Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrolyte that is stable and efficient at high voltages. The electrolyte can be used in combination with certain cathodes that exhibit poor activity at such high voltages with other types of electrolytes and can further be used in combination with a variety of anodes. In some embodiments, the electrolyte can be used in battery systems comprising a lithium cobalt oxide cathode and lithium metal anodes, silicon anodes, silicon/graphite composite anodes, graphite anodes, and the like.

Abstract: Electrolytes for lithium ion batteries with carbon-based, silicon-based, or carbon- and silicon-based anodes include a lithium salt; a nonaqueous solvent comprising at least one of the following components: (i) an ester, (ii) a sulfur-containing solvent, (iii) a phosphorus-containing solvent, (iv) an ether, (v) a nitrile, or any combination thereof, wherein the lithium salt is soluble in the solvent; a diluent comprising a fluoroalkyl ether, a fluorinated orthoformate, a fluorinated carbonate, a fluorinated borate, or a combination thereof, wherein the lithium salt has a solubility in the diluent at least 10 times less than a solubility of the lithium salt in the solvent; and an additive having a different composition than the lithium salt, a different composition than the solvent, and a different composition than the diluent.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises initializing a plurality of segment lists. Each segment list of the plurality of segment lists corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of disk drives. Each segment list divides storage space of the respective disk drive into a plurality of segments. The method further comprises, for each of the plurality of disk drives, identifying one or more candidate segments from the plurality of segments; calculating a respective segment distance variance for one or more combinations of identified candidate segments. Each combination of identified candidate segments includes one candidate segment for each of the plurality of disk drives. The method further comprises selecting a combination of the one or more combinations of identified candidate segments having the smallest respective segment distance variance; and storing data on the plurality of disk drives according to the selected combination of identified candidate segments.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed herein is an electrolyte composition comprising: an active salt; and a solvent portion that comprises at least 10 vol. % of at least one orthoformate or a mixture of orthoformates, based on the total volume of the solvent portion.

Abstract: Low flammability and nonflammable localized superconcentrated electrolytes (LSEs) for stable operation of lithium and sodium ion batteries are disclosed. Electrochemical devices including the low flammability and nonflammable LSEs are also disclosed. The low flammability and nonflammable LSEs include an active salt, a solvent comprising a flame retardant compound, wherein the active salt is soluble in the solvent, and a diluent in which the active salt is insoluble or poorly soluble. The LSE may further include a cosolvent, such as a carbonate, a sulfone, a sulfite, a sulfate, a carboxylate, an ether, a nitrogen-containing solvent, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, such as when the solvent and diluent are immiscible, the LSE further includes a bridge solvent.

Abstract: High energy density cathode materials, such as LiNixMnyCozO2 (NMC) cathode materials, with improved discharge capacity (hence energy density) and enhanced cycle life are described. A solid electrolyte, such as lithium phosphate infused inside of secondary particles of the cathode material demonstrates significantly enhanced structural integrity without significant or without any observable particle cracking occurring during charge/discharge processes, showing high capacity retention of more than 90% after 200 cycles at room temperature. In certain embodiments the disclosed cathode materials (and cathodes made therefrom) are formed using nickel-rich NMC and/or are used in a battery system with a non-aqueous dual-Li salt electrolytes.

Abstract: Electrolytes for lithium ion batteries operable over a wide temperature range are disclosed. A lithium ion battery including a disclosed electrolyte may be operable over a temperature range of from ?50 ° C. to 60 ° C. The electrolytes include a lithium salt, a non-aqueous carbonate-based solvent, a cesium salt and/or rubidium salt as a first additive, and two or more additional additives.

Abstract: Localized superconcentrated electrolytes (LSEs) and electrochemical devices including the LSEs are disclosed. The LSE includes an active salt, a solvent in which the active salt is soluble, and a diluent in which the active salt is insoluble or poorly soluble, wherein the diluent includes a fluorinated orthoformate.

Abstract: An anode active material comprises a silicon-carbon secondary particle comprising a composite having an exterior conformal carbon coating and formed of type I primary particles. Each type I primary particle comprises a core particle of interconnected silicon, the interconnected silicon formed of nano-sized silicon particles each connected to at least one other particle, inner pores internal to the core particle and defined by the interconnected silicon, an internal carbon coating on internal wall surfaces of the inner pores and a conformal carbon coating on the core particle.

Abstract: A method of comparing three dimensional structure of polymers such as proteins is provided herein comprising the steps of developing at least one key of the protein wherein each said at least one key is based on a quintuple of features consisting of three non-collinear objects in said protein, a representative angle between the three non-collinear objects, and a representative edge length, and comparing the key to either a known database of keys or a key developed for another protein to determine the protein or run a comparison thereof. Additionally, the invention includes a novel method of discovering motifs using key generation. The invention also covers a novel method for representation of protein and drug 3-D structures for the prediction of drug and target interactions.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for cycling a rechargeable alkali metal battery with high Coulombic efficiency (CE) are disclosed. A slow charge/rapid discharge protocol is used in conjunction with a concentrated electrolyte to achieve high CE in rechargeable lithium and sodium batteries, include anode-free batteries. In some examples, the CE is ?99.8%.

Abstract: Low flammability and nonflammable localized superconcentrated electrolytes (LSEs) for stable operation of electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors, are disclosed. Electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors, including the low flammability and nonflammable LSEs are also disclosed. The low flammability and nonflammable LSEs include an active salt, a solvent comprising a flame retardant compound, wherein the active salt is soluble in the solvent, and a diluent in which the active salt is insoluble or poorly soluble. In certain embodiments, such as when the solvent and diluent are immiscible, the LSE further includes a bridge solvent.

Abstract: A one-step in-situ electrochemical pre-charging strategy to generate thin protective films simultaneously on the surfaces of both carbon-based air-electrode and metal anode under an inert atmosphere is disclosed. The thin-films are formed from the decomposition of electrolyte during the in-situ electrochemical pre-charging process in an inert environment and can protect both a carbon air-electrode and a metal anode prior to conventional metal-oxygen discharge/charge cycling where reactive reduced oxygen species are formed. Lithium-oxygen cells after such pre-treatment demonstrate significantly extended cycle life which is far more than those without pre-treatment.

Abstract: An anode-free rechargeable battery is disclosed. The battery includes an anode current collector and a cathode containing an active cation Mn+, where n=1, 2, or 3. The anode-free rechargeable battery further includes a separator placed between the anode current collector and the cathode. The anode-free rechargeable battery also includes an electrolyte including a salt or salt mixture containing an active cation Mn+ dissolved in a solvent or solvent mixture.

Abstract: High energy density cathode materials, such as LiNixMnyCozO2 (NMC) cathode materials, with improved discharge capacity (hence energy density) and enhanced cycle life are described. A solid electrolyte, such as lithium phosphate infused inside of secondary particles of the cathode material demonstrates significantly enhanced structural integrity without significant or without any observable particle cracking occurring during charge/discharge processes, showing high capacity retention of more than 90% after 200 cycles at room temperature. In certain embodiments the disclosed cathode materials (and cathodes made therefrom) are formed using nickel-rich NMC and/or are used in a battery system with a non-aqueous dual-Li salt electrolytes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrolyte that is stable and efficient at high voltages. The electrolyte can be used in combination with certain cathodes that exhibit poor activity at such high voltages with other types of electrolytes and can further be used in combination with a variety of anodes. In some embodiments, the electrolyte can be used in battery systems comprising a lithium cobalt oxide cathode and lithium metal anodes, silicon anodes, silicon/graphite composite anodes, graphite anodes, and the like.

Abstract: An end cap assembly for an electric motor has a brush assembly, a circuit board, an inductor and a grounded metal element. The brush assembly has a plurality of brushes. The circuit board is fixed relative to the brush assembly. The inductor is electrically connected to the circuit board. The grounded metal element is positioned between the brushes and the inductor to absorb high frequency electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the brushes to the inductor.

Abstract: Low flammability and nonflammable localized superconcentrated electrolytes (LSEs) for stable operation of lithium and sodium ion batteries are disclosed. Electrochemical devices including the low flammability and nonflammable LSEs are also disclosed. The low flammability and nonflammable LSEs include an active salt, a solvent comprising a flame retardant compound, wherein the active salt is soluble in the solvent, and a diluent in which the active salt is insoluble or poorly soluble. The LSE may further include a cosolvent, such as a carbonate, a sulfone, a sulfite, a sulfate, a carboxylate, an ether, a nitrogen-containing solvent, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, such as when the solvent and diluent are immiscible, the LSE further includes a bridge solvent.

Abstract: High energy density cathode materials, such as LiNiXMnYCoZO2 (NMC) cathode materials, with improved discharge capacity (hence energy density) and enhanced cycle life are described. A solid electrolyte, such as lithium phosphate infused inside of secondary particles of the cathode material demonstrates significantly enhanced structural integrity without significant or without any observable particle cracking occurring during charge/discharge processes, showing high capacity retention of more than 90% after 200 cycles at room temperature. In certain embodiments the disclosed cathode materials (and cathodes made therefrom) are formed using nickel-rich NMC and/or are used in a battery system with a non-aqueous dual-Li salt electrolytes.

Abstract: Electric tool system and method of operating the same. One electric tool system includes a first electric tool and a second electric tool. A method of operating the electric tool system includes providing a first battery for the first electric tool and a second battery for the second electric tool. The method further includes designating the first battery as a master, and designating the second battery as a slave. The method further includes configuring the first electric tool to a first operating mode, detecting a first operating parameter by the master, and transmitting a first signal from the master to the slave based on the first operating parameter detected by the master. The method further includes the slave receiving the first signal from the master and enabling operation of the second electric tool.