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 cathode composition is presented. The cathode composition includes an alkali metal halide and an electroactive metal. The electroactive metal includes a first population of particles that is present in a range at least about 50 weight percent of a total weight of the electroactive metal. A specific surface area of the first population of particles is lower than 0.2 m2/g. An electrochemical cell and an energy storage system including the cathode composition are also presented.

Abstract: A method of maintaining the performance level of an electrochemical cell is described. The cell usually includes a negative electrode that includes an alkali metal; a positive electrode that includes at least one transition metal halide; a molten salt electrolyte based on an alkali metal haloaluminate; and a sodium ion-conducting solid electrolyte partitioning the positive electrode from the negative electrode. The method is based on a treatment regimen that includes the step of applying a series of electrical cycles to the cell, wherein the series includes at least one deep discharge of the cell. Each discharge of the cell is usually followed by recharging the cell to its available capacity.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, copper, zinc, and combination thereof, an alkali metal halide, and aluminum, present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent, based on the weight of the positive electrode composition. Optionally, an amount of sodium iodide of up to about 1.0 weight percent, based on the weight of the sodium halide in the positive electrode composition, is included. The composition may be included in a positive electrode with a molten electrolyte salt comprising the reaction product of an alkali metal halide and an aluminum halide. An energy storage device including the composition is provided, as well as a method of operating the device.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing formed of a metallic material. A component is disposed within an anode compartment of the cell that contains an alkali metal. The component comprises a sacrificial metal that has an oxidation potential less than the oxidation potential of the housing material. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided.

Abstract: An energy storage system can comprise: an energy storage device and a temperature management device and controller configured for establishing an intra-cell temperature gradient along the axis when the energy storage device is in an idle state. The energy storage device can have an axis and comprise a housing having an axis and an interior surface defining a volume; a separator disposed in the volume and having a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber and a second surface that defines at least a portion of a second chamber; a cathodic material in ionic communication with the separator; and an electrolyte in ionic communication with the cathodic material and the separator. The first chamber can be in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a cathode chamber including a cathode material and an ion sequestering material, an anode chamber including a molten alkali metal material and a separator disposed in an ionic conductivity path between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber. The electrochemical cell demonstrates a reduced increase in discharge resistance.

Abstract: A method of maintaining the performance level of an electrochemical cell is described. The cell usually includes a negative electrode that includes an alkali metal; a positive electrode that includes at least one transition metal halide; a molten salt electrolyte based on an alkali metal haloaluminate; and a sodium ion-conducting solid electrolyte partitioning the positive electrode from the negative electrode. The method is based on a treatment regimen that includes the step of applying a series of electrical cycles to the cell, wherein the series includes at least one deep discharge of the cell. Each discharge of the cell is usually followed by recharging the cell to its available capacity.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, copper, zinc, and combination thereof, an alkali metal halide, and aluminum, present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent, based on the weight of the positive electrode composition. Optionally, an amount of sodium iodide of up to about 1.0 weight percent, based on the weight of the sodium halide in the positive electrode composition, is included. The composition may be included in a positive electrode with a molten electrolyte salt comprising the reaction product of an alkali metal halide and an aluminum halide. An energy storage device including the composition is provided, as well as a method of operating the device.

Abstract: An energy storage system can comprise: an energy storage device and a temperature management device and controller configured for establishing an intra-cell temperature gradient along the axis when the energy storage device is in an idle state. The energy storage device can have an axis and comprise a housing having an axis and an interior surface defining a volume; a separator disposed in the volume and having a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber and a second surface that defines at least a portion of a second chamber; a cathodic material in ionic communication with the separator; and an electrolyte in ionic communication with the cathodic material and the separator. The first chamber can be in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a housing that is polygonal in cross-section having a plurality of peripherally spaced corners. The electrochemical cell also includes an ion-conducting separator disposed in the housing. The ion-conducting separator has an anode surface defining a portion of an anode compartment and a cathode surface defining a portion of a cathode compartment. The electrochemical cell also includes an anode current collector system comprising at least one biasing component. The biasing component has a span section, a bias section and an interface section. The bias section is in wicking contact with the anode surface of the separator. The number of biasing components in the anode current collector system differs from the number of the peripherally spaced corners. An energy storage device including a plurality of the electrochemical cells in thermal and/or in electrical communication with each other. A method for forming the biasing component is provided.

Abstract: A catalyst system for the reduction of NOx. is provided. The system comprises a catalyst in a first zone comprising a catalyst support, a catalytic metal comprising gallium, and at least one promoting metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, vanadium, zinc, tin, bismuth, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, indium and mixtures thereof; a catalyst in the second zone comprising a second catalyst support, a second catalytic metal selected from the group consisting of indium, copper, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, iron, cerium and mixtures thereof The catalyst system further comprises a gas stream comprising an organic reductant. The catalyst system may further comprise a catalyst in a third zone; the catalyst comprising a third catalyst support and a third catalytic metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, and mixtures thereof. A method for reducing NOx utilizing the catalyst system is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for the storage of hydrogen comprising contacting a hydrogen storage composition with a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen; and irradiating the hydrogen storage composition with radio frequency radiation or microwave radiation in an amount effective to facilitate the absorption, adsorption and/or chemisorption of hydrogen into the hydrogen storage composition.