Abstract: A composite composition that includes an MCrAlX alloy and a nano-oxide ceramic is disclosed. In the formula, M includes nickel, cobalt, iron, or a combination thereof, and X includes yttrium, hafnium, or a combination thereof, from about 0.001 percent to about 2 percent by weight of the alloy. The amount of the nano-oxide ceramic is greater than about 40 percent, by volume of the composition. A protective covering that includes the composite composition is also disclosed. The protective covering can be attached to a tip portion of a blade with a braze material. A method for joining a protective covering to a tip portion of a blade, and a method for repair of a blade, are also provided.

Abstract: The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.

Abstract: A compressor blade generally used in turbine engines is presented. The compressor blade includes a protective covering bonded to a tip portion of the blade with a braze material. The braze material includes from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of an active metal element, based on the total amount of the braze material. A compressor rotor is also provided that includes a plurality of the compressor blades. A method for joining a protective covering to a tip portion of a compressor blade, and a method for repair of a compressor blade, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrochemical separator structure. The structure is formed of a material that includes manganese-stabilized beta?-alumina. The manganese is present at a level of about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight. Another embodiment is directed to an energy storage device that includes the electrochemical separator structure.

Abstract: A discharge lamp including an arc envelope defining a chamber and a first opening. A plug is positioned in the first opening through a first seal. The lamp further includes a dosing tube extending away from the chamber, and having a passageway extending into the chamber through a second opening in the arc envelope. The dosing tube is coupled to the arc envelope via a second seal. The first seal, the second seal, or both seals include a braze material having an active metal element in an amount ranging from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the braze material.

Abstract: A brazing structure for an electrochemical cell is described. It includes a nickel or nickel alloy component; a ceramic component; a braze alloy layer, containing an active metal element, between the nickel and the ceramic component, and a barrier layer disposed between the nickel layer and the braze alloy layer. The barrier layer is capable of preventing or minimizing the diffusion of the active metal element into the nickel or nickel alloy component. Electrochemical cells that include such a brazing structure are also described, as are related methods for joining nickel components to ceramic components in the manufacture of thermal batteries.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described, including an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber separated by an electrolyte separator tube, all contained within a cell case. The cell also includes an electrically insulating ceramic collar positioned at an opening of the cathodic chamber, and defining an aperture in communication with the opening; along with a cathode current collector assembly; and at least one metallic ring that has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the range of about 3 to about 7.5 ppm/° C., contacting at least a portion of a metallic component within the cell, and an adjacent ceramic component. An active braze alloy composition attaches and hermetically seals the ring to the metallic component and the collar. Sodium metal halide batteries that contain this type of cell are also described, along with methods for sealing structures within the cell.

Abstract: The present application provides configurations, components, assemblies and methods for sealing cells of sodium-based thermal batteries, such as NaMx cells, without a bridge member. In some embodimentsl the cells may include an electrically conductive case directly hermetically sealed to an electrically insulating ceramic collar of the cell to hermetically seal an anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the ceramic collar and an electrolyte separator tube may be a cosintered one-piece member. In some embodiments the case and the ceramic collar and separator tube may form a hermetically sealed anodic chamber therebetween. In some embodiments the separator tube may define, at least in part, a cathodic chamber therein. In some embodiments the cells may include a current collector hermetically sealed to the ceramic collar, and a cap member hermetically sealed to the current collector to hermetically seal the cathodic chamber of the cell.

Abstract: The present application provides configurations, components, assemblies and methods for sealing cells of sodium-based thermal batteries, such as NaMx cells. In some embodiments the cells may include an integrated bridge member hermetically sealed to an electrically conductive case and a ceramic collar of the cell to hermetically seal an anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the cells may include the ceramic collar hermetically sealed to an electrolyte separator tube of the cell to hermetically seal the anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the anodic chamber may be defined, at least in part, by the case, integrated bridge member, ceramic collar and electrolyte separator tube. In some embodiments the cells may include a current collector hermetically sealed to the ceramic collar, and a cap member hermetically sealed to the current collector tube to hermetically seal a cathodic chamber of the cell.

Abstract: An energy storage cell is disclosed, including an anodic chamber for containing an anodic material and a cathodic chamber for containing a cathodic material, separated from each other by an electrolyte separator tube, and all contained within a case for the cell. The cell further includes a ceramic collar positioned at an opening of the cathodic chamber, defining an aperture in communication with the opening, and a current collector brazed to the ceramic collar, extending into the cathodic chamber. The current collector is in the form of a porous, metallic mesh, and the case and the ceramic collar are hermetically sealed to each other by an active braze material. Sodium metal halide batteries based on a number of these cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, in certain embodiments, includes providing a metal alloy, annealing the metal alloy, and contacting the metal alloy with vapors of selenium, or sulfur, or a combination thereof. The metal alloy having a uniform first bulk composition and a first surface composition on annealing provides an annealed metal alloy having a non uniform second bulk composition and a second surface composition which on being contacted vapors of selenium, or sulfur, or a combination thereof, produces a selenized or a sulfurized metal alloy. Further the metal alloy may have a layer formed in situ from a low melting point metal within the alloy via diffusion rather than sequential deposition and co-evaporation.

Abstract: An electrical switch and a circuit breaker are presented herein. The electrical switch includes a graded resistance block comprising a first end having a first electrical resistivity and a second end having an electrical resistivity greater than the first electrical resistivity. The electrical switch further includes a fixed contact electrically coupled to the first end of the graded resistance block, and a sliding contact configured to slide over the graded resistance block. In addition to the components of the electrical switch, the circuit breaker also includes a forcing mechanism to slide the sliding contact over the graded resistance block from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: The present application provides for metal rings and ceramic collars for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The metal rings may be outer and inner Ni rings configured for sealing to an alpha-alumina collar via active brazing for use in NaMx cells. The inner and outer Ni metal rings may be sealed to differing portions of the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the alpha-alumina collar may define a tapered thickness that reduces internal stresses at the active brazed joints resulting from differing coefficients of thermal expansion between the Ni metal rings and the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings and alpha-alumina collar sealed by active brazing, and thereby the active braze joints themselves, may be oriented to control or dictate the stresses on the joints during use.

Abstract: The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of using active braze techniques on beta-alumina. In some specific embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of sealing a portion of beta-alumina electrolyte, insulated collar and metal rings of a sodium-based thermal battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of using active braze techniques on beta-alumina. In some specific embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of sealing a portion of beta-alumina electrolyte, insulated collar and metal rings of a sodium-based thermal battery.

Abstract: A new high performing lithium ion cell having new carbon based anode and new dual doped layered cathode materials. The anode is a self standing carbon fibrous material and the cathode is a dual doped Lithium cobalt oxide of general formula LiMxNyCo1-x-yO2 (0.01?x, y?0.2) wherein M is a divalent alkaline earth metal cation and N is a divalent transition metal cation. Lithium ion cells of 2016 coin cells were assembled using the above materials deliver specific capacity of 60-85 mAhg?1 at 1 C rate and exhibit excellent cycling stability of 90-95% even after 200 cycles when cycled between 2.9-4.1V.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of using active braze techniques in high temperature rechargeable batteries. In some specific embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of sealing a portion of an insulated alpha alumina or spinel collar and a metal ring of a sodium metal halide battery.

Abstract: A sealing glass composition includes from about 10 molar percent to about 30 molar percent barium oxide, from about 15 molar percent to about 30 molar percent aluminum oxide, from about 40 molar percent to about 60 molar percent boron oxide and from about 1 molar percent to about 20 molar percent yttrium oxide. Methods for preparing the sealing glass and a sodium battery cell are also provided.

Abstract: A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes nickel, silicon, boron, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes nickel in an amount greater than about 50 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. An electrochemical cell using the braze alloy for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in the cell is also provided.