Abstract: The present disclosure relates to blended cathode materials for use as a positive electrode material of a rechargeable electrochemical cell (or secondary cell) (such as a lithium-ion secondary battery) and also relates to a secondary battery including a cathode having the blended cathode materials. In particular, disclosed are blends of lithium vanadium fluorophosphate (LVPF) or a derivative thereof with one or more conventional cathode active materials in certain weight ratios thereof.

Abstract: A bottom touching assisting device suitable for deep-sea submersibles and an implementation method thereof are provided. Four support columns are arranged within a mounting box body at a bottom of a deep-sea submersible, the support columns and the mounting box body are connected in a sliding manner through sliders, and the support column is sleeved with a threaded sleeve in a threaded connection manner. In conjunction with a drive component and a pressing mechanism, smooth vertical movement of the support column is achieved when the threaded sleeve rotates. This allows a bottom end of the support column to extend from the mounting box body.

Abstract: Pre-lithiation methods using lithium vanadium fluorophosphate (e.g., LiVPO4F and its derivatives) (“LVPF”) as a cathode active material in a lithium-ion secondary battery. The pre-lithiation methods include compensating for an expected loss of active lithium by selecting LVPF having a specific pre-lithiated chemistry (or a blend of LVPF selected to have a specific pre-lithiated chemistry) and selecting a total amount of the pre-lithiated LVPF. The pre-lithiation methods may include initially charging the lithium-ion secondary battery at the lower of the two charge/discharge plateaus of LVPF to release active lithium.

Abstract: Provided is a positive electrode active material for a lithium-ion battery, the positive electrode active material including a blend of a doped lithium manganese iron phosphate (dLMFP) according to the formula: LiMnxFeyM1?x?yPO4, wherein 0.9<x+y<1; and M is one or more selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Ba with one or both of a lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NMC) compound having a Ni content greater than 0.6 relative to a total amount of metals other than Li and a lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) compound. In particular, provided is a blend at a weight ratio of dLMFP to NMC and/or NCA (i.e., dLMFP:(NMC+NCA)) of >70:<30, such as 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, etc.

Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery, including (A) an anode including an anode active material; (B) a cathode including a cathode active material; (C) a separator; and (D) an electrolytic solution, the anode active material including (a1) about 5.0 to about 45.0 wt % natural graphite particles, and (a2) about 95.0 to about 55.0 wt % artificial graphite particles; a size of both the natural and artificial graphite particles (a1), (a2) independently being about 2.0 ?m<D50<about 7.0 ?m; the electrolytic solution containing (d1) an organic solvent, (d2) a charge carrier, and (d3) one or more additive compounds for forming a solid electrolyte interphase (“SEI”) on the anode; and the organic solvent (d1) including about 10.0 to about 95.0 vol % of a linear ester of a C2 to C8 saturated acid; and a total weight of the additive compounds (d3) being about 0.20 to about 6.0 wt %.

Abstract: The use of a blend of a lithium nickel oxide and a lithium manganese iron phosphate as an active material composition in the cathode of a lithium secondary electrochemical cell for automotive applications, such as hybrid and electric vehicles. This blend allows decreasing the porosity of a lithium manganese iron phosphate-based cathode. It also allows improving the detectability of a gas release in the cell in case of an abnormal operation of the cell. It allows lowering the cell impedance at a low state of charge, typically less than 30%, and reducing the impedance increase of the cell during the cell lifespan.

Abstract: Pre-lithiation methods using lithium vanadium fluorophosphate (e.g., LiVPO4F and its derivatives) (“LVPF”) as a cathode active material in a lithium-ion secondary battery. The pre-lithiation methods include compensating for an expected loss of active lithium by selecting LVPF having a specific pre-lithiated chemistry (or a blend of LVPF selected to have a specific pre-lithiated chemistry) and selecting a total amount of the pre-lithiated LVPF. The pre-lithiation methods may include initially charging the lithium-ion secondary battery at the lower of the two charge/discharge plateaus of LVPF to release active lithium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to blended cathode materials for use as a positive electrode material of a rechargeable electrochemical cell (or secondary cell) (such as a lithium-ion secondary battery) and also relates to a secondary battery including a cathode having the blended cathode materials. In particular, disclosed are blends of lithium vanadium fluorophosphate (LVPF) or a derivative thereof with one or more conventional cathode active materials in certain weight ratios thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a positive electrode active material for a lithium-ion battery, the positive electrode active material including a blend of a doped lithium manganese iron phosphate (dLMFP) according to the formula: LiMnxFeyM1?x?yPO4, wherein 0.9<x+y<1; and M is one or more selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Ba with one or both of a lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NMC) compound having a Ni content greater than 0.6 relative to a total amount of metals other than Li and a lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) compound. In particular, provided is a blend at a weight ratio of dLMFP to NMC and/or NCA (i.e., dLMFP:(NMC+NCA)) of >70:<30, such as 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a process to identify one or more areas containing a hand or hands of one or more subjects in an image. The detection process can start with coarsely locating one or more segments in the image that contain portions of the hand(s) of the subject(s) in the image using a coarse CNN. The detection process can then combine these segments to obtain the one or more areas capturing the hand(s) of the subject(s) in the image. The combined area(s) can then be fed to a grid-based deep neural network finely detect area(s) in the image that contain only the hand(s) of the subject(s) captured.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a process to identify one or more areas containing a hand or hands of one or more subjects in an image. The detection process can start with coarsely locating one or more segments in the image that contain portions of the hand(s) of the subject(s) in the image using a coarse CNN. The detection process can then combine these segments to obtain the one or more areas capturing the hand(s) of the subject(s) in the image. The combined area(s) can then be fed to a grid-based deep neural network finely detect area(s) in the image that contain only the hand(s) of the subject(s) captured.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a lithium-ion battery system comprising an anode, an anode current collector, and a layer of lithium metal in contact with the current collector, but not in contact with the anode. The lithium compensation layer dissolves into the electrolyte to compensate for the loss of lithium ions during usage of the full cell. The specific placement of the lithium compensation layer, such that there is no direct physical contact between the lithium compensation layer and the anode, provides certain advantages.

Abstract: Electrodeposition and energy storage devices utilizing an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and anode surface. For electrodeposition of a first metal (M1) on a substrate or anode from one or more cations of M1 in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second metal (M2), wherein cations of M2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the cations of M1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a lithium-ion battery system comprising an anode, an anode current collector, and a layer of lithium metal in contact with the current collector, but not in contact with the anode. The lithium compensation layer dissolves into the electrolyte to compensate for the loss of lithium ions during usage of the full cell. The specific placement of the lithium compensation layer, such that there is no direct physical contact between the lithium compensation layer and the anode, provides certain advantages.

Abstract: Electrodeposition involving an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and/or film surface. For electrodeposition of a first conductive material (C1) on a substrate from one or more reactants in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second conductive material (C2), wherein cations of C2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the reactants.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electrolyte for a hybrid magnesium-alkali metal ion battery are disclosed. The electrolyte includes a magnesium salt, a Lewis acid, and an alkali metal salt. Embodiments of battery systems including the electrolyte also are disclosed.

Abstract: Electrodeposition involving an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and/or film surface. For electrodeposition of a first conductive material (C1) on a substrate from one or more reactants in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second conductive material (C2), wherein cations of C2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the reactants.

Abstract: The Coulombic efficiency of metal deposition/stripping can be improved while also preventing dendrite formation and growth by an improved electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition also reduces the risk of flammability. The electrolyte composition includes a polymer and/or additives to form high quality SEI layers on the anode surface and to prevent further reactions between metal and electrolyte components. The electrolyte composition further includes additives to suppress dendrite growth during charge/discharge processes. The electrolyte composition can also be applied to lithium and other kinds of energy storage devices.

Abstract: The Coulombic efficiency of lithium deposition/stripping can be improved while also substantially preventing lithium dendrite formation and growth using particular electrolyte compositions. Embodiments of the electrolytes include organic solvents and their mixtures to form high-quality SEI layers on the lithium anode surface and to prevent further reactions between lithium and electrolyte components. Embodiments of the disclosed electrolytes further include additives to suppress dendrite growth during charge/discharge processes. The solvent and additive can significantly improve both the Coulombic efficiency and smoothness of lithium deposition. By optimizing the electrolyte formulations, practical rechargeable lithium energy storage devices with significantly improved safety and long-term cycle life are achieved. The electrolyte can also be applied to other kinds of energy storage devices.

Abstract: Electrodeposition and energy storage devices utilizing an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and anode surface. For electrodeposition of a first metal (M1) on a substrate or anode from one or more cations of M1 in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second metal (M2), wherein cations of M2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the cations of M1.