Abstract: A positive electrode composition is described, containing granules of at least one electroactive metal, at least one alkali metal halide and carbon black. An energy storage device and an uninterruptable power supply device are also described. Related methods for the preparation of a positive electrode and an energy storage device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ceramic matrix composites using melt infiltration and chemical vapor infiltration are provided as well as the resulting ceramic matrix composites. The methods and products include the incorporation of sacrificial fibers to provide improved infiltration of the fluid infiltrant. The sacrificial fibers are removed, such as decomposed during pyrolysis, resulting in the formation of regular and elongate channels throughout the ceramic matrix composite. Infiltration of the fluid infiltrant can then take place using the elongate channels resulting in improved density and an improved ceramic matrix composite product.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ceramic matrix composites using melt infiltration and chemical vapor infiltration are provided as well as the resulting ceramic matrix composites. The methods and products include the incorporation of sacrificial fibers to provide improved infiltration of the fluid infiltrant. The sacrificial fibers are removed, such as decomposed during pyrolysis, resulting in the formation of regular and elongate channels throughout the ceramic matrix composite. Infiltration of the fluid infiltrant can then take place using the elongate channels resulting in improved density and an improved ceramic matrix composite product.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ceramic matrix composites using melt infiltration and chemical vapor infiltration are provided as well as the resulting ceramic matrix composites. The methods and products include the incorporation of sacrificial fibers to provide improved infiltration of the fluid infiltrant. The sacrificial fibers are removed, such as decomposed during pyrolysis, resulting in the formation of regular and elongate channels throughout the ceramic matrix composite. Infiltration of the fluid infiltrant can then take place using the elongate channels resulting in improved density and an improved ceramic matrix composite product.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ceramic matrix composites using melt infiltration and chemical vapor infiltration are provided as well as the resulting ceramic matrix composites. The methods and products include the incorporation of sacrificial fibers to provide improved infiltration of the fluid infiltrant. The sacrificial fibers are removed, such as decomposed during pyrolysis, resulting in the formation of regular and elongate channels throughout the ceramic matrix composite. Infiltration of the fluid infiltrant can then take place using the elongate channels resulting in improved density and an improved ceramic matrix composite product.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is presented. The composition includes granules that comprise an electroactive metal, an alkali metal halide, and a metal sulfide composition that is substantially-free of oxygen. A molar ratio of the electroactive metal to an amount of sulfur in the metal sulfide composition is between about 1.5:1 and about 50:1. The positive electrode composition is substantially free of iron oxide, iron sulfate, cobalt oxide and cobalt sulfate. An energy storage device and a related energy storage system are also described.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an elongated separator disposed in the housing volume. The elongated separator defines an axis of the cell. The separator has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the separator defines a first compartment. The outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing define a second compartment having a volume. The cell further includes a conductive matrix disposed in at least a portion of the second compartment volume such that the conductive matrix occupies a gap between the outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing. The gap in the second compartment extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cell.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is presented. The composition includes granules that comprise an electroactive metal, an alkali metal halide, and a metal sulfide composition that is substantially-free of oxygen. A molar ratio of the electroactive metal to an amount of sulfur in the metal sulfide composition is between about 1.5:1 and about 50:1. The positive electrode composition is substantially free of iron oxide, iron sulfate, cobalt oxide and cobalt sulfate. An energy storage device and a related energy storage system are also described.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is presented. The composition includes granules that comprise an electroactive metal, an alkali metal halide, sulfur and carbon. A molar ratio of the electroactive metal to an amount of sulfur in the composition is between about 1.5:1 and about 10:1. Carbon is present in an amount greater than about 0.1 and less than about 5 weight percent, based on a total weight of the granules. An energy storage device and a related energy storage system are also described.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. An anode compartment in the cell contains a sacrificial metal in an amount between about 10 volume percent and about 40 volume percent, based on the volume of the compartment. The sacrificial metal has an oxidation potential less than the oxidation potential of iron. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is described, containing granules of at least one electroactive metal, at least one alkali metal halide and carbon black. An energy storage device and an uninterruptable power supply device are also described. Related methods for the preparation of a positive electrode and an energy storage device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an elongated separator disposed in the housing volume. The elongated separator defines an axis of the cell. The separator has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the separator defines a first compartment. The outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing define a second compartment having a volume. The cell further includes a conductive matrix disposed in at least a portion of the second compartment volume such that the conductive matrix occupies a gap between the outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing. The gap in the second compartment extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing formed of a metallic material. A component is disposed within an anode compartment of the cell that contains an alkali metal. The component comprises a sacrificial metal that has an oxidation potential less than the oxidation potential of the housing material. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal, a first alkali metal halide, an electrolyte comprising a complex metal halide having a second alkali metal halide; and sodium iodide. The electroactive metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc, tin, vanadium, niobium, manganese and antimony; and the first alkali metal halide and the second alkali metal halide independently comprise a halide selected from chlorine, bromine, and fluorine. The composition includes sodium iodide present in an amount in a range from about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.9 weight percent, based on a total weight of metal halides in the positive electrode composition. Related devices also form embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is presented. The composition includes at least one electroactive metal; at least one alkali metal halide; and at least one additive including a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles includes tungsten carbide. An energy storage device, and a related method for the preparation of an energy storage device, are also presented.

Abstract: A method of pulse charging a secondary electrochemical storage cell is provided. The secondary cell includes a negative electrode comprising an alkaline metal; a positive electrode comprising at least one transition metal halide; a molten salt electrolyte comprising alkaline metal haloaluminate; and a solid electrolyte partitioning the positive electrode from the negative electrode, such that a first surface of the solid electrolyte is in contact with the positive electrode, and a second surface of the solid electrolyte is in contact with the negative electrode. The method of charging includes polarizing the cell by applying a polarizing voltage greater than about 0.1 V above the cell's rest potential for a first predetermined period of time; depolarizing the cell for a second predetermined period of time; and repeating the polarizing and depolarizing steps until a charging end-point is reached.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The electrochemical cell includes an elongated ion-conducting separator defining at least a portion of a first compartment; a positive electrode composition disposed in the first compartment, the positive electrode composition comprising at least one electroactive metal, at least one alkali metal halide, and at least one electrolyte. A positive current collector is further disposed in the first compartment such that a portion of the positive current collector extends into the positive electrode composition, and a primary dimension of the extended portion of the positive current collector is less than about 20% of a primary dimension of the first compartment. A related method for the preparation of an electrochemical cell is also presented.

Abstract: A system includes a primary source of power, a main battery, a reserve battery, and a battery management system. A method for operating the system is also disclosed. The main battery of the system is electrically connected to the article, and the reserve battery is configured to back-up the main battery. The battery management system is electrically connected to the main battery. The battery management system maintains the reserve battery in a dormant state when the primary source of power is operational. The reserve battery is also maintained at a dormant state when the primary source of power is not operational; and the main battery is discharging and able to effectively back-up the primary source of power in supplying power to the article.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The electrochemical cell includes an ion-conducting separator having a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first compartment and a second surface that defines at least a portion of a second compartment, and a positive electrode composition disposed in the first compartment, the positive electrode composition comprising an electroactive metal, an alkali metal halide, and an electrolyte. The electroactive metal includes metal flakes of an average aspect ratio greater than about 5. An energy storage battery including a plurality of electrochemical cells is also presented.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises a negative electrode, an positive electrode, a cell case, and a solid electrolyte. The cell case comprises an outer case and an inner case. The solid electrolyte defines a first chamber to receive the negative electrode and is disposed within the inner case to define a second chamber. The second chamber is separated from and is in ionic communication with the first chamber to receive the positive electrode. The electrochemical cell further comprises a first current collector extending into the first chamber. Wherein an open upper end of the inner case extends beyond an open upper end of the outer case. A cell case and a method for making an electrochemical cell are also presented.