Abstract: A method of producing a structured composite material is described. A porous media is provided, an electrically conductive material is deposited on surfaces or within pores of the plurality of porous media particles, and an active material is deposited on the surfaces or within the pores of the plurality of porous media particles coated with the electrically conductive material to coalesce the plurality of porous media particles together and form the structured composite material.

Abstract: A vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnace and method of using. A VIM is configured for use with metal-containing carbon powders. In operation, the metal-containing carbon powders are formed into a pellet so as to minimize or eliminate ejection of material during introduction of the pellet into the VIM processor. The VIM processor may be substituted or used in combination with a vacuum arc melt processing apparatus, an electron beam melt furnace, an ion plating furnace, a plasma flame source, a smelter, a traditional metal-metal melt furnace, or any equivalent. Pelletizing can be accomplished through use of a press or through application of any pelletizing technique and/or use of any apparatus that is able to generate pellets that have sufficient mass to avoid ejection from a VIM processor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lithium-sulfur battery in a cylindrical cell format is provided. In some aspects, the method includes providing an anode current collector and providing an anode on the anode current collector. The method may include depositing a protective layer on and along the length of the anode, providing a cathode current collector opposite to the anode, and providing a cathode on the cathode current collector. The method may include providing a separator between the anode and the cathode, disposing an adhesive carbon-containing layer along the bottom edge of the anode (e.g., to replace one or more conventional anode tabs), and dispersing an electrolyte throughout the lithium-sulfur battery. The method may include forming the lithium-sulfur battery in the cylindrical cell format by collectively winding into a jelly roll.

Abstract: Pyrolytic emissions often include molecularly decomposed hydrocarbons, as well as byproducts from pyrolytic processes. Unfortunately, legacy processing treats effluent streams, including pyrolytic emissions, as waste that is released into the air-even though such pyrolytic emissions streams often include greenhouse gases and pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter-the discharge of which contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. Disclosed herein are pyrolytic emissions looping systems that include several reactors where each of the several reactors converts different hydrocarbons into different useful end-products, thus providing a way to continuously recycle the effluent gas stream from pyrolytic processes.

Abstract: Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as associated physical characteristics and properties of the materials. In particular, particles comprising a metal lattice are characterized by having carbon (preferably graphene) disposed within the crystalline lattice structure thereof. The carbon is at least partially disposed in interstitial sites of the metal lattice, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt % of the total particle mass, with about 15 wt % to about 60 wt % being disposed in the interstitial sites, e.g., between basal planes, of the metal lattice. The carbon, moreover, is substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing covetic materials by exciting a hydrocarbon gas with pulse microwaves to form hydrocarbon radicals in a hot first region of a microwave reactor. Graphene nanoplatelets are formed by the nucleation, growth and assembly of the hydrocarbon radicals, and contact a metal melt introduced downstream of the hot region to produce a mixture of molten metal and graphene nanoplatelets which assemble in-flight to form covetic materials. Graphene planes are infused in the metal matrix to achieve carbon loadings of at least 60%.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lithium-sulfur battery in a cylindrical cell format is provided. In some aspects, the method includes providing an anode current collector and providing an anode on the anode current collector. The method may include depositing a protective layer on and along the length of the anode, providing a cathode current collector opposite to the anode, and providing a cathode on the cathode current collector. The method may include providing a separator between the anode and the cathode, disposing an adhesive carbon-containing layer along the bottom edge of the anode (e.g., to replace one or more conventional anode tabs), and dispersing an electrolyte throughout the lithium-sulfur battery. The method may include forming the lithium-sulfur battery in the cylindrical cell format by collectively winding into a jelly roll.

Abstract: Partially oxidized carbonaceous materials characterized by substantially homogenous, partially oxygenated surfaces thereof are enabled via microwave-assisted methods that are simple and fast. The exemplary methods include combining carbonaceous material(s), at least one mild oxidizer, at least one nucleophile, and an aqueous solvent system to obtain a mixture; and exposing the mixture to microwave radiation for a predetermined time to produce partially oxidized carbonaceous materials. The predetermined time may be in a range from about 5 seconds to about 2 hours, and the power of the microwave energy may be in a range from about 100 w to about 1700 W. The partially oxidized carbonaceous materials are characterized by a homogeneous distribution of oxygen content in surfaces thereof, in nonzero amounts up to about 10 at %, and a standard deviation of surface oxygen content in a range from about 0.1 at % to about 1.0 at %.

Abstract: A container includes a surface defining a volume of the container, a first resonance portion disposed on a first portion of the surface of the container using one or more first carbon-based inks, and a second resonance portion disposed on a second portion of the surface of the container using one or more second carbon-based inks different than the one or more first carbon-based inks. The first resonance portion can resonate within a first range of frequencies in response to one or more electromagnetic pings received from a user device, and the second resonance portion can resonate within a second range of frequencies in response to the one or more electromagnetic pings, the second range of frequencies being different than the first range of frequencies. In some instances, the user device may be a smartphone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or a near-field communication (NFC) device.

Abstract: An lithium-sulfur battery including an anode structure, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte is provided. The electrolyte may be dispersed throughout the cathode and in contact with the anode. An artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) may form on the anode, and a protective layer (e.g., that may be pinhole free) may form within and/or on the A-SEI to face the cathode. The protective layer may be formed from carbonaceous materials, which may provide exposed carbon atoms grafted with one or more ions, such as fluorine anions (F?), uniformly dispersed throughout the protective layer. In addition, the protective layer may include polymeric chains positioned generally opposite to each other. The polymeric chains may cross-link upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) energetic radiation to form a three-dimensional (3D) lattice having a defined cross-linking density suitable to trap one or more anions during discharge-charge operational cycling of the lithium-sulfur battery.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery may include a cathode, an anode structure positioned opposite to the cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte. In some instances, the anode structure may include an artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) that may form on and within the anode structure. A protective layer may form within and on the A-SEI, and may include exposed carbon surfaces formed by coalescence of several wrinkled graphene nanoplatelets with one another. Metal-containing substances may be decorated on and/or attached with at least some exposed carbon surfaces and regulate flow of lithium (Li+) cations within the lithium-sulfur battery and correspondingly moderate one or more of a plating rate or a de-plating rate of lithium onto the anode structure. The separator may be positioned between the anode structure and the cathode. The electrolyte may be dispersed throughout the cathode and in contact with the anode structure.

Abstract: Methods and system to learn precise sensing fingerprints based on machine learning integration are disclosed herein. In use, the system receives at least one first parameter associated with at least one sensor and associates the first parameter with a pre-identified first digital signature in a signature database. A machine learning system is trained based on the first parameter and the pre-identified digital signature. The system then receives at least one second parameter from the at least one sensor and determines that the second parameter is independent of a digital signature in the signature database. Using the machine learning system, a second digital signature for the second parameter is identified and saved in the signature database.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery including an anode, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte is provided. The lithium-sulfur battery may be formed as a jelly roll. The anode may output lithium cations (Li+) and a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) may be formed on the anode. A protective layer may be formed at least partially within and on the SEI. In addition, the protective layer may be positioned proximal to the anode and include wrinkled graphene nanoplatelets and fluorinated poly(meth)acrylates. For example, multiple wrinkled graphene nanoplatelets may be adjoined to one another by flexure points, where each flexure point may provide exposed carbon atoms. In this way, the fluorinated poly(meth)acrylates may be grafted onto at least some exposed carbon atoms. At least some fluorinated poly(meth)acrylates may be compatible with polymerization and cross-linking with one another responsive to exposure to one or more of free-radical initiators or an ultraviolet (UV) energetic environment.

Abstract: Myriad problems with state of the art lithium based batteries, particularly electrolyte systems thereof, including but not limited to polysulfide shuttling, formation of lithium dendrites and dead lithium during stripping and plating, thermal runaway, volumetric expansion, and strict requirements for electrolyte composition, are well documented in the art and remain major obstacles to realizing the unsurpassed potential for lithium-based batteries as ideal energy storage solutions. The inventive concepts presented herein address said challenges from a multi-pronged approach, revolutionizing the electrolyte system from different approaches to produce synergistic benefits, both within the individual approaches and particularly in combination. The inventive concepts improve electrolyte systems with respect to solvents, electron withdrawing compounds, lithium ion-transporting compounds, performance enhancing additives and chalcogenides.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to green battery recycling systems and critical mineral reclamation and refinement. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane in combination with electrodes in a redox configuration. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent reclamation processing steps. This reclamation may further allow for lithium to be converted to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, or purified to a minimum purity of 99.9% lithium by mass. These extraction and reclamation steps may performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for usage as a formative material for a lithium-sulfur battery cathode is provided. The composition of matter may include a carbon structure formed by multiple carbon particles interconnected to one another. Each carbon particle may include pores and exposed surfaces. In this way, an electrically conductive material (ECM) (e.g., silver and/or antimony) may be deposited in the pores and coated (e.g., conformally coated) on the exposed surfaces of respective carbon particles. In addition, at least some carbon particles may disintegrate and provide exposed surfaces prior to deposition of the ECM. For example, disintegrated carbon particles may have a greater surface-area-to-volume ratio than whole carbon particles, thereby providing an increased amount of surface area available for subsequent ECM deposition. In addition, in some aspects, an active material may be infiltrated in one or more carbon particles and pores.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery including an anode structure, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte is provided. A protective layer may form within the anode structure responsive to operational discharge-charge cycling of the lithium-sulfur battery. The protective layer may include a polymeric backbone chain formed of interconnected carbon atoms collectively defining a segmental motion of the protective layer. Additional polymeric chains may be cross-linked to one another and at least some carbon atoms of the polymeric backbone chain. Each additional polymeric chain may be formed of interconnected monomer units. A plasticizer may be dispersed throughout the protective layer without covalently bonding to the polymeric backbone chain. The plasticizer may separate adjacent monomer units of at least some additional polymeric chains. Increasing separation of adjacent monomer units increases a cooperative segmental mobility of the additional polymeric chains and ionic conductivity of the protective layer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to create porous surface coatings. In use, a surface material includes synthesized carbon-containing composite materials based on metallic particles and carbon particles, where the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials comprise a porosity characteristic, and satisfy at least one of: a heat transfer characteristic, a resistance to corrosion characteristic, or a non-ablative erosion characteristic. Additionally, the surface material includes a bonding layer disposed on a substrate to which the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials are bonded, and a surface layer comprising at least some of the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials, where a thermal characteristic of the surface layer is based on electron emissive cooling.

Abstract: A composite material, methods for its fabrication and example applications. The composite material comprises a polymer having a carbon allotrope incorporated into the polymer's crystalline structure. The material is characterized by a crystallinity greater than the native crystallinity of the polymer in the absence of the carbon allotrope being incorporated into the polymer's crystalline structure. The composite material is non-laminate, substantially excludes metals, ceramics, and cermets, and is electrically conductive. The carbon allotrope serves as a bridge between a first region of the polymer and a second region of the polymer. The fabrication method involves mixing a powder of polymer and carbon allotrope particles, suspending the powder in a solvent, spinning the solution into fibers, and drawing the fibers into a composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sensors-as-a-service ecosystem. In use, the system includes functions for receiving first sensor data at a sensors as a service platform, where the first sensor data corresponds to a first level of capabilities for a first sensor. The system also receives a selection of a sensor upgrade for the first sensor and provisions enhanced sensor capabilities for the sensor upgrade based on the selection. Furthermore, the system sends a sensor update with the enhanced sensor capabilities from the sensors as a service platform to the first sensor. Finally, the system receives second sensor data from the first sensor at the sensors as a service platform, where the second sensor data corresponds to a second level of capabilities for the first sensor.