Company patents

UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC

UCHICAGO ARGONNE LLC's patent strategy is heavily concentrated in Batteries & Fuel Cells, which accounts for 39.4% of its portfolio, despite a recent decline of -18.6% in 2025 and a further -48.6% so far in 2026. While many categories show a recent downturn in patenting activity, the significant growth in Compounds Containing Metals (YoY +166.7% in 2024) and Water / Sewage Treatment (YoY +100.0% in 2024) suggests a dynamic, albeit fluctuating, exploration of new material science applications.

Patent Trend by Technology Area

Yearly patent publications since 2023

Product themes

Product-level themes inferred from filings since 2023, with category chips showing where each theme appears. Select a theme to filter the patents below.

335 US filings (since 2023) · 12 categories · 36 themes

Lithium Battery Cathode Materials

Focuses on the composition, crystal structure, and synthesis methods of positive electrode active materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, often involving complex metal oxides of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium.

Compounds Containing Metals
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84since 2023
-14.8%YoY
Lithium Compound Synthesis for Batteries

Methods for synthesizing high-purity lithium compounds, such as lithium carbonate, lithium sulfide, or composite salts, specifically optimized for use in battery electrodes or electrolytes.

Non-metallic Inorganic Compounds
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80since 2023
-4.2%YoY
Lithium Battery Anode Materials

Active anode materials and manufacturing techniques for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, including silicon-carbon composites, graphite, lithium-metal anodes, and electrode coating processes that improve capacity, cycle life, and rate capability.

Batteries & Fuel CellsNon-metallic Inorganic Compounds
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62since 2023
-31.6%YoY
Solid-State Battery Manufacturing

Process and equipment for producing solid-state battery cells, including solid electrolyte synthesis (sulfide/oxide/polymer), thin-film deposition, lamination, sintering, dry-electrode fabrication, and stacking under controlled atmosphere.

Batteries & Fuel Cells
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34since 2023
-15.4%YoY
Battery Electrode Coating & Slurry

Slurry compositions and coating processes for battery electrodes, including binder/active-material slurries, surface coating layers, and electrode-to-foil adhesion for cathode and anode.

Batteries & Fuel Cells
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25since 2023
-22.2%YoY
Hydrogen Production Catalysis

Catalytic processes and novel catalyst materials designed to efficiently produce hydrogen gas from various feedstocks, including hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, natural gas) and ammonia.

Non-metallic Inorganic Compounds
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18since 2023
+66.7%YoY
RF Plasma Power Delivery

Systems and methods for delivering radio frequency (RF) power to plasma processing chambers, including impedance matching, pulse shaping, and feedback control for stable and efficient plasma generation.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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14since 2023
+133.3%YoY
Novel Catalyst Materials

Development and synthesis of catalysts with unique compositions or structures, such as medium entropy alloys, metal foam-supported catalysts, layered catalytic articles, or high-entropy oxides, to enhance activity, selectivity, or stability in chemical reactions.

Catalysts & Reactors
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13since 2023
-75.0%YoY
Battery Material Recovery

Processes and apparatus for disassembling spent batteries and recovering valuable materials (e.g., metals, electrolytes, plastics) through mechanical, chemical, or electrochemical methods for reuse or sustainable disposal.

Batteries & Fuel Cells
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12since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Charged Particle Beam Optics

Techniques and devices for generating, shaping, focusing, and deflecting electron or ion beams, often involving multi-pole lenses, deflectors, and aberration correction for applications like microscopy or processing.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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11since 2023
+150.0%YoY
Carbon Dioxide Capture & Conversion

Technologies and materials for capturing carbon dioxide from gas streams and subsequently converting it into valuable chemical products or materials, rather than simply storing it.

Catalysts & ReactorsAcyclic / Carbocyclic Compounds
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11since 2023
0.0%YoY
Conformal & Selective Film Deposition

Methods for depositing thin films with controlled conformality, thickness, and material properties, including selective deposition on specific areas, often using atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or epitaxial growth.

Coating & Surface Treatment
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10since 2023
-85.7%YoY
Nanostructured Membranes & Surfaces

Creation of membranes and surfaces with nanoscale features to control properties like porosity, hydrophobicity, or catalytic activity, particularly for applications in filtration, separation, and environmental remediation.

Nanotechnology
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10since 2023
-75.0%YoY
In-situ Coating Process Diagnostics

Methods and systems for real-time monitoring and control of coating processes or chamber cleaning, utilizing sensor data (e.g., thermal, pressure, optical) and predictive models to ensure quality and optimize efficiency.

Coating & Surface Treatment
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8since 2023
-60.0%YoY
Advanced Adsorbent & Separation Media

Development of materials with tailored porosity, surface chemistry, or structure, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolites, or superficially porous particles, for selective adsorption, ion exchange, or chromatographic separations.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)Catalysts & Reactors
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8since 2023
-66.7%YoY
Advanced Deposition Chamber Hardware

Design and engineering of specialized components within deposition systems, such as heaters, targets, susceptors, and chamber walls, to achieve precise control over process parameters like temperature, material flux, and plasma characteristics.

Coating & Surface Treatment
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7since 2023
+50.0%YoY
Ion Implantation Control & Metrology

Methods and apparatus for precise wafer positioning, ion beam uniformity, and dose monitoring during ion implantation processes in semiconductor device manufacturing.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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6since 2023
+300.0%YoY
Industrial Metal Compound Production & Recycling

Large-scale processes for synthesizing, purifying, or recycling various industrial metal compounds, including sulphides, hydroxides, and sulfates, often involving chemical reactions, crystallization, or electromembrane processes.

Compounds Containing Metals
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6since 2023
+200.0%YoY
Advanced Biomarker Detection Assays

Methods and compositions for identifying, quantifying, or characterizing specific biological molecules (e.g., nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites, antibodies) or microbial species, often for diagnostic, prognostic, or quality control applications.

Material & Chemical Analysis
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6since 2023
new
Nanomaterials for Optoelectronics

Involves the design and synthesis of semiconductor or perovskite nanocrystals and other nanostructures with tailored optical and electronic properties for advanced applications in light-emitting devices, displays, or quantum technologies.

Nanotechnology
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5since 2023
0.0%YoY
Wear & Corrosion Resistant Coatings

Application of protective layers to improve the durability and longevity of components by enhancing resistance to wear, oxidation, or chemical degradation in demanding operational environments.

Coating & Surface Treatment
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5since 2023
-50.0%YoY
Emerging Contaminant Removal

Specific techniques and materials developed to remove persistent or difficult-to-treat pollutants from water, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), micropollutants, or specific industrial chemicals.

Catalysts & ReactorsWater / Sewage Treatment
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4since 2023
+300.0%YoY
Industrial Organic Synthesis

Methods and apparatus for the efficient and selective production of organic compounds, including amines, acids, and esters, often involving catalytic or continuous processes and purification steps.

Acyclic / Carbocyclic Compounds
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4since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Water Contaminant Remediation

Systems and methods specifically engineered for removing pollutants and impurities from water sources, ranging from groundwater decontamination to point-of-use filtration, often employing adsorption, membrane, or distillation techniques.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)
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3since 2023
new
Water & Wastewater Membrane Treatment

Membrane-based separation for water purification, contaminant removal, desalination, and wastewater treatment, including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and forward osmosis modules.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)Water / Sewage Treatment
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3since 2023
n/a
Silicon-based Functional Materials

Synthesis and processing of silicon and silicon carbide materials in various forms (e.g., particles, nanowires, films) for applications beyond traditional semiconductors, such as battery components, refractories, or advanced electronics.

Non-metallic Inorganic Compounds
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3since 2023
n/a
Advanced Oxidation & Disinfection

Processes that use strong oxidants, electrochemical methods, sonic waves, or other energy-intensive techniques to break down organic pollutants, disinfect water, or facilitate contaminant separation.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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2since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Nanocellulose Materials

Focuses on the production and application of cellulose-based materials engineered at the nanoscale, such as nanocellulose or micro cellulose fibers, to impart improved mechanical, thermal, or barrier properties to composites and other products, often from sustainable sources.

Nanotechnology
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2since 2023
new
Industrial & Bioprocess Filtration

Membrane and depth filtration for industrial separation, gas purification, and bioprocess clarification including cross-flow, dead-end, tangential flow filtration, and oil/water separation.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)
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2since 2023
n/a
Nanostructured Sensors

Employs materials engineered at the nanoscale to create highly sensitive and selective sensors for detecting chemical, biological, or physical analytes, often leveraging plasmonic, photonic, or surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effects.

Nanotechnology
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2since 2023
n/a
X-ray Tube Design & Cooling

Engineering solutions for X-ray tube components, including integrated cooling systems (e.g., oil circulation) and control mechanisms for tube voltage and current to ensure stable and safe operation.

Electron / Ion Tubes & Discharge
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2since 2023
n/a
Reactor System Design & Optimizationfiltered

Engineering approaches to improve the efficiency, control, and performance of chemical reactors, encompassing continuous processes, heat exchange integration, and specialized reactor configurations for various chemical transformations.

Catalysts & Reactors
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1since 2023
n/a
Gas Stream Purification

Technologies and systems for removing unwanted components or separating desired gases from a mixed gas stream, including adsorption, absorption, and membrane-based methods.

Separation Processes (Filtration, Distillation)
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1since 2023
n/a
Nanofabrication & Patterning

Techniques for precisely creating structures, patterns, or devices with feature sizes in the nanometer range, including various lithography methods, self-assembly, and controlled growth of nanowires or thin films.

Nanotechnology
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1since 2023
n/a
Physical Water Conditioning

Non-chemical or non-biological methods that alter the physical properties or structure of water, often claimed to improve its quality or interaction with biological systems, such as vortexing or electromagnetic treatment.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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1since 2023
n/a
Sludge & Waste Valorization

Methods for treating solid or semi-solid waste (sludge, litter, industrial byproducts) from water treatment processes, often with a focus on reducing volume, detoxifying, or recovering valuable resources like energy (biogas), chemicals, or materials.

Water / Sewage Treatment
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1since 2023
n/a

Patents

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