Abstract: This disclosure provides a reactor system that includes a microwave energy source that generates a microwave energy, a field-enhancing waveguide (FEWG) coupled to the microwave source. The FEWG includes a field-enhancing zone having a cross-sectional area that decreases along a length of the FEWG. The field-enhancing zone includes a supply gas inlet that receives a supply gas, a reaction zone that generates a plasma in response to excitation of the supply gas by the microwave energy, a process inlet that injects a raw material into the reaction zone, and a constricted region that retains a portion of the plasma and combines the plasma and the raw material in response to the microwave energy within the reaction zone. An expansion chamber is in fluid communication with the constricted region facilitates expansion of the plasma. An outlet outputs a plurality of carbon-inclusive particles derived from the expanded plasma and the raw material.

Abstract: A disclosed water droplet sensing system and methods using split-ring resonators, which may be embedded within a material. In use, a component includes at least one split-ring resonator (SRR) which may be embedded within a material of the component. The at least one SRR may be formed from a composite material. Additionally, the at least one SRR may be configured to form a signal that is correlated with a concentration of water proximate to the at least one SRR. In some aspects, each SRR may resonate at a first frequency in response to an electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the material may be based on physical characteristics of the material (including fluid accumulation on the material).

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus includes sensors incorporated into adhesive material. In use, an apparatus may comprise an adhesive material and at least one split-ring resonator (SRR) disposed on or in the adhesive material. Additionally, the at least one SRR is formed from a carbon-containing material, and the adhesive material is a non-elastomeric material or a semi-rigid material. In some aspects, each SRR may resonate at a first frequency in response to an electromagnetic ping when the adhesive material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the adhesive material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the adhesive material may be based on physical characteristics of the adhesive material.

Abstract: A battery may include an anode, a cathode positioned opposite to the anode, a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode, an electrolyte dispersed throughout the cathode and in contact with the anode, and a dual-pore system. The anode may be configured to release a plurality of lithium ions. The cathode may include a plurality of pathways defined by a plurality of porous non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles and may include a plurality of carbonaceous structures each based on a coalescence of a group of the porous non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles. The dual-pore system may be disposed in the cathode and defined in shape and orientation by the plurality of carbonaceous structures. In some aspects, the dual-pore system may be configured to receive gaseous oxygen from the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery including an anode, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte dispersed throughout the lithium-sulfur battery is provided. The anode may output lithium ions. The cathode may be positioned opposite to the anode and have an overall porosity as defined by multiple non-hollow carbon spherical (NHCS) particles joined together to form tubular NHCS particle agglomerate. Pores may be associated with the overall porosity of the cathode and interspersed uniformly throughout the NHCS particles. In some aspects, each pore having a diameter between 1 nm and 10 nm; and each tubular NCHS agglomerate has a length between 5 micrometers (?m) and 35 ?m. Interconnected channels defined in shape by the NHCS particles may be joined to each other and the pores, where some interconnected channels may be pre-loaded with an elemental sulfur and retain polysulfides (PS). Retention of the polysulfides may be based on some NHCS particles.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: Acquisition of critical minerals via refinement from aqueous sources. Technological and geopolitical advantages inure to conflict-free refinement of rare materials including critical minerals used in production of energy storage devices, among other applications. Additionally, the applied “clean tech” methods advance environmental goals such as those given in the Paris Agreement. Various site-specific system configurations and corresponding site-specific methods of operation bring to bear a panoply of economically viable approaches to critical mineral refinement. In some approaches, electrical power needed to drive refinement is provided by selected site-specific renewable energy sources. Real-world implementations involve co-locating a dissociating reactor with a geothermal energy plant near a salar. Refined critical minerals are produced on site.

Abstract: A cathode for a battery including agglomerates of carbonaceous particles. Each carbonaceous particle includes a plurality of porous regions nested within each other. Each of the respective porous regions is characterized by one or more of a corresponding porosity or a corresponding pore density and a plurality of carbon fragments disposed across the plurality of porous regions. Each carbon fragment is separated from an adjacent carbon fragment by mesopores.

Abstract: Systems and methods for eliminating carbon dioxide and capturing solid carbon are disclosed. By eliminating carbon dioxide gas, e.g., from an effluent exhaust stream of a fossil fuel fired electric power production facility, the inventive concepts presented herein represent an environmentally-clean solution that permanently eliminates greenhouse gases while at the same time producing captured solid carbon products that are useful in various applications including advanced composite material synthesis (e.g., carbon fiber, 3D graphene) and energy storage (e.g., battery technology). Capture of solid carbon during the disclosed process for eliminating greenhouse gasses avoids the inefficiencies and risks associated with conventional carbon dioxide sequestration.

Abstract: Carbon composites, including carbon fibers, are disclosed and exhibit unique, advantageous mechanical properties, including inter laminar shear strength, compression strength, and resistance to forces applied at angles deviating from parallel to the longitudinal axis of the overall fiber. These improvements allow use of less material while conveying improved strength in myriad practical applications, reducing overall financial cost of fabrication, distribution, and practical utilization of resulting products. These advantages are optimized via utilizing inventive fabrication techniques that incorporate carbon filaments into carbon fibers, preferably incorporating carbon filaments including three-dimensional (3D) graphene platelets into said fibers. The filaments mechanically reinforce both individual fibers, as well as compositions including multiple fibers strung together in a single cord, by “crosslinking” the individual fibers with 3D graphene ligands.

Abstract: A disclosed airborne vehicle includes split-ring resonators (split ring resonators), which may be embedded within a material. Each split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. Each split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, each may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

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: A cathode with one or more carbonaceous regions positioned adjacent to one another. At least one region includes carbonaceous particles, where each particle includes carbon fragments and a deformable perimeter that may coalesce with adjacent particles. At least one region may include aggregates, where each aggregate may be formed of several particles joined to one another. Pores may be interspersed throughout the aggregates. At least one region may include agglomerates, where each agglomerate may be formed of a multitude of the aggregates joined to one other. At least one region has an electrical conductivity in an approximate range between 500 S/m to 20,000 S/m at a pressure of 12,000 pounds per square in (psi).

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery includes a casing, a top lid circumferentially welded to the casing, a negative contact surface positioned opposite the top lid, a positive terminal disposed within the casing, welded to the top lid, and configured as a mandrel, a glass insulator circumferentially wound around the mandrel, and a jelly roll including at least an anode and a cathode wound around the mandrel. The jelly roll may also include a top surface not in contact with the top lid, a bottom surface partially in contact with the negative contact surface, and partially in contact with a plurality of non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles disposed between the bottom surface of the jelly roll and the negative contact surface. At least some of the non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles may provide one or more electrically-conductive pathways between the bottom surface and the negative contact surface.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating electrochemical cells employing polymeric support systems rather than metal-based materials as a protective mechanism against mechanical and electrical damage include assembling components of the electrochemical cell. In addition to an anode, a cathode, and a porous separator, the components include a continuous network of precursors of a polymer support system. The continuous network is arranged in continuous pathway(s) extending throughout the interior of the electrochemical cell. Batteries may be provided with the continuous network of precursors in place, i.e., uncured, and curing may be performed post-fabrication and/or sale. Alternatively, curing may be performed during fabrication (or prior to sale), resulting in a continuous network of polymeric pathways extending throughout the volume of the cell and providing mechanical strength, e.g., by penetrating and physically coupling the various components of the cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: In some implementations, a metal air battery includes an anode and a cathode opposite to the anode. The cathode may be formed as a textured carbon-based scaffold and include an opening into the metal air battery. The metal air battery may include a nano-fibrous membrane (NFM) containing a liquid electrolyte and a functionalized carbon structure may be disposed between the cathode and the NFM. The functionalized carbon structure may allow moisture and oxygen from ambient air to permeate through the NFM and diffuse throughout the textured scaffold of the cathode. A moisture barrier layer may be laminated over the cathode and positioned, by a user, in one of two states. When in a first state, the moisture barrier layer may seal the opening. When in a second state, the moisture barrier layer may allow the moisture and the oxygen to enter the textured scaffold.

Abstract: Resonant sensors for environmental health risk detection are disclosed. A mechanical member may include at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator disposed on a surface of the mechanical member. Additionally, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may include a plurality of first carbon particles configured to uniquely resonate in response to an electromagnetic ping based at least in part on a concentration level of the first carbon particles within the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator. Further, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may be configured to resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a first state, and may be configured to resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a second state.

Abstract: A battery safety system includes a flow valve and a sensing device. The flow valve is disposed on a housing of the battery and includes a first valve that is embedded inside the housing and a second valve that intersects the housing. The first valve includes a cavity through which analytes released upon electrochemical reactions within the battery flow towards the second valve. The second valve extends through the housing to the outside, and defines an opening through which the released analytes exit the housing. The sensing device is disposed within the cavity of the first valve of the valve and is situated in a manner to be in fluidic contact with the released analytes as they flow from the inside of the battery to the outside. In some aspects, the battery safety system can detect a minute presence of one or more analytes.