-blocking layer is not positioned between a first liquid electrolyte and an interface layer.
- Systems that lack the specific interface layer comprising a second liquid, gel polymer, or solid-state electrolyte.
- Dendrite prevention methods that rely solely on chemical additives without a physical, high-shear-modulus blocking layer.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
23/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$109K – $349K
Midpoint $218K · 11.1 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
22 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Cai, M., Yang, L., DAI, F., Salvador, J. R., & Yersak, T. A. (2020). How a Hybrid Layer Stops Metal Growths in Lithium Batteries (U.S. Patent No. 10,566,652). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10566652/lithium-metal-battery-with-hybrid-electrolyte-system
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Hybrid Layer Stops Metal Growths in Lithium Batteries cover?
This patent describes a special multi-layered electrolyte system for lithium metal batteries that uses a stiff, hybrid material to block dangerous metal growths, aiming for safer, higher-energy batteries.
Who owns patent US 10566652?
GM Global Technology Operations owns this patent, granted in 2020.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on August 15, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10566652 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 13 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Lithium metal batteries hold the promise of significantly higher energy density compared to current lithium-ion batteries, meaning devices could last longer or be lighter. However, a major challenge is the formation of lithium dendrites, which are tiny, tree-like metal growths that can pierce the separator, causing short circuits, overheating, and even fires. This patent offers a solution to this critical safety and performance issue by introducing a robust physical barrier, potentially enabling the widespread adoption of safer and more powerful lithium metal batteries in electric vehicles…
What does this patent NOT cover?
Electrolyte systems that do not include a solid dendrite-blocking layer.
Same assignee
More from GM Global Technology Operations
Patent monitoring