Abstract: Described are optical devices, such as photovoltaic modules that include features such as solar tracking, solar concentration, tandem cell arrangements, and thermal management to achieve high photovoltaic efficiency. The photovoltaic modules can be constructed using a variety of different materials and configurations or as a monoblock functionally graded structure to limit manufacturing, operational, and maintenance complexities while achieving high performance. The use of thermal management structures directly integrated into a photovoltaic cell can maintain such cells at desirable temperatures, which can be beneficial in optical concentrating configurations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nano-engineered coating for cathode active materials, anode active materials, and solid state electrolyte materials for reducing corrosion and enhancing cycle life of a battery, and various process for applying the disclosed coating.

Abstract: Described are optical devices, such as photovoltaic modules that include features such as solar tracking, solar concentration, tandem cell arrangements, and thermal management to achieve high photovoltaic efficiency. The photovoltaic modules can be constructed using a variety of different materials and configurations or as a monoblock functionally graded structure to limit manufacturing, operational, and maintenance complexities while achieving high performance. The use of thermal management structures directly integrated into a photovoltaic cell can maintain such cells at desirable temperatures, which can be beneficial in optical concentrating configurations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nano-engineered coating for cathode active materials, anode active materials, and solid state electrolyte materials for reducing corrosion and enhancing cycle life of a battery, and various process for applying the disclosed coating.

Abstract: A composition comprising an active material and method for forming the same. The method for manufacturing an active material can include preparing one or more polychalcogen containing liquids, preparing a graphene nanoplatelet containing liquid, preparing an organic acid liquid, and mixing the various liquids, which can be in the form of liquids, suspensions or emulsions, to form a mixture. Additionally, the method can include filtering the mixture to produce a filtrate, and drying the filtrate to produce the active material.

Abstract: A solid-state battery comprising at least one electrode stack that includes a solid-state electrolyte, cathode, and optionally an anode. The electrolyte can be an oxygen-free and carbon-free solid-state and alkali-conducting electrolyte that is processable in oxygen-containing atmospheres with room temperature ionic conductivity greater than 1 mS/cm and room temperature shear modulus greater between 1 GPa and 20 GPa. The cathode can be composed of an electrochemically-active material from Group 16 of the periodic table having a high surface area greater than 10 m2/g and contact with a conductive carbon material. The anode can be comprised of any material that can reversibly accommodate group 1 or group 2 elements or the base group 1 or group 2 element. The solid-state battery can utilize a solid-state electrolyte having a lithium-conducting sulfide electrolyte, of the formula U6PS5X (X=Cl, Br, I) with argyrodite structure and exhibiting ionic conductivity over 1 mS cm-1 at room temperature.

Abstract: A method for using an integrated battery and device structure includes using two or more stacked electrochemical cells integrated with each other formed overlying a surface of a substrate. The two or more stacked electrochemical cells include related two or more different electrochemistries with one or more devices formed using one or more sequential deposition processes. The one or more devices are integrated with the two or more stacked electrochemical cells to form the integrated battery and device structure as a unified structure overlying the surface of the substrate. The one or more stacked electrochemical cells and the one or more devices are integrated as the unified structure using the one or more sequential deposition processes. The integrated battery and device structure is configured such that the two or more stacked electrochemical cells and one or more devices are in electrical, chemical, and thermal conduction with each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nano-engineered coating for cathode active materials, anode active materials, and solid state electrolyte materials for reducing corrosion and enhancing cycle life of a battery, and processes for applying the disclosed coating. Also disclosed is a solid state battery including a solid electrolyte layer having a solid electrolyte particle coated by a protective coating with a thickness of 100 nm or less. The protective coating is obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) or molecular layer deposition (MLD). Further disclosed is a solid electrolyte layer for a solid state battery, including a porous scaffold coated by a first, solid electrolyte coating. The solid electrolyte coating has a thickness of 60 ?m or less and a weight loading of at least 20 wt. % (or preferable at least 40 wt. % or at least 50 wt. %). Further disclosed is a cathode composite layer for a solid state battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nano-engineered coating for cathode active materials, anode active materials, and solid state electrolyte materials for reducing corrosion and enhancing cycle life of a battery, and processes for applying the disclosed coating. Also disclosed is a solid state battery including a solid electrolyte layer having a solid electrolyte particle coated by a protective coating with a thickness of 100 nm or less. The protective coating is obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) or molecular layer deposition (MLD). Further disclosed is a solid electrolyte layer for a solid state battery, including a porous scaffold coated by a first, solid electrolyte coating. The solid electrolyte coating has a thickness of 60 ?m or less and a weight loading of at least 20 wt. % (or preferable at least 40 wt. % or at least 50 wt. %). Further disclosed is a cathode composite layer for a solid state battery.

Abstract: Carbon based electrodes for use in battery cells. The carbon-based electrodes can be a pure binderless carbon electrode. The electrode may further include a carbon nanotube-based interlayer comprising about 1-30% oxidized carbon nanotubes, wherein the interlayer can be configured to act as a secondary pathway to a current collector of a battery cell. Some of the formed cathodes can be used in battery cells including a lithium based anode and a separator formed between the cathode and anode. An electrolyte solution can be utilized to expose the cathode to an activated sulfur material.

Abstract: A method of making three-dimensional solid-state electrodes includes the steps of: providing a slurry of one or more active materials, a pore former and/or a solvent, a binder, and a conductive additive; casting the slurry to form a three-dimensional film; and drying, and removing the pore former from, the three-dimensional film to produce a three-dimensional structure characterized by a substantial number of pores having low tortuosity and having their longitudinal axes extend in substantially the same direction between upper and lower surfaces of the film.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells or batteries featuring functional gradations, and having desirable, periodic configurations, and methods for making the same. One or more methods, in alone or in combination, are utilized to fabricate components of such electrochemical cells or batteries, which are designed to achieve certain thermal, mechanical, kinetic and spatial characteristics, and their effects, singly and in all possible combinations, on battery performance. The thermal characteristics relate to temperature distribution during charge and discharge processes. The kinetic characteristics relate to rate performance of the cells or batteries such as the ionic diffusion process and electron conduction. The mechanical characteristics relate to lifetime and efficiency of the cells or batteries such as the strength and moduli of the component materials. Finally, the spatial characteristics relate to the energy and power densities, stress and temperature mitigation mechanisms, and diffusion and conduction enhancements.

Abstract: Microscopically ordered solid electrolyte architectures for solid-state and hybrid Li ion batteries are disclosed. The architecture comprises at least one porous scaffold comprising a lithium conducting ceramic that is porous enough to be infiltrated with cathode or anode active material in an amount sufficient to enable energy densities greater than 300 Wh/kg. Methods of making these microscopically ordered solid electrolyte architecture by fabricating at least one green ceramic scaffold and applying at least one heat treatment step are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid state or bulk hybrid batteries comprising a plurality of composite electrodes with high loading of electrochemically-active materials, a dendrite-blocking separator placed between the anode and the cathode, a secondary phase between the electrochemically-active materials and the solid-state or hybrid electrolyte and methods thereof are disclosed. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An all solid-state Li-ion battery having a mechanically flexible, ceramic, solid-state electrolyte having a lithium-conducting oxide composition selected from the group consisting of perovskite-type oxides, NASICON-structured lithium electrolytes, and garnet-type structures containing transition metal oxides. In particular, the garnet cubic lithiumlanthanium zirconium oxide (c-LLZO), c-LLZO-LSPO composite and various lithium ion conducting sulfides are disclosed.

Abstract: An anode of a battery includes active material particles each coated with a metal oxide to form a nanoscale conformal shell there around. The shells are configured to, during charge, confine reduction of the active material particles to within the shells and to prevent dendritic growth and shape change.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system comprising a plurality of solid state rechargeable battery cells configured to power a drivetrain. In accordance with once aspect of the invention, a transportation system that is powered at least in part by electricity stored in the form of rechargeable electrochemical cells. According to an embodiment of the present invention, these cells are combined in series and in parallel to form a pack that is regulated by charge and discharge control circuits that are programmed with algorithms to monitor state of charge, battery lifetime, and battery health.

Abstract: A method for using an integrated battery and device structure includes using two or more stacked electrochemical cells integrated with each other formed overlying a surface of a substrate. The two or more stacked electrochemical cells include related two or more different electrochemistries with one or more devices formed using one or more sequential deposition processes. The one or more devices are integrated with the two or more stacked electrochemical cells to form the integrated battery and device structure as a unified structure overlying the surface of the substrate. The one or more stacked electrochemical cells and the one or more devices are integrated as the unified structure using the one or more sequential deposition processes. The integrated battery and device structure is configured such that the two or more stacked electrochemical cells and one or more devices are in electrical, chemical, and thermal conduction with each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell. The method includes generating spatial information including an anode geometry, a cathode geometry, a separator geometry, and one or more current collector geometries. The method also includes storing the spatial information including the anode geometry, the cathode geometry, the separator geometry, and the one or more current collector geometries into a database structure. In a specific embodiment, the method includes selecting one or more material properties from a plurality of materials and using the one or more material properties with the spatial information in a simulation program. The method includes outputting one or more performance parameters from the simulation program.

Abstract: A metal alloy for use in a wire included in an electrochemical cell is disclosed having an amorphous structure, microcrystalline grains, or grains that are sized less than about one micron. In various embodiments, the microcrystalline grains are not generally longitudinally oriented, are variably oriented, or are randomly oriented. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains lack uniform grain size or are variably sized. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains have an average grain size of less than or equal to 5 microns. In some embodiments, the metal alloy lacks long-range crystalline order among the microcrystalline grains. In some embodiments, the wire is used in a substrate used in the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the metal alloy is formed using a co-extrusion process comprising warming up the metallic alloy and applying pressure and simultaneously passing a core material through a die to obtain a composite structure.