Abstract: A fuel cell first and second electrode catalyst layers and a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) situated therebetween. A graphene-based material coated onto a first and/or second surface of the first and/or second electrode catalyst layers. The graphene-based material has a number of defects including a number of quad-vacancy (QV) defects formed by a vacancy of four adjacent carbon atoms in the graphene-based material. The number of QV defects are configured to mitigate dissolution of the first and/or second catalyst materials through the first and/or second surface of the first and/or second electrode catalyst layers.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst material includes metal catalyst particles formed of a metal material and a carbon-based coating composition at least partially coating at least some of the metal catalyst particles. The carbon-based coating composition includes a carbon network. The carbon-based coating composition is doped with a dopant. The carbon-based coating composition includes a number of defects formed by one or more vacated carbon atoms in the carbon network.

Abstract: New sulfur-based polyesters have been synthesized. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, such polymer electrolytes have shown excellent electrochemical oxidation stability in lithium battery cells. Their stability along with their excellent ionic transport properties make them especially suitable as electrolytes in high energy density lithium battery cells.

Abstract: New phosphorous-based polyesters have been synthesized. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, such polymer electrolytes have shown excellent electrochemical oxidation stability in lithium battery cells. Their stability along with their excellent ionic transport properties make them especially suitable as electrolytes in high energy density lithium battery cells.

Abstract: An electrode configuration for a battery cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator includes an electrically conductive protrusion inhibiting layer and a first insulating layer interposed between and electrically insulating the protrusion inhibiting layer from one of the positive and negative electrode.

Abstract: A desalination battery includes a container configured to contain a saline water solution having a first concentration c1 of dissolved salts; first and second intercalation hosts, arranged to be in fluid communication with the saline water solution, at least the first intercalation host including expanded graphite having a plurality of graphene layers with an interlayer spacing between the graphene layers in z-direction greater than 0.34 nm; and a power source configured to supply electric current to the first and second intercalation hosts such that the first and second intercalation hosts reversibly store and release cations and anions from the saline water solution located between the plurality of graphene layers to generate a fresh water solution having a second concentration c2 of dissolved salts and a brine solution having a third concentration c3 of dissolved salts within the container such that c3>c1>c2.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The PEMFC includes a catalyst support material formed of a metal material reactive with H3O+, HF and/or SO? to form reaction products in which the metal material accounts for a stable molar percentage of the reaction products. The PEMFC further includes a catalyst supported on the catalyst support material.

Abstract: An electrolyte structure for a battery cell with a lithium metal anode has a first side configured to contact the anode and a second side facing opposite the first side. The electrolyte structure includes a first region that is adjacent to the first side and extends towards the second side and a second region disposed between the first region and the second side. The first region has a first composition of materials that is electronically insulating such that the electrolyte is stable against the lithium metal anode. The second region has a second composition of materials that is different than the first composition and has typical electrolyte properties such as mechanical strength, stability against a cathode, and ionic conductivity. The first region and the second region define a compositional gradient across a thickness of the electrolyte structure. The compositional gradient is continuum-fabricated at one point via a gradient growth method.

Abstract: A fuel cell first and second electrode catalyst layers and a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) situated therebetween. A graphene-based material coated onto a first and/or second surface of the first and/or second electrode catalyst layers. The graphene-based material has a number of defects including a number of quad-vacancy (QV) defects formed by a vacancy of four adjacent carbon atoms in the graphene-based material. The number of QV defects are configured to mitigate dissolution of the first and/or second catalyst materials through the first and/or second surface of the first and/or second electrode catalyst layers.

Abstract: Corrosion-resistant oxide films for use with proton exchange membrane fuel cells are described. Bipolar plates of proton exchange membrane fuel cells are subject to highly-acidic environments that can degrade the bulk material and associated properties of the bipolar plate leading to reduced proton exchange membrane fuel cell lifetimes. Materials, structures, and techniques for increasing the corrosion resistance of bipolar plates are disclosed. Such materials include substrates having a surface portion, which includes an Fe2O3 oxide layer having (110), (012), or (100) Fe2O3 surface facets configured to impart corrosion-resistance properties to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of producing a coating. The method includes determining a surface defect region of a coating on a substrate and a location of the surface defect. The method further includes selectively and locally correcting the surface defect by applying a corrective coating region to the surface defect region based on the location of the surface defect via spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) using an SALD reactor.

Abstract: New poly(anhydride)-based polymers have been synthesized. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, such polymer electrolytes have shown excellent electrochemical oxidation stability in lithium battery cells. Their stability along with their excellent ionic transport properties make them especially suitable as electrolytes in high energy density lithium battery cells.

Abstract: A proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell bipolar plate includes a metal substrate having a bulk portion and a surface portion including an anticorrosive, conductive binary phosphide material having a formula (I): AxPy??(I), where A is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, post-transition metal, or metalloid, x, y is each a number independently selected from 1 to 15, and the binary phosphide material is configured to impart anticorrosive and conductive properties to the metal substrate.

Abstract: A desalination battery cell includes a first compartment separated by an anion exchange membrane from a second compartment, each of the first and second compartments configured to contain a saline water solution having a concentration of dissolved salts c1 and having first and second intercalation host electrodes, respectively, arranged to be in fluid communication with the solution, a voltage source configured to supply electric current to the first and second intercalation host electrodes to release cations into the solution, and a controller programmed to adjust an amount of the electric current being supplied to change direction of anions, present in the solution, passing through the anion exchange membrane between the first and second compartments such that the first and second compartments alternately collect and disperse salt from the solution and the first and second compartments release desalinated water solution having a concentration c2 of dissolved salts and a brine solution having a concentration

Abstract: A method of applying a coating to a flow field plate of a fuel cell. The method includes applying a solution including a metal-containing precursor and a solvent to at least a portion of a surface of a flow field plate, and evaporating the solvent to form a coating on the at least the portion of the surface of the flow field plate.

Abstract: A computational method simulating the motion of elements within a multi-element system using a graph neural network (GNN). The method includes converting a molecular dynamics snapshot of the elements into a directed graph comprised of nodes and edges. The method further includes the step of initially embedding the nodes and the edges to obtain initially embedded nodes and edges. The method also includes updating the initially embedded nodes and edges by passing a first message from a first edge to a first node using a first message function and passing a second message from the first node to the first edge using a second message function to obtain updated embedded nodes and edges, and predicting a force vector for one or more elements based on the updated embedded edges and a unit vector pointing from the first node to a second node or the second node to the first node.

Abstract: An electrolyte structure for a battery cell includes a first portion configured as a thin film solid electrolyte and a second portion disposed adjacent to the first portion. The second portion includes a porous ceramic fiber material that contacts the electrolyte. The electrolyte structure is configured to be positioned between a positive electrode and a lithium metal negative electrode. The porous ceramic fiber material mechanically supports the electrolyte by strengthening it against internal and external stresses associated with fabrication and/or operation of the battery cell. The porous ceramic fiber material also provides a substrate on which the electrolyte is deposited, grown, or otherwise formed. In one embodiment, the second portion with the porous ceramic fiber material is configured to be removed after the electrolyte structure is positioned between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrolyte in one embodiment is formed from lithium phosphorous oxynitride (LiPON).

Abstract: New sulfur-based polyesters have been synthesized. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, such polymer electrolytes have shown excellent electrochemical oxidation stability in lithium battery cells. Their stability along with their excellent ionic transport properties make them especially suitable as electrolytes in high energy density lithium battery cells.

Abstract: New phosphorous-based polyesters have been synthesized. When these polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, such polymer electrolytes have shown excellent electrochemical oxidation stability in lithium battery cells. Their stability along with their excellent ionic transport properties make them especially suitable as electrolytes in high energy density lithium battery cells.

Abstract: A new class of electrolyte salts that contain substituted imidazole or benzimidazole groups is described. The salts can be used in non-aqueous electrolytes in lithium or other alkali battery cells. When used with a lithium metal anode, the salts are electrochemically stable up to 5V vs. Li/Li+.