Abstract: Systems and methods in which a thermal conductive composite comprises a non-uniform heat absorption profile of a thermal reactive material are described. Thermal conductive composites herein may be utilized in thermal regulatory modules with a gradient structure configured to transfer heat energy away from an area near a heat source to an area with a relatively large latent heat absorbing capacity. Thermal conductive material may be provided in a frame structure having lower porosity in a first region more near a heat source and higher porosity in a second region more distant from the heat source. A thermal reactive material may be deposited so as to be disposed within the pores of the thermal conductive material frame structure wherein the density of the thermal reactive material in the first region of the thermal conductive composite is lower than that at the second region of the thermal conductive composite.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery, which includes the steps of acquiring real-time information about the battery; receiving on-site input from a user, the on-site input comprising at least one of a user available time in which the battery is to be charged and a target State of Charge (SoC) to which the battery is to be charged; by using a capacity charging model of the battery, calculating a charging current for the battery based on the on-site input and the real-time information; charging the battery using the calculated charging current during a charging period to fulfill the user's energy requirement; and calibrating the capacity charging model based on information of the battery gathered during the charging period. The invention provides an adaptive battery charging method and system that decides an optimal charging current for batteries in view of on-site user commands inputted to the battery charger.

Abstract: Systems and methods in which a thermal conductive composite comprises a non-uniform heat absorption profile of a thermal reactive material are described. Thermal conductive composites herein may be utilized in thermal regulatory modules with a gradient structure configured to transfer heat energy away from an area near a heat source to an area with a relatively large latent heat absorbing capacity. Thermal conductive material may be provided in a frame structure having lower porosity in a first region more near a heat source and higher porosity in a second region more distant from the heat source. A thermal reactive material may be deposited so as to be disposed within the pores of the thermal conductive material frame structure wherein the density of the thermal reactive material in the first region of the thermal conductive composite is lower than that at the second region of the thermal conductive composite.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating or film adapted to be arranged between a separator and at least one electrode of a rechargeable battery. The coating or film comprises a porous layer comprising a layer material having at least a first material and a second material, the first and the second materials being arranged to comprise a plurality of pores for passage of ions therethrough; and the second material is adapted to reduce in size upon drying such that porosity of the porous layer is improved or enhanced at a normal operating temperature; wherein, in response to temperature change, the layer material is adapted to undergo a first phase change during which the pores of said porous layer are adapted to substantially close to thereby substantially reduce or prevent further passage of ions.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating or film adapted to be arranged between a separator and at least one electrode of a rechargeable battery. The coating or film comprises a porous layer comprising a layer material having at least a first material and a second material, the first and the second materials being arranged to comprise a plurality of pores for passage of ions therethrough; and the second material is adapted to reduce in size upon drying such that porosity of the porous layer is improved or enhanced at a normal operating temperature; wherein, in response to temperature change, the layer material is adapted to undergo a first phase change during which the pores of said porous layer are adapted to substantially close to thereby substantially reduce or prevent further passage of ions.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating or film adapted to be arranged between a separator and at least one electrode of a rechargeable battery. The coating or film comprises a first material capable of forming a porous layer and allowing a passage of ions therethrough; wherein, in response to temperature change, the first material porous layer is adapted to substantially close pores in said first material porous layer to thereby substantially reduce or prevent further passage of ions through the first material.

Abstract: A composite material for a battery electrode and a method of producing thereof have been disclosed. In particular, the composite material is used as a cathode for lithium ion batteries. The cathode material is a lithium-rich cathode material with high specific capacity, high capacity retention rate and high lithium ion diffusion. The cathode material is made by a plurality of clusters, in which each of the clusters comprises metallic nano-platelets arranged in a stratified array.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating or film adapted to be arranged between a separator and at least one electrode of a rechargeable battery. The coating or film comprises a first material capable of forming a porous layer and allowing a passage of ions therethrough; wherein, in response to temperature change, the first material porous layer is adapted to substantially close pores in said first material porous layer to thereby substantially reduce or prevent further passage of ions through the first material.

Abstract: A composite material for a lithium ion battery anode and a method of producing the same is disclosed, wherein the composite material comprises a porous electrode composite material. Pores with carbon-based material forming at the pore wall are created in situ. The porous electrode composite material provide space to accommodate volumetric changes during battery charging and discharging while the carbon-based material improved the conductivity of the electrode composite material. The method creates pores to have a denser carbon content inside the pores and a wider mouth of the pores to enhance lithium ion distribution.

Abstract: A composite material for a battery electrode and a method of producing thereof have been disclosed. In particular, the composite material is used as a cathode for lithium ion batteries. The cathode material is a lithium-rich cathode material with high specific capacity, high capacity retention rate and high lithium ion diffusion. The cathode material is made by a plurality of clusters, in which each of the clusters comprises metallic nano-platelets arranged in a stratified array.

Abstract: A composite material for a lithium ion battery anode and a method of producing the same is disclosed, wherein the composite material comprises a porous electrode composite material. Pores with carbon-based material forming at the pore wall are created in situ. The porous electrode composite material provide space to accommodate volumetric changes during battery charging and discharging while the carbon-based material improved the conductivity of the electrode composite material. The method creates pores to have a denser carbon content inside the pores and a wider mouth of the pores to enhance lithium ion distribution.

Abstract: A composite lithium ion battery electrode is formed from an active composite material dispersed in a conductive porous matrix formed over a current collector. The active composite material includes nano-clusters of an active material dispersed on a conductive skeleton structure. The active material is a metal-based material including one or more of Sn, Al, Si, Ti or a carbon-based material including one or more of graphite, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes (CNT) or combinations thereof, having a particle size ranging from approximately 1 nanometers to approximately 10 microns. The conductive skeleton includes a conductive polymer or a conductive filament. The active material is dispersed on the conductive skeleton through an in situ polymerization process or a chemical grafting process. The conductive porous matrix includes a conductive polymeric binder and lithium ion diffusion channels created by a pore-forming agent. Conductive particles are further included in the conductive porous matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bone implant that includes a bioinert substrate covered with a ceramic layer containing a plurality of indentations. The total surface area of the indentations is 30-70% of the total surface area of the ceramic layer. This invention also relates to a method of preparing such a bone implant. The method includes: (1) affixing a ceramic layer on the surface of a bioinert substrate; (2) forming a plurality of indentations in the ceramic layer, wherein the total surface area of the indentations is 30-70% of the total surface area of the ceramic layer; and (3) immobilizing a biopolymer onto the ceramic layer via covalent bonding.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bone implant that includes a bioinert substrate covered with a ceramic layer containing a plurality of indentations. The total surface area of the indentations is 30-70% of the total surface area of the ceramic layer. This invention also relates to a method of preparing such a bone implant. The method includes: (1) affixing a ceramic layer on the surface of a bioinert substrate; (2) forming a plurality of indentations in the ceramic layer, wherein the total surface area of the indentations is 30-70% of the total surface area of the ceramic layer; and (3) immobilizing a biopolymer onto the ceramic layer via covalent bonding.

Abstract: An electrochemical catalyst electrode to increase bonding durability between covering layers and a metal substrate is made by processing a metal substrate at a high temperature and etching the metal substrate to form a large number of etching pores on granular surfaces; heating the metal substrate to transform the surface thereof to an oxygen interstitial layer; laminating an inner covering layer which is compatible to the oxygen interstitial layer on the metal substrate and deeply planted into the pores to form included angles to increase adhering force between the inner covering layer and the substrate and to reduce peeling on the interface; and forming an outer covering layer on the layers with stabilizing additive added in the outer covering layer to enhance the stability of the outer surface of the covering layers thereby to reduce dissolution of noble metal; and greatly increase stability and durability of the electrode.