Abstract: Electrolyte systems for lithium-based batteries address challenges including polysulfide shuttling, lithium dendrite formation, and strict electrolyte composition requirements through improved solvents, electron withdrawing compounds, lithium ion-transporting compounds, and performance enhancing additives. The electrolyte systems further incorporate phenyl-based chalcogenide compounds, including Diphenyl sulfide, Diphenyl diselenide, and Diphenyl ditelluride, as redox mediators having redox potentials proximate to the Li-S redox potential. The redox mediators undergo reduction at the cathode surface and diffuse through the electrolyte to mediate electron transfer to lithium polysulfides not in direct contact with conductive surfaces, facilitating conversion to Li2S and improving active material utilization. Diphenyl ditelluride demonstrates superior capacity enhancement across discharge rates from 0.1 C to 1 C.

Abstract: Described herein are lithium-metal rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising a lithium-metal negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a liquid electrolyte. The liquid electrolyte comprises a core mixture and a diluent. The diluent comprises a fluorinated ether. The core mixture comprises a set of salts and a set of solvents. The set of solvents comprises a pyrrolidinium-containing ionic liquid and a molecular solvent. The molecular solvent is a non-fluorinated ether, for example including but not limited to 1,2-dimethoxyethane. In some examples, the electrolyte further comprises an electrolyte additive, for example including but not limited to tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphate. In some examples, the set of salts comprises one or more imide-containing lithium salts. In some examples, the set of salts comprises lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide and an additional salt and the mole fraction of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide in the set of salts is 0.5 or greater.

Abstract: Described herein are lithium-metal negative electrodes, lithium-metal liquid-electrolyte electrochemical cells comprising such electrodes, and methods of fabricating such electrodes. In some examples, a lithium-metal negative electrode comprises a base layer comprising aluminum and/or titanium. The lithium-metal negative electrode also comprises a protection layer disposed on and supported by the base layer and comprising copper, silicon, zinc, magnesium, nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, and/or silver. Furthermore, the lithium-metal negative electrode comprises a lithium-metal negative active material layer attached to and supported by the protection layer such that the protection layer is positioned between the negative-electrode base layer and the lithium-metal negative active material layer.

Abstract: Described herein are lithium-metal rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising positive single-crystal nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC)-containing structures and liquid electrolytes comprising one or more imide-containing salts, such as bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI?)-containing salts, bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI?)-containing salts, and bis(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)imide (BETI?)-containing salts. These salts can also include various cations, such as lithium (Li+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), cesium (Cs+), n-propyl-n-methylpyrrolidinium (Pyr13+), n-octyl-n-methylpyrrolidinium (Pyr18+), and 1-methyl-1-pentylpyrrolidinium (Pyr15+). For example, imide-containing salts can act as a source of lithium ions in lithium-metal salts. In some examples, the liquid electrolyte further comprises one or more of 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME), 2,2,2-Trifluoroethyl Ether (TFEE), 1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TFPE), one or more phosphites, and one or more phosphates.

Abstract: Described herein are electrodes, electrochemical cells, methods of making electrodes and methods of making electro-chemical cells. The electrodes described herein have an interface layer or material that can stabilize reversible alkali metal deposition. The interface material may correspond to or be a solid-electrolyte interphase that can allow alkali metal ions to transmit through and be deposited below the interface material. The interface material can prevent dendrite formation and/or decomposition of the electrolyte, enabling use of lithium metal safely in a secondary (i.e., rechargeable) electrochemical cell. The interface material may comprise a combination of one or more metals, one or more chalcogens, and one or more other elements or organic functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention is a multifunction smart door lock to enhance security by using facial recognition and multi-sensing detection system integrated with a camera and implemented through advanced image processing algorithms which secures door entrance based on defined users and keeps census in defined premises on a real time basis. The system is a combination of hardware and software cloud-based applications including an image input unit, a control unit, a display unit, a battery-operated power source and a servomotor to actuate the door opening and closing. The system further has wired or wireless transmission devices capable of being integrated with smart home systems and creating personalized experience for each user based on their specific preferences.