Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.

Abstract: Composite anode materials and methods of making same, the anode materials including capsules including graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, or a combination thereof, and particles of an active material disposed inside of the capsules. The particles may each include a core and a buffer layer surrounding the core. The core may include crystalline silicon, and the buffer layer may include a silicon oxide, a lithium silicate, carbon, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A composite anode material including an active material including a core of silicon, silicon oxide, or combination thereof encased within a buffer layer including a polymeric material, and a shell encapsulating the active material. The shell may include graphene, graphene oxide, partially reduced graphene oxide, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery and method of forming the same, the electrode material including composite particles, each composite particle including: a primary particle including an electrochemically active material; and an envelope disposed on the surface of the primary particle. The envelope includes turbostratic carbon having a Raman spectrum having: a D band having a peak intensity (ID) at wave number between 1330 cm?1 and 1360 cm?1; a G band having a peak intensity (IG) at wave number between 1530 cm?1 and 1580 cm?1; and a 2D band having a peak intensity (I2D) at wave number between 2650 cm?1 and 2750 cm?1. In one embodiment, a ratio of ID/IG ranges from greater than zero to about 1.1, and a ratio of I2D/IG ranges from about 0.4 to about 2.

Abstract: A lanyard for attaching a user's harness to a moveable member of a challenge course. The lanyard may comprise an upper section, a lower section, and a midsection arranged therebetween. The upper section may comprise an upper outer loop and an upper inner loop arranged within the upper outer loop, which form an opening configured to attach to the moveable member, and one or more structural connections. The lower section may comprise a lower outer loop and a plurality of lower inner loops configured to receive a coupling device for the harness. The plurality of lower inner loops may be sequentially arranged within the lower outer loop and attached to the lower outer loop via double shear connections.

Abstract: Composite anode materials and methods of making same, the anode materials including capsules including graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, or a combination thereof, and particles of an active material disposed inside of the capsules. The particles may each include a core and a buffer layer surrounding the core. The core may include crystalline silicon, and the buffer layer may include a silicon oxide, a lithium silicate, carbon, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of erecting an acoustic shell for stage performances, the shell have frame defining a concave volume that is curved in two orthogonal planes and has an inner surface facing forwardly of a stage for a performance. A plurality of polygonal acoustic panels are positioned in the frame and spaced in rows and column along the inner surface, each panel having an outer acoustically active surface. The frame is formed of plural curved trusses each with a base for support on the stage and a peak. An oculus ring is connected to the peak of each arch and the bases of the arches are space along a bottom curve of the concave volume. The panels comprise plural adjacent blocks in rows and columns, each with a base and inner closed end, the length of each block being different for adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A method of erecting an acoustic shell for stage performances, the shell have frame defining a concave volume that is curved in two orthogonal planes and has an inner surface facing forwardly of a stage for a performance. A plurality of polygonal acoustic panels are positioned in the frame and spaced in rows and column along the inner surface, each panel having an outer acoustically active surface. The frame is formed of plural curved trusses each with a base for support on the stage and a peak. An oculus ring is connected to the peak of each arch and the bases of the arches are space along a bottom curve of the concave volume. The panels comprise plural adjacent blocks in rows and columns, each with a base and inner closed end, the length of each block being different for adjacent blocks.

Abstract: An acoustic shell for stage performances has a frame defining a concave volume that is curved in two orthogonal planes and has an inner surface facing forwardly of a stage for a performance. A plurality of polygonal acoustic panels are positioned in the frame and spaced in rows and column along the inner surface, each panel having an outer acoustically active surface. The frame is formed of plural curved trusses each with a base for support on the stage and a peak. An oculus ring is connected to the peak of each arch and the bases of the arches are space along a bottom curve of the concave volume. The panels comprise plural adjacent blocks in rows and columns, each with a base and inner closed end, the length of each block being different for adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A lanyard for attaching a user's harness to a moveable member of a challenge course. The lanyard may comprise an upper section, a lower section, and a midsection arranged therebetween. The upper section may comprise an upper outer loop and an upper inner loop arranged within the upper outer loop, which form an opening configured to attach to the moveable member, and one or more structural connections. The lower section may comprise a lower outer loop and a plurality of lower inner loops configured to receive a coupling device for the harness. The plurality of lower inner loops may be sequentially arranged within the lower outer loop and attached to the lower outer loop via double shear connections.

Abstract: A composite anode material including an active material including a core of silicon, silicon oxide, or combination thereof encased within a buffer layer including a polymeric material, and a shell encapsulating the active material. The shell may include graphene, graphene oxide, partially reduced graphene oxide, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Composite anode materials and methods of making same, the anode materials including capsules including graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, or a combination thereof, and particles of an active material disposed inside of the capsules. The particles may each include a core and a buffer layer surrounding the core. The core may include crystalline silicon, and the buffer layer may include a silicon oxide, a lithium silicate, carbon, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A negative electrode of a lithium ion electrochemical cell, the negative electrode including an active electrode material that includes a first component and a second component. The first component may include graphene, silicon, or a combination thereof. The second component may include silicon. The active electrode material may include particles in which the second component is encapsulated by the first component. The negative electrode may have an internal porosity of between 40 to 60 percent.

Abstract: Chitosan films and laminates made from the films are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: A decking member can have a plurality of panels each with first and second side supports. The plurality of panels can each have a plurality of slots and optional hooks. A shelving system has a frame and at least one decking member.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating selectively permeable laminates are provided. In one process, continuous chitosan film is prepared by casting a chitosan solution directly onto a substrate that will be incorporated along with the film into a laminate. Alternatively, the chitosan solution is cast onto a work device (for example, such as glass or a polymer film), dried, detached, and then incorporated into a laminate in a separate step. In various embodiments, the laminates are useful for fabrication as a protective article and are substantially impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents, but sufficiently permeable to water vapor that, if worn as protective apparel, it is both protective and comfortable to wear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate prepared in part from a continuous acid polysaccharide film. In various embodiments, the laminate is useful for fabrication as a protective article as it typically is largely impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents, but is sufficiently permeable to water vapor that, if worn as protective apparel, it is both protective and comfortable to wear.

Abstract: Provided are laminates containing in order: a fabric layer with an oil and water repellant coating, a continuous chitosan film, a continuous water vapor permeable polyurethane layer, and a fabric layer. The laminates, which have improved function in high moisture environments, can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: A decking member can have a plurality of panels each with first and second side supports. The plurality of panels can each have a plurality of slots and optional hooks. A shelving system has a frame and at least one decking member.