Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of strain tolerant particles, methods of manufacturing such structures, and feedstock to form said structures. In some embodiments, the structures can include alternating regions of an energy storage structure and a reinforcing structure. Advantageously, when the strain tolerant particles are used within an anode of a lithium ion battery, the reinforcing structure may provide mechanical stability to the particles and thus increase cycle life.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having high rate capability, and more particularly to devices, systems and methods of producing high capacity and high rate capability batteries having relatively thick semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes an anode and a semi-solid cathode. The semi-solid cathode includes a suspension of an active material of about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active material and about 0.5% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte. An ion-permeable membrane is disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode. The semi-solid cathode has a thickness of about 250 ?m to about 2,000 ?m, and the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 7 mAh/cm2 at a C-rate of C/4. In some embodiments, the semi-solid cathode slurry has a mixing index of at least about 0.9.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and devices which utilize multiple microwave plasmas can be used to increase the efficiency of traditional single microwave plasma systems. Disclosed herein is a microwave plasma apparatus for processing materials which includes a reaction chamber, a plurality of microwave plasma applicators in communication with the reaction chamber, one or more microwave radiation sources, at least one waveguide for guiding microwave radiation from the one or more microwave radiations sources to multiple plasma applicators, and a material feeding system in communication with the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of strain tolerant particles, methods of manufacturing such structures, and feedstock to form said structures. In some embodiments, the structures can include alternating regions of an energy storage structure and a reinforcing structure. Advantageously, when the strain tolerant particles are used within an anode of a lithium ion battery, the reinforcing structure may provide mechanical stability to the particles and thus increase cycle life.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems, methods, and devices for processing a material using a microwave plasma apparatus with an interior liner. In some embodiments, the liner comprises a reduction resistant material layer in direct contact with a hydrogen-containing plasma of a plasma processing apparatus. In some embodiments, the liner may comprise a sleeve disposed between a plasma and one or more concentric tubes of a plasma processing apparatus. In some embodiments, the liner may comprise a coating of material applied to the one or more concentric tubes. In some embodiments, the liner may comprise a flexible ceramic material, such as a ceramic ribbon that is coiled or wrapped in a helix shape spiraling around the interior of the one or more concentric tubes.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having high rate capability, and more particularly to devices, systems and methods of producing high capacity and high rate capability batteries having relatively thick semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cells includes an anode and a semi-solid cathode. The semi-solid cathode includes a suspension of an active material of about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active material and about 0.5% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte. An ion-permeable membrane is disposed between the anode and the semi-solid cathode. The semi-solid cathode has a thickness of about 250 ?m to about 2,000 ?m, and the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least about 7 mAh/cm2 at a C-rate of C/4. In some embodiments, the semi-solid cathode slurry has a mixing index of at least about 0.9.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for continuously and/or semi-continuously manufacturing semi-solid electrodes and batteries incorporating semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, the process of manufacturing a semi-solid electrode includes continuously dispensing a semi-solid electrode slurry onto a current collector, separating the semi-solid electrode slurry into discrete portions, and cutting the current collector to form a finished electrode.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and devices which utilize multiple microwave plasmas can be used to increase the efficiency of traditional single microwave plasma systems. Disclosed herein is a microwave plasma apparatus for processing materials which includes a reaction chamber, a plurality of microwave plasma applicators in communication with the reaction chamber, one or more microwave radiation sources, at least one waveguide for guiding microwave radiation from the one or more microwave radiations sources to multiple plasma applicators, and a material feeding system in communication with the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to a current interrupt device (CID) including a frangible bulb that is configured to be thermally triggered. In some embodiments, the CID includes a breaking contact electrically coupled to a fixed contact and held in electrical contact by the frangible bulb. In some embodiments, the frangible bulb is configured to break at a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the breaking contact is configured to bend, rotate and/or otherwise deform about a hinge point in order to become electrically disconnected from the fixed contact when the frangible bulb breaks. In some embodiments, opening the electrical circuit between the breaking contact and the fixed contact may prevent overcharging, overvoltage conditions, overcurrent conditions, thermal runaway, and/or other catastrophic failure events.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for continuously and/or semi-continuously manufacturing semi-solid electrodes and batteries incorporating semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, the process of manufacturing a semi-solid electrode includes continuously dispensing a semi-solid electrode slurry onto a current collector, separating the semi-solid electrode slurry into discrete portions, and cutting the current collector to form a finished electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of doped and undoped spherical or spheroidal lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) powder products, and methods of production using microwave plasma processing, which can be incorporated into solid state lithium ion batteries. Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosed LLZO powder display a high quality, high purity stoichiometry, small particle size, narrow size distribution, spherical morphology, and customizable crystalline structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and processes for production of lithium oxide materials, such as lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO), having a small particle size and high density for use in lithium-ion batteries. Some embodiments are directed to forming and then heating a multiphase material comprising lithium carbonate and La2Zr2O7 in the presence of hydrogen gas at a temperature below the melting point of the lithium carbonate, such that at least a portion of the lithium carbonate decomposes to form lithium oxide. In some embodiments, the lithium oxide is heated to a temperature sufficient to crystallize the lithium oxide to form the solid electrolyte material comprising lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) particles.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to a current interrupt device (CID) including a frangible bulb that is configured to be thermally triggered. In some embodiments, the CID includes a breaking contact electrically coupled to a fixed contact and held in electrical contact by the frangible bulb. In some embodiments, the frangible bulb is configured to break at a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the breaking contact is configured to bend, rotate and/or otherwise deform about a hinge point in order to become electrically disconnected from the fixed contact when the frangible bulb breaks. In some embodiments, opening the electrical circuit between the breaking contact and the fixed contact may prevent overcharging, overvoltage conditions, overcurrent conditions, thermal runaway, and/or other catastrophic failure events.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for synthesis of polymer derived ceramic materials, including silicon oxycarbide comprising silicon metal. In some embodiments, the silicon metal is formed by carbothermal reduction during thermal processing. In some embodiments, the thermal processing comprises microwave plasma processing. In some embodiments, the silicon metal forms nanodomains within a structure of the silicon oxycarbide ceramic material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for synthesis of submicron-scale or micron-scale single crystal cathode (SCC) material, such as NMC, using a feedstock and microwave plasma processing. Microwave plasma processing of these SCC materials provides a low cost, scalable approach. In some embodiments, advanced SCC materials may be synthesized through microwave plasma processing of feedstock materials, wherein the SCC materials may comprise at least 80% nickel. In some embodiments, the microwave plasma processing may enable synthesis of SCC materials with very short calcination.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for continuously and/or semi-continuously manufacturing semi-solid electrodes and batteries incorporating semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, the process of manufacturing a semi-solid electrode includes continuously dispensing a semi-solid electrode slurry onto a current collector, separating the semi-solid electrode slurry into discrete portions, and cutting the current collector to form a finished electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems and methods for recycling used solid feedstocks containing lithium powders for use in lithium-ion batteries. The used solid feedstocks may be Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) materials. In some embodiments, the used solid feedstock can undergo a microwave plasma process to produce a newly usable, lithium supplemented solid precursor with augmented chemistries and physical properties.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to a current interrupt device (CID) including a frangible bulb that is configured to be thermally triggered. In some embodiments, the CID includes a breaking contact electrically coupled to a fixed contact and held in electrical contact by the frangible bulb. In some embodiments, the frangible bulb is configured to break at a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the breaking contact is configured to bend, rotate and/or otherwise deform about a hinge point in order to become electrically disconnected from the fixed contact when the frangible bulb breaks. In some embodiments, opening the electrical circuit between the breaking contact and the fixed contact may prevent overcharging, overvoltage conditions, overcurrent conditions, thermal runaway, and/or other catastrophic failure events.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of producing Si or SiOx from inexpensive silica sources. In some embodiments, plasma processing can be used to covert the silica sources to the silicon products. Unique morphologies can be formed in some embodiments. In some embodiments, reducing agents, catalysts, and/or salts can be used to provide advantageous properties.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of strain tolerant particles, methods of manufacturing such structures, and feedstock to form said structures. In some embodiments, the structures can include alternating regions of an energy storage structure and a reinforcing structure. Advantageously, when the strain tolerant particles are used within an anode of a lithium ion battery, the reinforcing structure may provide mechanical stability to the particles and thus increase cycle life.