Abstract: Silicate cathodes for lithium ion batteries are provided along with methods of forming a silicate. Olivine structures are substituted with a lithium ion. The substituted Olivine structures are combined to form flake-like sheets having an orientation that facilitates passage of lithium ions. Related methods of forming a cathode are provided.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery is provided and related methods. The lithium-ion battery includes an electrode comprising an Olivine flake-like structure and an electrode comprising a plurality of coated carbon nanofibers. The Olivine flake-like structures form clusters through which the lithium ions are transported while reducing initial cycle irreversibility. The electrode comprising the coated carbon nanofibers additionally reduce initial cycle irreversibility by controlling expansion of the substrate forming the electrode comprising the coated carbon nanofibers.

Abstract: Methods of making a cathode element for an electrochemical cell. The methods comprise providing hollow carbon nanotubes and a sulfur source in a closed environment. Sulfur is deposited within an interior of the hollow carbon nanotube. The method includes cleaning an exterior surface of the carbon nanotubes and incorporating the carbon nanotubes into a cathode element. A cathodic material for a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is also provided. The material comprises a plurality of stacked-cone carbon nanotubes. Each nanotube defines a hollow interior and has a substantially continuous exterior surface area. Elemental sulfur is disposed within the hollow interior of each nanotube.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery is provided and related methods. The lithium-ion battery includes an electrode comprising an Olivine flake-like structure and an electrode comprising a plurality of coated carbon nanofibers. The Olivine flake-like structures form clusters through which the lithium ions are transported while reducing initial cycle irreversibility. The electrode comprising the coated carbon nanofibers additionally reduce initial cycle irreversibility by controlling expansion of the substrate forming the electrode comprising the coated carbon nanofibers.

Abstract: Methods of making a cathode element for an electrochemical cell. The methods comprise providing hollow carbon nanotubes and a sulfur source in a closed environment. Sulfur is deposited within an interior of the hollow carbon nanotube. The method includes cleaning an exterior surface of the carbon nanotubes and incorporating the carbon nanotubes into a cathode element. A cathodic material for a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is also provided. The material comprises a plurality of stacked-cone carbon nanotubes. Each nanotube defines a hollow interior and has a substantially continuous exterior surface area. Elemental sulfur is disposed within the hollow interior of each nanotube.

Abstract: Silicate cathodes for lithium ion batteries are provided along with methods of forming a silicate. Olivine structures are substituted with a lithium ion. The substituted Olivine structures are combined to form flake-like sheets having an orientation that facilitates passage of lithium ions. Related methods of forming a cathode are provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices for an anode formed from coated carbon nanofibers are provided. The carbon nanofibers having a cone geometry are coated with a silicon layer and a protective silicon oxide layer. The resulting composite material is suitable for high-capacity electrodes in lithium ion batteries. The electrodes incorporating the coated carbon nanofibers have improved rate capacity and decreased initial cycle irreversibility.

Abstract: A candidate hydrogen storage material, M, capable of reaction with hydrogen to form a hydride, MHm (m=number of H atoms per formula unit), and to subsequently release hydrogen on demand, is processed electrochemically to enhance its absorption/desorption properties. For example, a magnesium hydride (MgH2) composition, arranged as a positive electrode, is reduced with lithium ions in a direct current electrolytic cell to form nanometer-size particles of magnesium (and lithium hydride). The cell operation may be reversed to oxidize magnesium to nanometer size particles of magnesium hydride. Thereafter, the nanometer-size particles of M/MHm adsorb and desorb hydrogen at higher yields and under more moderate storage processing conditions.

Abstract: A method for reducing cure shrinkage of a thermoset resin includes forming a plurality of surface modified nanofibers. The surface modified nanofibers are formed by soaking nanofibers in an oxidizing acidic solvent. An oxidizing agent is added to the soaking nanofibers, thereby generating heat sufficient for at least one of in-situ oxidation and in-situ exfoliation of a subsurface of each of the nanofibers. Excess oxidizing agent and acidic solvent are removed from the nanofibers, which are then dried. The dried nanofibers have reduced surface hydrophobicity. The surface modified nanofibers are substantially uniformly dispersed into the thermoset resin. The surface modified nanofibers are adapted to reduce cure shrinkage of the thermoset resin during subsequent curing processes.

Abstract: A lithium battery comprises a negative electrode composition that uses lithium hydride and a second metal. The negative electrode composition is activated by infusing lithium into particles of the second metal hydride to form lithium hydride and the second metal. As the battery is discharged lithium is released from the electrode and the second metal hydride formed. Charging of the battery re-infuses lithium into the negative electrode composition with the re-formation of lithium hydride.

Abstract: Ammonia is used as precursor source of hydrogen fuel in an on-vehicle internal combustion engine. Ammonia is stored as, for example, a ligand in an on-vehicle transition metal composition. Upon demand for hydrogen by the vehicle's engine control system, ammonia is expelled as a gas from some of the composition and the ammonia gas is dissociated into a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen and delivered as a fuel-containing mixture to the engine. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen is used as a supplement to gasoline as a fuel for engine operation.

Abstract: A method for reducing cure shrinkage of a thermoset resin includes forming a plurality of surface modified nanofibers. The surface modified nanofibers are formed by soaking nanofibers in an oxidizing acidic solvent. An oxidizing agent is added to the soaking nanofibers, thereby generating heat sufficient for at least one of in-situ oxidation and in-situ exfoliation of a subsurface of each of the nanofibers. Excess oxidizing agent and acidic solvent are removed from the nanofibers, which are then dried. The dried nanofibers have reduced surface hydrophobicity. The surface modified nanofibers are substantially uniformly dispersed into the thermoset resin. The surface modified nanofibers are adapted to reduce cure shrinkage of the thermoset resin during subsequent curing processes.

Abstract: A method for reducing cure shrinkage of a thermoset resin includes forming a plurality of surface modified nanofibers. The surface modified nanofibers are formed by soaking nanofibers in an oxidizing acidic solvent. An oxidizing agent is added to the soaking nanofibers, thereby generating heat sufficient for at least one of in-situ oxidation and in-situ exfoliation of a subsurface of each of the nanofibers. Excess oxidizing agent and acidic solvent are removed from the nanofibers, which are then dried. The dried nanofibers have reduced surface hydrophobicity. The surface modified nanofibers are substantially uniformly dispersed into the thermoset resin. The surface modified nanofibers are adapted to reduce cure shrinkage of the thermoset resin during subsequent curing processes.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloys, especially as newly formed, have often required high temperature (e.g., >700° C.) activation before the solids will absorb an amount of hydrogen normally storable by the composition. Now, such alloys may be activated by a low temperature (typically below zero degrees Celsius) soak in pressurized hydrogen followed by desorption of the hydrogen at a temperature above about 100° C. Such low temperature hydrogen absorption and higher temperature hydrogen desorption may be repeated a few times until the hydrogen storage alloy material readily absorbs and holds hydrogen for release on demand, and subsequent hydrogen refilling.

Abstract: A candidate hydrogen storage material, M, capable of reaction with hydrogen to form a hydride, MHm (m=number of H atoms per formula unit), and to subsequently release hydrogen on demand, is processed electrochemically to enhance its absorption/desorption properties. For example, a magnesium hydride (MgH2) composition, arranged as a positive electrode, is reduced with lithium ions in a direct current electrolytic cell to form nanometer-size particles of magnesium (and lithium hydride). The cell operation may be reversed to oxidize magnesium to nanometer size particles of magnesium hydride. Thereafter, the nanometer-size particles of M/MHm adsorb and desorb hydrogen at higher yields and under more moderate storage processing conditions.

Abstract: A lithium battery comprises a negative electrode composition that uses lithium hydride and a second metal. The negative electrode composition is activated by infusing lithium into particles of the second metal hydride to form lithium hydride and the second metal. As the battery is discharged lithium is released from the electrode and the second metal hydride formed. Charging of the battery re-infuses lithium into the negative electrode composition with the re-formation of lithium hydride.

Abstract: Ammonia is used as precursor source of hydrogen fuel in an on-vehicle internal combustion engine. Ammonia is stored as, for example, a ligand in an on-vehicle transition metal composition. Upon demand for hydrogen by the vehicle's engine control system, ammonia is expelled as a gas from some of the composition and the ammonia gas is dissociated into a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen and delivered as a fuel-containing mixture to the engine. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen is used as a supplement to gasoline as a fuel for engine operation.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage and release material is provided in the form of a supportive host component that carries or contains a hydrogen absorbing guest material. Metal compounds, such as oxides, carbides, nitrides, or the like, are prepared to carry polyaromatic molecules that absorb hydrogen in conjugated double bonds. Examples of suitable guest-host materials include layers of vanadium oxide with interacted layers of polyaniline or polythiophene. Dopant elements, like nickel, in the host oxide can enhance hydrogen absorption and de-sorption in the host material.

Abstract: A method for reducing cure shrinkage of a thermoset resin includes forming a plurality of surface modified nanofibers. The surface modified nanofibers are formed by soaking nanofibers in an oxidizing acidic solvent. An oxidizing agent is added to the soaking nanofibers, thereby generating heat sufficient for at least one of in-situ oxidation and in-situ exfoliation of a subsurface of each of the nanofibers. Excess oxidizing agent and acidic solvent are removed from the nanofibers, which are then dried. The dried nanofibers have reduced surface hydrophobicity. The surface modified nanofibers are substantially uniformly dispersed into the thermoset resin. The surface modified nanofibers are adapted to reduce cure shrinkage of the thermoset resin during subsequent curing processes.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage and release material is provided in the form of a supportive host component that carries or contains a hydrogen absorbing guest material. Metal compounds, such as oxides, carbides, nitrides, or the like, are prepared to carry polyaromatic molecules that absorb hydrogen in conjugated double bonds. Examples of suitable guest-host materials include layers of vanadium oxide with interacted layers of polyaniline or polythiophene. Dopant elements, like nickel, in the host oxide can enhance hydrogen absorption and de-sorption in the host material.