Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanofilament particles of SiOx in which x is between 0.8 and 1.2, the process including: a step of a fusion reaction between silica (SiO2) and silicon (Si), at a temperature of at least about 1410° C., to produce gaseous silicon monoxide (SiO); and a step of condensation of the gaseous SiO to produce the SiOx nanofilament particles. The process may also include using carbon.

Abstract: A multiple-material golf club head with an improved scarf joint between the crown and the body, and a method of finishing said golf club head is disclosed herein. The golf club preferably has a metal body comprising a striking face, a sole, a return portion, a bond flange, and a rear flange, and a composite crown having a scarf region, a step portion, and a constant thickness region directly behind the scarf region. The golf club is manufactured by providing a club head with a bond flange, providing a composite crown with a scarf region delineated by a front edge and a step portion and/or groove, bonding the scarf region to the bond flange to form an upper golf club head surface, and grinding the upper golf club head surface only from a location proximate the front edge to a location proximate the step portion and/or groove.

Abstract: Anode comprising an anode material, a protective material and a current collector is provided. The anode material is a mixture comprising an active material, at least one electronically conductive agent and at least one binder. The active material may be an alloy of silicon and lithium or an alloy of silicon oxide and lithium. There is provided a process for the preparation of the anode. Also, there is provided use of the anode in the fabrication of a battery.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanofilament particles of SiOx in which x is between 0.8 and 1.2, the process comprising: a step consisting of a fusion reaction between silica (SiO2) and silicon (Si), at a temperature of at least about 1410° C., to produce gaseous silicon monoxide (SiO); and a step consisting of condensation of the gaseous SiO to produce the SiOx nanofilament particles. The process may also comprising using carbon.

Abstract: A multiple-material golf club head with an improved scarf joint between the crown and the body, and a method of finishing said golf club head is disclosed herein. The golf club preferably has a metal body comprising a striking face, a sole, a return portion, a bond flange, and a rear flange, and a composite crown having a scarf region, a step portion, and a constant thickness region directly behind the scarf region. The golf club is manufactured by providing a club head with a bond flange, providing a composite crown with a scarf region delineated by a front edge and a step portion and/or groove, bonding the scarf region to the bond flange to form an upper golf club head surface, and grinding the upper golf club head surface only from a location proximate the front edge to a location proximate the step portion and/or groove.

Abstract: Method for preparing a particulate material including particles of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof, the method including: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers, optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. Method can include further steps of (c) drying the nanometer size particles, (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolyzing the mixture, thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or electrochemical storage energy apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanofilament particles of SiOx in which x is between 0.8 and 1.2, the process comprising: a step consisting of a fusion reaction between silica (SiO2) and silicon (Si), at a temperature of at least about 1410° C., to produce gaseous silicon monoxide (SiO); and a step consisting of condensation of the gaseous SiO to produce the SiOx nanofilament particles. The process may also comprising using carbon.

Abstract: Method for preparing a particulate material including particles of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof, the method including: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers, optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. Method can include further steps of (c) drying the nanometer size particles, (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolyzing the mixture, thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or electrochemical storage energy apparatus.

Abstract: Method for preparing a particulate material including particles of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof, the method including: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers, optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. Method can include further steps of (c) drying the nanometer size particles, (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolysing the mixture, thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or electrochemical storage energy apparatus.

Abstract: Method for preparing a particulate material including particles of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof, the method including: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers, optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. Method can include further steps of (c) drying the nanometer size particles, (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolyzing the mixture, thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or electrochemical storage energy apparatus.

Abstract: Anode comprising an anode material, a protective material and a current collector is provided. The anode material is a mixture comprising an active material, at least one electronically conductive agent and at least one binder. The active material may be an alloy of silicon and lithium or an alloy of silicon oxide and lithium. There is provided a process for the preparation of the anode. Also, there is provided use of the anode in the fabrication of a battery.

Abstract: Method for preparing a particulate material including particles of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof, the method including: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers, optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. Method can include further steps of (c) drying the nanometer size particles, (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolysing the mixture, thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or electrochemical storage energy apparatus.

Abstract: A process for purifying low-purity metallurgical grade silicon, contains at least one contaminant and obtains a higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon. The process includes containing a melt of low-purity metallurgical grade silicon in a mold having insulated bottom and side walls, and an open top; solidifying the melt by unidirectional solidification from the open top towards the bottom wall while electromagnetically stirring the melt; controlling a rate of the unidirectional solidification; stopping the unidirectional solidification when the melt has partially solidified to produce an ingot having an exterior shell including the higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon and a center including an impurity-enriched liquid silicon; and creating an opening in the exterior shell of the ingot to outflow the impurity-enriched liquid silicon and leave the exterior shell which has the higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: A process for purifying low-purity metallurgical grade silicon, contains at least one contaminant and obtains a higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon. The process includes containing a melt of low-purity metallurgical grade silicon in a mold having insulated bottom and side walls, and an open top; solidifying the melt by unidirectional solidification from the open top towards the bottom wall while electromagnetically stirring the melt; controlling a rate of the unidirectional solidification; stopping the unidirectional solidification when the melt has partially solidified to produce an ingot having an exterior shell including the higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon and a center including an impurity-enriched liquid silicon; and creating an opening in the exterior shell of the ingot to outflow the impurity-enriched liquid silicon and leave the exterior shell which has the higher-purity solid polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: A method for using relatively low-cost silicon with low metal impurity concentration by adding a measured amount of dopant and or dopants before and/or during silicon crystal growth so as to nearly balance, or compensate, the p-type and n-type dopants in the crystal, thereby controlling the net doping concentration within an acceptable range for manufacturing high efficiency solar cells.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying low-purity silicon material and obtaining a higher-purity silicon material is provided. The process includes providing a melting apparatus equipped with an oxy-fuel burner, and melting the low-purity silicon material in the melting apparatus to obtain a melt of higher-purity silicon material. The melting apparatus may include a rotary drum furnace and the melting of the low-purity silicon material may be carried out at a temperature in the range from 1410° C. to 1700° C. under an oxidizing or reducing atmosphere. A synthetic slag may be added to the molten material during melting. The melt of higher-purity silicon material may be separated from a slag by outpouring into a mould having an open top and insulated bottom and side walls. Once in the mould, the melt of higher-purity silicon material can undergo controlled unidirectional solidification to obtain a solid polycrystalline silicon of an even higher purity.