Abstract: A battery structure is provided for making alkali ion and alkaline-earth ion batteries. The battery has a hexacyanometallate cathode, a non-metal anode, and non-aqueous electrolyte. A method is provided for forming the hexacyanometallate battery cathode and non-metal battery anode prior to the battery assembly. The cathode includes hexacyanometallate particles overlying a current collector. The hexacyanometallate particles have the chemical formula A?n?AmM1xM2y(CN)6, and have a Prussian Blue hexacyanometallate crystal structure.

Abstract: A battery structure is provided for making alkali ion and alkaline-earth ion batteries. The battery has a hexacyanometallate cathode, a non-metal anode, and non-aqueous electrolyte. A method is provided for forming the hexacyanometallate battery cathode and non-metal battery anode prior to the battery assembly. The cathode includes hexacyanometallate particles overlying a current collector. The hexacyanometallate particles have the chemical formula A?n?AmM1xM2y(CN)6, and have a Prussian Blue hexacyanometallate crystal structure.

Abstract: A transition metal hexacyanoferrate (TMHCF) battery electrode is provided with a Fe(CN)6 additive. The electrode is made from AxMyFez(CN)n.mH2O particles overlying a current collector, where the A cations are either alkali and alkaline-earth cations such as sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), or magnesium (Mg), and M is a transition metal. A Fe(CN)6 additive modifies the AxMyFez(CN)n.mH2O particles. The Fe(CN)6 additive may be ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]4?) or ferricyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3?). Also provided are a related TMHCF battery with Fe(CN)6 additive, TMHCF fabrication process, and TMHCF battery fabrication process.

Abstract: A transition metal hexacyanoferrate (TMH) cathode battery is provided. The battery has a AxMn[Fe(CN)6]y.zH2O cathode, where the A cations are either alkali or alkaline-earth cations, such as sodium or potassium, where x is in the range of 1 to 2, where y is in the range of 0.5 to 1, and where z is in the range of 0 to 3.5. The AxMn[Fe(CN)6]y.zH2O has a rhombohedral crystal structure with Mn2+/3+ and Fe2+3+ having the same reduction/oxidation potential. The battery also has an electrolyte, and anode made of an A metal, an A composite, or a material that can host A atoms. The battery has a single plateau charging curve, where a single plateau charging curve is defined as a constant charging voltage slope between 15% and 85% battery charge capacity. Fabrication methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a metalloporphyrin polymer on a substrate. The method creates a functionalized substrate by attaching an anchor group of a linker, including a terminal alkyne group, to a substrate surface. The functionalized substrate is then exposed to metalloporphyrin monomers, where each metalloporphyrin monomer includes at least two terminal alkyne groups. A plurality of metalloporphyrin monomers (e.g., zinc porphyrin monomers) are thus linked via the metalloporphyrin monomer terminal alkyne groups, forming a metalloporphyrin polymer attached to the substrate. In one aspect, linking the plurality of metalloporphyrin monomers via the metalloporphyrin monomer terminal alkyne groups includes forming butadiyne groups between adjacent metalloporphyrins. Then, forming the metalloporphyrin polymer attached to the substrate includes attaching the metalloporphyrin polymer, via a metalloporphyrin monomer terminal alkyne group, to the terminal alkyne group of an associated linker.

Abstract: A battery and an associated method are provided for generating power using an air cathode battery with a slurry anode. The method provides a battery with an air cathode separated from an anode current collector by an electrically insulating separator and an extrusion gap. The anode current collector extruder has a first plate with a plurality of slurry outlet perforations, and a sleeve having a first partition immediately adjacent to the extruder first plate, with a plurality of slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry is provided under pressure to an extruder inlet, and the extruder first plate slurry outlet perforations are selectively aligned with sleeve first partition slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry deposits are formed in the extrusion gap to mechanically charge the battery. In the discharge position, the sleeve moves so that the perforations no longer align, and slurry in the extruder is isolated from slurry in the extrusion gap.

Abstract: A method is provided for cycling power in a transition metal cyanometallate (TMCM) cathode battery. The method provides a battery with a TMCM cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte, where TMCM corresponds to the chemical formula of AXM1NM2M(CN)Y-d(H2O), where “A” is an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method charges the battery using a first charging current, or greater. In response to the charging current, a plating of “A” metal is formed overlying a plating surface of the anode. In response to discharging the battery, the “A” metal plating is removed from the anode plating surface. In one aspect, in an initial charging of the battery, a permanent solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is formed overlying the anode plating surface. In subsequent charging and discharging cycles, the permanent SEI layer is maintained overlying the anode plating surface.

Abstract: A transition metal hexacyanometallate (TMHCM)-conductive polymer (CP) composite electrode is provided. The battery electrode is made up of a current collector and a transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer composite overlying the current collector. The transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer includes a AXM1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O material, where A may be alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, ammonium ions, or combinations thereof, and M1 and M2 are transition metal ions. The transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer composite also includes a conductive polymer material. In one aspect, the conductive polymer material is polyaniline (PANI) or polypyrrole (Ppy). Also presented herein are methods for the fabrication of a TMHCM-CP composite.

Abstract: An ultraviolet treatment method is provided for a metal oxide electrode. A metal oxide electrode is exposed to an ultraviolet (UV) light source in a humid environment. The metal oxide electrode is then treated with a moiety having at least one anchor group, where the anchor group is a chemical group capable of promoting communication between the moiety and the metal oxide electrode. As a result, the moiety is bound to the metal oxide electrode. In one aspect the metal oxide electrode is treated with a photoactive moiety. Exposing the metal oxide electrode to the UV light source in the humid environment induces surface defects in the metal oxide electrode in the form of oxygen vacancies. In response to the humidity, atmospheric water competes favorably with oxygen for dissociative adsorption on the metal oxide electrode surface, and hydroxylation of the metal oxide electrode surface is induced.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing a metal-doped transition metal hexacyanoferrate (TMHCF) battery electrode. The method prepares a first solution of AxFe(CN)6 and Fe(CN)6, where A cations may be alkali or alkaline-earth cations. The method adds the first solution to a second solution containing M-ions and M?-ions. M is a transition metal, and M? is a metal dopant. Subsequent to stirring, the mixture is precipitated to form AxMcM?dFez(CN)n.mH2O particles. The AxMcM?dFez(CN)n.mH2O particles have a framework and interstitial spaces in the framework, where M and M? occupy positions in the framework. Alternatively, the method prepares AaA?bMyFez(CN)n.mH2O particles. A and A? occupy interstitial spaces in the AaA?bMyFez(CN)n.mH2O particle framework. A metal-doped TMHCF electrode is also provided.

Abstract: A structure of intimately contacting carbon-hexacyanometallate is provided for forming a metal-ion battery electrode. Several methods are provided for forming the carbon-hexacyanometallate intimate contact. These methods include (1) adding conducting carbon during the synthesis of hexacyanometallate and forming the carbon-hexacyanometallate powder prior to forming the paste for electrode printing; (2) coating with conducting carbon after hexacyanometallate powder formation and prior to forming the paste for electrode printing; and (3) coating a layer of conducting carbon over the hexacyanometallate electrode.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a metalloporphyrin polymer on a substrate. The method creates a functionalized substrate by attaching an anchor group of a linker, including a terminal alkyne group, to a substrate surface. The functionalized substrate is then exposed to metalloporphyrin monomers, where each metalloporphyrin monomer includes at least two terminal alkyne groups. A plurality of metalloporphyrin monomers (e.g., zinc porphyrin monomers) are thus linked via the metalloporphyrin monomer terminal alkyne groups, forming a metalloporphyrin polymer attached to the substrate. In one aspect, linking the plurality of metalloporphyrin monomers via the metalloporphyrin monomer terminal alkyne groups includes forming butadiyne groups between adjacent metalloporphyrins. Then, forming the metalloporphyrin polymer attached to the substrate includes attaching the metalloporphyrin polymer, via a metalloporphyrin monomer terminal alkyne group, to the terminal alkyne group of an associated linker.

Abstract: An air cathode battery is provided that uses a zinc slurry anode with carbon additives. The battery is made from an air cathode and a zinc slurry anode. The zinc slurry anode includes zinc particles, an alkaline electrolyte, with a complexing agent and carbon additives in the alkaline electrolyte. A water permeable ion-exchange membrane and electrolyte chamber separate the zinc slurry from the air cathode. The carbon additives may, for example, be graphite, carbon fiber, carbon black, or carbon nanoparticles. The proportion of carbon additives to zinc is in the range of 2.5 to 10% by weight. The proportion of alkaline electrolyte in the zinc slurry is in the range of 50 to 80% by volume.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing iron hexacyanoferrate (FeHCF). The method forms a first solution of a ferrocyanide source [A4Fe(CN)6.PH2O] material dissolved in a first solvent, where “A” is an alkali metal ion. A second solution is formed of a Fe(II) source dissolved in a second solvent. A reducing agent is added and, optionally, an alkali metal salt. The first and second solutions may be purged with an inert gas. The second solution is combined with the first solution to form a third solution in a low oxygen environment. The third solution is agitated in a low oxygen environment, and AX+1Fe2(CN)6.ZH2O is formed, where X is in the range of 0 to 1. The method isolates the AX+1Fe2(CN)6.ZH2O from the third solution, and dries the AX+1Fe2(CN)6.ZH2O under vacuum at a temperature greater than 60 degrees C.

Abstract: A three-terminal light emitting device (LED) chip, associated fabrication method, and LED array are provided. The method forms an n-doped semiconductor layer overlying a substrate, an active semiconductor layer overlying the n-doped semiconductor layer, and a p-doped semiconductor layer overlying the active semiconductor layer. A trench is formed through the p-doped and active semiconductor layers, exposing the n-doped semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the trench is formed at least part way, but not completely, through the n-doped semiconductor layer. Then, an LED P electrode is formed overlying a first region of the p-doped semiconductor layer, a diode P electrode is formed overlying a second region of the p-doped semiconductor layer that is separated from the first region of the p-doped semiconductor layer by the trench, and an N electrode is formed overlying a top surface of the exposed n-doped semiconductor layer in the trench, shared by the LED and diode.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (ssDSC) tandem module. The method fabricates a first panel by forming a first plurality of series-connected ssDSC cells overlying the first substrate top surface, with an electrical interface between each ssDSC cell. A second panel is fabricated in the same manner. An anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is formed overlying each electrical interface of the first panel ssDSC cells. Each ACF is aligned to a corresponding electrical interface of the second panel ssDSC cells, and the panels are bound. The result is a ssDSC tandem module comprising a first plurality of series-connected tandem sections, where each tandem section comprises a first panel ssDSC cell connected in parallel with an overlying second panel ssDSC cell. In one variation, the tandem sections include series-connected ssDSC cells.

Abstract: Methods are presented for synthesizing metal cyanometallate (MCM). A first method provides a first solution of AXM2Y(CN)Z, to which a second solution including M1 is dropwise added. As a result, a precipitate is formed of ANM1PM2Q(CN)R·FH2O, where N is in the range of 1 to 4. A second method for synthesizing MCM provides a first solution of M2C(CN)B, which is dropwise added to a second solution including M1. As a result, a precipitate is formed of M1[M2S(CN)G]1/T·DH2O, where S/T is greater than or equal to 0.8. Low vacancy MCM materials are also presented.

Abstract: A three-terminal light emitting device (LED) chip, associated fabrication method, and LED array are provided. The method forms an n-doped semiconductor layer overlying a substrate, an active semiconductor layer overlying the n-doped semiconductor layer, and a p-doped semiconductor layer overlying the active semiconductor layer. A trench is formed through the p-doped and active semiconductor layers, exposing the n-doped semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the trench is formed at least part way, but not completely, through the n-doped semiconductor layer. Then, an LED P electrode is formed overlying a first region of the p-doped semiconductor layer, a diode P electrode is formed overlying a second region of the p-doped semiconductor layer that is separated from the first region of the p-doped semiconductor layer by the trench, and an N electrode is formed overlying a top surface of the exposed n-doped semiconductor layer in the trench, shared by the LED and diode.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a carbon-sulfur (C—S) battery cathode. The method forms a C—S nanocomposite material overlying metal current collector. A dielectric is formed overlying the C—S material that is permeable to lithium (Li) ions and electrolyte, but impermeable to polysulfides. Typically, the C—S nanocomposite material is porous and the dielectric forms a uniform coating of dielectric inside C—S nanocomposite pores. The dielectric includes a metal (M) oxide with an oxy bridge formation (M-O-M). The metal (M) may, for example, be Mg, Al, Si, Ti, Zn, In, Sn, Mn, Ni, or Cu. A C—S battery cathode, and a battery with a C—S are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for charging a supercapacitor. The method initially provides a supercapacitor with a metal cyanometallate (MCM) particle anode, an electrolyte including a salt (DB) made up of cations (D+) anions (B?), and a cathode including carbonaceous materials (?). The method connects an external charging device between the anode and cathode, and the charging device supplies electrons to the anode and accepting electrons from the cathode. In response to the charging device, cations are inserted into the anode while anions are absorbed on the surface of the cathode. A supercapacitor device is also presented.