Abstract: An anode material for a galvanic element, in particular a lithium-ion cell. To improve the current density and thermal stability of galvanic elements, the anode material includes nanofibers made of a metal, a metal alloy, a carbon-metal oxide composite material, a carbon-metal alloy composite material, a conductive polymer, a polymer-metal composite material, a polymer-metal alloy composite material or a combination thereof. The nanofibers may be in the form a nanofiber netting, a nonwoven and/or a network and may be connected to a current conductor.

Abstract: A non-activated, majority non-graphitic amorphous carbon material may be produced by supplying a carbonized precursor material, heating the carbonized precursor material in a first heating step at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to produce a heat-treated carbon material that has a specific surface area less than about 500 m2/g and is less than about 20% graphitic by mass, purifying the heat-treated carbon material, and heating the purified heat-treated carbon material in a second heating step at a temperature and for a duration to produce a non-activated, majority non-graphitic amorphous carbon material that has a specific surface area less than about 500 m2/g and is less than about 20% graphitic by mass.

Abstract: A method for producing a graphie material for an electrode material for lithium ion batteries, including a step for exothermically graphitizing a carbon material by directly passing an electric current therethrough. The carbon material has an compact powder resistivity of 0.4 ?·cm or less when compressed to a density of 1.4 g/cm3, has an angle of repose in the range of 20° to 50° inclusive, and has a particle size (D90) in the volume-based particle size distribution measured using laser diffraction of 120 ?m or less. The average surface interval (d002) of a surface (002) of the carbon material after graphitization, measured using x-ray diffraction, is in the range of 0.3354 nm-0.3450 nm inclusive.

Abstract: A method of forming a lithium-ion battery by spinning and a battery formed thereby are disclosed. The spinning may include electrospinning A first anode layer may be spun, followed by a first separator layer, a first cathode layer, and a second separator layer. Each layer may be spun directly onto the previously spun layer to provide a battery that does not include metal current collectors. The anode and/or cathode layers may include polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. To render the anode and cathode layers conductive, they may be carbonized using a heat source (e.g., a laser). The disclosed method may allow for the incorporation of high capacity materials, such as sulfur and/or silicon, in the electrode active materials.

Abstract: A current collector includes a support and at least one graphene layer located on the support. The support includes two surfaces. The at least one graphene layer is located on one of the two surfaces of the support. The at least one graphene layer includes a number of uniformly distributed graphenes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-output lithium secondary battery including: a cathode that includes, as cathode active materials, a first cathode active material represented by Formula 1 below and having a layered structure and a second cathode active material represented by Formula 2 below and having a spinel structure, wherein the amount of the second cathode active material is between 40 and 100 wt % based on the total weight of the cathode active materials; an anode including crystalline graphite and amorphous carbon as anode active materials, wherein the amount of the amorphous carbon is between 40 and 100 wt % based on the total weight of the anode active materials; and a separator.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery of the present invention has a positive electrode is provided with a positive electrode mix layer that includes a positive electrode active material and a conductive material. The positive electrode mix layer has two peaks, large and small, of differential pore volume over a pore size ranging from 0.01 ?m to 10 ?m in a pore distribution curve measured by a mercury porosimeter. A pore size of the smaller peak B of the differential pore volume is smaller than a pore size of the larger peak A of the differential pore volume.

Abstract: There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component, including: a ceramic main body including a dielectric layer; and first and second internal electrodes provided on upper and lower surfaces of the dielectric layer and formed of a thin film including graphene. The multilayer ceramic electronic component includes internal electrodes formed of a thin film including graphene, thereby having increased capacitance and improved thermal stability and withstand voltage characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a free-standing hybrid nanomembrane capable of energy storage. The free-standing hybrid nanomembrane includes carbon nanotube sheets and a conducting polymer coated on the carbon nanotube sheets. The carbon nanotube sheets are densified sheets formed by evaporating an alcohol from carbon nanotube aerogel sheets. The conducting polymer is coated on the carbon nanotube sheets by vapor phase polymerization. Further disclosed is a method for fabricating the free-standing hybrid nanomembrane.

Abstract: Provided are a negative active material, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium battery including the negative active material, wherein the negative active material includes a carbonaceous material that has a peak with respect to a surface (002) at a Bragg angle 2? of 26.4°±0.1° in an X-ray diffraction spectrum, has a full width at half maximum of the peak with respect to the surface (002) of about 0.2° to about 0.6°, has an interlayer spacing (d002) of the surface (002) measured by X-ray diffraction of about 3.36 ? to about 3.37 ?, and has a crystallite size measured from the full width at half maximum of the peak with respect to the surface (002) of about 10 nm to about 45 nm, wherein the carbonaceous material includes a core; and an amorphous carbon layer disposed on a non-cracked surface portion of the core.

Abstract: Occlusion and release of lithium ion are likely to one-dimensionally occur in the b-axis direction of a crystal in a lithium-containing composite oxide having an olivine structure. Thus, a positive electrode in which the b-axes of lithium-containing composite oxide single crystals are oriented vertically to a surface of a positive electrode current collector is provided. The lithium-containing composite oxide particles are mixed with graphene oxide and then pressure is applied thereto, whereby the rectangular parallelepiped or substantially rectangular parallelepiped particles are likely to slip. In addition, in the case where the rectangular parallelepiped or substantially rectangular parallelepiped particles whose length in the b-axis direction is shorter than those in the a-axis direction and the c-axis direction are used, when pressure is applied in one direction, the b-axes can be oriented in the one direction.

Abstract: An electrode for lithium ion batteries, the electrode having a metal film which is inert to lithium ions and having a plurality of silicon nanowires protruding from the film, which are arranged on at least one flat side of the film, wherein sections of the nanowires are enclosed by the metal film.

Abstract: Provided is a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode active material particle and an electrolyte-containing metal oxide coating layer having a porous structure and a method of manufacturing the same. A lithium secondary battery to which the positive electrode active material including the electrolyte-containing metal oxide coating layer is applied can have improved charge/discharge efficiency and lifespan characteristics at the same time.

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: A battery is provided including a positive electrode; a negative electrode including a first negative electrode active material; and an electrolytic solution, wherein the first negative electrode active material includes a core portion having a core portion surface, wherein the core portion has a median diameter of 0.3 ?m to 20 ?m, and a covering portion that covers at least part of the core portion surface, wherein the covering portion comprises at least Si, O and at least of one element M1 selected from Li, carbon (C), Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ge, Zr, Mo, Ag, Sn, Ba, W, Ta, Na, and K.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns graphite materials having lattice distortion for lithium-ion secondary battery negative electrode obtained by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of: pulverizing and classifying a raw coke composition obtained from a heavy-oil composition undergone coking by delayed coking process, the raw coke composition having a H/C atomic ratio that is a ratio of hydrogen atoms H and carbon atoms C of 0.30 to 0.50 and having a micro-strength of 7 to 17 mass % to obtain powder of the raw coke composition; giving compressive stress and shear stress to the powder of the raw coke composition so that average circularity is 0.91 to 0.97 to obtain round powder; heating the round powder to obtain a carbonized composition; and graphitizing the carbonized composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode for capacitive deionization device including an active material, a waterborne polyurethane, and a conducting agent. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing the electrode and a capacitive deionization device employing the electrode. The waterborne polyurethane is a product of reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer prepared by reacting a polyol, a diisocyanate-based compound, and a dispersing agent, with a neutralizing agent and a chain extending agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing intermetallic nanoparticles of two or more metals is provided. In particular, the process includes the steps: a) dispersing nanoparticles of a first metal in a solvent to prepare a first metal solution, b) forming a reaction mixture with the first metal solution and a reducing agent, c) heating the reaction mixture to a reaction temperature; and d) adding a second metal solution containing a salt of a second metal to the reaction mixture. During this process, intermetallic nanoparticles, which contain a compound with the first and second metals are formed. The intermetallic nanoparticles with uniform size and a narrow size distribution is also provided. An electrochemical device such as a battery with the intermetallic nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-output lithium secondary battery including: a cathode including a cathode active material having an average particle diameter (with respect to capacity) of 0.03 to 0.1 ?m/mAh and a layered structure; an anode including crystalline graphite and amorphous carbon as anode active materials, wherein the amount of the amorphous carbon is between 40 and 100 wt % based on the total weight of the anode active materials; and a separator.

Abstract: The cell has a wound electrode assembly 50 including a positive electrode 64 and a negative electrode 84 that are wound with a separator 90 interposed therebetween, and a liquid electrolyte, wherein the negative electrode includes an elongated negative electrode current collector 82, and a negative electrode mixture layer 88 that is formed on the negative electrode current collector and contains at least a graphite material 85. The graphite material in the negative electrode mixture layer is arranged such that the (002) plane 85A of at least 50 mass % of the graphite material is perpendicular to the surface of the negative electrode current collector and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated negative electrode current collector.

Abstract: According to the present invention, provided is a method for producing a battery electrode employing a configuration in which a compound material layer containing an active material 22 and a binder 54 is retained on a current collector 10. The formation of the compound material layer is carried out by a method including: a step of forming a binder solution layer 56 by applying a binder solution 50 containing the first binder 54 to the current collector 10; a step of depositing the binder solution layer 56 and a compound material paste layer 46 on the current collector 10 by applying the compound material paste 40 over the binder solution layer 56; and a step of obtaining an electrode in which the compound material layer is formed on the current collector 10 by drying both the binder solution layer 56 and the compound material paste 40.

Abstract: A graphene-polymer layered composite and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. A graphene-polymer layered composite includes polymer layers surrounding a graphene sheet, and may include numerous polymer layers and graphene sheets in an alternating stacked configuration. The graphene-polymer layered composite has the characteristics of a polymer in that it provides flexibility, ease of manufacturing, low manufacturing costs, and low thermal conductivity. The graphene-polymer layered composite also has the characteristics of graphene in that it has a high electrical conductivity. Due to the low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity, the graphene-polymer layered composite may be useful for electrodes, electric devices, and thermoelectric materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative electrode active material for an electrode mixture, and to an electrochemical cell comprising the negative electrode active material, wherein the negative electrode active material comprises an amorphous carbonaceous material and a doping element, and exhibits, in the temperature range of 450° C. to 950° C., at least two peaks of derivative weight change calculated by thermogravimetric analysis, and exhibits a maximum heat peak output of 20 mW to 60 mW as measured by differential scanning calorimetry.

Abstract: Anodes including mesoporous hollow silicon particles are disclosed herein. A method for synthesizing the mesoporous hollow silicon particles is also disclosed herein. In one example of the method, a silicon dioxide sphere having a silicon dioxide solid core and a silicon dioxide mesoporous shell is formed. The silicon dioxide mesoporous shell is converted to a silicon mesoporous shell using magnesium vapor. The silicon dioxide solid core, any residual silicon dioxide, and any magnesium-containing by-products are removed to form the mesoporous, hollow silicon particle.

Abstract: A cathode active material precursor particle, a method for producing thereof and a method for producing cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery. The cathode active material precursor particle is capable of forming a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery including a lithium composite oxide having a layered rock salt structure through lithium incorporation. The particles are characterized by the cathode active material precursor particle being formed into a substantially spherical shape and includes therein a large number of voids in a substantially uniform manner; and the cathode active material precursor particle has: an average particle diameter D50 of 0.5 to 5 ?m; a specific surface area of 3 to 25 m2/g; and a relative tap density, which is a value obtained by dividing a tap density by a theoretical density of a material constituting the cathode active material precursor particle, of 0.25 to 0.4.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and an electrolytic solution, at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode being capable of storing and releasing lithium ions, and containing an active material that satisfies predetermined conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an activated carbon which is used in an activated carbon electrode plate and a method of preparing an activated carbon electrode plate prepared using the same, in which the activated carbon electrode plate functions to remove gas and gaseous air pollutants at the same time. The method comprises the steps of: providing a raw pure activated carbon or an impurity-containing raw activated carbon; processing the raw activated carbon into a powdered activated carbon; treating the pores of the powdered activated carbon to maintain the pores; filtering the powdered activated carbon whose pores were treated, and mixing the filtered activated carbon with a binder to form a binder/activated carbon mixture; forming the binder/activated carbon mixture into a flowable activated carbon slurry; applying the activated carbon slurry to the surface of a conductive material; and drying the conductive material having the activated carbon slurry applied thereto.

Abstract: A negative active material and a lithium battery are provided. The negative active material includes a composite core, and a coating layer formed on at least part of the composite core. The composite core includes a carbonaceous base and a metal/metalloid nanostructure disposed on the carbonaceous base. The coating layer includes a metal oxide coating layer and an amorphous carbonaceous coating layer.

Abstract: A process for the production of coated carbonaceous particles including: providing a carbon-residue-forming material; providing particles of a carbonaceous material; mixing the carbon-residue-forming material and the particles of a carbonaceous material at an elevated temperature; depositing a coating of the carbon-residue-forming material onto the surface of the particles; and stabilizing the coated particles by subjecting the particles to an oxidation reaction. These coated carbonaceous particles are particularly useful in the manufacture of electrodes in electrical storage cells, particularly in rechargeable electrical storage cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery having good rate characteristics. The positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery has a layer structure expressed by a composition formula: Lix(NiyM1-y)Oz, wherein M represents Mn and Co, x represents 0.9 to 1.2, y represents 0.6 to 0.9, and z represents 1.8 to 2.4. The positive electrode active material has a particle size ratio D50P/D50 of 0.60 or more, wherein D50 is the average secondary particle size of the positive electrode active material powder, and D50P is the average secondary particle size of the positive electrode active material powder after pressing at 100 MPa. The positive electrode active material contains 3% or less particles having a particle size of 0.4 ?m or less in terms of the volume ratio after pressing at 100 MPa.

Abstract: A process for producing solid nanocomposite particles for lithium metal or lithium ion battery electrode applications is provided. In one preferred embodiment, the process comprises: (A) Preparing an electrode active material in a form of fine particles, rods, wires, fibers, or tubes with a dimension smaller than 1 ?m; (B) Preparing separated or isolated nano graphene platelets with a thickness less than 50 nm; (C) Dispersing the nano graphene platelets and the electrode active material in a precursor fluid medium to form a suspension wherein the fluid medium contains a precursor matrix material dispersed or dissolved therein; and (D) Converting the suspension to the solid nanocomposite particles, wherein the precursor matrix material is converted into a protective matrix material reinforced by the nano graphene platelets and the electrode active material is substantially dispersed in the protective matrix material.

Abstract: An active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable battery, the active material including an active material core; and a thin film graphite layer on the core.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium secondary battery and a lithium secondary battery including the same, the electrode including a polyamide imide (PAI)-based binder, wherein a 1,3-benzenediamine peak is not observed when a composition including components extracted from the electrode by a solvent capable of dissolving the polyamideimide (PAI)-based binder is analyzed with pyrolysis-gas chromatography (Py-GC) under conditions of a pyrolysis temperature of about 750 to about 780° C., a pyrolysis time of about 5 seconds to about 15 seconds, and increasing a gas chromatography oven temperature from about 40° C. to about 300° C. at a rate of about 10° C./min.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing electret fine particles or coarse powder that can be uniformly electrified and exhibits excellent electrophoretic properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to the production processes (1) and (2) below: (1) A process for producing electret fine particles, comprising emulsifying a fluorine-containing material that contains a vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene-tetrafluoroethylene terpolymer in a liquid that is incompatible with the fluorine-containing material to obtain emulsified particles; and subjecting the emulsified particles to electron ray irradiation, radial ray irradiation, or corona discharge treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to anode materials having high surface areas and improved cycle performance made by surface treatments of spheroidized graphite powders. The surface treatments provide a high surface area protective coating over the spheroidized graphite powder. The anodes made according to the disclosed embodiments have improved cycle life and long term high temperature storage performance. In the disclosed embodiments, a spheroidized graphite powder is coated with a high surface area protective coating. The high surface area protective coating improves the performance and durability of an anode made from disclosed material. The high surface area protective coating can include polymers, metal compounds and/or hard carbon. Further, in some embodiments, a protective coating, that may or may not have a high surface area but does have increased durability, can be formed by heat treating the spheroidized graphite in oxidizing or inert atmospheres.

Abstract: A method for producing a graphite material for lithium ion batteries, including a step for exothermically graphitizing a carbon material by directly applying an electric current therethrough. The carbon material is obtained by heating at a temperature in the range of 800° C.-1500° C. inclusive and subsequently pulverizing an organic carbon starting material, has a compact powder resistivity of 0.3 ? cm or less when compressed to a density of 1.4 g/cm3, has an angle of repose in the range of 20° to 50° inclusive, and has a particle size (D90) in the volume-based particle size distribution measured using laser diffraction of 120 ?m or less. The average surface interval (d002) of a surface (002) of the carbon material after graphitization, measured using x-ray diffraction, is in the range of 0.3354 nm-0.3450 nm inclusive.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a composition for use in making active materials for a lithium ion battery, the composition comprising a processed, homogenous mix of graphene-treated reactant, conductive material, and a Li and phosphate-based salt, the composition comprising a surface area of less than approximately 10 m2/g.

Abstract: A porous carbonaceous composite material, a positive electrode and lithium air battery including the porous carbonaceous composite material, and a method of preparing the porous carbonaceous composite material. The porous carbonaceous composite material includes a carbon nanotube (CNT); and a modified carbonaceous material doped with a heterogeneous element, wherein the ratio of the number of surface oxygen atoms to the number of surface carbon atoms ranges upward from about 2 atom %.

Abstract: A fast charge system 20 including a fast charge composite 60 and a secondary battery 22 enables the secondary battery 22 to be charged in less time than is possible with traditional charging means. The fast charge composite 60 includes a separator 62 of cellulose wetted with a second electrolyte 64 that contains third ions 94 having a positive charge and fourth ions 96 having a negative charge and contacting the adjacent electrode 32, 46 of the secondary battery 22. A fast charge layer 30 of thermally expanded graphite is disposed adjacent and parallel to the separator 62. A second electrical power PFC, which may be greater than a maximum charging power PMAX transferred through traditional charging, is transferred as a function of a second voltage V2 applied between the fast charge layer 30 and the battery lead 34, 50 of the adjacent electrode 32, 46, which causes the third ions 94 and the fourth ions 96 to migrate through the separator 62 to cause the secondary battery 22 to become charged.

Abstract: In an aspect, a negative active material, a negative electrode and a lithium battery including the negative active material, and a method of manufacturing the negative active material is provided. The negative active material includes a silicon-based active material substrate; a metal oxide nanoparticle disposed on a surface of the silicon-based active material substrate. An initial irreversible capacity of the lithium battery may be decreased and lifespan characteristics may be improved by using the negative active material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a carbon-sulfur composite, a carbon-sulfur composite manufactured by the method, and an electrochemical device including the same. Since the carbon-sulfur composite manufactured by the carbon-sulfur composite manufacturing method of the present invention includes the hollow carbon ball having the inner hollow which is uniformly filled with sulfur, a sulfur content increases to increase a capacity characteristic increases. In addition, even though sulfur is changed into a liquid state during charge and discharge processes, an electrode structure is not destroyed to realize a stable lifetime characteristic.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode, including: a) depositing catalytic growth seeds on an electrically conducting support by aerosol spraying, b) growth of oriented carbon nanotubes on the basis of the deposition of the catalytic growth seeds, c) a deposition of sulphur on the oriented carbon nanotubes formed in b), and d) a deposition of a layer of carbon on the sulphur. An electrode, as well as to a battery including such an electrode, includes an electrically conducting support and oriented carbon nanotubes disposed on the surface of the electrically conducting support and covered at least partly by sulphur, the oriented carbon nanotubes exhibiting a length of greater than 20 ?m, or greater than 50 ?m.

Abstract: Provided is an anode material for an electrode mix comprising a carbon material and a lithium titanium oxide (LTO), wherein a ratio of an average particle size of LTO relative to that of the carbon material is in a range of 0.1 to 20%, and LTO is distributed mainly on a surface of the carbon material. The anode material of the present invention can prevent excessive formation of a SEI film, and is of a high capacity due to a high energy density and exhibits excellent output characteristics and rate characteristics. Further, it has superior electrolyte wettability which consequently results in improved battery performance and life characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a phosphate framework electrode material for sodium ion battery and a method for synthesizing such electrode material. A surfactant and precursors including a sodium precursor, a phosphate precursor, a transition metal precursor are dissolved in a solvent and stirred for sufficient mixing and reaction. The precursors are reacted to yield a precipitate of particles of NaxAbMy(PO4)zXn compound and with the surfactant attached to the particles. The solvent is then removed and the remaining precipitate is sintered to crystallize the particles. During sintering, the surfactant is decomposed to form a carbon network between the crystallized particles and the crystallized particles and the carbon matrix are integrated to form the electrode material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing porous graphene from porous graphite, including 1) thermochemically reacting a highly crystalline carbide compound with a halogen element-containing gas to give a porous carbide-derived carbon; 2) treating the carbide-derived carbon with an acid, thus preparing a carbide-derived carbon oxide; and 3) reducing the carbide-derived carbon oxide. An anode mixture for a secondary battery including the graphene and an anode for a secondary battery including the anode mixture are also provided.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous material which is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, and a non-aqueous electrolyte disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The carbonaceous material comprises a graphite crystal structure having an interplanar spacing d002 of at least 0.400 nm (preferably at least 0.55 nm) as determined from a (002) reflection peak in powder X-ray diffraction. This larger interplanar spacing implies a larger interstitial space between two graphene planes to accommodate a greater amount of lithium. The battery exhibits an exceptional specific capacity, excellent reversible capacity, and long cycle life.

Abstract: A method for making a lithium battery cathode material is disclosed. A mixed solution including a solvent, an iron salt material, a vanadium source material and a phosphate material is provided. An alkaline solution is added in the mixed solution to make the mixed solution have a pH value ranging from about 1.5 to 5. The iron salt, the vanadium source material and the phosphate material react with each other to form a plurality particles of iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium which are added in a mixture of a lithium source solution and a reducing agent to form a slurry of lithium iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium. The slurry of lithium iron phosphate precursor doped with vanadium is heat-treated.

Abstract: Provided are a negative active material, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes a carbonaceous core that has a sulfur content of about 10 ppm to 900 ppm; and an amorphous carbon layer continuously formed on a surface of the carbonaceous core, wherein the carbonaceous core has a crystalloid plate structure, and a crystallite size measured from a full width at half maximum of the peak with respect to the surface (002) of about 10 nm to about 45 nm in an X-ray diffraction spectrum of the carbonaceous core. The lithium battery including a negative electrode including the negative active material has improved capacity characteristics and ring lifetime characteristics.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell has a three-dimensional and ordered structure. The anode material fills an entire anode compartment, and it is arranged to allow fluid flow within the anode compartment. The power output of microbial fuel cells is enhanced, primarily by increasing the formation and viability of electrogenic biofilms on the anodes of the microbial fuel cells. The anode material in a microbial fuel cell allows for the growth of a microbial biofilm to its natural thickness. In the instance of members of the Geobacteraceae family, the biofilm is able grow to a depth of about 40 microns.

Abstract: A negative active material, a method for preparing the negative active material and a lithium ion battery comprising the same are provided. The negative active material may comprise: a core, an intermediate layer consisting of a first material and an outmost layer consisting of a second material, which is coated on a surface of the intermediate layer. The first material may be at least one selected from the group consisting of the elements that form alloys with lithium, and the second material may be at least one selected from the group consisting of transition metal oxides, transition metal nitrides and transition metal sulfides.