Abstract: The present invention provides a vapour deposition method for preparing an amorphous lithium borosilicate or doped lithium borosilicate compound, the method comprising: providing a vapour source of each component element of the compound, wherein the vapour sources comprise at least a source of lithium, a source of oxygen, a source of boron, and a source of silicon, and, optionally, a source of at least one dopant element; delivering a flow of said lithium, said oxygen, said boron and said silicon, and, optionally, said dopant element; and co-depositing the component elements from the vapour sources onto a substrate wherein the component elements react on the substrate to form the amorphous compound; wherein the amorphous lithium borosilicate or doped lithium borosilicate compound has a lithium content in the range 40-65 atomic %, based on the combined atomic percentages of lithium, boron and silicon.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a component material for a battery cell.

Abstract: A method of processing a stack of layers to provide a stack of discrete layer elements, comprises the steps of: providing a stack of layers comprising: #a first layer (20) provided by a first material; #a third layer (16) provided by a solid electrolyte; and #a second layer (18) located between the first and third layers, the second layer having a thickness of at least 500 nm and being provided by a second material comprising at least 95 atomic % amorphous silicon; removing a through-thickness portion of the first layer (20) to form a first discrete layer element (20a) provided by the first material; removing a through-thickness portion of the second layer (18) to form a second discrete layer element (18a) provided by the second material, the second discrete layer element being located between the first discrete layer element (20a) and the solid electrolyte; and etching the third layer (16) using the second discrete layer element (18a) as an etching mask, to form a third discrete layer element (16a) provided

Abstract: A composite material for use as an electrode of an electrochemical cell comprises: a matrix that is provided by matrix particles that comprise an electrode active material; and a conductive fraction that is both electronically-conductive and ionically-conductive, the conductive fraction being provided by conductive particles that are distributed among the matrix particles. The conductive particles comprise either a material that is both ionically- and electronically-conductive; or a mixture of ionically-conductive particles and electronically-conductive particles, the electronically-conductive particles having a sphericity of at least 0.6. The conductive particles have a D90 value that is at least 10% of the D50 value of the matrix particles.

Abstract: A composite material for use as an electrode of an electrochemical cell comprises: a matrix that is provided by matrix particles that comprise an electrode active material; and a conductive fraction that is both electronically-conductive and ionically-conductive, the conductive fraction being provided by conductive particles that are distributed among the matrix particles. The conductive particles comprise either a material that is both ionically- and electronically-conductive; or a mixture of ionically-conductive particles and electronically-conductive particles, the electronically-conductive particles having a sphericity of at least 0.6. The conductive particles have a D90 value that is at least 10% of the D50 value of the matrix particles.

Abstract: A method of making a component for an energy storage device or an energy conversion device comprises the steps of: providing a sheet having a plurality of through-thickness apertures: forming a slurry comprising particles of a ceramic material: depositing the slurry onto the sheet having the plurality of through-thickness apertures; and sintering the slurry at a sintering temperature that is greater than 300° C. and less than or equal to 900° C.

Abstract: A component for use in an energy storage device or an energy conversion device comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part comprises particles of a ceramic material, and the second part is provided by a sheet having a plurality of through-thickness apertures. The second part is at least partially embedded in the first part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a doped hydrogen storage material according to the general formula: MgxByMzHn wherein: (i) the ratio of x/y is in the range of from 0.15 to 1.5; (ii) z is in the range of from 0.005 to 0.35; (iii) x+y+z equals 1; (iv) M=is one or more metals selected from the group of selected Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; (v) n is no more than 4y; and wherein x/y does not equal 0.5 and at least part of the doped hydrogen storage material is amorphous. The present invention further relates to the use of doped hydrogen storage materials according to the invention for storing hydrogen and a method for reversibly desorbing and/or absorbing hydrogen.