Abstract: Battery electrode compositions are provided comprising core-shell composites. Each of the composites may comprise, for example, an active material, a collapsible core, and a shell. The active material may be provided to store and release metal ions during battery operation, whereby the storing and releasing of the metal ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The collapsible core may be disposed in combination with the active material to accommodate the changes in volume. The shell may at least partially encase the active material and the core, the shell being formed from a material that is substantially permeable to the metal ions stored and released by the active material.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: Battery electrode compositions are provided comprising core-shell composites. Each of the composites may comprise, for example, an active material, a collapsible core, and a shell. The active material may be provided to store and release metal ions during battery operation, whereby the storing and releasing of the metal ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The collapsible core may be disposed in combination with the active material to accommodate the changes in volume. The shell may at least partially encase the active material and the core, the shell being formed from a material that is substantially permeable to the metal ions stored and released by the active material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for filling specially-designed beverage containers from the bottom through a one-way port. One embodiment of the invention employs an umbrella valve (19) mounted in a perforated stopper (18), which is interference-fitted into the bottom of a beverage container (11). When brought into contact with concentric o-ring seals (12,17) on a fluid delivery assembly (13), vacuum suction (14, 16) fixtures the beverage container (11) down to the fluid delivery assembly (13), creating a liquid-tight channel for fluids to be fed through. Fluids originate in a pressurized reservoir and are fed through a fluid feed-in (15), forcing the umbrella valve (19) open and allowing flow of fluid into the interior volume (20) of the beverage container. Upon completion of filling, the reservoir is depressurized, allowing the umbrella valve (19) to snap shut. The beverage container (11) can now be decoupled from the fluid delivery assembly (13) and employed as desired.