Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal battery having a negative electrode that comprises a substantially pure lithium metal and a positive electrode that comprises the epsilon polymorph of vanadyl phosphate (?-VOPO4). The lithium metal can have less than five ppm of non-metallic elements by mass. The ?-VOPO4 can be made from solvothermally synthesized H2VOPO4, and be optimized to reversibly intercalate two Li-ions to reach full theoretical capacity with a coulombic efficiency of 98%. This material can adopt a stable 3D tunnel structure and can extract two Li-ions per vanadium ion, giving a theoretical capacity of 305 mAh/g, with an upper charge/discharge plateau at around 4.0 V, and one lower at around 2.5 V. The ?-VOPO4 particles may be modified with niobium (Nb) to improve the cycling stability.

Abstract: Methods are proposed for manufacturing dendrite-resistant lithium metal electrodes suitable for incorporation into lithium metal batteries. In an embodiment, the method involves first electroplating a copper sheet onto a surface of a single crystal of silicon, the silicon being doped to form a p-type or an n-type semiconductor, and then further electroplating the copper sheet with lithium metal. The lithium-electroplated copper sheet thus manufactured provides a lithium electrode that is resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries when compared to conventionally manufactured lithium electrodes. Methods are further provided of manufacturing lithium sheets by directly electroplating lithium metal onto single crystals of doped silicon, the lithium sheets configured for incorporation into lithium metal electrodes that are resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries.

Abstract: Methods are proposed for manufacturing dendrite-resistant lithium metal electrodes suitable for incorporation into lithium metal batteries. In an embodiment, the method involves first electroplating a copper sheet onto a surface of a single crystal of silicon, the silicon being doped to form a p-type or an n-type semiconductor, and then further electroplating the copper sheet with lithium metal. The lithium-electroplated copper sheet thus manufactured provides a lithium electrode that is resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries when compared to conventionally manufactured lithium electrodes. Methods are further provided of manufacturing lithium sheets by directly electroplating lithium metal onto single crystals of doped silicon, the lithium sheets configured for incorporation into lithium metal electrodes that are resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries.

Abstract: Methods are proposed for manufacturing dendrite-resistant lithium metal electrodes suitable for incorporation into lithium metal batteries. In an embodiment, the method involves first electroplating a copper sheet onto a surface of a single crystal of silicon, the silicon being doped to form a p-type or an n-type semiconductor, and then further electroplating the copper sheet with lithium metal. The lithium-electroplated copper sheet thus manufactured provides a lithium electrode that is resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries when compared to conventionally manufactured lithium electrodes. Methods are further provided of manufacturing lithium sheets by directly electroplating lithium metal onto single crystals of doped silicon, the lithium sheets configured for incorporation into lithium metal electrodes that are resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries.

Abstract: A rechargeable, self-heating aluminum-chalcogen battery is provided, with an aluminum or aluminum alloy negative electrode, a positive electrode of elemental chalcogen, and a mixture of chloride salts providing a molten salt electrolyte. The predominant chloride salt in the electrolyte is AlCh. Additional chloride salts are chosen from alkali metal chlorides. The cell operates at a modestly elevated temperatures, ranging from 90° C. to 250° C.

Abstract: Provided herein are a two-stage method and a system for extracting lithium from lithium ore. The method comprises extracting lithium from lithium ore and transferring the lithium to a molten metal, thereby forming a lithium-rich molten metal alloy, and transferring the lithium from the lithium-rich molten metal alloy to a conductive substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Abstract: Methods are proposed for extracting transition metal oxides from scrap batteries by dissolving the metal oxides in a glass-forming oxide melt, followed by electrolytic reduction of the transition metal onto the cathode of an electrolytic cell. Suitable glass-forming oxide melts include borate and pyrophosphate melts with added Na2O or NaF. The method is particularly suited to the recovery of cobalt, nickel, and manganese from scrap battery and electronic materials. A preferred recycling process includes first recovering lithium metal from scrap battery material, and then extracting transition metal oxides from the lithium-depleted material.

Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Abstract: A method of and system for electrolytic production of reactive metals is presented. The method includes providing a molten oxide electrolytic cell including a container, an anode, and a current collector and disposing a molten oxide electrolyte within the container and in ion conducting contact with the anode and the current collector. The electrolyte includes a mixture of at least one alkaline earth oxide and at least one rare earth oxide. The method also includes providing a metal oxide feedstock including at least one target metal species into the molten oxide electrolyte and applying a current between the anode and the current collector, thereby reducing the target metal species to form at least one molten target metal in the container.

Abstract: An electropositive metal electrode coated by an ion-selective conformable polymer provides the negative electrode and the solid-state electrolyte for a rechargeable bi-electrolyte displacement battery that further includes a molten salt electrolyte having a melting temperature below 140° C. interposed between the conformable polymer coating and a positive electrode. Suitable electropositive metals include lithium, sodium, magnesium, and aluminum and the molten salt incorporates a soluble salt of the metal of the negative electrode. Positive electrodes may incorporate metals including Fe, Ni, Bi, Pb, Zn, Sn, and Cu, and thanks to the ion-selective conformable solid-state electrolyte the molten salt is able to incorporate a soluble salt of the metal of the positive electrode. The conformable polymer-coated electropositive metal electrode may be manufactured by a process involving electroplating electropositive metal through a conformable polymer-coated conductive substrate.

Abstract: A conformable polymer coated lithium metal electrode provides the negative electrode and the solid electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium metal battery that further includes an inorganic molten salt electrolyte having a melting temperature below 140° C. interposed between the conformable polymer coating and a positive electrode. In some embodiments, the conformable polymer is a block or graft copolymer. Optionally, the positive electrode includes elemental sulfur in a conductive matrix. The conformable polymer coated lithium metal electrode may be manufactured by a process involving electroplating lithium metal through a conformable polymer coated conductive substrate. The conformable polymer coated conductive substrate may be prepared by coating the conductive substrate in a conformable polymer solution followed by evaporating the solvent. Alternatively, a lithium metal electrode may be coated directly with conformable polymer.

Abstract: A lithium metal electrode comprises a layer of lithium metal coating a conductive substrate, the layer of lithium metal having no more than five ppm of non-metallic elements by mass. The layer of lithium metal is in turn coated with a lithium ion conductive conformable polymer, thereby providing the negative electrode and the solid electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium metal battery that further includes a positive electrode. Optionally, the positive electrode includes elemental sulfur in a conductive matrix. The conformable polymer coated lithium metal electrode may be manufactured by a process involving electroplating lithium metal through a conformable polymer coated conductive substrate, for which the conformable polymer coated conductive substrate has been prepared by coating the conductive substrate in a solution of the conformable polymer followed by evaporating the solvent. Alternatively, a lithium metal electrode may be coated directly with conformable polymer.

Abstract: A block or graft copolymer coated lithium metal electrode provides the negative electrode and the solid electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium metal battery that further includes a positive electrode. Optionally, the positive electrode includes elemental sulfur in a conductive matrix. The copolymer coated lithium metal electrode may be manufactured by a process involving electroplating lithium metal through a copolymer coated conductive substrate, for which the copolymer coated conductive substrate has been prepared by coating the conductive substrate in a copolymer solution followed by evaporating the solvent. Alternatively, a lithium metal electrode may be coated directly with copolymer. Rechargeable lithium batteries according to embodiments of the invention have improved cycle life and combustion resistance compared to lithium metal batteries manufactured by conventional methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are proposed for controlling the electroplating of lithium metal onto negative electrodes to allow for more rapid recharging of lithium metal batteries while minimizing dendrite formation. Based on the power spectrum of the electrochemical noise, characteristic signals of dendrite formation are monitored, and when these signals are observed, alternating and direct current voltages are modulated in order to vitiate dendrite formation.

Abstract: Methods are proposed for manufacturing dendrite-resistant lithium metal electrodes suitable for incorporation into lithium metal batteries. In an embodiment, the method involves first electroplating a copper sheet onto a surface of a single crystal of silicon, the silicon being doped to form a p-type or an n-type semiconductor, and then further electroplating the copper sheet with lithium metal. The lithium-electroplated copper sheet thus manufactured provides a lithium electrode that is resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries when compared to conventionally manufactured lithium electrodes. Methods are further provided of manufacturing lithium sheets by directly electroplating lithium metal onto single crystals of doped silicon, the lithium sheets configured for incorporation into lithium metal electrodes that are resistant to dendrite formation during cycling of lithium metal batteries.

Abstract: A rechargeable, self-heating aluminum-chalcogen battery is provided, with an aluminum or aluminum alloy negative electrode, a positive electrode of elemental chalcogen, and a mixture of chloride salts providing a molten salt electrolyte. The predominant chloride salt in the electrolyte is AlCl3. Additional chloride salts are chosen from alkali metal chlorides. The cell operates at a modestly elevated temperatures, ranging from 90° C. to 250° C.

Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Abstract: An electrochemical cell including: a negative electrode including calcium and an alkali metal; a positive electrode including one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Zn, Ga, Ge, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Te, Bi, Pb, Sb, Zn, Sn and Mg; and an electrolyte including a salt of calcium and a salt of the alkali metal. The electrolyte is configured to allow the cations of the calcium and alkali metal to be transferred from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharging and to be transferred from the positive electrode to the negative electrode during charging. The electrolyte exists as a liquid phase and one or both of the negative electrode and the positive electrode exists as liquid or partially liquid phases at operating temperatures of the electrochemical cell.