Abstract: Discussed herein are methods for making an anode material comprising silicon nanoparticles and a graphite carbon coating thereon. The method can include providing silicon nanoparticles, applying an amorphous carbon coating thereon to create an amorphous carbon shell on the silicon nanoparticles at a first temperature, and converting the amorphous carbon shell to a graphite carbon shell at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The method can optionally include producing silicon nanoparticles by providing an argon-silane mixture, exposing the argon-silane mixture to a non-thermal plasma to convert the silane mixture to amorphous clusters, and passing the amorphous clusters through a furnace at a first temperature so as to agglomerate them to silicon nanoparticles.

Abstract: A kit for masonry structures includes fiber cement spacers for placement between adjacent blocks in a tier of blocks and a spacer layer of fiber cement material placed between tiers of blocks. Optionally, an adhesive is applied between the spacers and the adjacent blocks. Optionally, a grout is a applied to the face of the structure to cover the spacers and simulate the appearance of the finished brick and mortar wall. The uniform spacing between bricks and between tiers provided by the spacers simplifies the process of building a masonry structure with a professional quality appearance. Other materials for use as spacers are possible.