Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: To improve the chemical stability, as well as the critical current density (JC) of a superconductive material in an external magnetic field, copper-oxide coating materials have been developed. In some embodiments, these coating materials include a composition with the formula R1−xCaxBa2−yLayCu3−zMzO7−&dgr;, where R is a rare-earth element (e.g., La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, or Y), M is a transition metal (e.g., Mn, Re, Fe, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, or Hg), 0≦x≦0.4, 0≦y≦0.4, and 0≦z≦1.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO.sub.4).sup.3- as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell wherein an anode, solid electrolyte and cathode each comprise a cubic-close-packed framework structure having, as its basic structural unit, a unit of the formula (B.sub.2)X.sub.4.sup.n- which is the structural unit of an A(B.sub.2)X.sub.4 spinel. The structure accommodates active cations M.sup.+ capable of diffusion therethrough. The invention also extends to electrodes and electrolytes of the above type for use in such cells.

Abstract: There is interest in the use of solid-solution electrodes as a way of meeting the problems of conventional batteries; Li.sub.a TiS.sub.2 where O.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.1 is known in this respect and may be made by high temperature preparative routes.Fast ion conductors of the formula A.sub.x M.sub.y O.sub.2 where A is Li, Na or K, M is a transition metal e.g. Co or Ni, .ltoreq.x<1 and y.apprxeq.1 have been made for this purpose according to the invention. They cannot be made by high temperature routes when x is substantially less than 1 owing to stability problems. In the invention, they have been made by electrochemical extraction of A.sup.+ ions from compounds of the formula A.sub.x' M.sub.y O.sub.2 where O<x'.ltoreq.1, carried out at low temperature.

Abstract: There is interest in the use of solid-solution electrodes as a way of meeting the problems of conventional batteries; Li.sub.a TiS.sub.2 where O<a<1 is known in this respect and may be made by high temperature preparative routes.Fast ion conductors of the formula A.sub.x M.sub.y O.sub.2 where A is Li, Na or K, M is a transition metal e.g. Co or Ni, <x<1 and y.apprxeq.1 have been made for this purpose according to the invention. They cannot be made by high temperature routes when x is substantially less than 1 owing to stability problems. In the invention, they have been made by electrochemical extraction of A.sup.+ ions from compounds of the formula A.sub.x' M.sub.y O.sub.2 where O<x'<1, carried out at low temperature.

Abstract: Fast alkali-metal-ion transporters are provided having low resistivities and low-activation-energy mobilities at temperatures at which alkali metals are molten. The novel compounds promote alkali-metal-ion transport in three dimensions within their crystalline structure and have the general formula:A.sub.n X.sub.2 (ZO.sub.4).sub.3orA.sub.m (Z'.sub.2 O.sub.4)wherein A is potassium, sodium or lithium, Z' is a tetrahedrally coordinated cation or mixtures thereof, X is an octahedrally coordinated cation or mixtures thereof, n is a number greater than 1 and less than 4, m is a number from 1 up to 2 and Z' is a mixture of at least two Z' cations.