Abstract: An electrically interconnected mass includes elongated structures. The elongated structures are electrochemically active and at least some of the elongated structures cross over each other to provide intersections and a porous structure. The elongated structures include doped silicon.

Abstract: A method is described of selectively etching a silicon substrate in small local areas in order to form columns or pillars in the etched surface. The silicon substrate is held in an etching solution of hydrogen fluoride, a silver salt and an alcohol. The inclusion of the alcohol provides a greater packing density of the silicon columns.

Abstract: A system and method for electrically detecting a target material in a sample without the need for labeling is described. A probe supporting member defining at least one hole is functionalized with target specific probe material and a change in the hole area on binding of target material is detected as a change in an ionic current through the hole. In some embodiments, an electro-chemical cell comprising an electrode having a conducting layer and a porous insulating layer is provided. In some embodiments, an electrically addressable array is provided for detection of a potentially large number of target materials in a sample.

Abstract: A composition for use in a lithium ion battery includes a plurality of elongate elements and a plurality of particles. The elongate elements and particles each include a metal or semi-metal selected from one or more of the group including silicon, tin, germanium, aluminium or mixtures thereof. The composition may include additional ingredients such as a binder, a conductive material and a further electro-active material, such as graphite. The compositions can be used for the fabrication of electrodes, preferably anodes in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries and optionally batteries based on magnesium ions or sodium ions. The composition is able to intercalate and release lithium during the charging and discharging cycles respectively of a battery into which it has been incorporated. Methods of fabricating the composition and electrodes including the composition are included as well as electrodes thus prepared and devices including such electrodes.

Abstract: A method for treating silicon to form pillars, especially for use as the active anode material in Li-ion batteries, is disclosed. The process is simple to operate on a commercial scale since it uses a solution containing only a small number of ingredients whose concentration needs to be controlled and it can be cheaper to operate than previous processes. The solution includes: 0.01 to 5M HF 0.002 to 0.2M of metal ions capable of nucleating on and forming a porous layer comprising regions of elemental metal on the silicon surface; 0.001 to 0.7M of an oxidant selected from the group O2, O3, H2O2, the acid, ammonium or alkali metal salt of NO3?, S2O82?, NO2?, B4O72? and ClO4? or a mixture thereof. The treated silicon is suitably removed from the solution.

Abstract: A battery can be fabricated from a substrate including silicon. This allows the battery to be produced as an integrated unit. The battery includes a anode formed from an array of spaced elongated structures, such as pillars, which include silicon and which can be fabricated on the substrate. The battery also includes a cathode which can include lithium.

Abstract: An electrically interconnected mass includes elongated structures. The elongated structures are electrochemically active and at least some of the elongated structures cross over each other to provide intersections and a porous structure. The elongated structures include doped silicon.

Abstract: A method of fabricating fibres of silicon or silicon-based material comprises the steps of etching pillars on a substrate and detaching them. A battery anode can then be created by using the fibres as the active material in a composite anode electrode.

Abstract: A battery can be fabricated from a substrate including silicon. This allows the battery to be produced as an integrated unit. The battery includes a anode formed from an array of spaced elongated structures, such as pillars, which include silicon and which can be fabricated on the substrate. The battery also includes a cathode which can include lithium.

Abstract: A process for etching silicon to form silicon pillars on the etched surfaces, includes treating silicon with an etching solution that includes 5 to 10M HF 0.01 to 0.1M Ag+ ions and 0.02 to 0.2M NO3? ions. Further, NO3? ions in the form of alkali metal, nitric acid or ammonium nitrate salt is added to maintain the concentration of nitrate ions within the above range. The etched silicon is separated from the solution. The process provides pillars, especially for use as the active anode material in lithium ion batteries. The process is advantageous because it uses an etching bath containing only a small number of ingredients whose concentration needs to be controlled and it can be less expensive to operate than previous processes.

Abstract: A process of etching silicon includes treating silicon, e.g. granules or bulk material, with an etching solution, including HF, Ag+ ions and nitrate ions thereby etching the silicon to form silicon having etched pillars on its surface, which silicon includes a surface deposit of silver. The etched silicon is then separated from the spent etching solution. The silver from the etched silicon is dissolved using nitric acid to form a solution containing Ag+ ions and nitrate ions. The solution containing Ag+ ions and nitrate ions is mixed with further HF to form a further etching solution. The further etching solution is used to treat further silicon. The pillars may be used as an anode material in a Li-ion battery.

Abstract: A battery can be fabricated from a substrate including silicon. This allows the battery to be produced as an integrated unit. The battery includes an anode formed from an array of spaced elongated structures, such as pillars, which include silicon and which can be fabricated on the substrate. The battery also includes a cathode which can include lithium.

Abstract: A battery can be fabricated from a substrate including silicon. This allows the battery to be produced as an integrated unit. The battery includes a anode formed from an array of spaced elongated structures, such as pillars, which include silicon and which can be fabricated on the substrate. The battery also includes a cathode which can include lithium.

Abstract: Pillared particles of silicon or silicon-comprising material and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. These particles may be used to create both a composite anode structure with a polymer binder, a conductive additive and a metal foil current collector, and an electrode structure. The structure of the particles overcomes the problems of charge/discharge capacity loss.

Abstract: A silicon/lithium battery can be fabricated from a silicon substrate. This allows the battery to be produced as an integrated unit on a chip. The battery includes a silicon anode formed from submicron diameter pillars of silicon fabricated on an n-type silicon wafer. The battery also includes a cathode including lithium.

Abstract: A system and method for electrically detecting a target material in a sample without the need for labeling is described. A probe supporting member (8) defining at least one hole is functionalized with target specific probe material and a change in the hole area on binding of target material is detected as a change in an ionic current through the hole. In some embodiments, an electro-chemical cell comprising an electrode having a conducting layer (2) and a porous insulating layer (4) is provided. In some embodiments, an electrically addressable array (70) is provided for detection of a potentially large number of target materials in a sample.

Abstract: A method is described of selectively etching a silicon substrate in small local areas in order to form columns or pillars in the etched surface. The silicon substrate is held in an etching solution of hydrogen fluoride, a silver salt and an alcohol. The inclusion of the alcohol provides a greater packing density of the silicon columns.

Abstract: A pre-charged material including silicon-comprising fibres characterised in that two or more of the fibres are bonded together to create both a bonded felt anode structure, with or without a current collector, and a composite anode structure with a current collector and an electrode structure. The structure overcomes problems associated with charge/discharge capacity loss.

Abstract: A composite electrode includes an active component directly bonded to a current collector. The direct bonding provides a low resistance contact between the current collector and the active material. The active component can be provided as fibres of silicon. The fibres can be free or attached to a support.

Abstract: An electrode and electrode assembly, for example for use as an anode in a lithium-ion rechargeable cell that uses silicon or silicon-based elements of specific dimensions and geometry as its active material, is provided, as well as methods for manufacturing the same. The active silicon or silicon-based material may include fibres, sheets, flakes, tubes or ribbons, for example.