Abstract: Current collectors are critical components of conventional electrochemical cell design, and serve to conduct electricity generated within the electrochemical cell to an external environment of the electrochemical cell, typically to a machine or device electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell, e.g. via a plurality of leads, tabs, contacts, terminals, etc. Accordingly, current collectors conventionally comprise one or more highly electrically conductive (and, optionally, thermally conductive) materials, most often metal(s) or alloy(s) of iron, nickel, copper, etc. As a result, current collectors often represent a substantial contribution to the total mass of the electrochemical cell, and undesirably reduce the power-to-weight ratio of the resulting battery.

Abstract: Current collectors are critical components of conventional electrochemical cell design, and serve to conduct electricity generated within the electrochemical cell to an external environment of the electrochemical cell, typically to a machine or device electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell, e.g. via a plurality of leads, tabs, contacts, terminals, etc. Accordingly, current collectors conventionally comprise one or more highly electrically conductive (and, optionally, thermally conductive) materials, most often metal(s) or alloy(s) of iron, nickel, copper, etc. As a result, current collectors often represent a substantial contribution to the total mass of the electrochemical cell, and undesirably reduce the power-to-weight ratio of the resulting battery.

Abstract: Current collectors are critical components of conventional electrochemical cell design, and serve to conduct electricity generated within the electrochemical cell to an external environment of the electrochemical cell, typically to a machine or device electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell, e.g. via a plurality of leads, tabs, contacts, terminals, etc. Accordingly, current collectors conventionally comprise one or more highly electrically conductive (and, optionally, thermally conductive) materials, most often metal(s) or alloy(s) of iron, nickel, copper, etc. As a result, current collectors often represent a substantial contribution to the total mass of the electrochemical cell, and undesirably reduce the power-to-weight ratio of the resulting battery.

Abstract: Thick cathodes associated with cylindrical lithium-sulfur batteries. The cathodes include one or more structured layers of agglomerates of carbonaceous particles disposed on opposing sides of a cathode current collector. The structured layers on each side of the cathode current collector may be characterized by varying agglomerate size and thickness of the structured layers. The structured layers of agglomerates may improve electrochemical kinetics and sulfur utilization within thick cathodes. The structured layers of agglomerates may decrease the number of interconnection or failure points between agglomerates disposed across the thickness of the structured layers on each side of the cathode current collector and mitigate mechanical stresses during the formation of a cylindrical jelly roll. Lithium-sulfur batteries including thick cathodes.

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 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: 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 dual-layer gradient electrode structure is provided for optimizing power and energy density in batteries. In use, for an electrode of a lithium-based battery, the electrode includes a first layer above an electrically conductive substrate, the first layer including a first plurality of carbon aggregates having a first porosity. Additionally, a second layer is above, at least in part, the first layer, the second layer having a second porosity, and including a second plurality of carbon aggregates. The second plurality of carbon aggregates includes a first group of aggregates and a second group of aggregates. The first group of aggregates is characterized by a first porous structure, and the second group of aggregates is characterized by a second porous structure. Further, the second porous structure is characterized by a density greater than the first porous structure, and the second porosity is greater than the first porosity.

Abstract: Tires formed of one or more tire plies are disclosed. In some implementations, tire plies may include a temperature sensor that may detect a temperature of a respective tire ply. The temperature sensor may include one or more split-ring resonators (SRRs), each having a resonance frequency that changes in response to one or more of a change in an elastomeric property or a change in the temperature of a respective one or more tire plies. In some aspects, the temperature sensor may include an electrically-conductive layer dielectrically separated from a respective one or more SRRs.

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: Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as various advantageous physical characteristics, and associated properties of the resultant materials. In particular, particles comprising polymer matrices are characterized by having carbon disposed within the polymer matrix structure thereof. The carbon is primarily, or entirely, present at interstitial sites of the polymer matrix, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt %. The carbon, moreover, forms covalent bonds with both atoms of the polymer matrix and other carbon atoms present in, but not part of, the matrix. This facilitates substantially homogeneous dispersal of the carbon 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: 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 dissociative reactor with a geothermal energy plant near a salar or other source (preferably aqueous) of critical minerals therein. Refined critical minerals are produced on site.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery includes a casing having a length and a width, the casing including at least an anode and a cathode wound into a jelly roll oriented parallel to the length of the casing, an electrolyte disposed in the lithium-sulfur battery, a negative terminal extending along the length of the casing, and a positive terminal extending along the length of the casing, the positive terminal and the negative terminal parallel to one another.

Abstract: A composite material is provided. In some aspects, the composite material may include a combination of a thermoplastic resin mixed with a polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PPgMA). Carbon particles may be mixed in the combination. In this way, the composite material may include between 80 wt. % and 90 wt. % of the thermoplastic resin, between 0.5 wt. % and 15 wt. % of PPgMA, and between 0.1 wt. % to 7 wt. % of carbon particles. Carbon particles may have exposed carbon surfaces with carbon atoms bonded to molecular sites on adjacent PPgMA molecules. At least some carbon atoms may be oxidized with one or more of oxygen-containing groups. Oxidation of carbon atoms may be associated with an increase in at least some PPgMA molecules chemically bonding with adjacent carbon atoms per unit volume. In this way, interaction between carbon atoms and PPgMA molecules may maintain composite material density within +/?3% of thermoplastic resin density.

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 a metal anode, a cathode, a body, a nano-fibrous membrane (NFM), and a hygroscopic interphase layer disposed between the cathode and the NFM. The cathode may be a carbon-based textured scaffold including a plurality of macroporous pathways to distribute oxygen and water vapor supplied by ambient air throughout the cathode and into interior portions of the body. The NFM may include dry salts to produce a liquid electrolyte when exposed to water vapor delivered by the macroporous pathways of the cathode. The hygroscopic interphase layer may include a plurality of microporous pathways configured to drain excess quantities of the water vapor from the cathode and hydrate the dry salts with the water vapor.

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: In some implementations, a metal air battery includes a body defined by a metal anode and a cathode, a first separator layer disposed on the metal anode, a second separator layer disposed on the cathode, and a plurality of beads disposed within the body. The beads may confine a liquid electrolyte, and may be configured to release the liquid electrolyte into interior portions of the battery in response to a compression of the cathode into the body of the battery.

Abstract: A system for post-processing carbon powders includes a fluidized-bed reactor having an interior containing a fluidized-bed region. The system may include a gas feed source, a gas inlet value, a gas-solid separator, and an energy source coupled to the fluidized-bed reactor. Carbon nano-particulates may be loaded, in powder form, into the fluidized-bed region prior to operation. The gas feed source may output a gas-phase mixture into the interior of the fluidized-bed reactor, and the energy source may electromagnetically excite the gas-phase mixture and generate a plasma-phase mixture formed in a plasma region positioned adjacent to or within the interior of the fluidized-bed reactor. The energy source may be positioned at one or more positions relative to the gas inlet valve.