Abstract: Disclosed is a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive electrode including a positive active material; a negative electrode including a negative active material; an electrolyte solution including a lithium salt and a non-aqueous organic solvent; and a separator between the positive and the negative electrodes, the separator including a porous substrate and a coating layer positioned on at least one side of the porous substrate. The negative active material includes a Si-based material; the non-aqueous organic solvent includes cyclic carbonate including ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, or combinations thereof, the cyclic carbonate being included in an amount of about 20 volume % to about 60 volume % based on the total amount of the non-aqueous organic solvent; and the coating layer includes a fluorine-based polymer, an inorganic compound, or combinations thereof. The rechargeable lithium battery has improved cycle-life and high temperature storage characteristics.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a niobate material include the following steps: (i) providing a niobium-containing source; (ii) providing a transitional metal source (TMS), a post-transitional metal source (PTMS), or both; (iii) dissolving (a) the niobium-containing source, and (b) the TMS, the PTMS, or both in an aqueous medium to form an intermediate solution; (iv) forming an intermediate paste by admixing an inert support material with the intermediate solution; (v) optionally coating the intermediate paste on a support substrate; and (vi) removing the inert support material by subjecting the intermediate paste to a calcination process and providing a transition-metal-niobate (TMN) and/or a post-transition-metal-niobate (PTMN). Anodes including a TMN and/or PTMN are also provided.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a polyelectrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface; a fuel-electrode-side electrocatalyst layer bonded to the first surface and containing a first catalytic material, a first electrically conductive carrier, and a first polyelectrolyte, the first electrically conductive carrier carrying the first catalytic material; and an oxygen-electrode-side electrocatalyst layer bonded to the second surface and containing a second catalytic material, a second electrically conductive carrier, a second polyelectrolyte, and a fibrous material, the second electrically conductive carrier carrying the second catalytic material. The membrane electrode assembly contains voids, the voids including pores each having a size in a range of 3 nm or more and 5.5 ?m or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polyarylene ether-based polymer for an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell, represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. When the polyarylene ether-based polymer for an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell is applied to the manufacture of a membrane-electrode assembly through a decal process, the hot pressing temperature may be controlled to about 120° C. so as to conform to a low glass transition temperature. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problems of deterioration of an electrolyte membrane or incomplete transfer of an electrode catalyst layer, caused by the high hot pressing temperature applied in the case of the conventional hydrocarbon-based polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an ammonium vanadium phosphate of formula (NH4)(VO2)(HPO4). It also relates to a process for preparing a vanadium orthophosphate VPO4.

Abstract: An anode for an energy storage device includes a current collector having a metal oxide layer. A continuous porous lithium storage layer overlays the metal oxide layer, and a first supplemental layer overlays the continuous porous lithium storage layer. The first supplemental layer includes silicon nitride, silicon dioxide, or silicon oxynitride. The anode may further include a second supplemental layer overlaying the first supplemental layer. The second supplemental layer has a composition different from the first supplemental layer and may include silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or a metal compound.

Abstract: A copolymer including a monomer A with a molar ratio a varying between around 0.01 and around 0.20, a monomer B with a molar ratio b varying between around 0.2 and around 0.4, and a monomer C with a molar ratio c varying between around 0.50 and around 0.70, the monomer A being a hydrophilic monomer including a pendant chain of poly(ethylene oxide) (POE) with low molar weight, the monomer B being a hydrophobic monomer with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of around ?30° C. or less, the monomer C being a monomer that is more hydrophobic than the monomer Band having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of around 80° C. or more, said monomers being organised in a hydrophilic segment, a hydrophobic segment and an intermediate segment located between the hydrophilic segment and the hydrophobic segment.

Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell includes: an insert including a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer; a foamed body disposed on an outer side surface of the insert; and a frame covering an outer side surface of the foamed body such that a polymer resin is injected to the outer side surface of the foamed body while the polymer resin partly penetrates into the foamed body.

Abstract: A lithium ion conductor includes a compound of Formula 1: Li7-a*?-(b-4)*?-xMa?La3Zr2-?Mb?O12-x-?XxN???Formula 1 wherein in Formula 1, Ma is a cationic element having a valence of a, Mb is a cationic element having a valence of b, and X is an anion having a valence of ?1, wherein, when Ma comprises H, 0???5, otherwise 0???0.75, and wherein 0???1.5, 0?x?1.5, (a*?+(b?4)?+x)>0, and 0<??6.

Abstract: A composition of matter having the following chemical structure: ? H x ? O ( x - 1 ) 2 ? ? Z y wherein x is and odd integer ?3; y is an integer between 1 and 20; and Z is one of a monoatomic ion from Groups 14 through 17 having a charge value between ?1 and ?3 or a polyatomic ion having a charge between ?1 and ?3.

Abstract: A zinc bromine electrochemical cell comprises an anode-side subassembly, an insulating porous separator, and a cathode-side subassembly. The anode-side subassembly comprises an anode current terminal, an anode current collector, an anode support, an anode sheet, and an anode insulating net. The cathode-side subassembly comprises a cathode insulating mesh, a cathode graphite felt, a cathode sheet, a cathode current collector, and a cathode current terminal. The anode-side subassembly and the cathode-side subassembly are separated by the insulating porous separator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy device having excellent properties. Also provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a compound represented by the following Formula (1), wherein R11, R12 and R13 each independently represent an organic group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and R11 and R12, R11 and R13, or R12 and R13 are optionally bound with each other to form a 5-membered ring or a 6-membered ring, with a proviso that a total number of carbon atoms of R11, R12 and R13 is 7 or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium composite oxide having improved stability and electrical characteristics as a positive electrode material by inhibiting an interfacial side reaction in the lithium composite oxide and improving the stability of a crystal structure and ion conductivity, and a lithium secondary battery including the same.

Abstract: An electrolyte solution for a lithium ion secondary battery, containing a compound (1) represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a C1-C4 alkyl group optionally containing an ether bond, and wherein chloride ion is present at a concentration of 1.0×10?6 to 1.0×103 ppm. Also disclosed is an electrolyte solution for a lithium ion secondary battery, containing an imidazolium cation (1-1) represented by the following formula (1-1), a bis(oxalato)borate anion, and a hexafluorophosphate anion, the formula (1-1) being: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a C1-C4 alkyl group optionally containing an ether bond, and wherein chloride ion is present at a concentration of 1.0×10?6 to 1.0×103 ppm.

Abstract: A method for producing conductive materials from Nb-doped TiO2-particles, in which Nb-doped TiO2-particles are pressed to form bodies and the bodies are treated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and at a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods are provided for tailoring multi-step chemical reactions having competing elementary steps using a strained catalyst. In various aspects, a layered piezo-catalytic system is provided, and may include a metal catalyst overlayer disposed on a piezo-electric substrate. The methods include applying a voltage bias to the piezo-electric substrate of the piezo-catalytic system resulting in a strained catalyst having an altered catalytic activity as a result of one or both of a compressive stress and tensile stress. The methods include exposing reagents for at least one step of the multi-step chemical reaction to the strained catalyst, and catalyzing the at least one step of the multi-step chemical reaction. In various aspects, the methods may include using an oscillating voltage bias applied to the piezo-electric substrate.

Abstract: A solid-state ion conductor includes a compound of Formula 1: Li(6-a)x+2y-b*z-6A1?xMaxOyXbz??Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, A is an element having an oxidation state of +6, M is an element having an oxidation state of a, wherein a is +2, +3, +4, +5, or a combination thereof, X is an element having an oxidation state of b, wherein b is ?1, ?3, or a combination thereof, and 2<[(6?a)x+2y?b*z?6]?6.5, 0?x?1, y>0, and z?0.

Abstract: A sodium-ion conducting NaSICON ceramic can be densified via the addition of a solvent to a NaSICON powder and subsequent pressing under high pressure and mild heat. Densification to ˜90% relative density can be achieved, providing a path toward low-temperature fabrication of Na-ion conductors.

Abstract: The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo6Z8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo6Z18-yZ2y (Z1=sulfur; Z2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu1Mo6S8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu1-xMgxMo6S8 and the precursors have a general formula of MxMo6Z8 or MxMo6Z18-yZ2y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

Abstract: A secondary battery is provided with first and second electrode assembly bodies and first and second negative electrode tab groups. The first and second negative electrode tab groups respectively have collected foil portions each constituted by a plurality of collected tab portions and extension portions. The extension portions of the respective tab groups have portions-to-be-welded and step portions. In the step portions, the plurality of tabs are laminated in a state that the end portions thereof are shifted in a step-like manner. The secondary battery is provided with an overlapped portion where the step portions of the first negative electrode tab group and the second negative electrode tab group are overlapped with each other in the lamination direction of the negative electrode tabs.