Abstract: An anode material with lithium-alloying particles contained within a porous support matrix is provided. The porous support matrix preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% afforded by porosity channels and expansion accommodation pores, and is electrically conductive. More preferably the support matrix has a porosity of between 10 and 50%. The support matrix is made from an organic polymer, an inorganic ceramic or a hybrid mixture of organic polymer and inorganic ceramic. The organic polymer support matrix and can be made from a rod-coil polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, UV cross-linked polymer, heat cross-linked polymer or combination thereof. An inorganic ceramic support matrix can be made from at least one group IV-VI transition metal compound, with the compound being a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof.

Abstract: A composite material having utility as an anode for lithium ion batteries comprises silicon, a transition metal, a ceramic and an electrically conductive diluent such as carbon. In particular instances, the ceramic is electrically conductive, and may comprise vanadium carbide or tungsten carbide. The transition metal may, in some instances, comprise iron. The material may be fabricated by grinding together a starting mixture of the components, and grinding may be accomplished in a high impact ball milling process, and the grinding step may cause partial alloying of the silicon with the metal and/or carbon. Further disclosed is a method for making the material as well as electrodes which incorporate the material.

Abstract: An anode material made from nanoparticles, said anode material including a homogeneous mixture of lithium-alloying nanoparticles with active support matrix nanoparticles, is provided. The active support matrix nanoparticle is a compound that participates in the conversion reaction of the lithium battery. The compound is preferably a transition metal compound, with said compound including a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof. An electrode manufactured from the anode material preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% and more preferably has a porosity between 10 and 50%. The anode material nanoparticles preferably have a mean linear dimension of between 2 and 500 nanometers, and more preferably have a mean linear dimension of between 2 and 50 nanometers.

Abstract: An anode material with lithium-alloying particles contained within a porous support matrix is provided. The porous support matrix preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% afforded by porosity channels and expansion accommodation pores, and is electrically conductive. More preferably the support matrix has a porosity of between 10 and 50%. The support matrix is made from an organic polymer, an inorganic ceramic or a hybrid mixture of organic polymer and inorganic ceramic The organic polymer support matrix and can be made from a rod-coil polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, UV cross-linked polymer, heat cross-linked polymer or combination thereof. An inorganic ceramic support matrix can be made from at least one group IV-VI transition metal compound, with the compound being a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane for a fuel cell is prepared from a polyimidazole polymer having the formula: wherein R1-R3 are independently H, a halogen, an alkyl or a substituted alkyl. X1 and X2 are independently or an electron withdrawing group such as CN. The membrane may be doped to alter its conductivity. The membrane may be prepared from a copolymer of the polyimidazole. Also disclosed is a fuel cell incorporating the membrane.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane for a fuel cell is prepared from a polyimidazole polymer having the formula: 1