Abstract: An energy storage device is provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a copolymer network including a polyoxide and a polysulfide. The polymer electrolyte membrane is prelithiated by deep discharging of the battery of in a voltage range of ?0.5 V to 5.0 V such that the polymer electrolyte membrane after deep discharging includes additional lithium ions stored therein as compared with prior to deep discharging.

Abstract: A conductive polymer material is provided that includes an electrically conducting monomer and a zwitterionic sulfate chemically attached to the monomer. The electrically conducting monomer is at least one of acetylene, pyrrole, thiophene, phenylenevinylene, paraphenylene and aniline. The zwitterionic sulfonate includes an imidazolium group or an ammonium group. A solid-state battery is also provided that includes the conductive polymer material in an electrode. The solid-state battery includes an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes the conductive polymer material.

Abstract: Implementations of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) include a current collector, an electrolyte layer, and an anode. The electrolyte layer may be a solid electrolyte layer. The anode may include one or more micro-pathways that extend between the current collector and the electrolyte layer. The micro-pathways may be constructed of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Each micro-pathway is in contact with the electrolyte layer and provides a direct pathway between the electrolyte layer and the current collector. The direct pathway created by the micro-pathways may be the shortest distance between the electrolyte layer and the current collector. Each of the one or more micro-pathways may be coated with electrocatalyst nanoparticles. A barrier material may be disposed between each micro-pathway and the current collector to prevent contact between the current collector and the electrocatalyst nanoparticles.

Abstract: A conductive polymer material is provided that includes an electrically conducting monomer and a zwitterionic sulfate chemically attached to the monomer. The electrically conducting monomer is at least one of acetylene, pyrrole, thiophene, phenylenevinylene, paraphenylene and aniline. The zwitterionic sulfonate includes an imidazolium group or an ammonium group. A solid-state battery is also provided that includes the conductive polymer material in an electrode. The solid-state battery includes an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes the conductive polymer material.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane having an anode side and a cathode side. An anode catalyst layer is on the anode side of the proton exchange membrane and a cathode catalyst layer is on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane. Each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer comprises a metal alloy. A gas diffusion layer is on each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer opposite the proton exchange membrane. A sacrificial intercalating agent is between the proton exchange membrane and one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, the sacrificial intercalating agent having sulfonate sites that attract metal cations resulting from dissolution of the metal alloy prior to the metal cations reaching the proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: Implementations of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) include a current collector, an electrolyte layer, and an anode. The electrolyte layer may be a solid electrolyte layer. The anode may include one or more micro-pathways that extend between the current collector and the electrolyte layer. The micro-pathways may be constructed of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Each micro-pathway is in contact with the electrolyte layer and provides a direct pathway between the electrolyte layer and the current collector. The direct pathway created by the micro-pathways may be the shortest distance between the electrolyte layer and the current collector. Each of the one or more micro-pathways may be coated with electrocatalyst nanoparticles. A barrier material may be disposed between each micro-pathway and the current collector to prevent contact between the current collector and the electrocatalyst nanoparticles.

Abstract: Cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries inhibit the parasitic polysulfide shuttle effect. The cathodes contain an active material support having a transition metal-containing nitrogen doped carbon developed to host the sulfur and suppress the diffusion of polysulfides into the electrolyte by retaining them in the high surface area nanostructured pores of the carbon while the transition metals serve as anchors for the soluble species due to the transition metals' affinity for sulfur. The cathodes 12 are gram scalable and have high surface area and high conductivity. The cathode active material support includes a nitrogen-containing polymer structure doped with a sulfide precursor of one or more transition metals selected from the group containing Fe, V, Mo, W, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn.

Abstract: Cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries inhibit the parasitic polysulfide shuttle effect. The cathodes contain an active material support having a transition metal-containing nitrogen doped carbon developed to host the sulfur and suppress the diffusion of polysulfides into the electrolyte by retaining them in the high surface area nanostructured pores of the carbon while the transition metals serve as anchors for the soluble species due to the transition metals' affinity for sulfur. The cathodes 12 are gram scalable and have high surface area and high conductivity. The cathode active material support includes a nitrogen-containing polymer structure doped with a sulfide precursor of one or more transition metals selected from the group containing Fe, V, Mo, W, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane having an anode side and a cathode side. An anode catalyst layer is on the anode side of the proton exchange membrane and a cathode catalyst layer is on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane. Each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer comprises a metal alloy. A gas diffusion layer is on each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer opposite the proton exchange membrane. A sacrificial intercalating agent is between the proton exchange membrane and one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, the sacrificial intercalating agent having sulfonate sites that attract metal cations resulting from dissolution of the metal alloy prior to the metal cations reaching the proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: Non-carbon support particles for use in electrocatalyst include a first metal oxide having a high surface area doped with an electrically conductive transition metal. An example of non-carbon support particle for use in electrocatalyst comprises titanium oxide particles doped with ruthenium.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane, a first layer contacting the membrane and consisting essentially of catalyst particles comprising non-carbon metal oxide support particles and precious metal particles deposited on the non-carbon metal oxide support particles, a second layer of carbon particles on the first layer and a gas diffusion layer in contact with the second layer.

Abstract: A composite electrocatalyst layer comprises catalyst particles having non-carbon metal oxide support particles and precious metal particles deposited on the non-carbon metal oxide support particles. Carbon particles are mixed with, but discreet from, the catalyst particles. The catalyst particles can be titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide support with platinum deposited on the support. Electrodes are produced using the composite electrocatalyst.