Abstract: Systems, methods, and membranes involving ion exchange membranes are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, an ultrathin laminar layer made of inorganic nanosheets may be coated on one side or both sides of a polymeric anion exchange membrane (AEM), forming a composite AEM. Oxidation stability measurements may indicate that composite AEM provide superior oxidation resistance to exemplary polymeric AEMs and to commercial polymeric AEMs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rechargeable batteries are provided. In an embodiment, a battery may include a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte solution, and a current collector. The anode may include a 3D porous structure. The 3D porous structure may have a higher electrical conductivity at one end than at the other end, and lithium ions may be dispersed throughout the 3D porous structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rechargeable batteries are provided. In an embodiment, a battery may include a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte solution, and a current collector. The anode may include a 3D porous structure. The 3D porous structure may have a higher electrical conductivity at one end than at the other end, and lithium ions may be dispersed throughout the 3D porous structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rechargeable batteries are provided. In an embodiment, a battery may include a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte solution, and a current collector. The anode may include a 3D porous structure. The 3D porous structure may have a higher electrical conductivity at one end than at the other end, and lithium ions may be dispersed throughout the 3D porous structure.

Abstract: Low-cost electrochemical energy storage devices having electrochemical cells containing zinc electrodes in aqueous electrolytes, which exhibit superior cycle performance, preferably comprise the following elements: (a) a cathode formed of manganese dioxide particles, preferably doped with at least one of magnesium, strontium, barium, calcium, and lanthanum, wherein the manganese dioxide particles preferably form at least one of (1) a delta manganese dioxide structure and (2) a todokorite manganese dioxide structure; (b) an anode formed of particles comprising zinc, wherein the particles are preferably treated with at least one of bismuth, indium, gallium, antimony, and tin; (c) a mixed ion electrolyte solution with a pH greater than or equal to three and less than or equal to seven, wherein the solution preferably comprises at least one monovalent salt and at least one divalent salt; and (d) a mesh as cathode current collector comprising at least one of titanium, stainless steel, tantalum, and niobium, whe

Abstract: The invention provides mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for olefin/paraffin separation and methodes of making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix with metal doped zeolite nano-particles. A separation technology based upon the composite membranes is effective for propylene and other olefin separation from olefin/paraffin mixtures, and the separation is more energy-efficient than the conventional cryogenic technique.

Abstract: The invention provides mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for olefin/paraffin separation and methodes of making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix with metal doped zeolite nano-particles. A separation technology based upon the composite membranes is effective for propylene and other olefin separation from olefin/paraffin mixtures, and the separation is more energy-efficient than the conventional cryogenic technique.

Abstract: In an improved lithium sulfur battery, an improvement comprises an effective Prussian blue dense membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a layer of zeolite having a high silica to alumina ratio supported on a support layer acts as a separator in a redox flow battery. The zeolite can be either supported on a rigid substrate, such as alumina, or a flexible substrate, such as a polymeric film. The polymeric film, in particular, can be an ion exchange membrane such as Nafion. The zeolite layer with a high silica to aluminum ratio provides a long-lasting separator for redox flow batteries.

Abstract: Low-cost electrochemical energy storage devices having electrochemical cells containing zinc electrodes in aqueous electrolytes, which exhibit superior cycle performance, preferably comprise the following elements: (a) a cathode formed of manganese dioxide particles, preferably doped with at least one of magnesium, strontium, barium, calcium, and lanthanum, wherein the manganese dioxide particles preferably form at least one of (1) a delta manganese dioxide structure and (2) a todokorite manganese dioxide structure; (b) an anode formed of particles comprising zinc, wherein the particles are preferably treated with at least one of bismuth, indium, gallium, antimony, and tin; (c) a mixed ion electrolyte solution with a pH greater than or equal to three and less than or equal to seven, wherein the solution preferably comprises at least one monovalent salt and at least one divalent salt; and (d) a mesh as cathode current collector comprising at least one of titanium, stainless steel, tantalum, and niobium, whe

Abstract: The invention provides mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for olefin/paraffin separation and methodes of making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix with metal doped zeolite nano-particles. A separation technology based upon the composite membranes is effective for propylene and other olefin separation from olefin/paraffin mixtures, and the separation is more energy-efficient than the conventional cryogenic technique.

Abstract: This invention presents a metal-doped zeolite membrane-based apparatus containing molecular sieving zeolite thin film on the seeded porous substrate. The metal-doped zeolite membrane exhibits high selectivity to olefin over paraffins. The membrane is synthesized by seed coating and secondary growth method, followed by metal doping and post treatment processes.

Abstract: This invention presents a metal-doped zeolite membrane-based apparatus containing molecular sieving zeolite thin film on the seeded porous substrate. The metal-doped zeolite membrane exhibits high selectivity to olefin over paraffins. The membrane is synthesized by seed coating and secondary growth method, followed by metal doping and post treatment processes.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a rechargeable battery comprises a zinc oxide member doped with one or more metals and thereafter coated with a conductive layer of carbon or carbon doped with an element selected from the group consisting of fluorine, nitrogen, boron, and a mixture of two or more thereof. The electrode material is prepared by admixing ZnO or doped ZnO with carbon or a carbon-based material and then heating the admixture to form ZnO with a conductive layer. The ZnO can be doped with a first metal and then a second metal.

Abstract: In an improved lithium sulfur battery, an improvement comprises an effective Prussian blue dense membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses composite inorganic membranes, methods for making the same, and methods of separating gases, vapors, and liquids using the same. The composite zeolite membrane is prepared by TS-1 zeolite membrane synthesis, and subsequent palladium doping. In the composite zeolite membrane synthesis, two different methods can be employed, including in-situ crystallization of one or more layers of zeolite crystals an a porous membrane substrate, and a second growth method by in-situ crystallization of a continuous second layer of zeolite crystals on a seed layer of MFI zeolite crystals supported on a porous membrane substrate. The membranes in the form of disks, tubes, or hollow fibers have high gas selectivity over other small gases, very good impurity resistance, and excellent thermal and chemical stability over polymer membranes and other inorganic membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid, separations.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a layer of zeolite having a high silica to alumina ratio supported on a support layer acts as a separator in a redox flow battery. The zeolite can be either supported on a rigid substrate, such as alumina, or a flexible substrate, such as a polymeric film. The polymeric film, in particular, can be an ion exchange membrane such as Nafion. The zeolite layer with a high silica to aluminum ratio provides a long-lasting separator for redox flow batteries.

Abstract: The present invention discloses composite inorganic membranes, methods for making the same, and methods of separating gases, vapors, and liquids using the same. The composite zeolite membrane is prepared by TS-1 zeolite membrane synthesis, and subsequent palladium doping. In the composite zeolite membrane synthesis, two different methods can be employed, including in-situ crystallization of one or more layers of zeolite crystals an a porous membrane substrate, and a second growth method by in-situ crystallization of a continuous second layer of zeolite crystals on a seed layer of MFI zeolite crystals supported on a porous membrane substrate. The membranes in the form of disks, tubes, or hollow fibers have high gas selectivity over other small gases, very good impurity resistance, and excellent thermal and chemical stability over polymer membranes and other inorganic membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid, separations.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition for zinc-based electrochemical cells that contains KOH and potassium acetate (KAcet) and/or soluble salts of cesium. The electrolyte significantly eliminates shape change and dendrite growth while retaining high ionic conductivity. Anticorrosion compounds such as soluble indium compounds may be included alone or in combination with auxiliary anticorrosion compounds such as soluble tin compounds to improve charged stand and shelf life. Optionally, lithium hydroxide may be added to the electrolyte to facilitate charge acceptance of the positive electrode, particularly at cold temperatures.

Abstract: A rechargeable zinc cell with a longitudinally-folded separator comprising a zinc negative electrode, a positive electrode, an electrolyte and a separator. The separator comprises at least two wicking layers with a microporous layer in the center thereof, and the separator is folded longitudinally to wrap around a long edge of the zinc negative electrode. A method of constructing a rechargeable zinc cell with a longitudinally-folded separator comprising the steps of placing the zinc negative electrode in contact with at least one of the two wicking layers of the separator, folding the separator longitudinally around a long edge of the zinc negative electrode, placing the positive electrode on said separator and rolling the zinc negative electrode, the positive electrode and the separator into a jelly roll structure.