Abstract: A metal alloy for use in a wire included in an electrochemical cell is disclosed having an amorphous structure, microcrystalline grains, or grains that are sized less than about one micron. In various embodiments, the microcrystalline grains are not generally longitudinally oriented, are variably oriented, or are randomly oriented. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains lack uniform grain size or are variably sized. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains have an average grain size of less than or equal to 5 microns. In some embodiments, the metal alloy lacks long-range crystalline order among the microcrystalline grains. In some embodiments, the wire is used in a substrate used in the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the metal alloy is formed using a co-extrusion process comprising warming up the metallic alloy and applying pressure and simultaneously passing a core material through a die to obtain a composite structure.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes each including a first charged sector and a second charged sector. The plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate. The charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign. The device also comprises a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange, between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes each including a first charged sector and a second charged sector. The plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate. The charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign. The device also comprises a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange, between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.

Abstract: Components and systems for energy storage and conversion devices are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode for providing ionic transport. The system may also include a hydrophobic portion on the separator. The hydrophobic portion may comprise hydrophobic pathways formed on the surface of the separator. The system may also include a hydrophilic portion on the separator. Another exemplary system may include an absorptive glass mat separator having a hydrophobic portion and a textured PVC separator. An exemplary method may include manufacturing the separator and applying a hydrophobic portion on the separator. The method may also include applying a hydrophilic portion to the separator.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes, wherein each layer electrode includes a first charged sector and a second charged sector, wherein the second charged sector is charged oppositely compared to the first charged sector, and wherein the plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate, wherein the charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign; a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.

Abstract: An electrode and a lead-acid battery including the same are disclosed. The electrode comprises active material comprising lead and a carbon additive configured to increase a charge input of the lead-acid battery by at least 17%, relative to a negative electrode without the carbon additive.

Abstract: A disclosed energy storage system for an application having an energy requirement and a power requirement may include a first component configured to provide the energy requirement of the application and a second component configured to provide the power requirement of the application. At least one of a volume, mass, weight, or cost of the combination of the first component and the second component may be less than a volume, mass, weight, or cost needed for either the first component or the second component to provide the energy requirement and the power requirement of the application. An anode of the second component may comprise lithium titanate.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery is disclosed, wherein the battery comprises battery modules connected in series, a sealed container, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal. A battery module, in turn, comprises one or more cell assemblies electrically connected in parallel. Next in the hierarchical design, each cell assembly comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series. Finally, each electrochemical cell comprises a cathode and an anode ionically connected via a separator. In some embodiments, the plurality of modules are disposed within a common cavity in fluid communication via a common fluid. In some embodiments, each battery module has an electric potential of approximately 12 V. In some embodiments, the battery comprises four battery modules and provides a minimum electric potential of approximately 48V.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes each including a first charged sector and a second charged sector. The plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate. The charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign. The device also comprises a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange, between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a series of improvements to the positive active material and negative active material of electrochemical cells. In particular, the present disclosure describes improvements in the lead oxide powder, processing, and additives used to make the positive active material and negative active material for pastes used to make electrodes for lead acid batteries. The present disclosure describes materials and processing that enable the formation of positive active materials having density comparable to conventional material but with substantially higher porosity and improved mechanical properties and the formation of negative active materials using substantially shorter and less energy intensive processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a lead-acid battery having higher specific power and specific energy than prior known lead-acid batteries. A lead-acid electrochemical storage device is provided, comprising a specific power of between about 650 and about 3,050 Watts/kilogram; and a specific energy of between about 10 and about 80 Watt-hours/kilogram. In some embodiments, the device has a cycle life of greater than 150 cycles and is adapted for use in a vehicle application. The application comprises stop/start or the partial or complete electrification of the vehicle propulsion system. The device may have a bipolar or pseudo-bipolar design, multiple cells disposed within a common casing, and the cells are connected ionically within each cell and electronically between cells.

Abstract: A battery module for an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle having two or more battery components having different electrochemistries.

Abstract: A metal alloy for use in a wire included in an electrochemical cell is disclosed having an amorphous structure, microcrystalline grains, or grains that are sized less than about one micron. In various embodiments, the microcrystalline grains are not generally longitudinally oriented, are variably oriented, or are randomly oriented. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains lack uniform grain size or are variably sized. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains have an average grain size of less than or equal to 5 microns. In some embodiments, the metal alloy lacks long-range crystalline order among the microcrystalline grains. In some embodiments, the wire is used in a substrate used in the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the metal alloy is formed using a co-extrusion process comprising warming up the metallic alloy and applying pressure and simultaneously passing a core material through a die to obtain a composite structure.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes, wherein each layer electrode includes a first charged sector and a second charged sector, wherein the second charged sector is charged oppositely compared to the first charged sector, and wherein the plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate, wherein the charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign; a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode plates. Each electrode plate includes a current collector having a first portion and a second portion, and each first and second portion having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The first and second surfaces of the first portion include a positively charged active material, and the first and second surfaces of the second portion include a negatively charged active material. In addition, the plurality of electrode plates includes at least two electrode plates, such that the electrochemical cell is arranged with a first portion of one plate electrochemically connected to a second portion of a second plate.

Abstract: An improved substrate is disclosed for an electrode of an electrochemical cell. The improved substrate includes a core material surrounded by a coating. The coating is amorphous such that the coating includes substantially no grain boundaries. The core material may be one of lead, fiber glass, and titanium. The coating may be one of lead, lead-dioxide, titanium nitride, and titanium dioxide. Further, an intermediate adhesion promoter surrounds the core material to enhance adhesion between the coating and the core material.

Abstract: An elevated pressure power plant or system is disclosed that provides for cleanly and efficiently oxidizing or combusting a fuel, such as a fossil fuel, as follows. The fuel and an oxidant are passed to a reaction chamber, and the fuel is oxidized in the chamber at a pressure that is preferably substantially within a range of from approximately 700 psia to approximately 2000 psia and that is more preferably substantially within a range of from approximately 850 psia to approximately 1276 psia. A coolant is passed to the reaction chamber in a heat exchange relationship with the fuel and oxidant. The pressure of the reaction chamber is selected so that it is greater than or equal to a liquid-vapor equilibrium pressure of carbon dioxide at the temperature at which the coolant is passed to the reaction chamber.