Abstract: A photodialysis device that can desalinate saline streams is described herein. The device can have a desalination rate that is significantly faster than current solar thermal desalination technology. Salt is removed from water by passing ionic current derived from sunlight through this water using dye-sensitized membranes. The device can serve as a distributed, low-cost technology that can efficiently and effectively desalinate low salinity sources of water, which is particularly useful for agriculture and drinking water applications.

Abstract: Membranes for electrochemical technologies that operate at non-extreme acidic or basic conditions are described herein. The membrane can be a bipolar membrane having an anion-exchange layer, a cation-exchange layer, and a polymer layer containing a catalyst juxtaposed between the two layers. The catalyst can improve the rate for water dissociation and water formation at low applied bias thereby decreasing the overpotential and resistance for overall ion transport, especially when unequal pH values are used between the catholyte and anolyte.

Abstract: A method of making three-dimensional solid-state electrodes includes the steps of: providing a slurry of one or more active materials, a pore former and/or a solvent, a binder, and a conductive additive; casting the slurry to form a three-dimensional film; and drying, and removing the pore former from, the three-dimensional film to produce a three-dimensional structure characterized by a substantial number of pores having low tortuosity and having their longitudinal axes extend in substantially the same direction between upper and lower surfaces of the film.

Abstract: Microscopically ordered solid electrolyte architectures for solid-state and hybrid Li ion batteries are disclosed. The architecture comprises at least one porous scaffold comprising a lithium conducting ceramic that is porous enough to be infiltrated with cathode or anode active material in an amount sufficient to enable energy densities greater than 300 Wh/kg. Methods of making these microscopically ordered solid electrolyte architecture by fabricating at least one green ceramic scaffold and applying at least one heat treatment step are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid state or bulk hybrid batteries comprising a plurality of composite electrodes with high loading of electrochemically-active materials, a dendrite-blocking separator placed between the anode and the cathode, a secondary phase between the electrochemically-active materials and the solid-state or hybrid electrolyte and methods thereof are disclosed. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photodialysis device that can desalinate saline streams is described herein. The device can have a desalination rate that is significantly faster than current solar thermal desalination technology. Salt is removed from water by passing ionic current derived from sunlight through this water using dye-sensitized membranes. The device can serve as a distributed, low-cost technology that can efficiently and effectively desalinate low salinity sources of water, which is particularly useful for agriculture and drinking water applications.