Abstract: The present invention generally relates to unique coatings for use with energy storage particles, such as lithium oxide energy storage materials. The invention provides unique coatings for particles, unique particle/coating combinations, and unique methods for making coatings and/or coated particles. In one aspect of the invention, a particle is formed having a core and a coating. The particle may comprise a core having a material such as LiFePO4, and a coating. The particle may be formed, in some embodiments, by using a non-stoichiometric combination of salts or other precursors, and sintering the same to form particles. LiFePO4 may form as the core of the particle, while the remaining materials may form a coating around the LiFePO4. Typically, the LiFePO4 is crystalline while the coating is generally amorphous, and in some instances, the coating may prevent large crystals of LiFePO4 from forming.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electrode materials, electrochemical cells employing such materials, and methods of synthesizing such materials. The electrode materials have a crystal structure with a high ratio of Li to metal M, which is found to improve capacity by enabling the transfer of a greater amount of lithium per metal, and which is also found to improve stability by retaining a sufficient amount of lithium after charging. Furthermore, synthesis techniques are presented which result in improved charge and discharge capacities and reduced particle sizes of the electrode materials.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqeuous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments generally relate to oxide materials having relatively high energy and/or power densities. Various aspects of the embodiments are directed to oxide materials having a structure Bi(MjYk)O2, for example, a structure Lij(NijYk)O2 such as Li(Ni0.5Mn0.5)O2. In this structure, Y represents one or more atoms, each independently selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals, transition metals, Group 14 elements, Group 15, or Group 16 elements. In some embodiments, such an oxide material may have an O3 crystal structure, and/or a layered structure such that the oxide comprises a plurality of first, repeating atomic planes comprising Li, and a plurality of second, repeating atomic planes comprising Ni and/or Y.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to certain lithium materials, including lithium manganese borate materials. Such materials are of interest in various applications such as energy storage. Certain aspects of the invention are directed to lithium manganese borate materials, for example, having the formula LixMny(BO3). In some cases, the lithium manganese borate materials may include other elements, such as iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, calcium, etc. The lithium manganese borate materials, according to one set of embodiments, may be present as a monoclinic crystal system. Such materials may surprisingly exhibit relatively high energy storage capacities, for example, at least about 96 mA h/g. Other aspects of the invention relate to devices comprising such materials, methods of making such materials, kits for making such materials, methods of promoting the making or use of such materials, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to carbophosphates and other compounds. Such compounds may be used in batteries and other electrochemical devices, or in other applications such as those described herein. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to carbophosphate compounds, i.e., compounds containing carbonate and phosphate ions. For example, according to one set of embodiments, the compound has a formula Ax(M)(PO4)a(CO3)b, where M comprises one or more cations. A may include one or more alkali metals, for example, lithium and/or sodium. In some cases, x is greater than about 0.1, a is between about 0.1 and about 5.1, and b is between about 0.1 and about 5.1. In certain embodiments, the compound may have a unit cell atomic arrangement that is isostructural to to unit cells of the minerals sidorenkite, bonshtedtite, bradleyite, crawfordite, or ferrotychite.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electrode materials, electrochemical cells employing such materials, and methods of synthesizing such materials. The electrode materials have a crystal structure with a high ratio of Li to metal M, which is found to improve capacity by enabling the transfer of a greater amount of lithium per metal, and which is also found to improve stability by retaining a sufficient amount of lithium after charging. Furthermore, synthesis techniques are presented which result in improved charge and discharge capacities and reduced particle sizes of the electrode materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical method and apparatus for high-amperage electrical energy storage features a high-temperature, all-liquid chemistry. The reaction products created during charging remain part of the electrodes during storage for discharge on demand. In a simultaneous ambipolar electrodeposition cell, a reaction compound is electrolyzed to effect transfer from an external power source; the electrode elements are electrodissolved during discharge.

Abstract: An electrochemical method and apparatus for high-amperage electrical energy storage features a high-temperature, all-liquid chemistry. The reaction products created during charging remain part of the electrodes during storage for discharge on demand. In a simultaneous ambipolar electrodeposition cell, a reaction compound is electrolyzed to effect transfer from an external power source; the electrode elements are electrodissolved during discharge.

Abstract: A compound of formula Ab?MgaMbXy or Ab?MgaMb(XOz)y for use as electrode material in a magnesium battery is disclosed, wherein A, M, X, b?, a, b, y, and z are defined herein.

Abstract: A compound of formula Ab?MgaMbXy or Ab?MgaMb(XOz)y for use as electrode material in a magnesium battery is disclosed, wherein A, M, X, b?, a, b, y, and z are defined herein.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electrode materials, electrochemical cells employing such materials, and methods of synthesizing such materials. The electrode materials have a crystal structure with a high ratio of Li to metal M, which is found to improve capacity by enabling the transfer of a greater amount of lithium per metal, and which is also found to improve stability by retaining a sufficient amount of lithium after charging. Furthermore, synthesis techniques are presented which result in improved charge and discharge capacities and reduced particle sizes of the electrode materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery that exchanges energy with an external device. The battery includes a container containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an intervening electrolyte, the electrodes and electrolyte existing as liquid material layers in the container at the operating temperature of the battery so that adjacent layers form respective electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Positive and negative current collectors are in electrical contact with the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, both collectors being adapted for connection to the external device to create a circuit through which current flows. A circulation producer in the battery causes circulation within at least one of the layers to increase the flux of material in one layer to an interface with an adjacent layer, thereby giving the battery a greater current/power capability.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode, and an electrolyte material interposed there between. The first electrode includes an alkali metal phosphorous compound doped with an element having a valence state greater than that of the alkali metal.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to certain oxide materials having relatively high energy and/or power densities. Various aspects of the invention are directed to oxide materials having a structure Bi(MjYk)O2, for example, a structure Lij(NijYk)O2 such as Li(Nio.5Mn0.5)02. In this structure, Y represents one or more atoms, each independently selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals, transition metals, Group 14 elements, Group 15, or Group 16 elements. In some cases, Y may have a combined valency of at least about 4. In some embodiments, such an oxide material may have an 03 crystal structure, and/or a layered structure such that the oxide comprises a plurality of first, repeating atomic planes comprising Li, and a plurality of second, repeating atomic planes comprising while another set of atomic planes comprises Ni and/or Y.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to unique coatings for use with energy storage particles, such as lithium oxide energy storage materials. The invention provides unique coatings for particles, unique particle/coating combinations, and unique methods for making coatings and/or coated particles. In one aspect of the invention, a particle is formed having a core and a coating. The particle may comprise a core having a material such as LiFePO4, and a coating. The particle may be formed, in some embodiments, by using a non-stoichiometric combination of salts or other precursors, and sintering the same to form particles. LiFePO4 may form as the core of the particle, while the remaining materials may form a coating around the LiFePO4. Typically, the LiFePO4 is crystalline while the coating is generally amorphous, and in some instances, the coating may prevent large crystals of LiFePO4 from forming.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode, and an electrolyte material interposed there between. The first electrode includes an alkali metal phosphorous compound doped with an element having a valence state greater than that of the alkali metal.

Abstract: An electrochemical method and apparatus for high-amperage electrical energy storage features a high-temperature, all-liquid chemistry. The reaction products created during charging remain part of the electrodes during storage for discharge on demand. In a simultaneous ambipolar electrodeposition cell, a reaction compound is electrolyzed to effect transfer from an external power source; the electrode elements are electrodissolved during discharge.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting features of materials of interest. Reference data are analyzed to deduce relationships between the input data sets and output data sets. Reference data includes measured values and/or computed values. The deduced relationships can be specified as equations, correspondences, and/or algorithmic processes that produce appropriate output data when suitable input data is used. In some instances, the output data set is a subset of the input data set, and computational results may be refined by optionally iterating the computational procedure. To deduce features of a new material of interest, a computed or measured input property of the material is provided to an equation, correspondence, or algorithmic procedure previously deduced, and an output is obtained. In some instances, the output is iteratively refined. In some instances, new features deduced for the material of interest are added to a database of input and output data for known materials.