Abstract: Apparatus and method are described that are useful in preparing a tabbed electrode sheet for use in assembling an electrochemical storage device. To provide clean surfaces for attaching conductive tabs, portions of a coated electrode sheet are selectively removed by contacting the sheet with heat and solvent, and mechanically removing electrode material in solvent-exposed areas.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery is provided that has a fast charge and discharge rate capability and low rate of capacity fade during high rate cycling. The battery can exhibit low impedance growth and other properties allowing for its use in hybrid electric vehicle applications and other applications where high power and long battery life are important features.

Abstract: The energy density of the entire cell may be improved while retaining high power density by use of an alkali metal transition metal polyanion compound as the cathode and a thin film metal or metalloid anode. The thin film anode may be initially unalloyed or partially unalloyed. During use, the thin film anode may be only partially unalloyed relative to the theoretical maximum. The high volumetric capacity of the metal anode makes it possible to use a dense or porous thin film anode in conjunction with a relatively thin particle-based cathode to thereby improve the energy density of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage device is described, and a method for making the same. In some aspects, a guidewire is co-wound with sheet or ribbon-like electrode materials so that contact is made between the guidewire and collector extensions of the electrode materials thereby forming an endcap with low impedance and high thermal sinking capabilities. In one embodiment, the storage device includes a negative electrode sheet have an edge which is substantially free of electrode active material, a positive electrode sheet have an edge which is substantially free of electrode active material, a first conductive guidewire disposed adjacent to the edge of the negative electrode sheet which is substantially free of electrode active material, and a second conductive guidewire disposed adjacent to the edge of the positive electrode sheet which is substantially free of electrode active material.

Abstract: A high capacity, high charge rate lithium secondary cell includes a high capacity lithium-containing positive electrode in electronic contact with a positive electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a high capacity negative electrode in electronic contact with a negative electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a separator positioned between and in ionic contact with the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte in ionic contact with the positive and negative electrodes, wherein the total area specific impedance for the cell and the relative area specific impedances for the positive and negative electrodes are such that, during charging at greater than or equal to 4C, the negative electrode potential is above the potential of metallic lithium.

Abstract: A high capacity, high charge rate lithium secondary cell includes a high capacity lithium-containing positive electrode in electronic contact with a positive electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a high capacity negative electrode in electronic contact with a negative electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a separator positioned between and in ionic contact with the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte in ionic contact with the positive and negative electrodes, wherein the total area specific impedance for the cell and the relative area specific impedances for the positive and negative electrodes are such that, during charging at greater than or equal to 4C, the negative electrode potential is above the potential of metallic lithium.

Abstract: A method of making a high density Mg—B superconducting article includes providing a packed powder sheath, said powder comprising a source of magnesium and boron, subjecting the packed powder sheath to a symmetric deformation, said deformation selected to elongate the packed powder sheath to form a wire while retaining the free flow of particles within the powder core, subjecting the wire to high reduction rolling, said high reduction rolling selected to reduce the wire thickness by 40 to 95% and heating the rolled article to improve the superconducting properties of the article. A superconducting article comprised of one or more elongated metal matrix regions containing one or more embedded elongated superconducting Mg—B regions running the full length of the article is disclosed, wherein the superconducting Mg—B regions have a density greater than 95% of the theoretical density, and a transition temperature in zero field of 30 K.

Abstract: The invention provides bipolar articles (e.g., batteries and capacitors) with new architectures and methods of making and using the same. Articles are provided with interpenetrating anode and cathode structures that allow for improved power density, and arbitrary form factors that allow for formation in substantially any desired shape. The articles are useful for embedding or integral formation in various electronic devices to provide more efficient use of space in the devices. The articles optionally include self-organizing bipolar structures.

Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes mixing raw powders with a desired ratio of Bi:Pb:Sr:Ca:Cu elements and reacting the mixture under different selected reaction conditions that form a precursor powder with a dominant (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2212 phase and without Ca—Pb—O phase, wherein the 2212 phase may be the orthorhombic 2212 phase. The precursor article is then subjected to optimized reaction and mechanical deformation processes that lead to a reaction induced texturing and deformation induced texturing, respectively. A heating process is used to convert the precursor powder to the 2223 phase and subsequent deformation and annealing processes may be used to form a substantially single phase, highly textured (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2223 superconductor with high Jc.

Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes mixing raw powders with a desired ratio of Bi:Pb:Sr:Ca:Cu elements and reacting the mixture under different selected reaction conditions that form a precursor powder with a dominant (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2212 phase and without Ca—Pb—O phase, wherein the 2212 phase may be the orthorhombic 2212 phase. The precursor article is then subjected to optimized reaction and mechanical deformation processes that lead to a reaction induced texturing and deformation induced texturing, respectively. A heating process is used to convert the precursor powder to the 2223 phase and subsequent deformation and annealing processes may be used to form a substantially single phase, highly textured (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2223 superconductor with high Jc.

Abstract: A multicomponent powder useful in the formation of BSCCO-2223 is provided comprised of orthorhombic BSCCO-2212 and alkaline earth cuprate, without formation of undesirable secondary phases such as alkaline earth bismuthates and alkaline earth plumbates. A method for the production of the multicomponent powder includes providing a mixture of raw materials comprising constituent metallic elements in a ratio corresponding to a superconducting BSCCO-2223 material and heating the mixture under conditions which form a dominant amount of the orthorhombic BSCCO phase and the alkaline earth cuprate phase while preventing formation of an undesirable secondary phase selected from the group of alkaline earth plumbates and alkaline earth bismuthates. A subsequent heating step converts the multicomponent powder into the BSCCO-2223 and subsequent deformation and annealing processes may be used to form a substantially single phase, highly textured (Bi,Pb)SCCO-2223 superconductor article.