Abstract: Methods of depositing a film selectively onto a first substrate surface relative to a second substrate surface are described. The methods include exposing the substrate surfaces to a blocking compound to selectively form a blocking layer on at least a portion of the first surface over the second surface. The substrate is sequentially exposed to a metal precursor with a kinetic diameter in excess of 21 angstroms and a reactant to selectively form a metal-containing layer on the second surface over the blocking layer or the first surface. The relatively larger metal precursors of some embodiments allow for the use of blocking layers with gaps or voids without the loss of selectivity.

Abstract: Process for making a coated electrode active material wherein said process comprises the following steps: (a) providing a particulate electrode active material according to general formula Li1+xTM1?xO2, wherein TM is a combination of Ni, Co and, optionally, Mn, and, optionally, at least one metal selected from Mg, Al, Ba, Ti and Zr, and x is in the range of from zero to 0.2, wherein at least 15 mole-% of the transition metal of TM is Ni, (b) treating said electrode active material with a compound of M1, wherein M1 is selected from Li, Al, B, Mg, Si, Sn, and from transition metals, or a combination of at least two of the foregoing, with or without a solvent, wherein said compound of M1 does not act as a cathode active material on its own, (c) optionally, removing compound of M1 which is not deposited on said particulate electrode active material, (d) performing a post-treatment by heating the material obtained after the step (b) or (c), if applicable, at a temperature from 300 to 800° C.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing apparatus that includes: a process chamber in which a substrate is accommodated to be processed; a plurality of quartz gas nozzles configured to supply, into the process chamber, a plurality of process gasses capable of generating reaction products by reacting the plurality of process gasses with each other; an evacuation device configured to evacuate an interior portion of the process chamber; a bypass pipe configured to connect a quartz gas nozzle among the plurality of quartz gas nozzles to the evacuation device; and a coating gas nozzle configured to supply at least one of a silicon-containing gas and an oxidizing gas capable of forming a SiO2 coating film inside the quartz gas nozzle connected to the evacuation device in a state in which the inside of the quartz gas nozzle connected to the evacuation device is evacuated by the evacuation device.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode active coating on a current collector comprising providing isolated lignin and subjecting the isolated lignin to a pre-treatment in order to remove low molecular mass fractions of the lignin. The pre-treated lignin is mixed with an electrode active material, water and a conductive additive material so as obtain a slurry adapted for coating of a current collector. The coating obtained by the method comprises pre-treated lignin as a binder. The coating obtained has good binding properties between the particles of the coating as well as to the current collector. Furthermore, it has excellent electrochemical properties during use in a lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation comprises: disposing an article in a well penetrating a subterranean formation, the article having a surface coated with a hierarchical superhydrophobic coating or the article being a stand-alone hierarchical superhydrophobic membrane; contacting the article with a flow of a water-based fluid and an oil-based fluid; selectively impeding the flow of the water-based fluid; and allowing the production of the oil-based fluid.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium battery, a lithium battery including the electrolyte, and a method of preparing the electrolyte for a lithium battery. The electrolyte for a lithium battery includes a non-aqueous organic solvent; and about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % of lithium nitrate (LiNO3) based on a total weight of the non-aqueous organic solvent. By using the electrolyte for a lithium battery, lifespan cycle properties of the lithium battery may be improved.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition containing an organometallic compound having a chromophore moiety in the metal polymer backbone which allows a wider range of n/k values such that substrate reflectivity can be controlled under various conditions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a microstructure to generate surface plasmon waves comprises steps of: preparing a substrate, and using a carrier material to carry a plurality of metallic nanoparticles and letting the metallic nanoparticles undertake self-assembly to form a microstructure on the substrate, wherein the metallic nanoparticles are separated from each other or partially agglomerated to allow the microstructure to be formed with a discontinuous surface. The present invention fabricates the microstructure having the discontinuous surface by a self-assembly method to generate the surface plasmon waves, thus exempts from using the expensive chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology and is able to reduce the time and cost of fabrication. The present invention also breaks the structural limitation on generation of surface plasmon waves to enhance the effect of generating the surface plasmon waves.

Abstract: A method for forming a film on a patterned surface of a substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD) processing includes: adsorbing onto a patterned surface a first precursor containing silicon or metal in its molecule; adsorbing onto the first-precursor-adsorbed surface a second precursor containing no silicon or metal in its molecule; exposing the second-precursor-adsorbed surface to an excited reactant to oxidize, nitride, or carbonize the precursors adsorbed on the surface of the substrate; and repeating the above cycle to form a film on the patterned surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Multiple walled nested coaxial nanostructures, methods for making multiple walled nested coaxial nanostructures, and devices incorporating the coaxial nanostructures are disclosed. The coaxial nanostructures include an inner nanostructure, a first outer nanotube disposed around the inner nanostructure, and a first annular channel between the inner nanostructure and the first outer nanotube. The coaxial nanostructures have extremely high aspect ratios, ranging from about 5 to about 1,200, or about 300 to about 1200.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lithium-ion battery positive electrode material and a preparation method thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a graphene-enhanced anode active material for use in a lithium battery. The process comprises (a) providing a continuous film of a graphene material into a deposition zone; (b) introducing vapor or atoms of a precursor anode active material into the deposition zone, allowing the vapor or atoms to deposit onto a surface of the graphene material film to form a sheet of an anode active material-coated graphene material; and (c) mechanically breaking this sheet into multiple pieces of anode active material-coated graphene; wherein the graphene material is in an amount of from 0.1% to 99.5% by weight and the anode active material is in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight, all based on the total weight of the graphene material and the anode active material combined.

Abstract: The present invention provides additive manufacturing methods of forming multilayer energy storage devices on a surface by formulating all components of the multilayer energy storage device into liquid compositions and: (1) applying a first liquid current collector composition above the surface to form a first current collector layer above the surface; (2) applying a first liquid electrode composition above the first current collector layer to form a first electrode layer above the first current collector layer; (3) applying a liquid electrically insulating composition above the first electrode layer to form an electrically insulating layer above the first electrode layer; (4) applying a second liquid electrode composition above the electrically insulating layer to form a second electrode layer above the electrically insulating layer; and (5) applying a second liquid current collector composition above the second electrode layer to form a second current collector layer above the second electrode layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator for an electrochemical cell, preferably a lithium ion battery, comprising a porous layer which comprises at least one block copolymer having three or more polymer blocks and at least one aluminum oxide or hydroxide, a lithium ion battery comprising such a separator, and a method for producing such a separator.

Abstract: A color filter substrate including a base substrate, a color layer on the base substrate, a conductive layer on the color layer, and a grain compensation layer between the color layer and the conductive layer. The grain compensation layer includes zinc oxide and a metal oxide other than zinc oxide. A content of the metal oxide is lower than that of the zinc oxide in the grain compensation layer. The grain compensation layer increases the grain size of the conductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery and the preparation thereof. The electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention comprises a core including (a) first particulates consisting of an oxide of a metal (metalloid) capable of alloying with lithium, and (b) second particulates consisting of an oxide containing the same metal (metalloid) together with lithium; and a conductive carbon layer coated on the surface of the core. The electrode active material of the present invention has high capacity and improved electric conductivity, thereby providing good charge and discharge rate capability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-situ plasma cleaning of a deposition chamber are provided. In one embodiment a method for plasma cleaning a deposition chamber without breaking vacuum is provided. The method comprises positioning a substrate on a susceptor disposed in the chamber and circumscribed by an electrically floating deposition ring, depositing a metal film on the substrate and the deposition ring in the chamber, grounding the metal film deposited on the deposition ring without breaking vacuum, and removing contaminants from the chamber with a plasma formed in the chamber without resputtering the metal film on the grounded deposition ring and without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing of thermochromic material, a target increased luminous transmittance level for the thermochromic material is determined (210). The luminous transmittance level is defined within a predetermined wavelength region. Preferably, this predetermined wavelength region at least partly comprises visible light. A concentration level of a first dopant element is determined (212) for generating the luminous transmittance level of the thermochromic material. The first dopant element is capable of forming an oxide having a high bandgap in its electronic structure, and in a specific embodiment is Al and/or Mg. A VO2-based thermochromic material is doped (214) with the determined concentration level of the first dopant element. At least one second dopant may also be employed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method that includes providing a reaction chamber module of an atomic layer deposition reactor for processing a batch of substrates by an atomic layer deposition process, and loading the batch of substrates before processing into the reaction chamber module via a different route than the batch of substrates is unloaded after processing. The invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus.

Abstract: To provide a surface modified lithium-containing composite oxide having excellent discharge capacity, volume capacity density, safety, durability for charge and discharge cycles, and high rate property. A surface modified lithium-containing composite oxide, comprising particles of a lithium-containing composite oxide having a predetermined composition and a lithium titanium composite oxide containing lithium, titanium and element Q (wherein Q is at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Sc, Y and In) contained in the surface layer of the particles, wherein the lithium titanium composite oxide is contained in the surface layer of the particles in a proportion of the total amount of titanium and element Q in the lithium titanium composite oxide contained in the surface layer to the lithium-containing composite oxide particles is from 0.01 to 2 mol %, and the lithium titanium composite oxide has a peak at a diffraction angle 2? within a range of 43.8±0.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a separator of a lithium-ion battery and a preparation method thereof, the separator comprises a substrate membrane and a coating provided on a surface of the substrate membrane, the coating comprises ceramic particles, an adhesive and a solid polymer wax which has a melting point of 85˜120° C., a molecular weight of 1,000˜25,000 and a particle size of 0.5˜10 ?m. When the lithium-ion battery is heated due to overcharge and the like to make the interior temperature reach the melting point of the solid polymer wax, the solid polymer wax can be melt and enter among the ceramic particles and into the micropores of the substrate membrane by capillarity so as to function as electrical disconnection, which can effectively cut off the channel of the lithium ions and stop the overcharge, and ensure the safety performance of the lithium-ion battery under the situation of overcharge.

Abstract: A method for making a modified current collector of a lithium ion battery is provided. In the method, the modifier and a metal plate are provided. The modifier is a mixture of a phosphorus source having a phosphate radical, a trivalent aluminum source, and a metallic oxide provided in a liquid phase solvent. The modifier is coated on a surface of the metal plate to form a coating layer. The coated metal plate is heat treated to transform the coating layer into a protective film formed on the surface of the metal plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating an electrode which includes coating of an aqueous ink over the whole or part of a current collector followed by drying of said ink. The aqueous ink is produced by acidification of an aqueous dispersion including an electrochemically active material having a titanium and lithium oxide base until a pH value comprised between 9.0±0.1 and 10.0±0.1 is obtained. The invention also relates to an aqueous ink for an electrode including an electrochemically active material having a titanium and lithium oxide base and having a pH between 9.0±0.1 and 10.0±0.1, preferably equal to 10±0.1.

Abstract: Battery systems using coated conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Protective coatings may be an oxide, phosphate, or fluoride, and may be lithiated. The coating may selectively isolate the conversion material from the electrolyte. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with coated conversion material are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention produces a laminated porous film which improves the stability of an aqueous dispersion of a metal oxide without lowering battery characteristics, while having high binding properties and excellent heat resistance. This laminated porous film exhibits excellent characteristics when used as a separator for batteries. This laminated porous film is produced by forming a porous coating layer on at least one outer surface of a resin porous film, which is formed of a single layer or a laminate of a plurality of layers, by applying a coating liquid that contains a metal oxide, a resin binder and a volatile acid thereto and drying the applied coating liquid. The coating liquid is prepared so that the difference between the pH (pH1) of the coating liquid and the pH (pH2) of the coating layer is not less than 2.

Abstract: The rechargeable lithium battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode including a positive active material, a negative electrode including a negative active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive active material includes a core and a coating layer formed on the core. The core is made of a material such as LiCo0.98M?0.02O2, and the coating layer is made of a material such as MxPyOz. The electrolyte solution includes a nitrile-based additive. The rechargeable lithium battery of the present invention shows higher cycle-life characteristics and longer continuous charging time at high temperature.

Abstract: The rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode which includes a positive active material, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte which includes a non-aqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt. The positive active material includes a core including at least one of a compound represented by Formula 1 and a compound represented by Formula 2, and a surface-treatment layer which is formed on the core and includes a compound represented by Formula 3. The lithium salt includes LiPF6 and a lithium imide-based compound. LiaNibCocMndMeO2??(1) LihMn2MiO4??(2) M?xPyOz??(3) wherein each of M and M? is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a Group 13 element, a Group 14 element, a transition element, a rare earth element, and combinations thereof, 0.95?a?1.1, 0?b?0.999, 0?c?0.999, 0?d?0.999, 0.001?e?0.2, 0.95?h?1.1, 0.001?i?0.2, 1?y?4, 0?y?7, and 2?z?30.

Abstract: A method for making a composite of cobalt oxide is disclosed. An aluminum nitrate solution is provided. Lithium cobalt oxide particles are introduced into the aluminum nitrate solution. The lithium cobalt oxide particles are mixed with the aluminum nitrate solution to form a mixture. A phosphate solution is added into the mixture to react with the aluminum nitrate solution and form an aluminum phosphate layer on surfaces of the lithium cobalt oxide particles. The lithium cobalt oxide particles with the aluminum phosphate layer formed on the surfaces thereof are heat treated to form a lithium cobalt oxide composite. The lithium cobalt oxide composite is electrochemical lithium-deintercalated at a voltage of Vx, wherein 4.5V<Vx?5V to form a cobalt oxide. The present disclosure also relates to a cobalt oxide and a composite of cobalt oxide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for forming particles of cathode active materials with a thin protective coating layer. The thin protective coating layer improves cycle and safety performance of the cathode active material. A coating precursor may be added at various stages during formation of the particles of cathode active materials. The thin layer of chemical may be a complete coating or a partial coating. The coating may include a thin layer of chemicals, such as an oxide, to improve cycle performance and safety performance of the cathode active material.

Abstract: An electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium-ion battery, is provided. The electrode material may be a negative electrode comprising graphite, silicon, silicon-alloys, or tin-alloys, for example. By avoiding deposition of transition metals, the battery substantially avoids charge capacity fade during operation. The surface coating is particularly useful with negative electrodes to minimize or prevent deposition of transition metals thereon in the electrochemical cell. The coating has a thickness of less than or equal to about 40 nm. Methods for making such materials and using such coatings to minimize transition metal deposition in electrochemical cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: Process for preparing a multi-layer electrochromic structure comprising depositing a film of a liquid mixture onto a substrate and treating the deposited film to form an anodic electrochromic layer comprising a lithium nickel oxide composition, the anodic electrochromic layer comprising lithium, nickel and the bleached state stabilizing element(s) wherein in the film (i) the ratio of lithium to the combined amount of nickel and the bleached state stabilizing element(s) is at least 0.4:1, (ii) the ratio of the combined amount of the bleached state stabilizing element(s) to the combined amount of nickel and the bleached state stabilizing elements in the lithium nickel oxide composition is at least about 0.025:1, and (iii) the bleached state stabilizing element(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, P, Sb and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material comprising a lithium rich metal oxide active composition coated with aluminum zinc oxide coating composition is disclosed. The aluminum zinc oxide can be represented by the formula AlxZn1-3x/2O, where x is from about 0.01 to about 0.6. In some embodiments, the material can have an average voltage that is very stable with cycling, and a specific capacity of at least about 175 mAh/g and an average voltage of at least about 3.55V discharged at a rate of C/3 from 4.6V to 2V against lithium. The material can further comprise an overcoat of metal halide over the aluminum zinc oxide coating. In some embodiments, the material can have from about 1 mole percent to about 15 mole percent aluminum zinc oxide coating and from about 0.5 mole percent to about 3 mole percent aluminum halide overcoat.

Abstract: A plasmonic optical device is provided operating in near ultra violet (UV) and visible wavelengths of light. The optical device is made from a substrate and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have a core with a negative real value relative permittivity of absolute value greater than 10 in a first range of wavelengths including near UV and visible wavelengths of light, and a shell with an imaginary relative permittivity of less than 5 in the first range of wavelengths. A dielectric overlies the substrate, and is embedded with the nanoparticles. If the substrate is reflective, a reflective optical filter is formed. If the substrate is transparent, the filter is transmissive. In one aspect, the dielectric is a tunable medium (e.g., liquid crystal) having an index of refraction responsive to an electric field. The tunable medium is interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a head transducer and a resistive temperature sensor provided on the head transducer. The resistive temperature sensor comprises a first layer comprising a conductive material and having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and a second layer comprising at least one of a specular layer and a seed layer. A method is disclosed to fabricate such sensor with a laminated thin film structure to achieve a large TCR. The thicknesses of various layers in the laminated thin film are in the range of few to a few tens of nanometers. The combinations of the deliberately optimized multilayer thin film structures and the fabrication of such films at the elevated temperatures are disclosed to obtain the large TCR.

Abstract: A method of depositing material onto a base portion of a wafer is disclosed. The method includes forming a bevel into a portion of a surface of the base portion of the wafer and depositing a first layer of conductive material onto the beveled portion of the base portion so that part of the first layer includes a wedge shape above the surface of the base portion. A second layer of conductive material is deposited onto the base portion including the portion of the base portion onto which the first layer of material is deposited.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compositions are described which are useful, for example, for the preparation of metal-clad laminate structures, methods for the preparation thereof, and various uses therefor. Invention metal-clad laminate structures are useful, for example, in the multi-layer board (MLB) industry, in the preparation of burn-in test boards and high reliability boards, in applications where low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is beneficial, in the preparation of boards used in down-hole drilling, and the like.

Abstract: To improve the long-term cycle performance of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-ion capacitor by minimizing the decomposition reaction of an electrolytic solution and the like as a side reaction of charge and discharge in the repeated charge and discharge cycles of the lithium-ion battery or the lithium-ion capacitor. A current collector and an active material layer over the current collector are included in an electrode for a power storage device. The active material layer includes a plurality of active material particles and silicon oxide. The surface of one of the active material particles has a region that is in contact with one of the other active material particles. The surface of the active material particle except the region is partly or entirely covered with the silicon oxide.

Abstract: An active material for a secondary battery, a secondary battery including the active material, and a method of preparing an active material, the active material including a silicon-based core; and an aluminum-based coating layer on at least a part of the silicon-based core.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing positive electrode materials for electrochemical cells and batteries. It relates, in particular, to a method for fabricating lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials for lithium cells and batteries. The method comprises contacting a hydrogen-lithium-manganese-oxide material with one or more metal ions, preferably in an acidic solution, to insert the one or more metal ions into the hydrogen-lithium-manganese-oxide material; heat-treating the resulting product to form a powdered metal oxide composition; and forming an electrode from the powdered metal oxide composition.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a method for producing a layered structure, comprising at least the following steps: Providing a substrate, applying a first liquid onto at least part of the substrate, drying the first liquid forming a first layer, applying a second liquid onto at least part of the first layer, drying the second liquid forming a second layer, whereby either the substrate and the second layer are electrically conductive and the first layer is insulating or whereby the substrate and the second layer are insulating and the first layer is electrically conductive. One aspect relates to a layered structure that can be obtained according to the method specified above.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor and method for making such a conductor are disclosed. The conductor comprises a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed over the copper core, an aluminum oxide dielectric layer formed over the layer of aluminum, and a thin polymeric layer formed over said aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The thin polymeric layer is preferably between about 30 microns (0.001?) and about 500 microns (0.02?) and is more preferably between about 45 microns (0.0015?) and about 250 microns (0.01?). The polymeric layer may be any polymeric material selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins. Other polymeric materials may be used. The polymeric layer may be formed by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, spraying, brushing, dipping, and powder coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a separator for an electrochemical device. The method contributes to formation of a separator with good bondability to electrodes and prevents inorganic particles from detaching during an assembling process of an electrochemical device.

Abstract: A component comprises a substrate having an alumina base layer, a transition layer, and a surface coating. The transition layer comprises alumina and silica, and the surface coating preferentially bonds to the silica as compared to the alumina.

Abstract: Compositions containing certain organometallic oligomers suitable for use as spin-on, metal hardmasks are provided, where such compositions can be tailored to provide a metal oxide hardmask having a range of etch selectivity. Also provided are methods of depositing metal oxide hardmasks using the present compositions.

Abstract: Methods to manufacture a three-dimensional battery are disclosed and claimed. A structural layer may be provided. A plurality of electrodes may be fabricated, each electrode protruding from the structural layer. A porous dielectric material may be deposited on the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A method for applying a fixed image onto at least one surface of a component in an electrochemical device is described. The component is usually formed of an alumina material. An image-forming material is first applied onto the component surface in its green state. The mark or image is applied in a desired pattern by an additive process, such as direct-write or screen-printing. The component is then heated at a sintering temperature sufficient to ensure conversion from the green state into a fired ceramic state. The sintering temperatures are also sufficient to fix the image upon the surface of the component. The image can be read by the human eye, or by various machine-readable techniques. Related methods for monitoring the location and status of a ceramic electrochemical cell component during its manufacture and during other processing steps are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aluminium oxide pastes and to a process for the use of the aluminium oxide pastes for the formation of Al2O3 coatings or mixed Al2O3 hybrid layers.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture of intermixed tunable resistance composite materials. A conducting material and an insulating material are deposited by such methods as ALD or CVD to construct composites with intermixed materials which do not have structure or properties like their bulk counterparts.

Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-layer composite porous film and a manufacturing method thereof. More particularly, a manufacturing method, which includes filling pores on at least one face of a polyolefin microporous film substrate using a solvent, and then, applying a coating solution that contains a polymer binder or the polymer binder and inorganic particles, to the film to form a porous coating layer, as well as the multi-layer composite porous film manufactured by the same, are disclosed. The method for manufacturing the multi-layer composite porous film according to the disclosure may provide a multi-layer composite porous film having excellent permeability and shutdown function, without clogging the pores, by improving a coating process. Moreover, if applying the foregoing porous film as a separator to a battery, the battery having superior performance and high safety may be manufactured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tilted-grid substrate of a negative electrode for a nickel-zinc battery, including a first zinc foil layer; a copper foil layer compounded on the first zinc foil layer; and a second zinc foil layer compounded on the copper foil layer. The present invention further provides an active material composition of a negative electrode for a nickel-zinc battery, a negative electrode for a nickel-zinc battery, the method for preparing the negative electrode, and a nickel-zinc battery. In the tilted-grid substrate of a negative electrode according to the present invention, the surface of zinc eliminates the needs for plating other metal, avoiding the incorporation of impurities.