Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte for a multilayer solid-state electrochemical cell is described herein. The electrolyte comprises a lithium electrolyte salt and nanofibers of a cubic phase lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (c-LLZO), and a polymer interspersed with the nanofibers and electrolyte salt. Electrochemical cells comprising the solid-state electrolyte, and solid-state cathodes comprising the nanofibers of c-LLZO are also described herein.

Abstract: A method for preparing metal oxide and ceramic oxide nano- and microparticulate materials is described herein. The method comprises irradiating a precursor material with high energy pulsed-light flashes in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The precursor materials comprise thin films, fibers, or particles of subnano-, nano-, or microscale dimension, which are composed of metal ions dispersed in an amorphous or partially crystalline polymer matrix in a ratio necessary to form target metal oxide or ceramic oxide when reacted with oxygen (i.e., the precursor material does not include any metal oxide phase). The irradiation of the precursor material in an oxygen-containing atmosphere decomposes and removes the polymers and anions from the precursor, and also oxidizes the metal ions within the precursor materials to form metal oxide or ceramic oxide particulates.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of PtNi high surface area core/shell particles. The processing including formation of PtNi nanoparticles, exposure of the PtNi nanoparticles to oxygen to form a nickel oxide coating on the nanoparticles at the same time the segregation of Ni to surface induces a Pt-skin with PtNi core structure, removal of the nickel oxide coating to form PtNi core/Pt shell (or Pt-skin) structure.

Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte for a multilayer solid-state electrochemical cell is described herein. The electrolyte comprises a lithium electrolyte salt and nanofibers of a cubic phase lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (c-LLZO), and a polymer interspersed with the nanofibers and electrolyte salt. Electrochemical cells comprising the solid-state electrolyte, and solid-state cathodes comprising the nanofibers of c-LLZO are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode active material having a discrete change in concentrations of a first base region and a second pulse region. Also provided is a method for preparing a cathode active material, the method having the steps: supplying chelating agent, aqueous basic solution and a first aqueous metal salt solution to a reactor to create a base region; supplying a second aqueous metal-salt solution to a reactor to form a pulse region, wherein the second aqueous metal-salt solution is intermittently or continuously added during or after the creation of the base region; thermally treating the base region and the pulse region to create active metal precursors; mixing the precursors with lithium salt to produce a mixture; and thermally treating the mixture.

Abstract: A method for producing water resistant cathodes is discussed. The method uses mixing cathode powder with solid carbon dioxide to create a mixture and heating the mixture to a temperature. The heating occurs for a time sufficient to cause lithium carbonate coatings to form on the powder. A method for coating lithium-containing cathode surfaces is also discussed. This method uses simultaneously sublimating solid CO2 and condensing atmospheric water vapor onto surfaces. Afterwards allowing the lithium to react with the sublimated CO2 for a time sufficient to create a lithium carbonate film on the surface.

Abstract: Reusable filters for personal protective equipment (PPE) may prevent shortages of PPE and save fabrication time, resources, and money. Disclosed is a method and system for fabrication of nanofiber filter media for PPE. The method includes positioning a substrate to receive nanofibers thereon, providing a voltage gradient in a region of the substrate, and electrospinning nanofibers onto the substrate. The methods and associated systems allow autoclaving of the filter medium at temperatures of up to 300 degrees for sanitizing the filter medium. Additionally, the methods and associated system allow for the inclusion of an anti-pathogen agent in the nanofiber filter media.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of PtNi high surface area core/shell particles. The processing including formation of PtNi nanoparticles, exposure of the PtNi nanoparticles to oxygen to form a nickel oxide coating on the nanoparticles at the same time the segregation of Ni to surface induces a Pt-skin with PtNi core structure, removal of the nickel oxide coating to form PtNi core/Pt shell (or Pt-skin) structure.

Abstract: A process for forming cubic LLZO through the use of atomic mixing of metal salts used in an aerosol process. The cubic LLZO is formed at temperatures below 1000° C.

Abstract: A method for scaled-up synthesis of PtNi nanoparticles. Synthesizing a Pt nanoparticle catalyst comprises the steps of: synthesizing PtNi nanoparticles, isolating PtNi/substrate nanoparticles, acid leaching the PtNi/substrate, and annealing the leached PtNi/substrate nanoparticles, and forming a Pt-skin on the PtNi/substrate nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for synthesis of PtNi nanocages by synthesizing Pt1Ni6 nanoparticles and acid leaching to form PtNi nanocages. The acid leaching removes nickel selectively from the core of the nanoparticle.

Abstract: A solvent useful for lithium batteries comprises a compound of Formula (I): (R1)(R2)(R3)Si—R4—O—C(O)—[(O—R5)n—(O—C(O)]m—O—R6—X1. Each of R1 and R2 independently is alkyl; R3 is alkyl, —X2—Si(R7)(R8)(R9), or —CH2—O—C(O)—O—R10; X1 is H or —Si(R11)(R12)(R13); each of R4 and R6 independently is alkylene; each R5 independently is C2 to C6 alkylene; each of R7, R8, R9, and R10 independently is alkyl; X2 is O or alkylene; each of R11 and R12 independently is alkyl; R13 is alkyl or —X3—Si(R14)(R15)(R16); each of R14, R15, and R16 independently is alkyl; X3 is O or alkylene; m is 0 or 1, and n is 1-3; and when m is 0 and R3 is alkyl, X1 is —Si(R11)(R12)(R13). Also described is a method for manufacturing a compound of Formula (II): (R17)(R18)(R19)Si—CH2—O—C(O)—O—R20 where each R17, R18, R19, and R20 is alkyl.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode active material having a discrete change in concentrations of a first base region and a second pulse region. Also provided is a method for preparing a cathode active material, the method having the steps: supplying chelating agent, aqueous basic solution and a first aqueous metal salt solution to a reactor to create a base region; supplying a second aqueous metal-salt solution to a reactor to form a pulse region, wherein the second aqueous metal-salt solution is intermittently or continuously added during or after the creation of the base region; thermally treating the base region and the pulse region to create active metal precursors; mixing the precursors with lithium salt to produce a mixture; and thermally treating the mixture.

Abstract: A method for synthesis of PtNi nanocages by synthesizing Pt1Ni6 nanoparticles and acid leaching to form PtNi nanocages. The acid leaching removes nickel selectively from the core of the nanoparticle.

Abstract: Presented herein for the first time are novel and highly efficient methods for producing CNCs. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises mixing in a single reaction vessel a cellulose pulp, an acidic solution; and sodium chlorite, wherein the sodium chlorite reacts to form a bleaching agent, chlorine dioxide, wherein bleaching and acid hydrolysis of the cellulose pulp occurs in the single reaction vessel. In alternative or additional embodiments, the method comprises mixing with a resonant acoustic mixer a high consistency cellulose pulp with an acidic solution in a reaction vessel. Related methods, compositions, and articles of manufacture are further provided herein.

Abstract: A method for scaled-up synthesis of PtNi nanoparticles. Synthesizing a Pt nanoparticle catalyst comprises the steps of: synthesizing PtNi nanoparticles, isolating PtNi/substrate nanoparticles, acid leaching the PtNi/substrate, and annealing the leached PtNi/substrate nanoparticles, and forming a Pt-skin on the PtNi/substrate nanoparticles.

Abstract: A solvent useful for lithium batteries comprises a compound of Formula (I): (R1)(R2)(R3)Si—R4—O—C(O)—[(O—R5)n—(O—C(O)]m—O—R6—X1. Each of R1 and R2 independently is alkyl; R3 is alkyl, —X2—Si(R7)(R8)(R9), or —CH2—O—C(O)—O—R10; X1 is H or —Si(R11)(R12)(R13); each of R4 and R6 independently is alkylene; each R5 independently is C2 to C6 alkylene; each of R7, R8, R9, and R10 independently is alkyl; X2 is O or alkylene; each of R11 and R12 independently is alkyl; R13 is alkyl or —X3—Si(R14)(R15)(R16); each of R14, R15, and R16 independently is alkyl; X3 is O or alkylene; m is 0 or 1, and n is 1-3; and when m is 0 and R3 is alkyl, X1 is —Si(R11)(R12)(R13). Also described is a method for manufacturing a compound of Formula (II): (R17)(R18)(R19)Si—CH2—O—C(O)—O—R20 where each R17, R18, R19, and R20 is alkyl.

Abstract: A method for producing water resistant cathodes is discussed. The method uses mixing cathode powder with solid carbon dioxide to create a mixture and heating the mixture to a temperature. The heating occurs for a time sufficient to cause lithium carbonate coatings to form on the powder. A method for coating lithium-containing cathode surfaces is also discussed. This method uses simultaneously sublimating solid CO2 and condensing atmospheric water vapor onto surfaces. Afterwards allowing the lithium to react with the sublimated CO2 for a time sufficient to create a lithium carbonate film on the surface.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus includes a hollow chamber with a stirring shaft. The chamber is maintained at a predetermined pressure and accepts at least two reactants from two storage tanks. The stirring shaft rotates around an axis and creates a reaction product. Taylor vortexes are created while the pressure minimizes the volume possession of the gas phase. The reaction product of micron and sub-micron particles is removed from the chamber and depressurized.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing halogenated carbonates, the method comprising reacting a halogenated alcohol or diol with a solid source of carbonyl moiety as a base in an ether.