Abstract: According to an embodiment, a porous electrode comprises a three-dimensional nanostructured porous catalyst film including a catalyst material promoting an oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, having an aligned pore structure, and having an upper surface and a lower surface opening the pore structure and a porous current collecting layer interfacially adhered to the three-dimensional nanostructured porous catalyst film by a binder polymer.

Abstract: Provided is a Ni—Fe battery comprising an iron electrode which is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle. The preconditioned iron electrode used in the Ni—Fe battery is prepared by first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the electrode with a gaseous oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant solution to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is thereby preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with water to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a Ni—Fe battery comprising an iron electrode which is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle. The preconditioned iron electrode used in the Ni—Fe battery is prepared by first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with water to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, a polyvinyl alcohol binder and sulfur, and then treating the electrode with a gaseous oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is treated prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant solution to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is thereby preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a Ni—Fe battery comprising an iron electrode which is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle. The preconditioned iron electrode used in the Ni—Fe battery is prepared by first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with water to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: A process of preparing an E-carbon nanocomposite includes contacting a porous carbon substrate with an E-containing material to form a mixture; and sonicating the mixture to form the E-carbon nanocomposite; where E is S, Se, SexSy, or Te, x is greater than 0; and y is greater than 0.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the electrode with a gaseous oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the electrode with a gaseous oxidant to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an electrode comprising an iron active material. The process comprises first fabricating an electrode comprising an iron active material, and then treating the surface of the electrode with an oxidant solution to thereby create an oxidized surface. The resulting iron electrode is thereby preconditioned prior to any charge-discharge cycle to have the assessable surface of the iron active material in the same oxidation state as in discharged iron negative electrodes active material.

Abstract: The present invention provides one with a battery having an iron anode, e.g., a Ni—Fe battery, having improved performance characteristics. The battery uses a particular electrolyte and/or battery separator. The resulting characteristics of efficiency, charge retention and cycle life are much improved over such batteries in the prior art.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium secondary battery. The anode includes a current collector in the form of a wire and a porous anode active material layer coated to surround the surface of the current collector. The three-dimensional porous structure of the active material layer increases the surface area of the anode. Accordingly, the mobility of lithium ions through the anode is improved, achieving superior battery performance. In addition, the porous structure allows the anode to relieve internal stress and pressure, such as swelling, occurring during charge and discharge of a battery, ensuring high stability of the battery while preventing deformation of the battery. These advantages make the anode suitable for use in a cable-type secondary battery. Further disclosed is a lithium secondary battery including the anode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanostructured materials for use in rechargeable energy storage devices such as lithium batteries, particularly rechargeable secondary lithium batteries, or lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The present invention includes materials, components, and devices, including nanostructured materials for use as battery active materials, and lithium ion battery (LIB) electrodes comprising such nanostructured materials, as well as manufacturing methods related thereto. Exemplary nanostructured materials include silicon-based nanostructures such as silicon nanowires and coated silicon nanowires, nanostructures disposed on substrates comprising active materials or current collectors such as silicon nanowires disposed on graphite particles or copper electrode plates, and LIB anode composites comprising high-capacity active material nanostructures formed on a porous copper and/or graphite powder substrate.

Abstract: A method is presented for fabricating an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method provides a material (X), which may be one of the following materials: carbon, metals able to be electrochemically alloyed with a metal (Me), intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X). Typically, Me is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or a combination of the two. As a result, the method forms a preloaded anode comprising Me/X for use in a battery comprising a M1YM2Z(CN)N·MH2O cathode, where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X) using physical (mechanical) mixing, a chemical reaction, or an electrochemical reaction. Also provided is preloaded anode, preloaded with consumable metals.

Abstract: The electrochemical regeneration of a replaceable metal electrode of a metal-air battery takes place in a supplementary electrochemical cell with a chemical agent oxidized on the counter electrode. The decrease of the regeneration voltage at the supplementary electrochemical cell results in the growth of the regeneration efficiency. The creation of a commercial product during chemical agent oxidation on the counter electrode decreases the overall cost of the regeneration. Possible chemical agents for regeneration include salts, metal complexes, monomers, conjugated organic molecules, oligomers or polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode active material for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a carbon material, and a coating layer formed on the surface of particles of the carbon material and having a plurality of Sn-based domains having an average diameter of 1 ?m or less. The inventive anode active material having a Sn-based domains coating layer on the surface of a carbon material can surprisingly prevent stress due to volume expansion which generates by an alloy of Sn and lithium. Also, the inventive method for preparing an anode active material can easily control the thickness of the coating layer.

Abstract: A protected transition metal hexacyanoferrate (TMHCF) battery cathode is presented, made from AxMyFez(CN)n.mH2O particles, where the A cations are either alkali or alkaline-earth cations, and M is a transition metal. In one aspect the cathode passivation layer may be materials such as oxides, simple salts, carbonaceous materials, or polymers that form a film overlying the AxMyFez(CN)n.mH2O particles. In another aspect, the cathode passivation layer is a material such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, fluorine, chlorine, or iodine that interacts with the AxMyFez(CN)n.mH2O particles, to cure defects in the AxMyFez(CN)n.mH2O crystal lattice structure. Also presented are TMHCF battery synthesis methods.

Abstract: A process for the electrochemical deposition of nanoscale catalyst particles using a sacrificial hydrogen anode as counter electrode for the working electrode is disclosed, whereby a concurrent development of hydrogen at the working electrode is mostly or completely avoided.

Abstract: A fabrication process for conformal coating of a thin polymer electrolyte layer on nanostructured electrode materials for three-dimensional micro/nanobattery applications, compositions thereof, and devices incorporating such compositions. In embodiments, conformal coatings (such as uniform thickness of around 20-30 nanometer) of polymer Polymethylmethacralate (PMMA) electrolyte layers around individual Ni—Sn nanowires were used as anodes for Li ion battery. This configuration showed high discharge capacity and excellent capacity retention even at high rates over extended cycling, allowing for scalable increase in areal capacity with electrode thickness. Such conformal nanoscale anode-electrolyte architectures were shown to be efficient Li-ion battery system.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium (Li) secondary battery, a method of forming the same, and a secondary battery, the negative electrode including a tin (Sn) based current collector layer; and a multilayer film on the Sn based current collector, the multilayer film having two or more layers, wherein the multilayer film includes at least one porous layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an oxyhydroxy salt related to the family of layered double hydroxides for the design and manufacture of an electrode with a view to storing electrical energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to lithium-ion batteries, and more specifically, to a system and method for fabricating such batteries using thin-film processes that form three-dimensional structures. In one embodiment, an anodic structure used to form an energy storage device is provided. The anodic structure comprises a flexible conductive substrate, a plurality of conductive microstructures formed on the conductive substrate, comprising a plurality of columnar projections and dendritic structures formed over the plurality of columnar projections and a plurality of tin particles formed on the plurality of conductive microstructures. In another embodiment, the anodic structure further comprises a tin nucleation layer comprising tin particles formed on the flexible conductive substrate between the flexible conductive substrate and the plurality of conductive microstructures.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating lithium-ion batteries using thin-film deposition processes that form three-dimensional structures is provided. In one embodiment, an anodic structure used to form an energy storage device is provided. The anodic structure comprises a conductive substrate, a plurality of conductive microstructures formed on the substrate, a passivation film formed over the conductive microstructures, and an insulative separator layer formed over the conductive microstructures, wherein the conductive microstructures comprise columnar projections.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and an apparatus for the electrochemical deposition of fine catalyst particles onto carbon fibre-containing substrates which have a compensating layer (“microlayer”). The method comprises the preparation of a precursor suspension containing ionomer, carbon black and metal ions. This suspension is applied to the substrate and then dried. The deposition of the catalyst particles onto the carbon fibre-containing substrate is effected by a pulsed electrochemical method in an aqueous electrolyte. The noble metal-containing catalyst particles produced by the method have particle sizes in the nanometer range. The catalyst-coated substrates are used for the production of electrodes, gas diffusion electrodes and membrane electrode units for electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells (membrane fuel cells, PEMFC, DMFC, etc.), electrolysers or electrochemical sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides materials capable of giving electrodes having the smaller rate of the capacity loss due to an irreversible capacity in the initial cycle in the charge and discharge cycle test as compared with electrodes comprising conventional materials; and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode having immobilized ?-conjugated ligands is provided. The method includes bringing an aqueous solution into contact with an electrically conductive base material, the aqueous solution including ?-conjugated ligands and at least one of (i) a surfactant, and (ii) a water-soluble molecule having a structure different from that of the ?-conjugated ligands, the water-soluble molecule having a ?-conjugated structure, and immobilizing the ?-conjugated ligands on the base material.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device may include a digit line on a substrate, a first insulating layer on the digit line, and a magnetic tunnel junction memory cell on the first insulating layer so that the first insulating layer is between the digit line and the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell. A second insulating layer may be provided on the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell, wherein the second insulating layer has a hole therein exposing portions of the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell. A bit line may be provided on the second insulating layer and on portions of the magnetic tunnel junction memory cell exposed by the hole in the second insulating layer, and ferromagnetic spacers may be provided on sidewalls of at least one of the digit line and/or the bit line. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having an aluminum cathode current collector (11) having a transition metal sandwiched between two crystallized cathodes (12). Each cathode has an electrolyte (13) deposited thereon which is overlaid with a lithium anode (14). An anode current collector (16) contacts the anode and substantially encases the cathode collector, cathode, electrolyte and anode. An insulator (18) occupies the spaces between the components and the anode current collector.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) as a blue insoluble product on the surface of a working electrode is disclosed which comprises immersing a pair of electrodes in a solution mixture of an iron(III) ion-containing solution and a hexacyanoferrate(III) ion-containing solution and effecting electrolysis with one of the electrodes as an anode and the other as a cathode, whereby iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) is deposited on the surface of the cathode.

Abstract: A method of making a cathode for a high temperature rechargeable electrochemical cell comprises impregnating a mixture, in granular form, of an alkali metal halide and a substance comprising a transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, and mixtures thereof, with an alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte. The impregnated mixture is subjected to at least one charge cycle in a high temperature electrochemical cell in which the impregnated mixture forms the cathode and is located in a cathode compartment of the cell. The cathode compartment is separated from an anode compartment by a solid electrolyte separator. Alkali metal forms in the anode compartment during the charge cycle.

Abstract: A high temperature rechargeable electrochemical power storage cell has an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated from each other by a separator. The cathode compartment contains a current collector; an alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte having the formula MAlHal.sub.4 ; an alkali metal halide; and a cathode. The cathode comprises an electrolyte-permeable porous matrix, a first active cathode substance in the matrix in a first zone adjacent the current collector and spaced from the separator, and a second active cathode substance in the matrix in a further zone adjacent the first zone. The first active cathode substance is such that it gives rise to a higher cell potential than does the second active cathode substance. The cell is chargeable at a temperature at which the electrolyte and the alkali metal are molten to cause the active cathode substances to be halogenated.

Abstract: A polymer-gel-coated conductor has a conductor member and a cross-linked polymer in a gel state. The polymer in gel state contains an electrolyte and coats the conductor member. An oxidative product or a reduction product of an organic matter or an inorganic matter has been precipitated on the surface of the conductor member or in the region of the polymer in gel state near the surface of the conductor member. Also disclosed are a method of producing the polymer-gel coated conductor and an electric cell in which at least one of a pair of electrodes is made of the polymer-gel-coated conductor.