Abstract: A system for detecting a lithium dendrite in a battery cell is provided. The system includes the battery cell including an anode and a cathode. The battery cell further includes a conductive prewarning layer disposed between the anode and the cathode and constructed with a porous material. The battery cell further includes a separator layer disposed between the conductive prewarning layer and the cathode, wherein the separator layer is configured for allowing ions to pass through the separator layer. The system further includes a sensor electrically connected to the anode and the conductive prewarning layer and monitoring data related to a voltage potential between the anode and the conductive prewarning layer. The data is useful to identify a decrease in the voltage potential between the anode and the conductive prewarning layer and diagnose existence of the lithium dendrite.

Abstract: A prismatic battery cell and a method of making such a cell. The cell includes one or more anode regions, cathode regions, and electrolyte regions to facilitate ion flow between the anode and cathode regions. Electrically-conductive tabs are attached to the corresponding anode and cathode regions, and a pouch-like containment is formed around the regions. The containment includes facing substantially planar surfaces sealingly joined to one another. A barrier layer coating includes at least one low-permeability material and is placed over at least a portion of the cell edge defined by the joined surfaces such that the barrier layer coating blocks ambient gases or vapors from passing through the heat seal region that is used to join the pouch surfaces. The barrier layer coating may also include one or more hydrophobic surface treatments or enhancements, including an additional layer of surface treatments or, in another form, by surface roughening.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell includes a cathode plate disposed adjacent an anode plate. The cathode and anode plates are formed having a first thickness of a low contact resistance, high corrosion resistance material by a deposition process. The first and second unipolar plates are formed on a removable substrate, and a first perimeter of the first unipolar plate is welded to a second perimeter of the second unipolar plate to form a hermetically sealed coolant flow path.

Abstract: A photocatalytic system having enhanced photo efficiency/photonic efficacy is provided that includes a thin nucleation material coated on a substrate. The nucleation material enhances lattice matching for a subsequently deposited photocatalytic active material. Such a photocatalytic system may be used as a self-cleaning surface in an application where removal of fingerprints and other residue is desired. In certain aspects, the nucleation material comprises aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and the photocatalytic material comprises an anatase phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposited over the nucleation material. A photocatalytic activity of the system is ?about 50% above a comparative photocatalytic activity where the photocatalytic active material is disposed directly on the substrate. Methods of making such photocatalytic systems are also provided.

Abstract: A photocatalytic system having enhanced photo efficiency/photonic efficacy is provided that includes a thin nucleation material coated on a substrate. The nucleation material enhances lattice matching for a subsequently deposited photocatalytic active material. Such a photocatalytic system may be used as a self-cleaning surface in an application where removal of fingerprints and other residue is desired. In certain aspects, the nucleation material comprises aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and the photocatalytic material comprises an anatase phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposited over the nucleation material. A photocatalytic activity of the system is ? about 50% above a comparative photocatalytic activity where the photocatalytic active material is disposed directly on the substrate. Methods of making such photocatalytic systems are also provided.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided for use in an electromechanical transmission that utilizes automatic transmission fluid. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of permanent magnets can include magnetic particles coated with hydrogen impermeable material. According to an alternative embodiment, the entire permanent magnet or the rotor itself can be coated with hydrogen impermeable material. According to a further alternative embodiment, the permanent magnet particles can be secured by a binder that includes a hydrogen storage compound that prevents hydrogen from affecting magnetic properties of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A photocatalytic system having enhanced photo efficiency/photonic efficacy is provided that includes a thin nucleation material coated on a substrate. The nucleation material enhances lattice matching for a subsequently deposited photocatalytic active material. Such a photocatalytic system may be used as a self-cleaning surface in an application where removal of fingerprints and other residue is desired. In certain aspects, the nucleation material comprises aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and the photocatalytic material comprises an anatase phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposited over the nucleation material. A photocatalytic activity of the system is ?about 50% above a comparative photocatalytic activity where the photocatalytic active material is disposed directly on the substrate. Methods of making such photocatalytic systems are also provided.

Abstract: A photocatalytic system having enhanced photo efficiency/photonic efficacy is provided that includes a thin nucleation material coated on a substrate. The nucleation material enhances lattice matching for a subsequently deposited photocatalytic active material. Such a photocatalytic system may be used as a self-cleaning surface in an application where removal of fingerprints and other residue is desired. In certain aspects, the nucleation material comprises aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and the photocatalytic material comprises an anatase phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposited over the nucleation material. A photocatalytic activity of the system is ?about 50% above a comparative photocatalytic activity where the photocatalytic active material is disposed directly on the substrate. Methods of making such photocatalytic systems are also provided.

Abstract: In a one-step method for preparing a lithiated silicon electrode, a suspension of a lithium precursor and a silicon precursor in a carrier liquid is plasma sprayed without a carrier gas. The carrier liquid is water, alcohol, ethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. The lithium precursor is selected from the group consisting of a lithium phosphate, a lithium nitrate, a lithium sulfate, a lithium carbonate, and combinations thereof. The suspension excludes an active carbon material and a binder.

Abstract: In a one-step method for preparing a coated separator, a suspension of i) a ceramic, ii) a cermet, iii) a ceramic with an electrolyte, or iv) a cermet with an electrolyte in a carrier liquid is plasma sprayed without a carrier gas. The carrier liquid is water, alcohol, ethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The carbon layer is overcoated with a titanium oxide layer to form a titanium oxide/carbon bilayer. The titanium oxide/carbon bilayer may be activated to increase hydrophilicity. The flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: A prismatic battery cell and a method of making such a cell. The cell includes one or more anode regions, one or more cathode regions, an electrolyte region to facilitate ion flow between the anode and cathode regions, electrically-conductive tabs attached to the corresponding anode and cathode regions, and a pouch-like containment formed around the regions. The containment is made up of a pair of facing substantially planar surfaces sealingly joined to one another. A barrier layer coating is made up of at least one low-permeability material and is placed over at least a portion of the cell edge that is defined by the joined surfaces such that the barrier layer coating blocks ambient gases or vapors from passing through the relatively gas-permeable heat seal region that is used to join the pouch surfaces.

Abstract: An electric motor is provided for use in an electromechanical transmission that utilizes automatic transmission fluid. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of permanent magnets can include magnetic particles coated with hydrogen impermeable material. According to an alternative embodiment, the entire permanent magnet or the rotor itself can be coated with hydrogen impermeable material. According to a further alternative embodiment, the permanent magnet particles can be secured by a binder that includes a hydrogen storage compound that prevents hydrogen from affecting magnetic properties of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes an electrically conductive plate having a first surface defining a plurality of channels. An active area section and an inactive area section characterize the flow field channels. A hydrophobic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the inactive area section while a hydrophilic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area section.

Abstract: An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell includes a conductive metal substrate and a layer of conductive non-metallic porous media. The conductive non-metallic porous media has an electrically conductive material deposited along a surface in one or more metallized regions and having an average thickness less than about 40 nm. The metallized regions improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the metal substrate and the fluid distribution media.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first valve metal flow field plate. The first valve metal flow field plate has a first cooling channel adapted to receive an aqueous coolant and to contact the aqueous coolant at a position that inhibits the formation of shunt currents when the fuel cell is incorporated in a fuel cell stack. A field assembly includes a first metal flow field plate having a first cooling channel adapted to receive an aqueous coolant is also provided. A valve metal plate is disposed over the first metal flow field plate in the flow field assembly. Fuel cell stacks using the valve metal-containing flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: In an example of a method for preparing a coated lithium battery component, the lithium battery component is selected from the group consisting of a porous membrane, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode. The lithium battery component is coated with a precursor. The precursor includes a mixture of an electrolyte solvent, a lithium compound, and a monomer. Coating the lithium battery component forms a precursor coating on the lithium battery component. The precursor coating on the lithium battery component is exposed to a plasma jet, which causes the polymerization of the precursor to form a polymer coating on the lithium battery component.

Abstract: Fuel cell bipolar plates are made by depositing a pinhole free corrosion resistant and/or a conductive layer on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method. In one embodiment, a conductive layer is deposited on an anodized metal plate using atomic layer deposition method. In another embodiment, at least one corrosion resistant metal oxide layer and at least one conductive layer are deposited on a metal plate individually using atomic layer deposition method. In yet another embodiment, a corrosion resistant and conductive metal oxynitride layer is deposited on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell includes a cathode plate disposed adjacent an anode plate. The cathode and anode plates are formed having a first thickness of a low contact resistance, high corrosion resistance material by a deposition process. The first and second unipolar plates are formed on a removable substrate, and a first perimeter of the first unipolar plate is welded to a second perimeter of the second unipolar plate to form a hermetically sealed coolant flow path.

Abstract: Fuel cell bipolar plates are made by depositing a pinhole free corrosion resistant and/or a conductive layer on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method. In one embodiment, a conductive layer is deposited on an anodized metal plate using atomic layer deposition method. In another embodiment, at least one corrosion resistant metal oxide layer and at least one conductive layer are deposited on a metal plate individually using atomic layer deposition method. In yet another embodiment, a corrosion resistant and conductive metal oxynitride layer is deposited on a metal plate using an atomic layer deposition method.