Abstract: A method is provided of making a magnetocaloric alloy composition comprising Ni, Co, Mn, and Ti, which preferably includes certain beneficial substitutional elements, by melting the composition and rapidly solidifying the melted composition at a cooling rate of at least 100 K/second (Kelvin/second) to improve a magnetocaloric property of the composition. The rapidly solidified composition can be heat treated to homogenize the composition and annealed to tune the magneto-structural transition for use in a regenerator.

Abstract: A method is provided of making a magnetocaloric alloy composition comprising Ni, Co, Mn, and Ti, which preferably includes certain beneficial substitutional elements, by melting the composition and rapidly solidifying the melted composition at a cooling rate of at least 100 K/second (Kelvin/second) to improve a magnetocaloric property of the composition. The rapidly solidified composition can be heat treated to homogenize the composition and annealed to tune the magneto-structural transition for use in a regenerator.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric material comprising a La—Fe—Si based alloy composition that is compositionally modified to include a small but effective amount of at least one of Al, Ga, and In to improve mechanical stability of the alloy (substantially reduce alloy brittleness), improve thermal conductivity, and preserve comparable or provide improved magnetocaloric effects. The alloy composition may be further modified by inclusion of at least one of Co, Mn, Cr, and V as well as interstitial hydrogen.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric material comprising a La—Fe—Si based alloy composition that is compositionally modified to include a small but effective amount of at least one of Al, Ga, and In to improve mechanical stability of the alloy (substantially reduce alloy brittleness), improve thermal conductivity, and preserve comparable or provide improved magnetocaloric effects. The alloy composition may be further modified by inclusion of at least one of Co, Mn, Cr, and V as well as interstitial hydrogen.

Abstract: Method embodiments useful for recycling spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes to extract critical and/or valuable elements from LIBs are provided and involve mechanochemical processing of spent LIB electrodes in the presence of certain chemical agents to recover products that can include, but are not limited to, metallic solids such as elemental metals or metal alloys, and/or inorganic compounds, metal salts, or organometallic derivatives. The desired products can be separated from by-products and contaminants and further processed into LIB electrode materials or/and other substances.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric material comprising a La—Fe—Si based alloy composition that is compositionally modified to include a small but effective amount of at least one of Al, Ga, and In to improve mechanical stability of the alloy (substantially reduce alloy brittleness), improve thermal conductivity, and preserve comparable or provide improved magnetocaloric effects. The alloy composition may be further modified by inclusion of at least one of Co, Mn, Cr, and V as well as interstitial hydrogen.

Abstract: A method is provided of making a magnetocaloric alloy composition comprising Ni, Co, Mn, and Ti, which preferably includes certain beneficial substitutional elements, by melting the composition and rapidly solidifying the melted composition at a cooling rate of at least 100 K/second (Kelvin/second) to improve a magnetocaloric property of the composition. The rapidly solidified composition can be heat treated to homogenize the composition and annealed to tune the magneto-structural transition for use in a regenerator.