Abstract: A battery employing lithium-oxygen chemistry may include an anode comprising lithium, an electrolyte, and a porous cathode. The electrolyte may include a lithium-containing salt; a partially fluorinated ether, such as 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxolane; and a co-solvent selected from the group consisting of ethers, amides, nitriles, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the electrolyte does not include a cyclic carbonate ester, a sulfolane, or a sulfolane derivative. The porous cathode allows oxygen to come into contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: A battery employing lithium-oxygen chemistry may include an anode comprising lithium, an electrolyte, and a porous cathode. The electrolyte may include a lithium-containing salt; a partially fluorinated ether, such as 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxolane; and a co-solvent selected from the group consisting of ethers, amides, nitriles, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the electrolyte does not include a cyclic carbonate ester, a sulfolane, or a sulfolane derivative. The porous cathode allows oxygen to come into contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery employing lithium-oxygen chemistry may include an anode comprising lithium, an electrolyte, and a porous cathode. The electrolyte may include a lithium-containing salt; a partially fluorinated ether, such as 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxolane; and a co-solvent selected from the group consisting of ethers, amides, nitriles, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the electrolyte does not include a cyclic carbonate ester, a sulfolane, or a sulfolane derivative. The porous cathode allows oxygen to come into contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: A device includes a membrane that is: (i) impermeable to oxygen, and (ii) insoluble in at least one polar solvent; and ion conducting particles in the membrane. At least some of the particles extend from a first side of the membrane to an opposed second side of the membrane. The thickness of the membrane is 15 ?m to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A lithium-oxygen battery may include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between, and in contact with, the anode and the cathode. The anode may include lithium and/or a lithium alloy. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface that is predominantly metal oxide with an electron conductivity of at least 10?1 Siemens per centimeter. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface in contact with oxygen, and includes ruthenium oxide. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface that is substantially covered by ruthenium oxide and is in contact with oxygen.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: A battery employing lithium-oxygen chemistry may include an anode comprising lithium, an electrolyte, and a porous cathode. The electrolyte may include a lithium-containing salt; a partially fluorinated ether, such as 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxolane; and a co-solvent selected from the group consisting of ethers, amides, nitriles, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the electrolyte does not include a cyclic carbonate ester, a sulfolane, or a sulfolane derivative. The porous cathode allows oxygen to come into contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: A device includes a membrane that is: (i) impermeable to oxygen, and (ii) insoluble in at least one polar solvent; and ion conducting particles in the membrane. At least some of the particles extend from a first side of the membrane to an opposed second side of the membrane. The thickness of the membrane is 15 ?m to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A lithium-oxygen battery may include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between, and in contact with, the anode and the cathode. The anode may include lithium and/or a lithium alloy. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface that is predominantly metal oxide with an electron conductivity of at least 10?1 Siemens per centimeter. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface in contact with oxygen, and includes ruthenium oxide. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface that is substantially covered by ruthenium oxide and is in contact with oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for liquid separation and water purification. The present invention includes a purification membrane having a polymer matrix purification membrane that has been treated with hydroquinone, catechol, and/or dopamine coated membrane with a high water flux.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for liquid separation and water purification. The present invention includes a purification membrane having a polymer matrix purification membrane that has been treated with dopamine to form a polydopamine coated membrane with a high water flux and a high hydrophilicity.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and compositions for the reduction, prevention and elimination of biofilm formation on a surface. The present invention provides a method of depositing a coating material to reduce or prevent biofilm formation on a surface by adding a dopamine coating material to a liquid solvent to form a solution mixture, adjusting a pH of the solution mixture to 8, 9, or 10 and dissolving the dopamine coating material in the liquid solvent. The solution mixture is then placed into contact with one or more surfaces to form a dopamine coating on the surface to reduce biofilm formation.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for liquid separation and water purification. The present invention includes a purification membrane having a polymer matrix purification membrane that has been treated with dopamine to form a polydopamine coated membrane with a high water flux and a high hydrophilicity.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and apparatus for creating metal nanoparticles embedded in a carbonaceous char, the conversion of an carbonaceous char with embedded metallic nanoparticles to graphite-encased nano-sized metal particles surrounded by char, the separation of the graphite encased metal particles from the char matrix, and the related preparation and isolation of carbon nanosphere materials with or without the enclosed metal nanoparticles, and the uses of such carbon nanospheres and graphite enclosed metal nanoparticles as supports and enhancers for fuel cell electrocatalysts and other applications.