Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials have various shapes, sizes, and structures and are synthesized by autogenic reactions under extreme conditions of high temperature and pressure. The lubricant compositions comprise carbon-based particles suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: A lithium- or lithium-ion electrochemical cell of the present invention comprises a lithium-containing cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous lithium-containing electrolyte therebetween; wherein one or more of the anode and the cathode comprises at least one particulate carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of one or more carbon-coated metal oxide or metal phosphate particles, carbon-containing metals that alloy with Li, carbon-containing metalloids that alloy with Li, or rounded carbon particles such as carbon spheres, prolate-shaped spheroids, oblate-shaped spheroids, and carbon nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the particulate carbon material is prepared by reacting one or more solid, solvent-free chemical precursor materials comprising the elements making up the material in an enclosed autogenic pressure reactor in which the precursor materials are dissociated and reacted at elevated temperature, thereby creating self-generated pressure within the reactor.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials have various shapes, sizes, and structures and are synthesized by autogenic reactions under extreme conditions of high temperature and pressure. The lubricant compositions comprise carbon-based particles suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a metal oxide or lithium-metal-oxide electrode comprises contacting a surface of the electrode, prior to cell assembly, with an aqueous or a non-aqueous acid solution having a pH greater than 4 but less than 7 and containing a stabilizing salt, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to etch the surface of the electrode and introduce stabilizing anions and cations from the salt into said surface. The structure of the bulk of the electrode remains unchanged during the acid treatment. The stabilizing salt comprises fluoride and at least one cationic material selected from the group consisting of ammonium, phosphorus, titanium, silicon, zirconium, aluminum, and boron.

Abstract: This invention provides a lithium-oxygen or lithium-air electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a porous activated positive electrode comprising lithium-rich electrocatalytic materials suitable for use in lithium-oxygen (air) cells and batteries. The activated positive electrode is produced by activating a precursor electrode formed from a material comprising one or more metal oxide compounds of general formula xLi2O.yMOz, in which 0<x?4, 0<y?1, and 0<z?3, in which M is typically, but not exclusively, a transition metal, excluding Li2MnO3 as a sole metal oxide compound in the precursor electrode. Li2O is extracted from the above-mentioned precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. The invention extends to batteries containing such electrochemical cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to positive electrode materials for electrochemical cells and batteries. It relates, in particular, to electrode precursor materials comprising manganese ions and to methods for fabricating lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials and structures using the precursor materials, notably for lithium cells and batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials with layered-type structures, spinel-type structures, combinations thereof and modifications thereof, notably those with imperfections, such as stacking faults and dislocations. The invention extends to include lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials with modified surfaces to protect the electrode materials from highly oxidizing potentials in the cells and from other undesirable effects, such as electrolyte oxidation, oxygen loss and/or dissolution.

Abstract: A lithium- or lithium-ion electrochemical cell of the present invention comprises a lithium-containing cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous lithium-containing electrolyte therebetween; wherein one or more of the anode and/or the cathode comprises at least one particulate carbon material comprising nanoparticles of the surface of individual carbon particles, wherein the nanoparticles are selected from one or more of (a) a metal oxide or sulfide comprising one or more metal ions selected from the group consisting of Ti, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Mo, W, In, and Sn; (b) one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ti, Fe, Co, Mg, Al, Ga, In, and Sn; and (c) one or more metaloid selected from the group consisting of B, Si, Ge, and Sb.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a metal oxide or lithium-metal-oxide electrode comprises contacting a surface of the electrode, prior to cell assembly, with an aqueous or a non-aqueous acid solution having a pH greater than 4 but less than 7 and containing a stabilizing salt, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to etch the surface of the electrode and introduce stabilizing anions and cations from the salt into said surface. The structure of the bulk of the electrode remains unchanged during the acid treatment. The stabilizing salt comprises fluoride and at least one cationic material selected from the group consisting of ammonium, phosphorus, titanium, silicon, zirconium, aluminum, and boron.

Abstract: An uncycled, preconditioned positive metal-oxide or lithium-metal-oxide electrode for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell, the electrode being preconditioned in an aqueous or a non-aqueous solution containing stabilizing cations and anions that are etched into the electrode surface to form a protective layer. Methods of preconditioning the electrodes are disclosed as are electrochemical cells and batteries containing the electrodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to intermetallic negative electrode compounds for non-aqueous, electrochemical lithium cells and batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to one or more electrode components or compositions, one of which contains the basic structural unit of a MM?3 intermetallic compound, in which M and M? are comprised of one or more metals. The MM?3 intermetallic electrode compounds can be mixed, blended or integrated with one or more other intermetallic compounds, such as isostructural M3M? compounds. The electrodes are of particular use in rechargeable lithium-ion cells and batteries in numerous applications such as portable electronic devices, medical devices, space, aeronautical and defense-related devices and in transportation applications such as electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.

Abstract: An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula x{zLi2MnO3•(1-z)LiM?O2}.(1-x)LiMn2?yMyO4 for 0<x<1; 0?y?0.5; and 0<z<1, comprised of layered zLi2MnO3.(1-z)LiM?O2 and spinel LiMn2?yMyO4 components, physically mixed or blended with one another or separated from one another in a compartmentalized electrode, in which M is one or more metal ions, and in which M? is selected from one or more first-row transition metal ions, The electrode is activated by removing lithium and lithia, from the precursor. A cell and battery are also disclosed incorporating the disclosed positive electrode.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a thermally-triggered intumescent material or a gas-triggered intumescent material. Such devices prevent or minimize short circuits in a device that could lead to thermal run-away. Such devices may include batteries or supercapacitors.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which has a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]X4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A lithium- or lithium-ion electrochemical cell of the present invention comprises a lithium-containing cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous lithium-containing electrolyte therebetween; wherein one or more of the anode and the cathode comprises at least one particulate carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of one or more carbon-coated metal oxide or metal phosphate particles, carbon-containing metals that alloy with Li, carbon-containing metalloids that alloy with Li, or rounded carbon particles such as carbon spheres, prolate-shaped spheroids, oblate-shaped spheroids, and carbon nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the particulate carbon material is prepared by reacting one or more solid, solvent-free chemical precursor materials comprising the elements making up the material in an enclosed autogenic pressure reactor in which the precursor materials are dissociated and reacted at elevated temperature, thereby creating self-generated pressure within the reactor.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which has a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]X4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which has a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]X4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3,5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrodes for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to silver manganese vanadium oxide positive electrodes for such cells and batteries. The silver manganese vanadium oxide electrodes may contain substituents or dopants to improve the electrochemical properties of the electrodes, cells and batteries. The silver manganese vanadium oxide electrodes optionally contain silver powder and/or silver foil to assist in current collection at the electrodes and to improve the power capability of the cells or batteries. The invention also includes a method for preparing the electrodes by decomposition of a permanganate salt, such as AgMnO4, KMnO4, NaMnO4 or LiMnO4 in the presence of a compound or compounds containing silver and/or vanadium.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which as a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]S4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which has a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]X4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which has a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]X4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.