https://patentbrief.org/topic/clean-energy-and-battery-patents Plain-English explanations of patents in The Patents Powering Clean Energy, newest first. en-us Sat, 30 May 2026 23:25:52 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9379564/charging-control-apparatus-and-charging-control-method Nissan's patent on a safety system that temporarily pauses electric vehicle charging when you press the plug's release button, preventing electrical arcs without fully shutting down if you change your mind. Tue, 28 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9379564/charging-control-apparatus-and-charging-control-method https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5346778/electrochemical-load-management-system-for-transportation-applications This 1994 patent describes a fuel cell system for vehicles that uses hydrogen and air normally, but adds pure oxygen when more power is needed, like during acceleration. Tue, 13 Sep 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5346778/electrochemical-load-management-system-for-transportation-applications https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4302518/lithium-ion-battery-cathode This patent covers the lithium cobalt oxide cathode — the Nobel Prize–winning invention that made rechargeable lithium-ion batteries practical, enabling EVs, laptops, and smartphones. Tue, 24 Nov 1981 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4302518/lithium-ion-battery-cathode https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4064521/semiconductor-device-having-a-body-of-amorphous-silicon RCA's 1977 patent on using non-crystalline 'amorphous' silicon made via gas discharge to create cheap, ultra-thin solar cells and semiconductor devices. Tue, 20 Dec 1977 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4064521/semiconductor-device-having-a-body-of-amorphous-silicon https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4009052/rechargeable-lithium-battery This 1977 patent describes a rechargeable battery that uses a metal anode (like lithium) and a layered chalcogenide cathode (like titanium disulfide) where ions move in and out of the cathode's structure. Tue, 22 Feb 1977 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4009052/rechargeable-lithium-battery https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2780765/silicon-solar-cell-photovoltaic Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin, and Calvin Fuller's 1957 silicon solar cell at Bell Labs was the first photovoltaic device efficient enough to power real devices — the invention that launched solar energy. Tue, 05 Feb 1957 00:00:00 GMT https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2780765/silicon-solar-cell-photovoltaic