Abstract: A system for enhanced object detection and identification is disclosed. The system provides new capabilities in object detection and identification. The system can be used with a variety of vehicles, such as autonomous cars, human-driven motor vehicles, robots, drones, and aircraft and can detect objects in adverse operating conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or sun glare. Enhanced object detection can also be used to detect objects in the environment around a stationary object. Additionally, such systems can rapidly identify and classify objects based on the encoded information in the emitted or reflected signals from the materials.

Abstract: Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.

Abstract: An electrode includes one or more intermediate layers positioned between a substrate and an electrochemically active material. Intermediate layers may be made from chromium, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, nickel, molybdenum, lithium, as well as other materials and their combinations. In certain embodiments, an active material includes one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. These materials tend to swell during cycling and may loose mechanical and/or electrical connection to the substrate. A flexible intermediate layer may compensate for swelling and provide a robust adhesion interface. Methods of fabricating electrodes involve forming metal silicide nanostructures.

Abstract: A system for enhanced object detection and identification is disclosed. The system provides new capabilities in object detection and identification. The system can be used with a variety of vehicles, such as autonomous cars, human-driven motor vehicles, robots, drones, and aircraft and can detect objects in adverse operating conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or sun glare. Enhanced object detection can also be used to detect objects in the environment around a stationary object. Additionally, such systems can rapidly identify and classify objects based on the encoded information in the emitted or reflected signals from the materials.

Abstract: A system for enhanced object detection and identification is disclosed. The system provides new capabilities in object detection and identification. The system can be used with a variety of vehicles, such as autonomous cars, human-driven motor vehicles, robots, drones, and aircraft and can detect objects in adverse operating conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or sun glare. Enhanced object detection can also be used to detect objects in the environment around a stationary object. Additionally, such systems can rapidly identify and classify objects based on the encoded information in the emitted or reflected signals from the materials.

Abstract: Battery systems using doped conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Doped conversion material may include a defect-rich structure or an amorphous or glassy structure, including at least one or more of a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, a reducing cation species, and a dopant. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with doped conversion material are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrodes for use in lithium ion batteries. An electrode includes one or more intermediate layers positioned between a substrate and an electrochemically active material. Intermediate layers may be made from chromium, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, nickel, molybdenum, lithium, as well as other materials and their combinations. An intermediate layer may protect the substrate, help to redistribute catalyst during deposition of the electrochemically active material, improve adhesion between the active material and substrate, and other purposes. In certain embodiments, an active material includes one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. These materials tend to swell during cycling and may loose mechanical and/or electrical connection to the substrate. A flexible intermediate layer may compensate for swelling and provide a robust adhesion interface. Provided also are novel methods of fabricating electrodes containing one or more intermediate layers.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrolytes for use in rechargeable lithium ion cells containing high capacity active materials, such as silicon, germanium, tin, and/or aluminum. These novel electrolytes include one or more pyrocarbonates and, in certain embodiments, one or more fluorinated carbonates. For example, dimethyl pyrocarbonate (DMPC) may be combine with mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Alternatively, DMPC or other pyrocarbonates may be used without any fluorinated carbonates. A weight ratio of pyrocarbonates may be between about 0% and 50%, for example, about 10%. Pyrocarbonates may be combined with other solvents, such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and/or ethyl-methyl carbonate (EMC). Alternatively, pyrocarbonates may be used without such solvents.

Abstract: A system for enhanced object detection and identification is disclosed. The system provides new capabilities in object detection and identification. The system can be used with a variety of vehicles, such as autonomous cars, human-driven motor vehicles, robots, drones, and aircraft and can detect objects in adverse operating conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or sun glare. Enhanced object detection can also be used to detect objects in the environment around a stationary object. Additionally, such systems can rapidly identify and classify objects based on the encoded information in the emitted or reflected signals from the materials.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.

Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage device cathodes with high capacity electrochemically active material including compounds that include iron, fluorine, sulfur, and optionally oxygen. Batteries with active materials including a compound of the formula FeFaSbOc exhibit high capacity, high specific energy, high average discharge voltage, and low hysteresis, even when discharged at high rates. Iron, fluorine, and sulfur-containing compounds may be ionically and electronically conductive.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.

Abstract: Positive electrode films for a Li-secondary battery are provided. The films include composite particles including a mixed electronic ionic conductor (MEIC), a metal fluoride (MF), and optionally an electrically conductive additive comprising carbon. The films include a catholyte and a binder that are both in contact with the composite particle surfaces but not contained therein. The composite particles are characterized by a porosity of less than about 15% v/v at 25° C. Methods of forming positive electrode films for a Li-secondary battery are also provided. Methods of forming positive electrode films including annealed composite particles for a Li-secondary battery are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrolytes for use in rechargeable lithium ion cells containing high capacity active materials, such as silicon, germanium, tin, and/or aluminum. These novel electrolytes include one or more pyrocarbonates and, in certain embodiments, one or more fluorinated carbonates. For example, dimethyl pyrocarbonate (DMPC) may be combine with mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Alternatively, DMPC or other pyrocarbonates may be used without any fluorinated carbonates. A weight ratio of pyrocarbonates may be between about 0% and 50%, for example, about 10%. Pyrocarbonates may be combined with other solvents, such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and/or ethyl-methyl carbonate (EMC). Alternatively, pyrocarbonates may be used without such solvents.

Abstract: Battery systems using doped conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Doped conversion material may include a defect-rich structure or an amorphous or glassy structure, including at least one or more of a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, a reducing cation species, and a dopant. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with doped conversion material are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrode material composite structures containing high capacity active materials formed into porous base structures. The structures also include shells that encapsulate these porous base structures. During lithiation of the active material, the shell mechanically constrains the porous base structure. The shell allows lithium ions to pass through but prevents electrolyte solvents from interacting with the encapsulated active material. In certain embodiments, the shell contains carbon, while the porous base structure contains silicon. Although silicon tends to swell during lithiation, the porosity of the base structure and/or void spaces inside the shell helps to accommodate this additional volume within the shell without breaking it or substantially increasing the overall size of the composite structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating single-crystalline metal silicide nanowires for anti-reflective electrodes for photovoltaics is provided that includes exposing a surface of a metal foil to oxygen or hydrogen at an elevated temperature, and growing metal silicide nanowires on the metal foil surface by flowing a silane gas mixture over the metal foil surface at the elevated temperature, where spontaneous growth of the metal silicide nanowires occur on the metal foil surface, where the metal silicide nanowires are post treated for use as an electrode in a photovoltaic cell or used directly as the electrode in the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: Provided are novel electrolytes for use in rechargeable lithium ion cells containing high capacity active materials, such as silicon, germanium, tin, and/or aluminum. These novel electrolytes include one or more pyrocarbonates and, in certain embodiments, one or more fluorinated carbonates. For example, dimethyl pyrocarbonate (DMPC) may be combine with mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Alternatively, DMPC or other pyrocarbonates may be used without any fluorinated carbonates. A weight ratio of pyrocarbonates may be between about 0% and 50%, for example, about 10%. Pyrocarbonates may be combined with other solvents, such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and/or ethyl-methyl carbonate (EMC). Alternatively, pyrocarbonates may be used without such solvents.

Abstract: Provided are novel methods of fabricating electrochemical cells containing high capacity active materials that form multilayered solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structures on the active material surface during cell fabrication. Combining multiple different SEI layers on one surface can substantially improve cell performance by providing each layer with different properties. For example, an outer layer having a high electronic resistance may be combined with an inner layer having a high ionic permeability. To form such multilayered SEI structures, formation may involve changing electrolyte composition, functionalizing surfaces, and/or varying formation conditions. For example, formation may start with a boron containing electrolyte. This initial electrolyte is then replaced with an electrolyte that does not contain boron and instead may contain fluorine additives. In certain embodiments, cell's temperature is changed during formation to initiate different chemical reactions during SEI formation.