Abstract: A composition includes tungsten (W); at least one element selected form the group of elements consisting of boron (B), beryllium (Be) and silicon (Si); and at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), lithium (Li) and aluminum (Al). The composition satisfies the formula W1-xMxXy wherein X is one of B, Be and Si; M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, Re, Os, Ir, Li and Al; x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.999; and y is at least 4.0. A tool is made from or coated with this composition.

Abstract: Nanoporous carbon coated lithium vanadium fluorophosphate materials and cathodes for fast charging li-ion batteries are described. Formation of the materials using polymer-templating is also described.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing thick, mesoporous silica monolithic slabs and coatings with high transparency and low thermal conductivity are provided. The transparent silica materials are particularly suited for window or solar applications including insulation barriers for existing or new single, double pane windows or glass panel building components. The template-free, water-based sol-gel methods produce slabs or coatings by gelation of a colloidal suspension of silica or other oxide nanoparticles or by ambigel formation and then ageing and drying the gels under ambient conditions. Solvent exchanges with nonpolar, low-surface-tension solvents help to avoid cracking caused by drying stress. Mesoporous slabs can also be cast in molds on perfluorocarbon liquid substrates to reduce adhesion and enable gels to shrink freely during aging and drying without incurring significant stress that could cause fracture.

Abstract: By mixing Poly (3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) with carbon nanotubes (CNT), the resultant mixture of P3HT-CNT serves as a surface coating for the cathode material LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) and offers a number of advantageous properties when used as a conductive binder for lithium-ion battery cathode materials.

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: A composition includes tungsten (W); at least one element selected form the group of elements consisting of boron (B), beryllium (Be) and silicon (Si); and at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), lithium (Li) and aluminum (Al). The composition satisfies the formula W1-xMxXy wherein X is one of B, Be and Si; M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, Re, Os, Ir, Li and Al; x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.999; and y is at least 4.0. A tool is made from or coated with this composition.

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: A composition includes tungsten (W); at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of boron (B), beryllium (Be) and silicon (Si); and at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), lithium (Li) and aluminum (Al). The composition satisfies the formula W1-xMxXy wherein X is one of B, Be and Si; M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, Re, Os, Ir, Li and Al; x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.999; and y is at least 4.0. A tool is made from or coated with this composition.

Abstract: A synthetic metal dichalcogenide having a highly defected nanocrystalline layered structure, wherein layer spacing is larger than in perfect crystals of the same material, wherein the defected structure provides access to interlayer crystals of the same material, and wherein the defected structure facilitates a pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism. The metal dichalcogenide is receptive to intercalation of ions such as Li ions, Na ions, Mg ions, and Ca ions, and does not undergo a phase transition upon intercalation of Li ions, Na ions, Mg ions, or Ca ions. The metal dichalcogenide can be used, for example, as a component of an electrode that also includes a carbon derivative, and a binder, which are intermixed to form the electrode. The resultant composite electrode is highly porous and highly electronically conductive, and is suitable for use in devices such as symmetric capacitors, asymmetric capacitors, rocking chair batteries, and other devices.

Abstract: A composition includes tungsten (W); at least one element selected form the group of elements consisting of boron (B), beryllium (Be) and silicon (Si); and at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), lithium (Li) and aluminum (Al). The composition satisfies the formula W1-xMxXy wherein X is one of B, Be and Si; M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, Re, Os, Ir, Li and Al; x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.999; and y is at least 4.0. A tool is made from or coated with this composition.

Abstract: A composition includes tungsten (W); at least one element selected form the group of elements consisting of boron (B), beryllium (Be) and silicon (Si); and at least one element selected from the group of elements consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), lithium (Li) and aluminum (Al). The composition satisfies the formula W1-xMxXy wherein X is one of B, Be and Si; M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, Re, Os, Ir, Li and Al; x is at least 0.001 and less than 0.999; and y is at least 4.0. A tool is made from or coated with this composition.

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems include a composition for a metal alloy comprising tungsten (W), tantalum (Ta), and boron (B) crystallized in an orthorhombic phase, wherein the composition satisfies the formula W1-xTaxB wherein x has a value within the range 0.01 to 0.99, inclusively.

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: A synthetic metal dichalcogenide having a highly defected nanocrystalline layered structure, wherein layer spacing is larger than in perfect crystals of the same material, wherein the defected structure provides access to interlayer crystals of the same material, and wherein the defected structure facilitates a pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism. The metal dichalcogenide is receptive to intercalation of ions such as Li ions, Na ions, Mg ions, and Ca ions, and does not undergo a phase transition upon intercalation of Li ions, Na ions, Mg ions, or Ca ions. The metal dichalcogenide can be used, for example, as a component of an electrode that also includes a carbon derivative, and a binder, which are intermixed to form the electrode. The resultant composite electrode is highly porous and highly electronically conductive, and is suitable for use in devices such as symmetric capacitors, asymmetric capacitors, rocking chair batteries, and other devices.

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: A magnetoelectric composite device having a free (i.e. switchable) layer of ferromagnetic nanocrystals mechanically coupled a ferroelectric single crystal substrate is presented, wherein application of an electrical field on the composite switches the magnetic state of the switchable layer from a superparamagnetic state having no overall net magnetization to a substantially single-domain ferromagnetic state.

Abstract: Described herein are photovoltaic devices including self-assembling fullerene derivatives. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an active layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The active layer is configured to absorb incident light to produce a first type of charge carrier that is transported to the first electrode layer and a second type of charge carrier that is transported to the second electrode layer. The active layer includes self-assembled molecules of a fullerene derivative to provide a conductive path through at least a portion of the active layer.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery that incorporates an anode formed from a Group IV semiconductor material such as porous silicon is disclosed. The battery includes a cathode, and an anode comprising porous silicon. In some embodiments, the anode is present in the form of a nanowire, a film, or a powder, the porous silicon having a pore diameters within the range between 2 nm and 100 nm and an average wall thickness of within the range between 1 nm and 100 nm. The lithium ion battery further includes, in some embodiments, a non-aqueous lithium containing electrolyte. Lithium ion batteries incorporating a porous silicon anode demonstrate have high, stable lithium alloying capacity over many cycles.