Abstract: Si micro-reactors and processes for fabrication thereof are provided. Such fabrication processing involves high-energy ball milling micro-sized Si particles with a first OPC mixture at first ball milling conditions to reduce the micro-sized Si particles to nanostructured particles and form Si+OPC clusters wherein the Si nanostructured particles are glued together by OPC. The Si+OPC clusters are high-energy ball milled with a second OPC mixture at second ball milling conditions to form a ball milled Si+OPC mixture wherein the Si+OPC clusters are injected into OPC particles. The ball milled Si+OPC mixture is treated at carbon shell formation conditions to convert OPC to carbon shells and to form Si nanostructured particles coated with a carbon shell. The Si core of the Si nanostructured particles coated with a carbon shell are chemically etched under chemical etching conditions to generate engineering voids in the shape of nano-channels inside the carbon shell and to form Si micro-reactors.

Abstract: A sodium-based hybrid flow battery characterized by ultrahigh energy density includes a flow cathode, a non-flow sodium-based anode spaced apart from the flow cathode and with a solid non-porous ion exchange membrane disposed between the flow cathode and the anode. The flow cathode is in fluid flow communication with a source of a catholyte material. In operation, flow of the catholyte material in the flow cathode and diffusion of sodium ions through the non-porous ion exchange membrane produce electrical energy. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods of producing electrical energy.

Abstract: Methods of manufacture involving feeding a quantity of an additive manufacture material, such as a slurry or paste, through a high aspect ratio (HAR) nozzle to fonn a disposed layer. The high aspect ratio nozzle has a major axis to minor axis aspect ratio of greater than one. Second or further layers of the same or different material may be disposed on or adjacent to previously disposed layers via the same high aspect ratio nozzle or via different means such as a different nozzle. Such different nozzle can be a second high aspect ratio nozzle.

Abstract: Encapsulated lithium sulfide particles, e.g., Li2S nanoparticles, as well as associated or corresponding novel cathodes of or for Li/S batteries and methods of fabrication such as to effectively minimize or desirably overcome or resolve one or more of the issues that commonly contribute to rapid capacity fading of conventional Li/S batteries during cycling.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of method for the manufacture of carbide cermet powders, comprises high energy ball milling a mixture of precursor powders and a carbon source, followed by annealing the milled powder mixture. The precursor powders are selected from materials suitable for the formation of cermets, for example silicon, titanium, thorium, hafnium, vanadium, chromium, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, and zirconium-containing materials. The precursors further include a source of carbon. Tungsten cobalt carbide powders produced by this method are submicron-sized (0.2 to 0.4 microns) with internal nanograins (10 to 40 nanometers in diameter).

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of micron- and submicron-sized, nanostructured metal carbide powders, comprising high energy milling of metal oxide and carbon precursors followed by annealing of the as-milled powders. The annealing is preferably carried out under a flow of inert gas or subatmospheric pressure to drive the reaction to completion in one to two hours. The powders thus synthesized comprise high purity particles having a narrow particle size range.

Abstract: A tricycle canopy includes a flexible cover removeably attached to a rectangular cover support frame of light metal tube material. Four rigid prongs are attached to the cover support frame and extend downward perpendicularly from the frame. Two tubular uprights lying in a plane perpendicular to the forward direction of travel of the tricycle are integral with and are supported by a horizontal front member rigidly clamped to the tricycle framehead. The upper ends of the tubular front supports receive two of the prongs extending downward from the side members of the cover support frame. First and second rear uprights have lower ends attached to a support frame for a rear basket attached to the tricycle. The upper ends of the rear uprights receive the other two prongs extending downward from the cover support frame.