Abstract: Provided herein are ceramic nanofibers and processes for preparing the same. In specific examples, provided herein are ceramic nanofiber mats for use as separators in batteries, particularly lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Provided herein are a variety of porous separator materials, particularly those prepared by gas-assisted electrospray and electrospinning processes.

Abstract: Provided herein are positive electrodes for lithium batteries, particularly lithium sulfur batteries, and the manufacture thereof. Particularly, such electrodes have good performance characteristics, such as capacity and capacity retention, even at very high loading of sulfur (e.g., >5 mg/cm2), as well as flexibility. Exemplary manufacturing techniques include the electrospraying of sulfur (e.g., electrode active sulfur compounds), and an optional additive (e.g., a nanostructured conductive additive), onto a porous, conductive substrate (e.g., a porous carbon substrate, such as comprising multiple layers and/or domains).

Abstract: Provided herein are high throughput continuous or semi-continuous reactors and processes for manufacturing graphenic materials, such as graphene oxide. Such processes are suitable for manufacturing graphenic materials at rates that are up to hundreds of times faster than conventional techniques, have little batch-to-batch variation, have a high degree of tunability, and have excellent performance characteristics.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries, electrodes, nanofibers, and methods for producing same are disclosed herein. Provided herein are batteries having (a) increased energy density; (b) decreased pulverization (structural disruption due to volume expansion during lithiation/de-lithiation processes); and/or (c) increased lifetime. In some embodiments described herein, using high throughput, water-based electrospinning process produces nanofibers of high energy capacity materials (e.g., ceramic) with nanostructures such as discrete crystal domains, mesopores, hollow cores, and the like; and such nanofibers providing reduced pulverization and increased charging rates when they are used in anodic or cathodic materials.

Abstract: Provided herein are ceramic nanofibers and processes for preparing the same. In specific examples, provided herein are ceramic nanofiber mats for use as separators in batteries, particularly lithium ion batteries. Provided herein is battery separator comprising a nanofiber mat, the nanofiber mat comprising at least one nanofiber, the at least one nanofiber comprising a continuous matrix of ceramic, the continuous matrix of ceramic being continuous along at least 10% of the length of the nanofiber.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymer-ceramic hybrid membranes, as well as processes for manufacturing such membranes. In particular, polymer-ceramic hybrid membranes are non-flammable and thermally stable and may be used in batteries, such as lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Provided herein are positive electrodes for lithium batteries, particularly lithium sulfur batteries, and the manufacture thereof. Particularly, such electrodes have good performance characteristics, such as capacity and capacity retention, even at very high loading of sulfur (e.g., >5 mg/cm2), as well as flexibility. Exemplary manufacturing techniques include the electrospraying of sulfur (e.g., electrode active sulfur compounds), and an optional additive (e.g., a nanostructured conductive additive), onto a porous, conductive substrate (e.g., a porous carbon substrate, such as comprising multiple layers and/or domains).

Abstract: Provided herein are high performance direct deposit electrodes that do not require the use of a binder, as well as processes of manufacturing the same by an electrospray process.

Abstract: Lithium-containing nanofibers, as well as processes for making the same, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments described herein, using high throughput (e.g., gas assisted and/or water based) electrospinning processes produce nanofibers of high energy capacity materials with continuous lithium-containing matrices or discrete crystal domains.

Abstract: Provided herein are high performance electrodes, electrode materials, and precursors thereof. Also provided herein are processes of generating the same. Provided in certain embodiments herein are systems and processes for manufacturing electrode materials and/or electrodes, including thin layer electrodes, such as battery electrodes and/or electrode materials (e.g., lithium ion or lithium sulfur battery negative electrode materials and/or electrodes) (e.g., the thin layer electrode comprising a carbon and silicon).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for storage or transportation of graphene oxide. The method for storage or transportation of graphene oxide comprises the steps of: carrying out wet spinning of a graphene oxide spinning solution to a coagulating bath to obtain graphene oxide pellets; drying the obtained graphene oxide pellets; storing or transporting the dried graphene oxide pellets; and redispersing the stored or transported graphene oxide pellets.

Abstract: Provided herein are lithium-air battery cells comprising nanostructured (e.g., nanofiber) anode, cathode, and/or separator/electrolyte components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for storage or transportation of graphene oxide. The method for storage or transportation of graphene oxide comprises the steps of: carrying out wet spinning of a graphene oxide spinning solution to a coagulating bath to obtain graphene oxide pellets; drying the obtained graphene oxide pellets; storing or transporting the dried graphene oxide pellets; and redispersing the stored or transported graphene oxide pellets.

Abstract: Provided herein are positive electrode systems for lithium batteries, particularly lithium sulfur batteries, component parts thereof, and the manufacture thereof. Specifically provided herein are lithium sulfur battery cathode systems comprising mesoporous carbon components, including sulfur loaded substrates and sulfur-free interlayers, such as comprising mesoporous carbon component(s), grapheme component(s), polymer or binder component(s), conducting additive component(s), and/or ionic shielding component(s).

Abstract: Provided herein are a variety of electrolytes, electrolyte systems, and separator systems, as well as batteries comprising the same and precursors thereof. In specific embodiments are semi-solid or gel electrolytes, particularly those prepared using (i) a cross-linkable polysilsesquioxane with high ionic conductivity and (ii) a liquid electrolyte (e.g., ionic liquid).

Abstract: Provided in certain embodiments are high performance graphene fibers and yarns, including components and precursors thereof, and composites comprising the same. Also provided herein are methods of manufacturing such fibers, yarns, composites, and components/precursors thereof.

Abstract: An encapsulation system and method including a solution having a first system with a first rate of removal, a second system with a second rate of removal, and a material soluble in the first system, but not soluble in the second system. The first rate of removal is quicker than the second rate of removal, and removal of the first system from the solution creates a concentration of the second system and the material migrates around the second system. Thus, the material creates a shell around the second system, generating a capsule with a shell of the material and a core of the second system. Such material may include a polymer, copolymer, or block copolymer, while the second system is poor solvent for the material, such as hexadecane or Oil Red O. The first system is a good solvent for the material and is readily removable from solution via evaporation during processes like electrospraying.

Abstract: Provided herein are electrospinning systems, apparatuses, components, and processes for the preparation of nanofibers, including high throughput systems, apparatuses, and processes for producing high performance nanofibers.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanofibers comprising carbon precursors, nanofibers comprising carbon matrices, and processes for preparing the same. In specific examples, provided herein are high performance lithium ion battery anodic nanofibers comprising non-aggregated silicon domains in a continuous carbon matrix.