Abstract: A battery and method of making such battery, adapted to operate at low (typically ambient) temperatures for a short initial period and thereafter at higher temperatures. A Li—Mg alloy anode is provided, comprising up to 25% magnesium, in a liquid thionyl chloride bath which as the cathode for high temperature operation. A thin, substantially pure lithium layer is applied to a surface of the Li—Mg anode, preferably in the range of 0.0019 to 0.0025 inches (0.04826-0.0635 mm), to allow obtaining of sufficiently high power and voltage output at lower temperatures for a short period where at such lower temperatures the required voltage and power would not otherwise be available from a Li—Mg anode. Thereafter, the battery may thereafter be used in, and exposed to, higher temperatures of up to 220° C. where at such temperatures the necessary voltage and power from the remaining Li—Mg alloy anode is then available.

Abstract: A flow cell battery includes at least one anode and at least one cathode, with a separator membrane disposed between each anode and each cathode. Each anode and cathode includes a bipolar plate and a carbon nanotube material positioned proximally at least one side of the bipolar plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of redox flow battery rebalancing systems include a system for reacting an unbalanced flow battery electrolyte with a rebalance electrolyte in a first reaction cell. In some embodiments, the rebalance electrolyte may contain ferrous iron (Fe2+) which may be oxidized to ferric iron (Fe3+) in the first reaction cell. The reducing ability of the rebalance reactant may be restored in a second rebalance cell that is configured to reduce the ferric iron in the rebalance electrolyte back into ferrous iron through a reaction with metallic iron.

Abstract: A flow battery stack includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a manifold and a heat exchanger. Each flow battery cell includes an electrode layer that is wet by an electrolyte solution having a reversible redox couple reactant. The manifold includes a solution passage that exchanges the electrolyte solution with the flow battery cells. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange fluid passage. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between the electrolyte solution in the solution passage and a heat exchange fluid directed through the heat exchange fluid passage. The flow battery cells, the manifold and the heat exchanger are arranged between first and second ends of the flow battery stack.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell provided with two half cells. A pressure or density differential is created between the cathode and anode electrodes, each of which is contained in one of the half cells. The pressure or density differential is created by single or multiple sources including compression, vacuum, weight (gravity) of mass, chemical, molecular, or, pressure or density differentials created by thermal gradients.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly has electrochemical cells of large diameter and high storage capacity, making it particularly useful for stabilization of electric supply systems. The assembly includes at least one electrochemical cell composed of a layer of: a liquid metal or liquid metal alloy forming the cathode, a liquid electrolyte layer, and a layer of a liquid metal or liquid metalloid forming the anode. An electrically insulating inner tube is provided along the vertical axis of the assembly, the presence of which prevents the occurrence of the Tayler instability or other instabilities caused in the liquids by the current flow, and thus prevents the intermixing of the liquids. Another very efficient option for increasing the maximum current of the cell is that of conducting a current having a suitable direction and intensity through the interior of the inner tube.

Abstract: Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements.

Abstract: A reversible storage system for electric energy, including charging or discharging surfaces as a positive collector terminal and a charging or discharging area as a negative collector terminal and a flow electrode with a pumpable dispersion with particles storing electric energy and at least one supply line and at least one drain line for the pumpable dispersion. The pumpable dispersion includes particles storing electric energy in a capacitive and/or chemical fashion, having an average grain size distribution: 1 nM to 500 ?m. For chemically storing particles, the negative and the positive collector terminals have a planar shape with a single exterior closed border and with their planar sides each contacting an ion-selective diaphragm or spacers, and the pumpable dispersion is arranged on a side facing away from the planar side of the respective collector, contacting the ion-selective diaphragm or spacers, and the dispersion at least partially penetrates the respective collector.

Abstract: A redox flow battery system is provided with independent stack assemblies dedicated for charging and discharging functions. In such a system, characteristics of the charging stack assembly may be configured to provide a high efficiency during a charging reaction, and the discharging stack may be configured to provide a high efficiency during a discharging reaction. In addition to decoupling charging and discharging reactions, redox flow battery stack assemblies are also configured for other variables, such as the degree of power variability of a source or a load. Using a modular approach to building a flow battery system by separating charging functions from discharging functions, and configuring stack assemblies for other variables, provides large-scale energy storage systems with great flexibility for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: An energy storage cell charged and discharged by electrolyte fluid. The cell includes a module that comprises a wall that separates an anode plate from a cathode plate. An anode hub is connected to the anode plate and a cathode hub is connected to the cathode plate. The anode hub and cathode hub are assembled together through an opening in the wall. An electrical connector connects the anode hub to the cathode hub to electrically connect the anode plate to the cathode plate maintaining the plates on separate sides of the wall at the same electrical potential. A plurality of energy storage cells are connected together to provide a flow cell battery system.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a redox flow battery and a redox flow battery including the electrolyte, the electrolyte including a metal-ligand coordination compound as a cation and an anion containing at least four atoms linked to each other by a straight chain in a certain direction.

Abstract: An energy storage system according to the present disclosure includes a cell having an electrode and a deposition facilitating structure proximate the electrode for facilitating deposition of material on the electrode. The deposition facilitating structure includes first and second outer layers and an intermediate support arrangement positioned between the outer layers and connected to the outer layers.

Abstract: A flow battery and method of operating a flow battery. The flow battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The flow battery is configured with a first electrolyte flow configuration in charge mode and a second flow configuration in discharge mode. The first electrolyte flow configuration is at least partially different from the second electrolyte flow configuration.

Abstract: Shunt currents in electrochemical systems with liquid electrolytes are reduced by placing shunt resistors in electrolyte flow paths. Shunt resistors substantially increase electrical resistance in electrolyte flow channels by interrupting the physical continuity of liquid through their length. Some shunt resistors also provide a flow metering, pumping or flow-resisting functions for improved electrolyte flow control.

Abstract: A flowing electrolyte reservoir system for a flowing electrolyte battery. The system comprises an outer electrolyte tank and an inner electrolyte tank placed under a battery cell stack. The inner tank is transversely positioned between opposite corners of the outer electrolyte tank, and beneath opposite corners of the battery cell stack.

Abstract: An optimized electrochemical cell comprised of a housing divided into two chambers, a first chamber containing a protogenous, ion-conducting liquid and a positive high density electrode including a first active material and a porous binder, surrounded by a surface in which the porosity level increases towards the surface, a second chamber containing an aprotic, ion conducting liquid and a negative high density electrode including a second active material and a porous binder, surrounded by a surface in which the porosity level increases towards the surface. A symmetric, strong, highly porous, microporous polymer membrane divides the housing into the first and second chamber. The porosity level of the polymer membrane is 25% greater than the porosity level at the surface of the positive and negative high density electrodes.

Abstract: A redox flow battery, which includes an electrode assembly including a separator with positive and negative electrodes positioned respectively at both sides of the separator; a positive electrode supplier supplying a positive active material liquid to the positive electrode; and a negative electrode supplier supplying a negative active material liquid to the negative electrode. At least one of the positive and negative electrodes includes an electron-conductive substrate and a fine carbon layer on the electron-conductive substrate. This fine carbon layer includes carbon black, carbon nanotube, or a mixture of carbon black and carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A partial flow cell may include a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, and a separator arrangement sandwiched between the cathode and anode chambers. The separator arrangement may be configured to permit ionic flow between electroactive materials disposed within the cathode and anode chambers. One of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to permit an electroactive material to flow through the chamber during operation. The other of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to hold an electroactive material fixed within the chamber during operation.

Abstract: Provided is a battery which can prevent deactivation from occurring by avoiding solid deposition at electrodes. The battery includes an anion conductor, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and a second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer, wherein the first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the positive electrode are present in this sequence on a first surface of the anion conductor, and the second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the negative electrode are present in this sequence on a second surface of the anion conductor, and wherein the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material which can release a metal ion upon discharging.

Abstract: A redox flow battery having a high electromotive force and capable of suppressing generation of a precipitation is provided. In a redox flow battery 100, a positive electrode electrolyte and a negative electrode electrolyte are supplied to a battery cell including a positive electrode 104, a negative electrode 105, and a membrane 101 interposed between the electrodes 104 and 105, to charge and discharge the battery. The positive electrode electrolyte contains a manganese ion, or both of a manganese ion and a titanium ion. The negative electrode electrolyte contains at least one type of metal ion selected from a titanium ion, a vanadium ion, a chromium ion, a zinc ion, and a tin ion. The redox flow battery 100 can suppress generation of a precipitation of MnO2, and can be charged and discharged well by containing a titanium ion in the positive electrode electrolyte, or by being operated such that the positive electrode electrolyte has an SOC of not more than 90%.

Abstract: Design of a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is constructed of a plurality of high surface area, gas adsorbing electrodes and an electrolyte, wherein, during charging operation, gases are formed and adsorbed at the plurality of electrodes such that they generate an electrochemical potential for discharge of the cell formed by electrodes and electrolyte until the state-of-charge has become negligible (deep discharge). The rapidly rechargeable gas battery is designed such that it can withstand high charging current and a deep discharge without irreversible changes in the electrode materials.

Abstract: A redox flow (RF) battery performs charge and discharge by supplying a positive electrode electrolyte and a negative electrode electrolyte to a battery cell. Each of the positive electrode electrolyte and the negative electrode electrolyte contains a vanadium (V) ion as active material. At least one of the positive electrode electrolyte and the negative electrode electrolyte further contains another metal ion, for example, a metal ion such as a manganese ion that exhibits a higher redox potential than a V ion or a metal ion such as a chromium ion that exhibits a lower redox potential than a V ion.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system includes plural electrochemical cells connected electrically in series that utilize a common electrolyte that can be delivered to each of the cells and/or collected from each of the cells using one or more manifolds. The system provides a possibility for reducing shunt currents by applying a shunt-current minimizing voltage to terminals of the manifolds from the terminal electrodes of the cells connected in series.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.

Abstract: An electrochemical method and apparatus for high-amperage electrical energy storage features a high-temperature, all-liquid chemistry. The reaction products created during charging remain part of the electrodes during storage for discharge on demand. In a simultaneous ambipolar electrodeposition cell, a reaction compound is electrolyzed to effect transfer from an external power source; the electrode elements are electrodissolved during discharge.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.

Abstract: A multi-walled tubing assembly includes an outer corrugated tube and an inner tube received in the outer tube, and may receive an insert. The inner tube is made from a resilient material. The outer tube is structurally rigid. The insert may be plain and used in conjunction with one or more adhesives. The insert may include a section with barbs or teeth which, once inserted into the inner tube, engage with the corrugations of the outer tube. Some embodiments result in a good seal and mechanically fix the tubing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molten salt containing at least two salts, and having a melting point of 350° C. or more and 430° C. or less and an electric conductivity at 500° C. of 2.2 S/cm or more. The present invention also provides a thermal battery including the molten salt as an electrolyte.

Abstract: A three-dimensional electrode array for use in electrochemical cells, fuel cells, capacitors, supercapacitors, flow batteries, metal-air batteries and semi-solid batteries.

Abstract: Introducing multiple redox reactions with a suitable voltage range can improve the energy density of redox flow battery (RFB) systems. One example includes RFB systems utilizing multiple redox pairs in the positive half cell, the negative half cell, or in both. Such RFB systems can have a negative electrolyte, a positive electrolyte, and a membrane between the negative electrolyte and the positive electrolyte, in which at least two electrochemically active elements exist in the negative electrolyte, the positive electrolyte, or both.

Abstract: The designs of prototype batteries are described based on some biological Fenton reactions and the photo-excitation of singlet oxygen. The biological battery consists of hydrogen peroxide (or an acid) and ferrous gluconate complexed with a second ligand. Salts such as sodium chloride or ammonium chloride are used as the electrolyte. The photochemical battery uses an aqueous paste of ferrous gluconate with an additional ligand and is irradiated by light. The power of the battery is higher by adding small amount of titanium oxide to ferrous gluconate. The power of these batteries can be increased by using higher concentration of the chemicals or connecting multiple batteries in sequence and/or in parallel. Replacing ferrous ion with cupric ions increases the current of the battery by about 20 times.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and, in particular, to various component configurations including configurations for converting common fuels directly into electricity without additional fuel reforming or processing. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to configurations in which an anode of the device surrounds the electrolyte and/or the cathode of the device. In some embodiments, all single cells in a fuel cell stack share a common anode fuel chamber. The anode, in some cases, may be exposed to a fuel. In one set of embodiments, the anode of the device may be fluid during operation of the fuel cell, and in some cases, a porous container may be used to contain the anode during operation of the fuel cell. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of making such devices, methods of promoting the making or use of such devices, and the like.

Abstract: An electrical storage device utilizing a pyrazine-based cyanoazacarbon or pyrazine-based cyanoazacarbon polymer as a redox active material which can undergo both oxidation and reduction. The device has an ion selective barrier with a cathode side and an anode side; a cathode compartment which is functionally attached to the cathode side of the ion selective barrier and contains a mixture of pyrazine-based cyanoazacarbons, solvent, and positive ions of pyrazine-based cyanoazacarbons; an anode compartment which is functionally attached to the anode side of the ion selective barrier and contains a mixture of pyrazine-based cyanoazacarbons, solvent, and negative ions of pyrazine-based cyanoazacarbons; a cathode which is electrically connected to the cathode compartment; and an anode which is electrically connected to the anode compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a redox flow battery comprising a positive electrolyte storage tank and a negative electrolyte storage tank, wherein the positive electrolyte storage tank and the negative electrolyte storage tank is kept to be in liquid communication through a pipe, wherein the length-to-diameter ratio of the pipe for the liquid communication is not less than about 10. The present invention also provides a method for operating the redox flow battery continuously in a long period of time.

Abstract: A liquid action substance battery having its external terminal welded after assembling the battery in which safety of the battery is enhanced by protecting an explosion-proof valve against being torn apart in the subsequent welding work of the external terminal even if the position of a negative pole action substance being press-bonded to the inner surface of the battery can is shifted and that substance is extruded to the bottom face of the battery can.

Abstract: A metal-air battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a cathode to reduce oxygen molecules and an alkali-metal-containing anode to oxidize the alkali metal (e.g., Li, Na, and K) contained therein to produce alkali-metal ions. An aqueous catholyte is placed in ionic communication with the cathode to store reaction products generated by reacting the alkali-metal ions with the oxygen containing anions. These reaction products are stored as solutes dissolved in the aqueous catholyte. An ion-selective membrane is interposed between the alkali-metal containing anode and the aqueous catholyte. The ion-selective membrane is designed to be conductive to the alkali-metal ions while being impermeable to the aqueous catholyte.

Abstract: Redox flow devices are described in which at least one of the positive electrode or negative electrode-active materials is a semi-solid or is a condensed ion-storing electroactive material, and in which at least one of the electrode-active materials is transported to and from an assembly at which the electrochemical reaction occurs, producing electrical energy. The electronic conductivity of the semi-solid is increased by the addition of conductive particles to suspensions and/or via the surface modification of the solid in semi-solids (e.g., by coating the solid with a more electron conductive coating material to increase the power of the device). High energy density and high power redox flow devices are disclosed. The redox flow devices described herein can also include one or more inventive design features. In addition, inventive chemistries for use in redox flow devices are also described.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery using an oxyhalide as an anodic action material, which can improve pulse discharge characteristics and provide a sufficient operating voltage. A non-aqueous electrolyte battery using an oxyhalide such as thionyl chloride, sulfuric chloride and phosphoryl chloride that are liquid at room temperature as an anodic action material, wherein, in place of a conventionally used metal lithium, a lithium alloy containing at least one kind of element selected from a group consisting of Zn, Ga, Cd, In, Sn, Sb and Bi is used as a cathode to thereby reduce the impedance of a battery and prevent a reduction in operating voltage at pulse discharging. Especially, a battery is obtained that gives a significant improvement effect at high temperature and is excellent in pulse discharge characteristics having long discharge duration days.

Abstract: A redox flow cell is presented that utilizes a porous membrane separating a first half cell and a second half cell. The porous membrane is chosen to have a figure of merit (FOM) is at least a minimum FOM. A method of providing a porous membrane for a flow cell can include determining a figure of merit; determining a first parameter from a pore size or a thickness for the porous membrane; determining a second parameter from the pore size or the thickness that is not the first parameter for the porous membrane, based on the figure of merit; and constructing a porous membrane having the pore size and the thickness.

Abstract: A carbon-based energy system including an apparatus for generating electricity and byproduct CO2, a photosynthesis bioreactor that converts CO2, and a CO2 storage unit. In one embodiment, the energy system includes a direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC), a photosynthetic bioreactor, and a thermoacoustic cooler. Also provided is a method for reducing CO2 emission in energy systems achieved by coupling a photosynthetic bioreactor and a CO2 storage system with an energy system wherein the CO2 produced by the energy system is converted to biomass during light hours and is stored during dark hours.

Abstract: The convenient recharging of a charge storage device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a portable device accessory with a charge storage device holding mechanism and a recharging circuit. The system also comprises a portable device with an interface at which the portable device and the portable device accessory are connectable. A charge storage device-switching mechanism is disposed within the portable device accessory or the portable device. The charge storage device-switching mechanism is actuatable to switch a first charge storage device in the portable device with a second charge storage device in the charge storage device holding mechanism of the portable device accessory by mechanically connecting and/or disconnecting the portable device from the portable device accessory.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery that contains a molten salt electrolyte and has the enhanced output performances and cycle performances can be provided. The electrolyte has a molar ratio of lithium salt to molten salt of from 0.3 to 0.5, and the non-aqueous electrolyte battery has a positive electrode having a discharge capacity of 1.05 or more times that of a negative electrode thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface, which may employ a surface energy effect to maintain a position of the fluid surface and/or to modulate flow within the fluid. Fluid-directing structures may also modulate flow or retain fluid in a predetermined pattern. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery that exchanges energy with an external device. The battery includes a container containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an intervening electrolyte, the electrodes and electrolyte existing as liquid material layers in the container at the operating temperature of the battery so that adjacent layers form respective electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Positive and negative current collectors are in electrical contact with the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, both collectors being adapted for connection to the external device to create a circuit through which current flows. A circulation producer in the battery causes circulation within at least one of the layers to increase the flux of material in one layer to an interface with an adjacent layer, thereby giving the battery a greater current/power capability.