Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode including a metal, metal alloy, or an electrode active material that reversibly intercalates and de-intercalates cations; a positive electrode including (i) an electrode active material that reversibly intercalates and de-intercalates cations or anions, or (ii) an inert host that reversibly catalyzes an external reactant; a separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode; and an electrolyte including one or more alcohol-based solvents, with one or more salts. The solvents may include methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, triglycerol, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, an organic small molecule or macromolecule that contain at least one hydroxyl (OH) group, or a combination thereof. The electrochemical cell may include a mixture of multiple alcohol-based solvents or a mixture of the one or more alcohol-based solvents with water, mixed at select ratios. The electrochemical cell may include one or more additives having a concentration range between 0.

Abstract: An insulated beverage container holder that incorporates a three-dimensional stuffed figure. Certain disclosed embodiments comprise three-dimensional stuffed figures of animals and, in some embodiments, of cartoon characters. Any three-dimensional object may be portrayed, such as scenes (e.g. a city), buildings (e.g. a castle), toys (e.g. an alphabet block or blocks), sporting equipment (e.g. a baseball and bats, or ballet slippers), etc.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte solution for lithium or a lithium ion cell, which improves lithium ion cell capacity retention and enhances storage life thereof. The non-aqueous solution can be implemented in the context of an electrolyte system that includes a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent formed from a mixture of one or more cyclic esters, and/or one or more chain esters, and at least one lactam based solvent. Such a system is suited for use with electrochemical energy storage devices, which are based on non-aqueous electrolytes, such as high energy density batteries and/or high power electrochemical capacitors. Such an electrochemical storage devices is generally based on non-aqueous electrolytes that include lithium salt dissolved in a solvent system.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolyte solutions capable of protecting lithium metal and lithium-inserted carbonaceous electrodes include an electrolyte salt, preferably LiPF6, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solvent mixture comprising at least one of trialkyl phosphites, one or more cyclic or/and linear carbonates, and optionally other additives, such as, gelling agents, ionically conductive solid polymers, and other additives. The trialkyl phosphites have the following general formula: wherein the oxidation number of the phosphorus atom is III (three), R1, R2, and R3 are the same or different, independently selected from linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, optionally but not limited to, with one or more of the alkyl substituents being substituted by one or more halogen atoms, preferably fluorine atoms.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte to be used in a Li-ion battery includes a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a linear carbonate and an alkyl fluorinated phosphate, of the following general formula wherein R1, R2 and R3, independently, are selected from the group consisting of straight and branched alkyl groups having 1-5 carbon atoms, and at least one of said alkyl groups is fluorinated, with the locations of said fluorination being at least ?-positioned away from the phosphorous of said phosphate, such that said alkyl phosphate has a F/H ratio of at least 0.25, and said electrolyte solution is non-flammable.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte to be used in a Li-ion battery includes a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a linear carbonate and an isocyanate-based additive, with the following general formula R1—N?C?O wherein R1 represents linear or branched alkyl groups which have 1 to 7 carbon atoms, or aromatic groups having the following general formula wherein R2 and R3, which may be the same or different and located at any positions of carbons 2, 2?, 3, 3? and 4 in the benzyl ring, represent hydrogen atoms or halogen atoms, isocyanate groups, either groups, ester groups or alkyl groups, having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and are optionally substituted with halogen atoms.