Abstract: Gel polymer electrolyte compositions including a cross-linked three-dimensional polymer network and an electrolyte composition comprising an electrolyte and water are disclosed. The gel polymer electrolyte compositions can be included in an aqueous electrochemical cell, in which a gel polymer electrolyte can be positioned between an anode and a cathode. Methods of forming a gel polymer electrolyte in the form of a film, and methods of forming an aqueous electrochemical cell including a gel polymer electrolyte, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure describe an energy storage device comprising a cathode, an anode, a separator, and an electrolyte. The anode comprises a support structure and an electrode layer disposed on the support structure. The electrode layer comprises 40-80% silicon, 15-40% graphite, 5-15% carbon black, 0-15% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 0-5% styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and 5-20% poly(acrylic acid). The separator is disposed between the anode and cathode to prevent internal shorting of the energy storage device. The electrolyte allows movement of ions between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery anode compound including a metal oxide and a metal. Also disclosed herein is a method of providing a battery anode compound comprising synthesizing AlNb11O29 and combining AlNb11O29 and a metal. A Li-ion battery anode compound is also disclosed that includes a slurry comprising up to 70% AlNb11O29, up to 70% Li4Ti5O12, and up to 70% of a metal, wherein the metal is any one of Sb or Sn.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an energy storage device that can include a cathode, an anode, and a solid polymer electrolyte. The solid polymer electrolyte can include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and bis(trifluoro-methanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI). A mass content of the LiTFSI can be greater than a mass content of the PVDF. The solid polymer electrolyte can have a structural composition based on forming the solid polymer electrolyte using a solution comprising a solid content, comprising the PVDF and LiTFSI, and one or more solvents for dissolving the solid content, the solid content being approximately 0.19 or greater of the solution.

Abstract: A gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) composition and a method of forming the same are provided. The GPE includes a polymer network and an electrolyte composition comprising a deep eutectic solvent (DES) having a eutectic point of less than or equal to 25° C. An electrochemical cell including a GPE and a method of forming the same are also provided.

Abstract: Flexible lithium-ion batteries include patterned electrode assemblies configured to partition bending stresses when the lithium-ion battery is flexed by localizing high bending stresses. The patterned electrode assemblies can include a patterned current collector and active material or patterned active material formed on a current collector that is not patterned.

Abstract: A wearable sensor system includes a flexible patch, an electronic circuit disposed on the flexible patch, and a disposable sensor disposed on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit via a socket. The disposable sensor detects a chemical compound. The electronic circuit generates a detection signal commensurate with the chemical compound detected by the disposable sensor. The disposable sensor is removably plugged into the socket, thereby permitting replacement of the disposable sensor upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition. A battery disposed is on the flexible patch and connected to the electronic circuit to power the electronic circuit. A transceiver is connected to the electronic circuit, wherein the transceiver transmits the detection signal.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a niobate material are provided, in which the processes include the following steps: (i) providing a niobium-containing source; (ii) providing a transitional metal source (TMS), a post-transitional metal source (PTMS), or both; (iii) dissolving (a) the niobium-containing source, and (b) the TMS, the PTMS, or both in an aqueous medium to form an intermediate solution; (iv) forming an intermediate paste by admixing an inert support material with the intermediate solution; (v) optionally coating the intermediate paste on a support substrate; and (vi) removing the inert support material by subjecting the intermediate paste to a calcination process and providing a transition-metal-niobate (TMN) and/or a post-transition-metal-niobate (PTMN). Anodes including a TMN and/or PTMN are also provided.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a niobate material are provided, in which the processes include the following steps: (i) providing a niobium-containing source; (ii) providing a transitional metal source (TMS), a post-transitional metal source (PTMS), or both; (iii) dissolving (a) the niobium-containing source, and (b) the TMS, the PTMS, or both in an aqueous medium to form an intermediate solution; (iv) forming an intermediate paste by admixing an inert support material with the intermediate solution; (v) optionally coating the intermediate paste on a support substrate; and (vi) removing the inert support material by subjecting the intermediate paste to a calcination process and providing a transition-metal-niobate (TMN) and/or a post-transition-metal-niobate (PTMN). Anodes including a TMN and/or PTMN are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting on a circuit board is provided. The apparatus may include a circuit board mount packaging and a battery. The circuit board mount packaging may include a cavity, a first internal lead, and a second internal lead. The first internal lead may be connect to a first external pin and the second internal lead may be connected to a second external pin. The battery may be disposed within the cavity of the circuit board mount packaging. The battery may comprise an anode and a cathode. The anode may be wire bond connected to the first internal lead and the cathode may be wire bond connected to the second internal lead.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus is provided that includes a thermoelectrically-activated pixel array, a microfluidic chip, and control circuitry. The pixel array may include a plurality of thermal pixels, with each thermal pixel including a thermoelectric device. The microfluidic chip may include a microfluidic channel disposed adjacent to the thermal pixels such that thermal energy generated by the thermal pixels is received by the microfluidic channel to form a localized spot within the microfluidic channel corresponding to each thermal pixel. The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to each of the thermal pixels and configured to control the thermal energy being generated by each thermal pixel to control a temperature at each localized spot within the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a niobate material include the following steps: (i) providing a niobium-containing source; (ii) providing a transitional metal source (TMS), a post-transitional metal source (PTMS), or both; (iii) dissolving (a) the niobium-containing source, and (b) the TMS, the PTMS, or both in an aqueous medium to form an intermediate solution; (iv) forming an intermediate paste by admixing an inert support material with the intermediate solution; (v) optionally coating the intermediate paste on a support substrate; and (vi) removing the inert support material by subjecting the intermediate paste to a calcination process and providing a transition-metal-niobate (TMN) and/or a post-transition-metal-niobate (PTMN). Anodes including a TMN and/or PTMN are also provided.

Abstract: Articles and insulating systems include a wicking layer, an incompressible insulation layer, and a water scavenging system comprising a superhydrophobic layer in operative communication with one or more water collecting components.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a first patterned layer, and a second patterned layer. The first patterned layer may be coupled to the substrate and may have a first metasurface pattern. The second patterned layer disposed separately from the substrate and the first patterned layer, and may have a second metasurface pattern. Movement of the first patterned layer relative to the second patterned layer may be controllable via control circuitry such that a gap distance of a gap between the first patterned layer and the second patterned layer is changed to cause a transmittance for radiant energy of a selected wavelength passing through the apparatus to change from a first transmittance value to a second transmittance value.

Abstract: Electrodes including a passivation layer formed prior to receiving an initial charge are provided. The electrodes comprise an electrode-composition including an active electrode species, in which the electrode-composition comprises a first surface. The electrodes also comprise a passivation layer positioned onto at least a portion of the first surface. The passivation layer comprises: (i) a matrix material comprising (a) a cured propoxylated polymer, (b) an uncured hydrophobic glycol ether, or a combination of (a) and (b); and (ii) at least a first electrolyte. The electrodes may be included into an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A layered textile energy storage device can include first and second encasing layers, an anode, a cathode, and a flexible separator layer. The first and second encasing layers can each include a nylon fabric coated with a polyurethane. The anode can include a carbon fabric coated with anode active material, carbon nanotubes, and a binder material. The cathode can include a carbon fabric coated with cathode active material, carbon nanotubes, and a binder material. The flexible separator layer can be disposed between the anode and cathode to prevent internal shorting of the layered textile energy storage device. The anode, the cathode and the flexible separator layer can be disposed between the first and the second encasing layers.

Abstract: Gel polymer electrolyte compositions including a cross-linked three-dimensional polymer network and an electrolyte composition comprising an electrolyte and water are provided. The gel polymer electrolyte compositions can be included in an aqueous electrochemical cell, in which a gel polymer electrolyte can be positioned between an anode and a cathode. Methods of forming a gel polymer electrolyte in the form of a film are also provided. Methods of forming an aqueous electrochemical cell including a gel polymer electrolyte are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional electrochemical lithium battery includes forming a first electrode on an underlying layer comprising aerosolizing a first ink formulation comprising a slurry including nanoparticles or microparticles of a first active material and a binder, and depositing the slurry onto the underlying layer to form a first electrode layer. A permeable separator layer is formed on the first electrode by aerosolizing a polymer precursor solution, exposing the aerosolized polymer precursor solution to a first activating radiation source to form partially cured polymer spheres in the aerosolized stream, focusing and directing the aerosolized stream onto a substrate to form the permeable separator layer of the partially cured polymer spheres, and exposing the partially cured polymer spheres on the substrate to a second activating radiation source to fully cure the partially cured polymer spheres.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a niobate material include the following steps: (i) providing a niobium-containing source; (ii) providing a transitional metal source (TMS), a post-transitional metal source (PTMS), or both; (iii) dissolving (a) the niobium-containing source, and (b) the TMS, the PTMS, or both in an aqueous medium to form an intermediate solution; (iv) forming an intermediate paste by admixing an inert support material with the intermediate solution; (v) optionally coating the intermediate paste on a support substrate; and (vi) removing the inert support material by subjecting the intermediate paste to a calcination process and providing a transition-metal-niobate (TMN) and/or a post-transition-metal-niobate (PTMN). Anodes including a TMN and/or PTMN are also provided.

Abstract: An anti-fouling coating comprising a polymeric compound, wherein a backbone of the polymeric compound is covalently bonded to a quorum sensing inhibitor, and wherein the anti-fouling coating has substantially no bactericidal activity, the quorum sensing inhibitor is substantially non-leaching from the anti-fouling coating, or both.