Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100202952 | NANOWIRE SYNTHESIS FROM VAPOR AND SOLID SOURCES - Methods of the present invention can be used to synthesize nanowires with controllable compositions and/or with multiple elements. The methods can include coating solid powder granules, which comprise a first element, with a catalyst. The catalyst and the first element should form when heated a liquid, mixed phase having a eutectic or peritectic point. The granules, which have been coated with the catalyst, can then be heated to a temperature greater than or equal to the eutectic or peritectic point. During heating, a vapor source comprising the second element is introduced. The vapor source chemically interacts with the liquid, mixed phase to consume the first element and to induce condensation of a product that comprises the first and second elements in the form of a nanowire. | 08-12-2010 |
20120107213 | Energy Storage Devices Having Electrodes Comprising Nanowires - Methods of the present invention can be used to synthesize nanowires with controllable compositions and/or with multiple elements. The methods can include coating solid powder granules, which comprise a first element, with a catalyst. The catalyst and the first element should form when heated a liquid, mixed phase having a eutectic or peritectic point. The granules, which have been coated with the catalyst, can then be heated to a temperature greater than or equal to the eutectic or peritectic point. During heating, a vapor source comprising the second element is introduced. The vapor source chemically interacts with the liquid, mixed phase to consume the first element and to induce condensation of a product that comprises the first and second elements in the form of a nanowire. | 05-03-2012 |
20120178001 | Graphene-based Battery Electrodes Having Continuous Flow Paths - Some batteries can exhibit greatly improved performance by utilizing electrodes having randomly arranged graphene nanosheets forming a network of channels defining continuous flow paths through the electrode. The network of channels can provide a diffusion pathway for the liquid electrolyte and/or for reactant gases. Metal-air batteries can benefit from such electrodes. In particular Li-air batteries show extremely high capacities, wherein the network of channels allow oxygen to diffuse through the electrode and mesopores in the electrode can store discharge products. | 07-12-2012 |
20130040204 | Functional Nanocomposite Materials, Electrodes, and Energy Storage Systems - Particular functional nanocomposite materials can be employed as electrodes and/or as electrodes in energy storage systems to improve performance. In one example, the nanocomposite material is characterized by nanoparticles having a high-capacity active material, a core particle having a comminution material, and a thin electronically conductive coating having an electronically conductive material. The nanoparticles are fixed between the core particle and the conductive coating. The comminution material has a Mohs hardness that is greater than that of the active material. The core particle has a diameter less than 5000 nm and the nanoparticles have diameters less than 500 nm. | 02-14-2013 |
20130095386 | Metal Fluoride Electrode Protection Layer and Method of Making Same - Modifications to the surface of an electrode and/or the surfaces of the electrode material can improve battery performance. For example, the modifications can improve the capacity, rate capability and long cycle stability of the electrode and/or may minimize undesirable catalytic effects. In one instance, metal-ion batteries can have an anode that is coated, at least in part, with a metal fluoride protection layer. The protection layer is preferably less than 100 nm in thickness. | 04-18-2013 |
20130199936 | Methods and Electrolytes for Electrodeposition of Smooth Films - Electrodeposition involving an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and/or film surface. For electrodeposition of a first conductive material (C1) on a substrate from one or more reactants in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second conductive material (C2), wherein cations of C2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the reactants. | 08-08-2013 |
20130202920 | Dendrite-Inhibiting Salts in Electrolytes of Energy Storage Devices - The performance and the lifetime of energy storage devices can be hindered by the growth of metal dendrites during operation. Electrolytes having dendrite-inhibiting additives can result in significant improvement. In particular, energy storage devices having an electrode containing a metallic element, M1 can be characterized by a non-aqueous, liquid electrolyte having a first salt and a dendrite-inhibiting salt. The first salt can have a cation of M1 and the dendrite-inhibiting salt can have a cation of metallic element, M2, wherein the cation of M2 has an ionic size greater than, or equal to, the cation of M1. | 08-08-2013 |
20130202956 | Methods and Energy Storage Devices utilizing electrolytes having surface-smoothing additives - Electrodeposition and energy storage devices utilizing an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and anode surface. For electrodeposition of a first metal (M1) on a substrate or anode from one or more cations of M1 in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second metal (M2), wherein cations of M2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the cations of M1. | 08-08-2013 |
20130260204 | Energy Storage Systems Having an Electrode Comprising LixSy - Improved lithium-sulfur energy storage systems can utilizes Li | 10-03-2013 |
20140113203 | ELECTROLYTE ADDITIVES FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERY AND LITHIUM ION BATTERY CONTAINING SAME - Electrolyte additives are described that enhance cycling stability of electrolytes and lithium composite electrodes that prolong cycling lifetimes and improve electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries. The electrolyte additives minimize voltage fading and capacity fading observed in these batteries by reducing accumulation of passivation films on the electrode surface. | 04-24-2014 |
20140234536 | Metal Fluoride Electrode Protection Layer and Method of Making Same - Modifications to the surface of an electrode and/or the surfaces of the electrode material can improve battery performance. For example, the modifications can improve the capacity, rate capability and long cycle stability of the electrode and/or may minimize undesirable catalytic effects. In one instance, metal-ion batteries can have an anode that is coated, at least in part, with a metal fluoride protection layer. The protection layer is preferably less than 100 nm in thickness. The anode material is fabricated according to methods that result in improved anode performance. | 08-21-2014 |
20140295298 | Graphene-based Battery Electrodes Having Continuous Flow Paths - Some batteries can exhibit greatly improved performance by utilizing electrodes having randomly arranged graphene nanosheets forming a network of channels defining continuous flow paths through the electrode. The network of channels can provide a diffusion pathway for the liquid electrolyte and/or for reactant gases. Metal-air batteries can benefit from such electrodes. In particular Li-air batteries show extremely high capacities, wherein the network of channels allow oxygen to diffuse through the electrode and mesopores in the electrode can store discharge products. | 10-02-2014 |