Abstract: A method for forming an electrochemical device may comprise the steps of: (a) exposing electrode material particles to a lithium-containing precursor followed by an oxygen-containing precursor to form a coating on the electrode material particles; (b) forming a slurry comprising the coated electrode material particles; (c) casting the slurry to form a layer; (d) calendering the layer to form one or more electrodes (anode and/or cathode); (e) positioning a separator between the anode and the cathode to form a cell structure; and (f) positioning the cell structure in a liquid electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte is essentially free of a solvent that forms a solid electrolyte interphase on the anode and/or cathode. The method reduces the need for slow, costly preconditioning to be performed following lithium-ion battery cell assembly, and enables the use of ethylene carbonate-free electrolytes, thereby improving cycling stability at high voltages for lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: Thermally insulating materials (TIMs) for use in concentrated solar thermal (CST) technologies comprising a mesoporous oxide including a porous oxide matrix comprising a porous oxide and a metal oxide or metal nitride in the form of a conformal layer of the metal oxide or metal nitride on the surface of the porous oxide matrix, wherein the conformal layer completely covers the surface area of the porous oxide matrix, or in the form of metal oxide or metal nitride nanoparticles dispersed throughout the porous oxide matrix, or in the form of a conformal coating or nanoparticles, methods of preparing same, and solar devices comprising same.

Abstract: A rational design and fabrication of ZnO/Al2O3 core-shell nanowire architectures with tunable geometries (length, spacing, branching) and surface chemistry is provided. The fabricated nanowires significantly delay or even prevent marine biofouling. In some embodiments, hydrophilic nanowires can reduce the fouling coverage by up to approximately 60% after 20 days compared to planar control surfaces. The mechanism of the fouling reduction is mainly due to two geometric effects: reduced effective settlement area and mechanical cell penetration. Further, superhydrophobic nanowires can completely prevent marine algal fouling for up to 22 days. Additionally, the developed nanowire surfaces are transparent across the visible spectrum, making them applicable to windows and oceanographic sensors.

Abstract: A method of making an ionically conductive layer for an electrochemical device is disclosed. A film is coated on electrode material particles or post-calendered electrodes. This coating may be a lithium borate-carbonate film deposited by atomic layer deposition. One example method includes the steps of: (a) exposing a substrate including an electrode material to a lithium-containing precursor followed by an oxygen-containing precursor; and (b) exposing the substrate to a boron-containing precursor followed by the oxygen-containing precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for pre-conditioning or pre-treating the surface of a metal (e.g., lithium) electrode such that the cycle life and efficiency of the electrode within an electrochemical cell are improved through the prevention of dendrite growth. The pretreatment process includes the use of an alternating current to modify the surface properties of the metal electrode, such that a more uniform flux of metal ions is transferred across the electrode-electrolyte Interface in subsequent electrodeposition and electrodissolution processes. As a result, an electrode treated with such a process exhibits improved performance and durability, including markedly lower overpotentials and largely improved metal (e.g., lithium) retention in strip plate tests as compared with untreated electrodes.

Abstract: A rational design and fabrication of ZnO/Al2O3 core-shell nanowire architectures with tunable geometries (length, spacing, branching) and surface chemistry is provided. The fabricated nanowires significantly delay or even prevent marine biofouling. In some embodiments, hydrophilic nanowires can reduce the fouling coverage by up to approximately 60% after 20 days compared to planar control surfaces. The mechanism of the fouling reduction is mainly due to two geometric effects: reduced effective settlement area and mechanical cell penetration. Further, superhydrophobic nanowires can completely prevent marine algal fouling for up to 22 days. Additionally, the developed nanowire surfaces are transparent across the visible spectrum, making them applicable to windows and oceanographic sensors.

Abstract: A method of making an ionically conductive layer for an electrochemical device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) exposing a substrate to a lithium-containing precursor followed by an oxygen-containing precursor; and (b) exposing the substrate to a boron-containing precursor followed by the oxygen-containing precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for pre-conditioning or pre-treating the surface of a metal (e.g., lithium) electrode such that the cycle life and efficiency of the electrode within an electrochemical cell are improved through the prevention of dendrite growth. The pretreatment process includes the use of an alternating current to modify the surface properties of the metal electrode, such that a more uniform flux of metal ions is transferred across the electrode-electrolyte Interface in subsequent electrodeposition and electrodissolution processes. As a result, an electrode treated with such a process exhibits improved performance and durability, including markedly lower overpotentials and largely improved metal (e.g., lithium) retention in strip plate tests as compared with untreated electrodes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for suppressing propagation of a metal in a solid state electrolyte during cycling of an electrochemical device including the solid state electrolyte and an electrode comprising the metal. One method comprises forming the solid state electrolyte such that the solid state electrolyte has a structure comprising a plurality of grains of a metal-ion conductive material and a grain boundary phase located at some or all of grain boundaries between the grains, wherein the grain boundary phase suppresses propagation of the metal in the solid state electrolyte during cycling. Another method comprises forming the solid state electrolyte such that the solid state electrolyte is a single crystal.