Abstract: Methods of determining ion exchange mechanism in a solid-solution cathode of a Li-ion battery include observing changes in nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMC) particles of a composite electrode of the Li-ion battery over a period of time using operando optical microscopy, developing a model of the observed changes using multiphysics computational modeling, and determining the ion exchange mechanism based on the observed changes and the developed model. A method of reducing first charge heterogeneous reactions in a Li-ion battery includes increasing electrical conductivity of NMC in an NMC cathode of the Li-ion battery, and/or increasing Li diffusivity in an NMC cathode of the Li-ion battery. A Li-ion battery has a porous composite cathode formed by an NMC cathode having a carbon matrix and NMC particles. The NMC particles do not completely cover the carbon matrix, and in charge cycles after the first charge cycle have homogeneous electrochemical activities throughout the cathode.

Abstract: An electrochromic device, including a first transparent conductor layer, an electrochromic layer, a toughened interface layer positioned between and operationally connected in electric communication with the first transparent conductor layer and the electrochromic layer, an electrolyte operationally connected to the electrochromic layer, an ion storage layer operationally connected to the solid electrolyte layer, and a second transparent conductor layer operationally connected to the ion storage layer. The electrochromic device remains substantially free of interfacial delamination between the first transparent conductive and the electrochromic layer for at least 10,000 duty cycles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring mechanical properties of electrodes during electrochemical reactions. Such an apparatus includes a fixture having a fluid reservoir that is open to a surrounding atmosphere, first and second electrodes located within the fluid reservoir, and a contact for coupling with a sample material located in the fluid reservoir to define a third electrode. The apparatus further includes a nanoindenter configured for applying a load to a surface of the sample material to form an indentation therein and measuring the load and the size of the indentation over time, a housing enclosing the fixture and the nanoindenter within an inert atmosphere, and a potentiostat configured to charge and discharge an electrochemical cell that is defined by the first, second, and third electrodes and an electrolyte solution in the fluid reservoir while the nanoindenter is applying the load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring mechanical properties of electrodes during electrochemical reactions. Such an apparatus includes a fixture having a fluid reservoir that is open to a surrounding atmosphere, first and second electrodes located within the fluid reservoir, and a contact for coupling with a sample material located in the fluid reservoir to define a third electrode. The apparatus further includes a nanoindenter configured for applying a load to a surface of the sample material to form an indentation therein and measuring the load and the size of the indentation over time, a housing enclosing the fixture and the nanoindenter within an inert atmosphere, and a potentiostat configured to charge and discharge an electrochemical cell that is defined by the first, second, and third electrodes and an electrolyte solution in the fluid reservoir while the nanoindenter is applying the load.