# US 10,480,085 B2 · Ion exchange membranes, electrochemical systems, and methods

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,480,085 B2
- Document ID: US10480085B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/364,383
- Filed: 2019-03-26
- Published: 2019-07-18
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-16
- Assignees: Calera Corporation
- Applicants: Calera Corporation
- Inventors: Ryan J Gilliam; Michael Kostowskyj; Thomas H McWaid; Samaresh Mohanta; Hong Zhao
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480085B2

## CPC

- C25B 9/00: Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B 9/19: with diaphragms
- C25B 9/60: Constructional parts of cells
- C25B 9/65: Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
- C25B 9/75: having bipolar electrodes
- C25B 9/77: having diaphragms
- C25B 11/036: Bipolar electrodes
- C25B 13/02: characterised by shape or form
- C25B 13/04: characterised by the material
- C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B)

## Abstract

Disclosed herein are ion exchange membranes, electrochemical systems, and methods that relate to various configurations of the ion exchange membranes and other components of the electrochemical cell.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ion exchange membrane (IEM), comprising: an ionomer membrane with a built-in separator wherein one or more sections of the built-in separator protrude out from front and back surfaces of the ionomer membrane, wherein the built-in separator is a mesh and wherein the built-in separator is made of polyethylene.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 1, wherein amplitude of the protrusion is from 0.01 mm to 1 mm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 2, wherein wavelength of the amplitude of the protrusion is from 0.5 mm to 50 mm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 1, wherein an average thickness of the ionomer membrane is from 10 μm to 250 μm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 1, wherein ratio of cross-sectional area of the built-in separator to nominal cross-sectional area of the IEM is between about 5-70%.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 1, wherein the built-in separator is configured to separate the IEM from an anode; separate the IEM from a cathode; separate the IEM from another IEM; or combinations thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 1, further comprising a gasket material integrated with the IEM.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 7, wherein the gasket material is integrated to the edges of the IEM.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 7, wherein the gasket material is integrated on front, back, or both sides of the IEM.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 7, wherein the gasket material is of thickness between about 0.01 mm to 5 mm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The ion exchange membrane of claim 7, wherein the gasket material is made of silicone, viton, rubber, cork, felt, foam, plastic, fiber glass, flexible graphite, mica, or polymer.