Abstract: In an example of the method disclosed herein, SiOx (0<x<2) particles are combined with a lithium metal. The SiOx (0<x<2) particles and the lithium metal are caused to react to form lithium oxide nanoparticles in a silicon matrix. At least some of the lithium oxide nanoparticles are removed from the silicon matrix to form porous silicon particles.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a hollow carbon material, a carbon black particle is obtained. The carbon black particle has a concentric crystallite structure with an at least partially amorphous carbon core and a graphitic carbon shell surrounding the at least partially amorphous carbon core. The carbon black particle is exposed to any of a heat treatment, a chemical treatment, or an electrochemical treatment which removes the at least partially amorphous carbon core to form the hollow carbon material.

Abstract: Use of a flexible, nonconductive, porous, and thermally tolerant ceramic material as a separator in a lithium-ion battery or lithium-sulfur battery is described. The separator can be made of aluminum oxide and provides excellent mechanical and thermal properties that prevent wear and puncture of the separator caused by particles removed from the electrodes during the charging and discharging process. The separator is designed to mitigate effects of melt shrinkage and facilitate the lithium ion transport, in contrast to separators that include a polymeric material, thus preventing short-circuiting between the positive and the negative electrode. Improved wetting and filling of the separator with electrolyte solution are provided, for improved rate capability of the battery (fast charging and discharging). The separator further reduces the potential for thermal runaway in Li batteries.

Abstract: In an example method, a transition metal precursor is selected so its transition metal has a diffusion rate that is slower than a diffusion rate of silicon. An aqueous mixture is formed by dissolving the precursor in an aqueous medium, and adding silicon particles to the medium. The mixture is exposed to a hydroxide, which forms a product including the silicon particles and a transition metal hydroxide precipitate. The product is dried. In an inert or reducing environment, silicon atoms of the silicon particles in the dried product are caused to diffuse out of, and form voids in and/or at a surface of, the particles. At least some silicon atoms react with the transition metal hydroxide in the dried product to form i) a SiOx (0<x?2) coating on the silicon particles and ii) the transition metal, which reacts with other silicon atoms to form silicides.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a silicon-based active electrode material, a silicon active material precursor is introduced into a carrier gas. Another active material precursor is introduced into the carrier gas prior to, simultaneously with or subsequent to the silicon active material precursor. The other active material precursor is selected from a tin active material precursor, an aluminum active material precursor, a graphene active material precursor, and combinations thereof. The carrier gas containing the precursors is exposed to plasma vaporization, and a material is formed. The material includes i) an alloy of phase separated silicon and tin and/or aluminum, or ii) a graphene layer having silicon nanoparticles and tin nanoparticles, aluminum nanoparticles, or combinations of tin and aluminum nanoparticles deposited on a surface thereof, or iii) a graphene layer having an alloy of phase separated silicon and tin, aluminum, or tin and aluminum deposited on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A composite of silicon and tin is prepared as a negative electrode composition with increased lithium insertion capacity and durability for use with a metal current collector in cells of a lithium-ion battery. This electrode material is formed such that the silicon is present as a distinct amorphous phase in a matrix phase of crystalline tin. While the tin phase provides electron conductivity, both phases accommodate the insertion and extraction of lithium in the operation of the cell and both phases interact in minimizing mechanical damage to the material as the cell experiences repeated charge and discharge cycles. In general, roughly equal atomic proportions of the tin and silicon are used in forming the phase separated composite electrode material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is formed. The cell includes a non-lithium negative electrode in contact with a lithium ion permeable negative electrode current collector, and a positive electrode disposed in contact with a lithium ion permeable positive electrode current collector. The non-lithium negative electrode and the positive electrode are lithium ion permeable. The cell also has a lithium source electrode including lithium ions. A respective microporous polymer separator is disposed between the lithium source electrode and each of the negative and positive electrodes; or a first separator is disposed between the lithium source electrode and one of the negative and positive electrodes, and a second separator is disposed between the negative and positive electrodes. An electrolyte is introduced into the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a hollow carbon material, a carbon black particle is obtained. The carbon black particle has a concentric crystallite structure with an at least partially amorphous carbon core and a graphitic carbon shell surrounding the at least partially amorphous carbon core. The carbon black particle is exposed to any of a heat treatment, a chemical treatment, or an electrochemical treatment which removes the at least partially amorphous carbon core to form the hollow carbon material.

Abstract: A sulfur based active material has a core-shell structure including a hollow core and a porous carbon shell surrounding the hollow core. Sulfur is present in a portion of the hollow core. A polymer shell coating is formed on the porous carbon shell. The polymer shell coating includes nitrogen atoms that bond to carbon atoms of the porous carbon shell so that the porous carbon shell is a nitrogen-confused porous carbon shell.

Abstract: Porous, amorphous lithium storage materials and a method for making these materials are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, composite particles of a lithium storage material in an amorphous phase and a material that is immiscible with the lithium storage material are prepared. Phase separation is induced within the composite particles to precipitate out the amorphous phase lithium storage material and form phase separated composite particles. The immiscible material is chemically etched from the phase separated composite particles to form porous, amorphous lithium storage material particles.

Abstract: A cutting tool for machining metal workpieces using polycrystalline diamond cutting surfaces with interspersed guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces. When machining holes in cast aluminum alloy workpieces it is found that aluminum machining chips adhere to guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces and mar the machined surface. It is found that when the guide and chip evacuation surfaces are coated with a diamond-like carbon material, aluminum chips do not mar the machined surfaces.

Abstract: An electroactive material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, is provided. The electroactive material comprises a multifunctional hybrid protective coating system formed over an electroactive material. The coating system includes a first oxide-based coating disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive material, followed by a second coating deposited via a non-aqueous process. The second coating may be a fluoride-based, nitride-based, or carbide-based coating. The first and second coatings may be applied by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form conformal ultrathin layers over the electroactive materials. Such a multifunctional hybrid protective coating system can suppress formation of gases within the electrochemical cell and also minimize formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layers on the electrode to improve battery performance. Methods for making such materials and using such materials in electrochemical cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: An electroactive material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium-ion battery, is provided. The electroactive material comprises lithium titanate oxide (LTO) and has a surface coating with a thickness of less than or equal to about 30 nm that suppresses formation of gases within the electrochemical cell. Methods for making such materials and using such materials to suppress gas formation in electrochemical cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: Use of a flexible, nonconductive, porous, and thermally tolerant ceramic material as a separator in a lithium-ion battery or lithium-sulfur battery is described. The separator can be made of aluminum oxide and provides excellent mechanical and thermal properties that prevent wear and puncture of the separator caused by particles removed from the electrodes during the charging and discharging process. The separator is designed to mitigate effects of melt shrinkage and facilitate the lithium ion transport, in contrast to separators that include a polymeric material, thus preventing short-circuiting between the positive and the negative electrode. Improved wetting and filling of the separator with electrolyte solution are provided, for improved rate capability of the battery (fast charging and discharging). The separator further reduces the potential for thermal runaway in Li batteries.

Abstract: An electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium-ion battery, is provided. The electrode material may be a negative electrode comprising graphite, silicon, silicon-alloys, or tin-alloys, for example. By avoiding deposition of transition metals, the battery substantially avoids charge capacity fade during operation. The surface coating is particularly useful with negative electrodes to minimize or prevent deposition of transition metals thereon in the electrochemical cell. The coating has a thickness of less than or equal to about 40 nm. Methods for making such materials and using such coatings to minimize transition metal deposition in electrochemical cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: A composite of silicon and tin is prepared as a negative electrode composition with increased lithium insertion capacity and durability for use with a metal current collector in cells of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-sulfur battery. This negative electrode material is formed such that the silicon is present as a distinct amorphous phase in a matrix phase of crystalline tin. While the tin phase provides electron conductivity, both phases accommodate the insertion and extraction of lithium in the operation of the cell and both phases interact in minimizing mechanical damage to the material as the cell experiences repeated charge and discharge cycles. In general, roughly equal atomic proportions of the tin and silicon are used in forming the phase separated composite electrode material.

Abstract: A Li-ion battery is disclosed, the Li-ion battery including an anode, a cathode, a lithium donor formed from a Li-containing material, and an electrolyte in communication with the anode, the cathode, and the lithium donor. The lithium donor may be incorporated into the anode, incorporated into the cathode, a layer formed on either an anode side or a cathode side of a separator of the battery. The lithium donor is formed from Li-containing material insensitive to oxygen and aqueous moisture.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: An example of a flexible membrane includes a porous membrane and a solid electrolyte coating formed on at least a portion of a surface of the porous membrane, in pores of the porous membrane, or both on the surface and in the pores. The solid electrolyte coating includes i) a polymer chain or ii) an inorganic ionically conductive material. The polymer chain or the inorganic material includes a group to interact or react with a polysulfide through covalent bonding or supramolecular interaction.

Abstract: In an example of the surface coating method, an aromatic resin or a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonate is dissolved in an organic solvent to form a solution. A film precursor is formed on a surface of an electrode material by immersing the electrode material into the solution, and evaporating the organic solvent. The electrode material is selected from the group consisting of an electrode active material particle and a pre-formed electrode. The film precursor is exposed to i) a thermal treatment having a temperature equal to or less than 500° C., or ii) ultraviolet light irradiation, or iii) both i and ii, to carbonize the film precursor to form a carbon film on the surface of the electrode material. Also disclosed herein is a method for improving electrochemical performance of an electrode for a lithium based battery.