Abstract: A battery assembly includes a first plurality of battery cells, a second plurality of battery cells, and an intermediate layer arranged in a stack. Each of the first plurality of battery cells includes a first cathode, a first cathode current collector, a first anode, a first anode current collector, and a first solid state separator, and each of the second plurality of battery cells includes a second cathode, a second cathode current collector, a second anode, a second anode current collector, and a second solid state separator. The first cathode current collectors are electrically connected in parallel to a first terminal, and the second anode current collectors are electrically connected in parallel to a second terminal. The first anode current collectors of the first plurality of battery cells are electrically connected and are electrically connected to the second cathode current collectors of the second plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming an electrode. The method can comprise thermally reducing GeO2 powders at a reducing temperature of 300° C. to 600° C. to produce Ge particles; mixing the Ge particles with an organic binder and a carbon source; and pressing the Ge particles with the binder and the carbon source to form the electrode. Electrodes are also provided that include a plurality of microparticles comprising Ge grains, an organic binder, and a carbon source, wherein the Ge grains comprise cubic Ge and are bonded together to form Ge particles, and wherein the Ge grains define nanopores within the electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a porous anode active material particle (or multiple porous particles) for a lithium battery, the particle comprising internal pores, having a pore volume of Vp and pore wall surfaces, and a solid portion having a solid volume Va, wherein the volume ratio Vp/Va is from 0.1/1.0 to 10/1.0 and wherein the pores are infiltrated with a graphene material that partially or fully covers the internal pore wall surfaces. The exterior surfaces of graphene-infiltrated porous particles may also be coated with a graphene materials and optionally further coated or encapsulated with a conducting polymer. Also provided is a method of producing graphene-infiltrated porous anode material particles.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming an electrode. The method can comprise thermally reducing GeO2 powders at a reducing temperature of 300° C. to 600° C. to produce Ge particles; mixing the Ge particles with an organic binder and a carbon source; and pressing the Ge particles with the binder and the carbon source to form the electrode. Electrodes are also provided that include a plurality of microparticles comprising Ge grains, an organic binder, and a carbon source, wherein the Ge grains comprise cubic Ge and are bonded together to form Ge particles, and wherein the Ge grains define nanopores within the electrode.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming an electrode. The method can comprises: thermally reducing GeO2 powders at a reducing temperature of 300° C. to 600° C. to produce Ge particles; mixing the Ge particles with an organic binder and a carbon source; and pressing the Ge particles with the binder and the carbon source to form the electrode. Electrodes are also provided that include a plurality of microparticles comprising Ge grains, an organic binder, and a carbon source, wherein the Ge grains comprise cubic Ge and are bonded together to form Ge particles, and wherein the Ge grains define nanopores within the electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of a non-aqueous electrolyte for a rechargeable sodium (Na)-based battery comprise a sodium salt and a nonaqueous solvent, the electrolyte having a sodium salt concentration ?2.5 M or a solvent-sodium salt mole ratio ?4:1. Na-based rechargeable batteries including the electrolyte exhibit both high cycling stability and high coulombic efficiency (CE). Some embodiments of the disclosed batteries attain a CE?80% within 10-30 charge-discharge cycles and maintain a CE?80% for at least 100 charge-discharge cycles. In certain embodiments, the battery is an anode-free battery in the as-assembled initial state.

Abstract: Embodiments of a non-aqueous electrolyte for a rechargeable sodium (Na)-based battery comprise a sodium salt and a nonaqueous solvent, the electrolyte having a sodium salt concentration ?2.5 M or a solvent-sodium salt mole ratio ?4:1. Na-based rechargeable batteries including the electrolyte exhibit both high cycling stability and high coulombic efficiency (CE). Some embodiments of the disclosed batteries attain a CE?80% within 10-30 charge-discharge cycles and maintain a CE?80% for at least 100 charge-discharge cycles. In certain embodiments, the battery is an anode-free battery in the as-assembled initial state.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming an electrode. The method can comprises: thermally reducing GeO2 powders at a reducing temperature of 300° C. to 600° C. to produce Ge particles; mixing the Ge particles with an organic binder and a carbon source; and pressing the Ge particles with the binder and the carbon source to form the electrode. Electrodes are also provided that include a plurality of microparticles comprising Ge grains, an organic binder, and a carbon source, wherein the Ge grains comprise cubic Ge and are bonded together to form Ge particles, and wherein the Ge grains define nanopores within the electrode.