Abstract: A composition containing a carbon monofluoride admixture is provided. The carbon monofluoride admixture is generally in the form of layer having opposing upper and lower surfaces. Usually, an ion conducting or a solid electrolyte layer is position on one of the upper or lower layers of the monofluoride admixture. In some configurations, the ion conducting or a solid electrolyte layer can be alkaline metal aluminum oxide or alkaline metal aluminum fluoride. The alkaline metal is commonly lithium, and the alkaline metal aluminum oxide or alkaline metal aluminum fluoride is more commonly MzAlXy (M is one of alkali metals, X=O, F), Z commonly can have a value from about 0.5 to about 10 and y can have a value from about 1.75 to about 6.5, more commonly z can have a value from about 1 to about 5 and y can have a value from about 2 to about 4. The carbon monofluoride admixture can include a polymeric binder and one or more of a conductive carbon black and conductive graphite.

Abstract: A high energy/power density, long cycle life and safe lithium ion cell capable of long-term deep discharge/storage near zero-volt is described. The cell utilizes a near zero-volt storage capable anode, such as a spinel Li4Ti5O12, coupled to a high voltage, high-energy and/or high-power density cathode, such as LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4. The near zero-volt storage cell is rechargeable and affords safety advantages for battery transportation, storage, and handling, and significant cost reductions for cell maintenance. The cells produce high-energy and/or high-power densities and long cycle life. The cell anode, cathode, and separator active materials are coated with one or more protection or stability enhancing and/or conductivity enhancing materials to enhance electrochemical performance and to strengthen stabilities for long-term cycle life and storage life.

Abstract: An electrolyte is introduced into an electrochemical device, passed, via a first corrugation feature, through a first electrode of the electrochemical device, passed through an ion permeable separator, and contacted with a second electrode. The first or second electrode comprises a second corrugation feature in fluid communication with the first corrugation feature to contact the electrolyte across a portion of an active surface of the first or second electrode.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to advanced energy storage devices. Some embodiments include a separator that can prevent an internal short circuit leading to uncontrolled thermal runaway. The disclosure also includes methods for making and using the separators. Some embodies describe an entirely solid-state battery having a high-energy density. The battery can have a high specific capacity lithium metal anode with little, if any, lithium dendrite formation and/or penetration. The battery is devoid of liquid organic solvents. Some embodiments describe an electrochemical energy storage device having power requirements and an enabling power source possessing one or more of a usable form factor, a minimal rate of self-discharge, relatively low internal resistance to minimize battery polarization and an amenable rate capability and function over the requisite temperature range. Some embodiments describe a metal-sulfur battery electrochemical energy storage device and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A composition containing a carbon monofluoride admixture is provided. The carbon monofluoride admixture is generally in the form of layer having opposing upper and lower surfaces. Usually, an ion conducting or a solid electrolyte layer is position on one of the upper or lower layers of the monofluoride admixture. In some configurations, the ion conducting or a solid electrolyte layer can be alkaline metal aluminum oxide or alkaline metal aluminum fluoride. The alkaline metal is commonly lithium, and the alkaline metal aluminum oxide or alkaline metal aluminum fluoride is more commonly MzAlXy (M is one of alkali metals, X=O, F), Z commonly can have a value from about 0.5 to about 10 and y can have a value from about 1.75 to about 6.5, more commonly z can have a value from about 1 to about 5 and y can have a value from about 2 to about 4. The carbon monofluoride admixture can include a polymeric binder and one or more of a conductive carbon black and conductive graphite.

Abstract: A hybrid electrochemical energy storage device having the attributes of a high power supercapacitor and a lithium ion battery are described. The hybrid electrochemical energy storage device can be a pseudocapacitor with a cathode having a coated activated carbon powder having a coated activated carbon cathode. The coated activated carbon can provide for enhanced energy density and ion conductivity. The activated carbon powder is coated with metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal sulfides, metal phosphates, polymers, and ion conducting or solid electrolytes, and a mixture thereof. More specifically, the activated carbon powder can include two or more active materials, with one of the two or more active materials being carbonaceous particles that comprise from about 50 to about 100 wt % of the composition, and the other of the two or more active materials atomic deposition layers on the carbonaceous particles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to cathode materials for electrochemical energy cells, more particularly to metal/air electrochemical energy cell cathode materials containing silver vanadium oxide and methods of making and using the same. The metal/air electrochemical energy cell can be a lithium/air electrochemical energy cell. Moreover the silver vanadium oxide can be a catalyst for one or more of oxidation and reduction processes of the electrochemical energy cell.

Abstract: A hybrid electrochemical energy storage device having the attributes of a high power supercapacitor and a lithium ion battery are described. The hybrid electrochemical energy storage device can be a pseudocapacitor with a cathode having a coated activated carbon powder having a coated activated carbon cathode. The coated activated carbon can provide for enhanced energy density and ion conductivity. The activated carbon powder is coated with metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal sulfides, metal phosphates, polymers, and ion conducting or solid electrolytes, and a mixture thereof. More specifically, the activated carbon powder can include two or more active materials, with one of the two or more active materials being carbonaceous particles that comprise from about 50 to about 100 wt % of the composition, and the other of the two or more active materials atomic deposition layers on the carbonaceous particles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to thermally conductive polymer composites and particularly to thermal interface materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a suppression system in which a carrier gas and suppression liquid are contained in a common containment vessel and separated by a separation member. The separation is one or more of movable, deformable, or shape changing in response to pressure exerted by the stored gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical tool consisting of a potentiostat and user replaceable sensors and/or electrodes accompanied by an electronic memory that contains information that directs the potentiostat operation. The potentiostat is designed to operate with sensors employing a user customizable sensor and/or electrode memory. The customizable memory allows storing of information from a user and/or manufacturer related to a unique sensor identifier, calibration information, and/or an operational sequence to be employed by the potentiostat to properly operate the sensor and/or electrodes. A further aspect is to provide an electrode with pre-programmed electrode attributes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as explosives and/or drugs, using, in part, short bursts of energy light from a relatively low energy strobe. Embodiments include coupling the strobe with a detector for use in a portable hand-held unit, or a unit capable of being carried as a backpack. Embodiments further include placement of one or more stroboscopic desorption units and detectors in luggage conveyors systems, carry-on X-ray machines, and check-in counter locations. Embodiments further comprise the use of a strobe or another energy source to assist in maintaining the integrity of a SERS substrate surface operatively associated with the detector system, wherein the SERS substrate may be positioned in hand wand spaced apart from at least a portion of the detector. In another embodiment, the Raman excitation source may be located directly in the hand wand of a portable stroboscopic detection system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method and system is provided for detecting target materials using a combination of stroboscopic signal amplification and Raman spectroscopy techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus measures the presence of total residual oxidant species in aqueous environments. More specifically, the apparatus is operable to measure hypohalites (e.g., hypochlorite and hypobromite) in water containing halide salts using electrochemistry. The apparatus can be a sensor having four electrodes—a reference electrode, a working electrode, and two auxiliary electrodes. The fourth electrode, i.e., the second auxiliary electrode, can be used to generate ionized water near and in contact with the working electrode. The ionized water can clean the working electrode to minimize effects due to scaling or biofilm formation. As such, the working electrode does not need the capability to clean itself. Thus, other elements, originally believed to be unsuitable for use in saline aqueous environments, can be used for the electrodes, for example, gold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of carbon nanotubes and/or electrolyte structures in various electrochemical devices, such as ultracapacitors having an ionic liquid electrolyte. The carbon nanotubes are preferably aligned carbon nanotubes. Compared to randomly entangled carbon nanotubes, aligned carbon nanotubes can have better defined pore structures and higher specific surface areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite electrodes for electrochemical devices, particularly to carbon nanotube composite electrodes for high performance electrochemical devices, such as ultracapacitors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lithium-ion batteries in general and more particularly to lithium-ion batteries based on aligned graphene ribbon anodes, V2O5 graphene ribbon composite cathodes, and ionic liquid electrolytes. The lithium-ion batteries have excellent performance metrics of cell voltages, energy densities, and power densities.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as explosives and/or drugs, using, in part, short bursts of energy light from a relatively low energy strobe. Embodiments include coupling the strobe with a detector for use in a portable hand-held unit, or a unit capable of being carried as a backpack. Embodiments further include placement of one or more stroboscopic desorption units and detectors in luggage conveyors systems, carry-on X-ray machines, and check-in counter locations.

Abstract: An automated balloonsonde launcher and a method for an automated balloonsonde launch are disclosed. The automated balloonsonde launcher, for example, may comprise a collapsible protective cover forming an inner region for receiving a balloon, a gas inlet for receiving a gas, a gas outlet for mating with a balloon, a valve operable between the gas inlet and the gas outlet for inflating a balloon within the inner region of the protective cover. The launcher further comprises a controller that controls the valve to inflate a balloon within the protective cover, opens an opening in the protective cover and releases a balloon through the opening of the protective cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite electrodes for electrochemical devices, particularly to carbon nanotube composite electrodes for high performance electrochemical devices, such as ultracapacitors.