Abstract: A method of separating lithium (Li) from aluminum (Al) includes: obtaining an aqueous feed solution containing an acid, Li, and Al; providing a membrane module including a plurality of hollow fibers that are hydrophobic and include a porous sidewall defining a lumen side spaced apart from a shell side; wetting the porous sidewall of the plurality of hollow fibers with an organic phase including a cationic extractant and an organic solvent such that the organic phase is immobilized in the porous sidewall; performing membrane solvent extraction by passing the feed solution along one of the lumen side or the shell side of the plurality of hollow fibers and simultaneously passing a strip solution along the other of the lumen side or the shell side of the plurality of hollow fibers. The cationic extractant in the porous sidewall continuously extracts Al from the feed solution while substantially rejecting Li for recovery.

Abstract: A method of activating an electrode material is provided. The method includes adding an ion-conducting salt to an organic solvent to obtain a salt solution. An electrode material is introduced to the salt solution to obtain a reaction mixture by heat treating. The reaction mixture is heat treated at a temperature in a range of 50 to 70° C. for a period of time to surface coat the electrode material with an inorganic compound to obtain an activated electrode material. The ion-conducting salt may be a metal bis(fluorosulfony)imide, the metal being selected from a group consisting of Li, Na, K, Zn, Mg, Al, and Fe. The time period may be at least 4 hours and may be in a range of 8 to 24 hours. The inorganic compound coated on the electrode material may be LiF.

Abstract: Polymer magnet composites including NdFeB in a polycarbonate (PC) binder matrix are processed using processes including batch mixing and twin screw extrusion. One method includes adding PC to a compartment of a batch mixer and mixing the PC while the compartment is at a temperature greater than a flow temperature of the PC, to form a mixed PC material. The method also includes adding a NdFeB magnetic material to the compartment with the mixed PC material in four batches while the compartment is at the temperature greater than the flow temperature of the PC to form a mixed PC and NdFeB magnetic material, wherein each batch is mixed in the compartment for 1 to 3 minutes before the next batch is added. In addition, a total mixing time is 6 to 12 minutes, and the compartment includes an inert atmosphere. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of selectively extracting lithium from a lithium sulfate aqueous solution, the method comprising: (i) mixing an aluminum-containing sorbent material into the lithium sulfate aqueous solution to form a precursor mixture, wherein the aluminum-containing sorbent material is an aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, or combination thereof; and (ii) heating the precursor mixture to a temperature of 50-200° C. to result in selective formation of a solid lithium-aluminum complex and mother liquor; and wherein the method may further comprise: (iii) recovering isolated lithium salt from the solid lithium-aluminum complex by heating the solid lithium-aluminum complex in water or aqueous solution at a temperature of 50-100° C. to result in delithiation of the solid lithium-aluminum complex with transfer of the lithium salt from the solid lithium-aluminum complex to the water or aqueous solution, along with production of aluminum hydroxide solid.

Abstract: A lithium extraction composite comprising: (i) a porous support and (ii) particles of a lithium-selective sorbent material coated on at least one surface of the support, wherein the support has a planar membrane, fiber (or rod), or tubular shape. A method for extracting and recovering a lithium salt from an aqueous solution by use of the above-described composition is also described, the method comprising (a) flowing the aqueous source solution through a first zone or over a first surface of the lithium extraction composite to result in selective lithium intercalation in the lithium-selective sorbent material in the first zone or first surface; and (b) simultaneously recovering lithium salt extracted in step (a) from said lithium-selective sorbent material by flowing an aqueous stripping solution through a second zone or over a second surface of the lithium extraction composite in which lithium ions from the first zone or first surface diffuse.

Abstract: A lithium extraction composite comprising: (i) a porous support and (ii) particles of a lithium-selective sorbent material coated on at least one surface of the support, wherein the support has a planar membrane, fiber (or rod), or tubular shape. A method for extracting and recovering a lithium salt from an aqueous solution by use of the above-described composition is also described, the method comprising (a) flowing the aqueous source solution through a first zone or over a first surface of the lithium extraction composite to result in selective lithium intercalation in the lithium-selective sorbent material in the first zone or first surface; and (b) simultaneously recovering lithium salt extracted in step (a) from said lithium-selective sorbent material by flowing an aqueous stripping solution through a second zone or over a second surface of the lithium extraction composite in which lithium ions from the first zone or first surface diffuse.

Abstract: A lithium extraction composite comprising: (i) a porous support and (ii) particles of a lithium-selective sorbent material coated on at least one surface of the support, wherein the support has a planar membrane, fiber (or rod), or tubular shape. A method for extracting and recovering a lithium salt from an aqueous solution by use of the above-described composition is also described, the method comprising (a) flowing the aqueous source solution through a first zone or over a first surface of the lithium extraction composite to result in selective lithium intercalation in the lithium-selective sorbent material in the first zone or first surface; and (b) simultaneously recovering lithium salt extracted in step (a) from said lithium-selective sorbent material by flowing an aqueous stripping solution through a second zone or over a second surface of the lithium extraction composite in which lithium ions from the first zone or first surface diffuse.

Abstract: A method for producing a bonded permanent magnet by additive manufacturing, the method comprising: (i) incorporating components of a reactive precursor material into an additive manufacturing device, the reactive precursor material comprising an amine component, an isocyanate component, and particles having a permanent magnetic composition; and (ii) mixing and extruding the crosslinkable reactive precursor material through a nozzle of the additive manufacturing device and depositing the extrudate onto a substrate under conditions where the extrudate is permitted to cure, to produce a bonded permanent magnet of desired shape. The resulting bonded permanent magnet and articles made thereof are also described.

Abstract: An article with an improved buffer layer architecture includes a substrate having a textured metal surface, and an electrically conductive lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer on the surface of the substrate. The article can also include an epitaxial superconducting layer deposited on the epitaxial buffer layer. An epitaxial capping layer can be placed between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer. A method for preparing an epitaxial article includes providing a substrate with a metal surface and depositing on the metal surface a lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The method can further include depositing a superconducting layer on the epitaxial buffer layer, and depositing an epitaxial capping layer between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer.

Abstract: An article with an improved buffer layer architecture includes a substrate having a textured metal surface, and an electrically conductive lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer on the surface of the substrate. The article can also include an epitaxial superconducting layer deposited on the epitaxial buffer layer. An epitaxial capping layer can be placed between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer. A method for preparing an epitaxial article includes providing a substrate with a metal surface and depositing on the metal surface a lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The method can further include depositing a superconducting layer on the epitaxial buffer layer, and depositing an epitaxial capping layer between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer.

Abstract: An article with an improved buffer layer architecture includes a substrate having a textured metal surface, and an electrically conductive lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer on the surface of the substrate. The article can also include an epitaxial superconducting layer deposited on the epitaxial buffer layer. An epitaxial capping layer can be placed between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer. A method for preparing an epitaxial article includes providing a substrate with a metal surface and depositing on the metal surface a lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The method can further include depositing a superconducting layer on the epitaxial buffer layer, and depositing an epitaxial capping layer between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer.

Abstract: An article with an improved buffer layer architecture includes a substrate having a textured metal surface, and an electrically conductive lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer on the surface of the substrate. The article can also include an epitaxial superconducting layer deposited on the epitaxial buffer layer. An epitaxial capping layer can be placed between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer. A method for preparing an epitaxial article includes providing a substrate with a metal surface and depositing on the metal surface a lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The method can further include depositing a superconducting layer on the epitaxial buffer layer, and depositing an epitaxial capping layer between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer.