Abstract: Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions.

Abstract: Described here is an air filter comprising a substrate and a network of polymeric nanofibers deposited on the substrate, wherein the air filter a removal efficiency for PM2.5 of at least 70% when a light transmittance is below 50%. Also described here is an electric air filter comprising a first layer adapted to receive a first electric voltage, wherein the first layer comprises an organic fiber coated with a conductive material. Further described is an air filter for high temperature filtration, comprising a substrate and a network of polymeric nanofibers deposited on the substrate, wherein the air filter has a removal efficiency for PM2.5 of at least 70% at a temperature of a least 70° C.

Abstract: Described here is a method for making an anode of a rechargeable battery, comprising incorporating a composition comprising LixM into the anode, wherein M is a Group 14 element. Also described here is an anode comprising a composition comprising LixM, wherein M is a Group 14 element, and a rechargeable battery comprising the anode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide methods of forming a silicon containing layers in TFT devices. The silicon can be used to form the active channel in a LTPS TFT or be utilized as an element in a gate dielectric layer, a passivation layer or even an etch stop layer. The silicon containing layer is deposited by a vapor deposition process whereby an inert gas, such as argon, is introduced along with the silicon precursor. The inert gas functions to drive out weak, dangling silicon-hydrogen bonds or silicon-silicon bonds so that strong silicon-silicon or silicon-oxygen bonds remain to form a substantially hydrogen free silicon containing layer.

Abstract: Described here is a rechargeable battery comprising (a) an electrode comprising manganese hexacyanomanganate in contact with (b) an electrolyte comprising sodium and/or potassium ions. Also described here is a method for making a sodium-ion rechargeable battery, comprising incorporating manganese hexacyanomanganate into an electrode, and contacting said electrode with an electrolyte comprising sodium ions or potassium ions.

Abstract: A battery electrode includes an electrochemically active material and a binder covering the electrochemically active material. The binder includes a self-healing polymer and conductive additives dispersed in the self-healing polymer to provide an electrical pathway across at least a portion of the binder.

Abstract: A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented involving nanowire meshes. One such method is implemented to include synthesizing metal nanowires in a solution containing a structure-directing agent. The metal nanowires are deposited on a substrate to form a sheet of nanowires. The deposited metal nanowires are heated to a temperature less than about 200 degrees Celsius and for a period of time of about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, thereby removing the structure-directing agent and modifying the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the sheet of nanowires.

Abstract: A battery includes 1) an anode, 2) a cathode, and 3) an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode includes a current collector and an interfacial layer disposed over the current collector, and the interfacial layer includes an array of interconnected, protruding regions that define spaces.

Abstract: Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving nanowires having junctions therebetween. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second sets of nanowires, in which the second set overlaps the first set. The apparatus further includes a plurality of nanowire joining recrystallization junctions, each junction including material from a nanowire of the first set that is recrystallized into an overlapping nanowire of the second set.

Abstract: As consistent with various embodiments, an electronic device includes a fibrous material having a conductive coating thereon. The conductive coating includes conductive nanoparticles coupled to fibers in the fibrous material. The structure is implemented in connection with a variety of devices, such as a capacitive device or a battery. Other embodiments are directed to forming conductive fibrous sheets, in dispersing a nanomaterial in a solution and applying the solution to a fibrous sheet, such as commercial paper, to form a conductive sheet.

Abstract: Provided are novel methods of fabricating electrochemical cells containing high capacity active materials that form multilayered solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structures on the active material surface during cell fabrication. Combining multiple different SEI layers on one surface can substantially improve cell performance by providing each layer with different properties. For example, an outer layer having a high electronic resistance may be combined with an inner layer having a high ionic permeability. To form such multilayered SEI structures, formation may involve changing electrolyte composition, functionalizing surfaces, and/or varying formation conditions. For example, formation may start with a boron containing electrolyte. This initial electrolyte is then replaced with an electrolyte that does not contain boron and instead may contain fluorine additives. In certain embodiments, cell's temperature is changed during formation to initiate different chemical reactions during SEI formation.

Abstract: A microbial battery is provided. At the anode, microbial activity provides electrons to an external circuit. The cathode is a solid state composition capable of receiving the electrons from the external circuit and changing from an oxidized cathode composition to a reduced cathode composition. Thus, no external source of oxygen is needed at the cathode, unlike conventional microbial fuel cells. The cathode can be removed from the microbial battery, re-oxidized in a separate oxidation process, and then replaced in the microbial battery. This regeneration of the cathode amounts to recharging the microbial battery.

Abstract: Electrodes, batteries, methods for use and manufacturing are implemented to provide ion-based electrical power sources and related devices. Consistent with one such method, a battery electrode is produced having nanowires of a first material. The electrode is produced using a single growth condition to promote growth of crystalline nanowires on a conductive substrate and of the first material, and promote, by maintaining the growth condition, growth of an amorphous portion that surrounds the crystalline nanowires.

Abstract: A modular magnetic storage system including a container attachable to a surface, the container including a vessel having a top end, a bottom end, a wall and a magnet housing, the bottom end being positioned opposite to the top end, the wall extending between the bottom end and the top end, the wall and the bottom end defining a cavity, the top end defining an opening in the vessel, and the magnet housing defining a recess; a magnet disposed within the recess; and a resilient cover positioned over the magnet housing, the resilient cover providing a coefficient of friction between the resilient cover and the surface to maintain a position of the vessel on the surface.

Abstract: A vessel in a modular magnetic storage system is set forth. The vessel includes at least one magnet housing assembly configured to securely store a magnet therein. The magnet housing assembly is provided on, within a portion, or within a wall of the vessel. An interior wall of the vessel is configured to form a compartment and to selectively store at least one object therein. The magnet housing assembly is configured to hold the vessel securely in a suspended configuration through a cover provided on the magnet housing assembly. The vessel is mounted in the suspended configuration by selectively connecting the magnet to a surface.

Abstract: A vessel in a modular magnetic storage system is set forth. The vessel includes at least one magnet housing assembly configured to securely store a magnet therein. The magnet housing assembly is provided on, within a portion, or within a wall of the vessel. An interior wall of the vessel is configured to form a compartment and to selectively store at least one object therein. The magnet housing assembly is configured to hold the vessel securely in a suspended configuration through a cover provided on the magnet housing assembly. The vessel is mounted in the suspended configuration by selectively connecting the magnet to a surface.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode includes a capacitive material as a majority component, and further includes an electrochemically active material as a minority component, such that an operating potential of the anode is configured according to a reaction potential of the electrochemically active material.