Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is disclosed wherein a free layer (FL) interfaces with a first metal oxide (Mox) layer and second metal oxide (tunnel barrier) to produce perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in the FL. In some embodiments, conductive metal channels made of a noble metal are formed in the Mox that is MgO to reduce parasitic resistance. In a second embodiment, a discontinuous MgO layer with a plurality of islands is formed as the Mox layer and a non-magnetic hard mask layer is deposited to fill spaces between adjacent islands and form shorting pathways through the Mox. In another embodiment, end portions between the sides of a center Mox portion and the MTJ sidewall are reduced to form shorting pathways by depositing a reducing metal layer on Mox sidewalls, or performing a reduction process with forming gas, H2, or a reducing species.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery cell having safety and increased energy density, and battery using same. The cell is shaped as a rounded square tube. A core material for preventing electrolyte permeation is at the cell center, the core member being a hollow cylindrical insulator of square cross-section. A cell monitoring system such as a temperature sensor is provided in the hollow part of the core material. A cell base member including positive electrode member, separator, and negative electrode member of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is wound around the core material. Terminals made of electroconductive metal electrically connected to the collector of the positive electrode member or the collector of the negative electrode member are exposed to the cell exterior. The temperature sensor is attached to the center part of the hollow part of the core material in close contact with the core material.

Abstract: An electrode for improving the durability of a battery includes a current collector and an active material layer. The current collector has a conductive resin layer including a polymer material and a conductive filler. The electrode further includes a conductive member, which is in electrical contact with the conductive filler, between the current collector and the active material layer.

Abstract: An electrode unit for an electrochemical device, comprising (i) a solid electrolyte which divides a space for molten cathode material, selected from the group consisting of elemental sulfur and polysulfide of the alkali metal anode material, and a space for molten alkali metal anode material, and (ii) a porous solid state electrode directly adjacent to the solid electrolyte within the space for the cathode material, with a non-electron-conducting intermediate layer S present between the solid state electrode and the solid electrolyte, wherein this intermediate layer S has a thickness in the range from 0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electrically coupling energy storage devices to an external load or power source. Examples of such coupling include connecting energy storage devices to an electric power grid using a power conversion system with suitable characteristics including, for example, active/real power and reactive power control capabilities, response time, current, voltage, phase, frequency, fault protection and/or information exchange protocols. The power conversion system can include an inverter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electrically coupling energy storage devices to an external load or power source. Examples of such coupling include connecting energy storage devices to an electric power grid using a power conversion system with suitable characteristics including, for example, active/real power and reactive power control capabilities, response time, current, voltage, phase, frequency, fault protection and/or information exchange protocols. The power conversion system can include an inverter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cathode unit for an alkaline metal/sulphur battery, containing a cathode arrester, which comprises a carbon substrate, and an electrochemically active component, which is selected from sulphur or an alkaline metal sulphide and is in electrically conductive contact with the carbon substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to reduce granule disruption during manufacture of electrochemical cells, such as a metal halide electrochemical cell, are provided. In one embodiment, a current collector can include a diffuser strip extending beneath an aperture configured to receive an injection stream of molten electrolyte. The diffuser strip can be configured to dissipate an injection stream of molten electrolyte when the molten electrolyte is injected into an electrochemical cell. In this way, disruption of a granule bed by the injection of the molten electrolyte during manufacture of the electrochemical cell can be reduced.

Abstract: A process for making a solid electrolyte for an electrochemical cell. The process includes providing a multilayer material having a porous layer and a nonporous layer, the nonporous layer containing a first oxide selected from alpha-alumina, gamma-alumina, alpha-gallium oxide, and/or combinations thereof. In addition, an alkali-metal oxide vapor is provided and the nonporous layer is exposed to the alkali-metal oxide vapor at an elevated temperature such that the nonporous layer is converted to a solid second oxide electrolyte layer that is conductive to alkali metal ions. The second oxide is an alkali-metal-beta-alumina, alkali-metal-beta?-alumina, alkali-metal-beta-gallate, and/or alkali-metal-beta?-gallate.

Abstract: Provided is a metal oxygen battery 1 including a positive electrode 2 having oxygen as an active material, a negative electrode 3 having metallic lithium as an active material, and an electrolyte layer 4 interposed between the positive electrode 2 and negative electrode 3. The positive electrode 2 contains oxygen storage material including mixed crystal of hexagonal composite metal oxide expressed by the general formula AxByOz (in which, A is one type of metal selected from a group of Y, Sc, La, Sr, Ba, Zr, Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, B is one type of metal selected from a group of Mn, Ti, Ru, Zr, Ni, Cr, and x=1, 1?y?2, 1?z?7, provided that a case where both A and B are Zr is excluded) and one or more non-hexagonal composite metal oxide expressed by the general formula AxByOz.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the generation of electrical energy from a solid-state fuel. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a solid-oxide fuel cell for generating electrical energy from a carbon-based fuel, and to catalysts for use in a solid-oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of new crystalline phosphate- and silicate-based electrode materials, preferably having a hopeite or zeolite lattice structure, which are suitable more particularly for lithium ion batteries and lithium capacitors based on non-aqueous systems. The structure of the inventively used electrode material comprises at least a) 2 to 193 atom % of structure-forming ions M in the form of a lattice structure comprising (MX4)n? coordination polyhedra, where M is selected from one or more elements from groups 2-15, b) 8 to 772 atom % of anions X in the form of a lattice structure comprising (MX4)n? coordination polyhedra, where n=a number from 2-4, X is selected from one or more elements from groups 16 and 17, preferably oxygen, and a fraction of up to 25.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and/or maintaining a column height of an electrolyte relative to a separator surface within an energy storage device. Embodiments of the invention provide a wicking component, a current collector, and a bias component. The current collector is positioned to force the bias component to press the wicking component tight to an inner surface of a separator. The bias component maintains contact between the wicking component and the surface of separator and creates a capillary gap in which sodium wicks.

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: The invention is directed to an electrochemical separator structure. The structure is formed of a material that includes manganese-stabilized beta?-alumina. The manganese is present at a level of about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight. Another embodiment is directed to an energy storage device that includes the electrochemical separator structure.

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 cell is provided that includes a cathode chamber including a cathode material and an ion sequestering material, an anode chamber including a molten alkali metal material and a separator disposed in an ionic conductivity path between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber. The electrochemical cell demonstrates a reduced increase in discharge resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising a molten anode, a cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte salt, wherein the electrolyte salt is situated between the molten anode and the cathode during the operation of the electrochemical cell, and the molten anode comprises an aluminum material; also provided are batteries comprising a plurality of such rechargeable electrochemical cells and processes for manufacturing such rechargeable electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A storage battery is provided comprising a positive electrode of lead, a negative electrode of gallium and an aqueous electrolyte containing aluminum sulfate. Upon charging the cell, lead dioxide is formed and aluminum is alloyed with the gallium. During discharge, aluminum goes back into solution and lead dioxide is reduced to lead sulfate.

Abstract: A secondary battery charged and discharged even after dissolution. The active material in the cathode body and/or the anode body is a liquid, or the active material undergoes phase transition into a liquid is provided. The secondary battery (1) includes: a cathode collector (2), a cathode body (3), a solid electrolyte (4), an anode body (5), and an anode collector (6). The cathode body and the anode body are sealed by the solid electrolyte, the cathode collector, and/or the anode collector. The cathode body and the anode body preferably contain an active material that undergoes phase transition from a solid to a liquid, or to a phase containing a liquid, due to charge and discharge. The cathode body or the anode body preferably contains a liquid active material. A polymeric layer may be inserted between the cathode body and/or the anode body and the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface and one or more sensors configured to detect an operating condition of the device. Fluid-directing structures may modulate flow or retain fluid in response to the sensors. 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 and one or more sensors configured to detect an operating condition of the device. Fluid-directing structures may modulate flow or retain fluid in response to the sensors. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium ion battery includes a liquid metal having a melting point that is below the operating temperature of the battery, which transforms from a liquid to a solid during lithiation, and wherein the liquid metal transforms from a solid to a liquid during delithiation.

Abstract: A secondary cell, in particular a lithium-sulfur cell, that encompasses a cathode having an electrochemically active cathode active material, an anode having an electrochemically active anode active material, and a liquid electrolyte, the cathode active material and/or anode active material changing, in the context of the charging or discharging operation, from a solid phase form into a liquid phase form that is soluble in the electrolyte. To increase the charging/discharging rate and cycle stability and to decrease overvoltages, the secondary cell encompasses at least one redox additive that is soluble in reduced form and oxidized form in the electrolyte and that is suitable for reacting with the phase-changing electrode active material in a redox reaction in such a way that the electrode active material is convertible from the solid phase form into the liquid phase form.

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: The invention relates to an improved industrial apparatus for the large-scale storage of energy and a process for storing and transporting electric energy by means of this apparatus.

Abstract: A battery is provided with an associated method for transporting metal-ions in the battery using a low temperature molten salt (LTMS). The battery comprises an anode, a cathode formed from a LTMS having a liquid phase at a temperature of less than 150° C., a current collector submerged in the LTMS, and a metal-ion permeable separator interposed between the LTMS and the anode. The method transports metal-ions from the separator to the current collector in response to the LTMS acting simultaneously as a cathode and an electrolyte. More explicitly, metal-ions are transported from the separator to the current collector by creating a liquid flow of LTMS interacting with the current collector and separator.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a liquid-metal alloy negative electrode for a lithium-ion battery. The electrode may also include a porous matrix that comprises a polymer matrix material, a hydrogel material, or a ceramic material.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The composition includes at least one electroactive metal, such as titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, and zinc. The composition further includes iron, at least one first alkali metal halide; and an electrolyte salt. The electrolyte salt can be based on a reaction product of a second alkali metal halide and an aluminum halide, and has a melting point of less than about 300 degrees Celsius. An article, an energy storage device, and an uninterruptable power supply device that includes the positive electrode composition are also described; as is a method of forming the energy storage device.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode is provided. The cathode comprises a plurality of granules comprising a support material, an active electrode metal, and a salt material, such that the cathode has a granule packing density equal to or greater than about 2 g/cc. A cathode comprising greater than about 10 volume % total metallic content in a charged state of the cathode is also provided.

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: 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: An energy storage device comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode is provided. The cathode comprises a plurality of granules comprising a support material, an active electrode metal, and a salt material, such that the cathode has a granule packing density equal to or greater than about 2 g/cc. A cathode comprising greater than about 10 volume % total metallic content in a charged state of the cathode is also provided.

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: 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: Disclosed is an ion-conductive material which comprises an ionic liquid and can realize a higher level of safety. Also disclosed is an electrochemical device using the ion-conductive material. Further disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrochemical device. An ion-conductive material comprising an ionic liquid satisfying the following conditions: the ionic liquid comprises two or more types of anion, such that at least one type thereof is an anion having a structure in which one or more electron-withdrawing groups are bonded to a central atom having one more non-covalent electron pairs; and the ionic liquid has a maximum exothermic heat-flow peak height no greater than 2 W/g as measured by DSC (measurement temperature range: ordinary temperature to 500° C., rate of temperature rise: 2° C./minute). Preferably, the ion-conductive material comprises an ionic liquid having a gross calorific value of no greater than 1000 J/g as measured by the DSC.

Abstract: Alkaline metal fuel technology is applied to the design and construction of an electrolytic fuel cell. Highly exothermic chemical reactions and vigorous kinetic gaseous flows are promoted within a ferrous metal tubular structure called a tuyere which is used to generate electricity and to simultaneously produce nitrated products and commercial organic chemicals.

Abstract: A cathode composition and a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising same are disclosed. The cathode composition is described as comprising particles of one or more transition metal, alkali halometallate having a melting point of less than about 300 degrees Celsius, and at least one phosphorus composition additive selected from P-O compositions, P-halogen compositions, P-O-halogen compositions, and their reaction products and combinations. Also described is a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising the composition. The phosphorus composition additive in the cathode composition of a cell is effective to lower the capacity degradation rate of the cell during operation relative to absence of the additive, and effective to lower the internal resistance of the cell when under operating conditions relative to absence of the additive.

Abstract: A process for making ionic liquids containing ion actives, which provide fabric treating benefits, surface treating benefits and/or air treating benefits. The ionic liquid is made from an ion active feedstock and an ionic liquid forming counterion feedstock, which preferably comprises another ion active.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode for an electrochemical cell comprising: a first particulate material having particles comprising a mixture of at least one alkali metal halide and at least one metal; and a second particulate material comprising at least one alkali metal halide, wherein the second particulate material has a particle size smaller than that of the first particulate material.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and a proton conducting medium for use in an electrochemical device having a proton conducting electrolyte comprising the formula: HaMbQ.nH2O where H is a proton, M is a cation, Q is the fluoroborate or fluoroheteroborate anion, n ranges from 0.01 to 1000, a ranges from 0.01 to 2 and b ranges from 0 to 2, a and b are chosen to render the formula electrically neutral, and when b is greater than 0, the ratio of b to a is less than 100 to 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ion-conductive material which comprises an ionic liquid and can realize a higher level of safety. Also disclosed is an electrochemical device using the ion-conductive material. Further disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrochemical device. An ion-conductive material comprising an ionic liquid satisfying the following conditions: the ionic liquid comprises two or more types of anion, such that at least one type thereof is an anion having a structure in which one or more electron-withdrawing groups are bonded to a central atom having one more non-covalent electron pairs; and the ionic liquid has a maximum exothermic heat-flow peak height no greater than 2 W/g as measured by DSC (measurement temperature range: ordinary temperature to 500° C., rate of temperature rise: 2° C./minute). Preferably, the ion-conductive material comprises an ionic liquid having a gross calorific value of no greater than 1000 J/g as measured by the DSC.

Abstract: Compositions of biomolecules such as nucleic acids that form molten salts are provided. These compositions molten compositions that have useful electrical properties. Such compositions include a salt of (i) an organic polymer ion such as a polynucleic acid anion, and (ii) a polyether or polysiloxane couterion. Methods of making and using such compositions, along with electrical devices such as memory devices, are also provided.

Abstract: A system for storage and retrieval of elemental hydrogen on a silicon substrate. The hydrogen storage members have at least one surface to which elemental hydrogen either readily bonds or into which the elemental hydrogen is readily adsorbed, and from which desorption of the elemental hydrogen may be controlled. The silicon may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline and may be formed as sliced wafers, as very fine extruded columns, or may be derived from waste in the manufacture of integrated circuits. The silicon surfaces may be treated in a variety of ways to increase porosity and surface area, and thus to increase storage efficiency for elemental hydrogen. The system is useful in supplying fuel to a fuel cell system for generating electric power, as well as for cooperating with a control system to form a stand-alone Auxiliary Power Unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell/battery uses amine-based liquid complexes as a direct oxidation fuel in an alkaline fuel cell/battery. Oxidant solutions are used on the cathode side to improve power density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical device that can operate either as a fuel cell or a battery, and particularly to a device including an electrode arrangement involving a liquid metal positioned against a layer comprising anodic material. When a fuel is positioned adjacent the layer comprising anodic material, a tri-junction area results in which electrochemical or anode regeneration processes can occur. The layer comprising anodic material can also function as a catalyst, for catalyzing electrochemical reactions, or as a protective layer for the electrode against various degradative processes.

Abstract: An improved thermal battery with improved operating efficiency. The thermal battery utilizes both a first activatible heat source and a second independently activatible heat source. The second heat source is optionally activated under storage environment conditions, such as low temperature, which thereby allow battery operation of improved efficiency.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a cathode and an anode in contact with an electrolyte. Both electrodes or one of them has an electrically conducting non-metal receptacle defining a chamber with a first metal having a melting point in the range of from about room temperature to about 800° C. inside said receptacle chamber. A second metal with a melting point greater than about 800° C. is in contact with the first metal inside the receptacle chamber and extends outside of the receptacle chamber to form a terminal for the anode. The electrolyte may include the oxides, halides or mixtures thereof of one or more of Li, V, U, Al and the lanthanides. Metal may be produced at the cathode during operation of the cell and oxygen or chlorine at the anode.

Abstract: Ionic liquids function as the initiator or as a co-solvent for the production of very high molecular weight polyisobutylenes, e.g., having a weight-average molecular weight over 100,000. These ionic liquids may be characterized by the general formula A+B− where A+ represents any stable inorganic or organic cation and B− represents any stable organic or inorganic anion.

Abstract: This invention provides novel high density memory devices that are electrically addressable permitting effective reading and writing, that provide a high memory density (e.g., 1015 bits/cm3), that provide a high degree of fault tolerance, and that are amenable to efficient chemical synthesis and chip fabrication. The devices are intrinsically latchable, defect tolerant, and support destructive or non-destructive read cycles. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a fixed electrode electrically coupled to a storage medium comprising a storage molecule comprising a first subunit and a second subunit wherein the first and second subunits are tightly coupled such that oxidation of the first subunit alters the oxidation potential(s) of the second subunit rendering the oxidation potential(s) of the second unit different and distinguishable from the oxidation potentials of the first subunit.