Abstract: A metal-seawater flow battery includes an anode disposed in a non-aqueous electrolyte and a cathode spaced apart from the anode. A metal-ion conductive membrane separates the anode from the cathode. The anode includes active metal. The cathode is configured to receive a flow of seawater therethrough. The cathode may be porous. For example, the cathode may include porous carbon (for example, carbon foam, carbon nanotubes, activated carbon, carbon black, or other forms of porous carbon, or combinations of different forms of porous carbon).

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor (H-LIBC) energy storage device includes a hybrid composite cathode electrode having a lithium ion battery (LIB) cathode active material and a lithium ion capacitor (LIC) cathode active material. An anode electrode having a surface is pre-loaded and pressed with a lithium (Li) thin film source. The anode electrode is pre-lithiated with the lithium film source by positioning the Li film source on the surface of anode electrode after electrolyte filling and soaking processes, a separator and an organic solvent electrolytic solution including a lithium salt electrolyte are also provided. A method of making a hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor and a method of making a hybrid composite cathode for a hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor (H-LIBC) energy storage device includes a hybrid composite cathode electrode having a lithium ion battery (LIB) cathode active material and a lithium ion capacitor (LIC) cathode active material. An anode electrode having a surface is pre-loaded and pressed with a lithium (Li) thin film source. The anode electrode is pre-lithiated with the lithium film source by positioning the Li film source on the surface of anode electrode after electrolyte filling and soaking processes, a separator and an organic solvent electrolytic solution including a lithium salt electrolyte are also provided. A method of making a hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor and a method of making a hybrid composite cathode for a hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery comprises a cathode electrode comprising from 80% to 100% lithium polysulfide based on the total weight of sulfur adsorbed at the cathode when the lithium sulfur battery is fully charged, and a high specific surface area electrically conductive material. An anode electrode comprises lithium. A porous and electrically insulating membrane is provided between the cathode and the anode electrodes. An electrolyte is adsorbed into and between cathode electrode, the anode electrode, and the membrane. A cathode current collector is electrically connected to the cathode and an anode current collector is electrically connected to the anode. A porous and electrically conductive interlayer can be provided between the membrane and at least one selected from the group consisting of the cathode and the anode. A method of making a battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for pre-lithiation of negative electrodes during lithium loaded electrode manufacturing for use in lithium-ion capacitors. There is provided a system and method of manufacture of LIC electrodes using thin lithium film having holes therein, and in particular, to the process of manufacturing lithium loaded negative electrodes for lithium-ion capacitors by pre-lithiating electrodes with thin lithium metal films, wherein the thin lithium metal films include holes therein, and the lithium loaded negative electrodes are manufactured using a roll-to-roll lamination manufacturing, process.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device includes an anode having a first mixture which includes a first plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a first average porosity, and lithium metal materials. The weight ratio of the first plurality of carbon-comprising and lithium metal materials is from 30:1 to 3:1. A cathode includes a second mixture having a second plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a second average porosity greater than the first average porosity, and lithium-intercalating metal oxide particles. The weight ratio of the second plurality of carbon-comprising and lithium-intercalating metal oxide particles is from 1:20 to 5:1. The weight ratio between the lithium metal materials loaded in the anode and the second plurality of carbon-comprising particles in the cathode is from 0.1-10%. An electrolyte physically and ionically contacts the anode and the cathode, and fills the pore volume in the anode, cathode and a porous separator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for pre-lithiation of negative electrodes during lithium loaded electrode manufacturing for use in lithium-ion capacitors. There is provided a system and method of manufacture of LIC electrodes using thin lithium film having holes therein, and in particular, to the process of manufacturing lithium loaded negative electrodes for lithium-ion capacitors by pre-lithiating electrodes with thin lithium metal films, wherein the thin lithium metal films include holes therein, and the lithium loaded negative electrodes are manufactured using a roll-to-roll lamination manufacturing, process.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode for an electrochemical cell includes the step of providing an electrode composite comprising from 70-98% active material, from 0-10% conductive material additives, and from 2-20% polymer binder, based on the total weight of the electrode composite. The electrode composite is mixed and then compressed the electrode composite into an electrode composite sheet. The electrode composite sheet is applied to a current collector with pressure to form an electrode, wherein the electrode possesses positive characteristics for adhesion according to ASTM standard test D3359-09e2, entitled Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test, and wherein the electrode composite sheet and the electrode possess positive characteristics for flexibility according to the Mandrel Test. The binder can be a single nonfluoropolymer binder. Dry process electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor (H-LIBC) energy storage device includes a hybrid composite cathode electrode having a lithium ion battery (LIB) cathode active material and a lithium ion capacitor (LIC) cathode active material. An anode electrode having a surface is pre-loaded and pressed with a lithium (Li) thin film source. The anode electrode is pre-lithiated with the lithium film source by positioning the Li film source on the surface of anode electrode after electrolyte filling and soaking processes, A separator and an organic solvent electrolytic solution including a lithium salt electrolyte are also provided. A method of making a hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor and a method of making a hybrid composite cathode for a hybrid lithium-ion battery-capacitor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery comprises a cathode electrode comprising from 80% to 100% lithium polysulfide based on the total weight of sulfur adsorbed at the cathode when the lithium sulfur battery is fully charged, and a high specific surface area electrically conductive material. An anode electrode comprises lithium. A porous and electrically insulating membrane is provided between the cathode and the anode electrodes. An electrolyte is adsorbed into and between cathode electrode, the anode electrode, and the membrane. A cathode current collector is electrically connected to the cathode and an anode current collector is electrically connected to the anode. A porous and electrically conductive interlayer can be provided between the membrane and at least one selected from the group consisting of the cathode and the anode. A method of making a battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device includes an anode having a first mixture which includes a first plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a first average porosity, and lithium metal materials. The weight ratio of the first plurality of carbon-comprising and lithium metal materials is from 30:1 to 3:1. A cathode includes a second mixture having a second plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a second average porosity greater than the first average porosity, and lithium-intercalating metal oxide particles. The weight ratio of the second plurality of carbon-comprising and lithium-intercalating metal oxide particles is from 1:20 to 5:1. The weight ratio between the lithium metal materials loaded in the anode and the second plurality of carbon-comprising particles in the cathode is from 0.1-10%. An electrolyte physically and ionically contacts the anode and the cathode, and fills the pore volume in the anode, cathode and a porous separator.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device includes an anode having a first mixture which includes a first plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a first average porosity, and lithium metal materials. The weight ratio of the first plurality of carbon-comprising and lithium metal materials is from 30:1 to 3:1. A cathode includes a second mixture having a second plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a second average porosity greater than the first average porosity, and lithium-intercalating metal oxide particles. The weight ratio of the second plurality of carbon-comprising and lithium-intercalating metal oxide particles is from 1:20 to 5:1. The weight ratio between the lithium metal materials loaded in the anode and the second plurality of carbon-comprising particles in the cathode is from 0.1-10%. An electrolyte physically and ionically contacts the anode and the cathode, and fills the pore volume in the anode, cathode and a porous separator.

Abstract: An apparatus for the in situ NMR monitoring of a battery including an anode, a separator and an air cathode is provided. The apparatus includes a non-metallic anode container portion, a non-metallic cathode container portion, and non-metallic connecting structure and sealing structure for connecting and sealing the anode container portion and the cathode container portion to define a hermetically sealed interior space for containing the battery with an anode of the battery adjacent the anode container portion and an air cathode of the battery adjacent the cathode container portion. The cathode container portion includes an air chamber portion with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air chamber portion can be adjacent to the air cathode such that air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet will contact the air cathode. A method of evaluating an air cathode battery and a battery assembly for the NMR spectroscopy of an air cathode battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode for an electrochemical cell includes the step of providing an electrode composite comprising from 70-98% active material, from 0-10% conductive material additives, and from 2-20% polymer binder, based on the total weight of the electrode composite. The electrode composite is mixed and then compressed the electrode composite into an electrode composite sheet. The electrode composite sheet is applied to a current collector with pressure to form an electrode, wherein the electrode possesses positive characteristics for adhesion according to ASTM standard test D3359-09e2, entitled Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test, and wherein the electrode composite sheet and the electrode possess positive characteristics for flexibility according to the Mandrel Test. The binder can be a single nonfluoropolymer binder. Dry process electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal air flow battery includes an electrochemical reaction unit and an oxygen exchange unit. The electrochemical reaction unit includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an ionic conductive membrane between the anode and the cathode, an anode electrolyte, and a cathode electrolyte. The oxygen exchange unit contacts the cathode electrolyte with oxygen separate from the electrochemical reaction unit. At least one pump is provided for pumping cathode electrolyte between the electrochemical reaction unit and the oxygen exchange unit. A method for producing an electrical current is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal air flow battery includes an electrochemical reaction unit and an oxygen exchange unit. The electrochemical reaction unit includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an ionic conductive membrane between the anode and the cathode, an anode electrolyte, and a cathode electrolyte. The oxygen exchange unit contacts the cathode electrolyte with oxygen separate from the electrochemical reaction unit. At least one pump is provided for pumping cathode electrolyte between the electrochemical reaction unit and the oxygen exchange unit. A method for producing an electrical current is also disclosed.