Abstract: A process for treating an electrochemical cell is presented. The process includes charging the electrochemical cell in a discharged state to at least 20 percent state-of-charge of an accessible capacity of the electrochemical cell at a first temperature to attain the electrochemical cell in a partial state-of-charge or a full state-of-charge and holding the electrochemical cell in the corresponding partial state-of-charge or full state-of-charge at a second temperature. The first temperature and the second temperature are higher than an operating temperature of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A process for treating an electrochemical cell is presented. The process includes charging the electrochemical cell in a discharged state to at least 20 percent state-of-charge of an accessible capacity of the electrochemical cell at a first temperature to attain the electrochemical cell in a partial state-of-charge or a full state-of-charge and holding the electrochemical cell in the corresponding partial state-of-charge or full state-of-charge at a second temperature. The first temperature and the second temperature are higher than an operating temperature of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method for use in determining the thickness of a layer of interest in a multi-layer structure. A first electrode is positioned in contact with a first surface of the multi-layer structure, and a second electrode is positioned in contact with a second surface of the multi-layer structure. The second surface is substantially opposite the first surface. The first electrode is pressed against the multi-layer structure at a predetermined sampling pressure, and the structure is optionally adjusted to a predetermined sampling temperature. The electrical impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode is measured.

Abstract: A composition includes a filler dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The filler may be electrically conducting in a temperature range and may have a Curie temperature. The composition may have a trip temperature at which electrical resistance of the composition increases with increase in temperature, and the trip temperature of the composition may be determined by the Curie temperature of the filler. The filler may be present in the polymeric matrix in an amount determined by a property of one or both of the polymeric matrix or the filler. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode is provided. The cathode comprises a plurality of granules comprising a support material, an active electrode metal, and a salt material, such that the cathode has a granule packing density equal to or greater than about 2 g/cc. A cathode comprising greater than about 10 volume % total metallic content in a charged state of the cathode is also provided.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention is directed to a positive electrode composition that includes a first group of granules that contain about 30% by volume of at least one metal or electrically-conductive carbon, or combinations thereof; and a second group of granules that contain at least about 60% by volume of a metallic salt, and less than about 30% by volume of a metal. A porous structure based on a material that is resistant to non-passivating oxidation and alkaline electrolysis may be used in place of the second group of granules. An article that includes a positive electrode based on such a composition is also described, as well as related energy storage devices.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode is provided. The cathode comprises a plurality of granules comprising a support material, an active electrode metal, and a salt material, such that the cathode has a granule packing density equal to or greater than about 2 g/cc. A cathode comprising greater than about 10 volume % total metallic content in a charged state of the cathode is also provided.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode is provided. The cathode comprises a plurality of granules comprising a support material, an active electrode metal, and a salt material, such that the cathode has a granule packing density equal to or greater than about 2 g/cc. A cathode comprising greater than about 10 volume % total metallic content in a charged state of the cathode is also provided.

Abstract: A composition includes a cathodic material comprising a support structure. The support structure includes copper and zinc, and has less than 1 weight percent of aluminum, tin, or aluminum and tin. An energy storage device includes a cathodic material having a support structure.

Abstract: A method for use in determining the thickness of a layer of interest in a multi-layer structure. A first electrode is positioned in contact with a first surface of the multi-layer structure, and a second electrode is positioned in contact with a second surface of the multi-layer structure. The second surface is substantially opposite the first surface. The first electrode is pressed against the multi-layer structure at a predetermined sampling pressure, and the structure is optionally adjusted to a predetermined sampling temperature. The electrical impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode is measured.

Abstract: A composition is provided that includes a ternary electrolyte having a melting point greater than about 150 degree Celsius. The ternary electrolyte includes an alkali metal halide, an aluminum halide and a zinc halide. The amount of the zinc halide present in the ternary electrolyte is greater than about 20 mole percent relative to an amount of the aluminum halide. An energy storage device including the composition is provided. A system and a method are also provided.

Abstract: An energy storage device is provided. The energy storage device includes a cathode material and a separator in electrical communication with the cathode material. The cathode material includes zinc. The separator has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber, and a second surface that defines a second chamber. The first chamber is in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator. The separator includes an alkali-metal-ion conducting material and a toughening material. A method for operating the energy storage device is also provided. Furthermore, an energy storage system including the energy storage device is provided.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode is provided. The cathode comprises a plurality of granules comprising a support material, an active electrode metal, and a salt material, such that the cathode has a granule packing density equal to or greater than about 2 g/cc. A cathode comprising greater than about 10 volume % total metallic content in a charged state of the cathode is also provided.

Abstract: An oxide-ion sensor includes an oxygen electrode, a sense electrode and a saturated (reference) electrode. The sense electrode is operated at a substantially constant current for determining an instantaneous value of a dissolved oxide-ion concentration in the molten salt electrolyte. The saturated electrode is used to determine a reference value of the dissolved oxide-ion concentration in the molten salt electrolyte. A dissolved oxide-ion concentration in the molten salt electrolyte is continuously monitored in-situ during the molten-salt based electrochemical reduction process by determining an equilibrium potential between the sense electrode and the saturated electrode with the sense electrode carrying a small current in a circuit that is completed using the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: Oxidation-resistant ferritic steel alloys for high temperature applications consist essentially of chromium (Cr) in an amount from about 18 to about 25 atom percent, tungsten (W) in an amount from about 0.5 to about 2 atom percent, manganese (Mn) in an amount less than about 0.8 atom percent, aluminum (Al) in an amount less than about 0.2 atom percent, silicon (Si) in an amount less than about 0.1 atom percent, and rare earth metals that includes neodymium (Nd) in an amount from about 0.002 to about 0.2 atom percent with the balance being iron (Fe). Also disclosed herein are solid oxide fuel cells that include separators formed for the oxidation resistant ferritic alloys.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes forming brass from zinc powder and copper powder in the presence of a sodium electrolyte. In one aspect, an electrochemical cell is loaded with copper and zinc, the electrochemical cell is heated, and at least one charge/discharge cycle of the electrochemical cell is performed. Alpha brass is converted to gamma brass in presence of zinc and sodium. Methods of producing and operating an energy storage device are also provided.

Abstract: A composition includes a cathodic material comprising a support structure. The support structure includes copper and zinc, and has less than 1 weight percent of aluminum, tin, or aluminum and tin. An energy storage device includes a cathodic material having a support structure.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes a cathodic material having a support structure. The energy storage device has an initial state and a subsequent state. The support structure includes only alpha brass in the initial state, and includes both alpha brass and gamma brass in the subsequent state. An energy storage device includes a cathodic material having an initial state and a subsequent state. In the initial state, the cathodic material includes discrete particles, and in the subsequent state the support structure includes open-cell brass foam. An energy storage system including the energy storage device is also provided.

Abstract: An article of electrochemical energy conversion is provided that includes a separator. The separator has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber, and a second surface that defines a second chamber, and the first chamber is in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator. The energy storage device further includes a plurality of cathodic materials. The plurality includes at least a first cathodic material and a second cathodic material. Both of the cathodic materials are in electrical communication with the separator and both are capable of forming a metal halide. A proviso is that if either of the first cathodic material or the second cathodic material is a transition metal, then the other cathodic material is not iron, arsenic, or tin.

Abstract: An article of electrochemical energy conversion is provided that includes a separator. The separator has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber, and a second surface that defines a second chamber, and the first chamber is in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator. The energy storage device further includes a plurality of cathodic materials. The plurality includes at least a first cathodic material and a second cathodic material. Both of the cathodic materials are in electrical communication with the separator and both are capable of forming a metal halide. A proviso is that if either of the first cathodic material or the second cathodic material is a transition metal, then the other cathodic material is not iron, arsenic, or antimony.