Abstract: Protected anode architectures for active metal anodes have a polymer adhesive seal that provides a hermetic enclosure for the active metal of the protected anode inside an anode compartment. The compartment is substantially impervious to ambient moisture and battery components such as catholyte (electrolyte about the cathode), and prevents volatile components of the protected anode, such as anolyte (electrolyte about the anode), from escaping. The architecture is formed by joining the protected anode to an anode container. The polymer adhesive seals provide a hermetic seal at the joint between a surface of the protected anode and the container.

Abstract: A positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery includes a positive activation material mixture that intercalates and de-intercalates lithium ions, wherein a first positive activation material having an average particle diameter D50 of from 12.5 ?m to 22 ?m and a second positive activation material having an average particle diameter D50 of from 1 ?m to 5 ?m are mixed with a weight ratio of from 95:5 to 60:40.

Abstract: A nonaqueous-electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode which is constituted of a negative-electrode current collector and a layer containing a negative active material and deposited on one or each side of the negative-electrode current collector and in which the layer contains at least one member selected from lithium carbonate, lithium sulfide, lithium phosphide, and lithium fluoride and further contains a lithium-titanium composite oxide, and a nonaqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Process for the preparation of compounds of general formula (I), Lia-bM1bFe1-cM2cPd-eM3eOx, wherein M1, M2, M3, a, b, c, d and e: M1: Na, K, Rb and/or Cs, M2: Mn, Mg, Ca, Ti, Co, Ni, Cr, V, M3: Si, S, a: 0.8-1.9, b: 0-0.3, c: 0-0.9, d: 0.8-1.9, e: 0-0.5, x: 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode that can be used for a sodium secondary battery having a larger discharge capacity when charging and discharging are performed repeatedly than that of the prior art. This sodium secondary battery electrode contains tin (Sn) powder as an electrode active material. The electrode, particularly, further contains one or more electrode-forming agents selected from the group consisting of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(sodium acrylate) (PAANa), and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), thereby making it possible to provide a sodium secondary battery having even greater electrode performance.

Abstract: A silicon-based negative active material that includes a core including silicon oxide represented by SiOx (0<x<2); and a coating layer including metal oxide, and the metal of the metal oxide includes aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sodium (Na), boron (B), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), phosphorus (P), scandium (Sc), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), chromium (Cr), and/or molybdenum (Mo), the core has a concentration gradient where an atom % concentration of a silicon (Si) element decreases to the center of the core, and an atom % concentration of an oxygen (O) element increases to the center, and a depth from the surface contacting the coating layer where a concentration of the silicon (Si) element is about 55 atom % corresponds to about 2% to about 20% of a diameter of the core.

Abstract: A method of synthesis of a metal fluorophosphate having the following general formula (1): XaMb(PO4)cFd (1), in which: X is an alkaline metal selected among sodium (Na) and lithium (Li) or a mixture of said metals; M is a transition metal selected among the following elements: Co, Ni, Fe, Mn, V, Cu, Ti, Al, Cr, Mo, Nb or a combination of at least two of said metals, 0?a?5; 0.5?b?3; 0.5?c?3; and d is an integer equal to 1, 2 or 3. The method contains an electric-field-activated sintering process for a mixture (1) formed by at least one first phosphate-containing solid precursor and at least one second fluorine-containing solid precursor.

Abstract: Non-aqueous alkali metal (e.g., Li)/oxygen battery cells constructed with a protected anode that minimizes anode degradation and maximizes cathode performance by enabling the use of cathode performance enhancing solvents in the catholyte have negligible self-discharge and high deliverable capacity. In particular, protected lithium-oxygen batteries with non-aqueous catholytes have this improved performance.

Abstract: A cathode for a sodium-metal halide battery, wherein the cathode comprises a metal microwire. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a battery comprising a cathode for a sodium-metal halide battery wherein the cathode comprises a metal microwire, and methods for preparing the same and use thereof.

Abstract: Modified surfaces on metal anodes for batteries can help resist formation of malfunction-inducing surface defects. The modification can include application of a protective nanocomposite coating that can inhibit formation of surface defects. such as dendrites, on the anode during charge/discharge cycles. For example, for anodes having a metal (M?), the protective coating can be characterized by products of chemical or electrochemical dissociation of a nanocomposite containing a polymer and an exfoliated compound (Ma?Mb?Xc). The metal, M?, comprises Li, Na, or Zn. The exfoliated compound comprises M? among lamella of Mb?Xc, wherein M? is Fe, Mo, Ta, W, or V, and X is S, O, or Se.

Abstract: A sodium-chalcogen cell is described which is operable at room temperature, in particular a sodium-sulfur or sodium-oxygen cell, the anode and cathode of which are separated by a solid electrolyte which is conductive for sodium ions and nonconductive for electrons. The cathode of the sodium-chalcogen cell includes a solid electrolyte which is conductive for sodium ions and electrons. Moreover, a manufacturing method for this type of sodium-chalcogen cell is described.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery is provided that has a fast charge and discharge rate capability and low rate of capacity fade during high rate cycling. The battery can exhibit low impedance growth and other properties allowing for its use in hybrid electric vehicle applications and other applications where high power and long battery life are important features.

Abstract: A material for use in the cathode terminal of a battery that is made from a lithiated manganese oxide which is doped with ruthenium and optionally with a transition material and a method for the synthesis of the same. The material exhibits improved conductivity and cyclic performance at high current density (current density of 1470 mA/g and higher) and can be used in hybrid vehicles and other electronic devices due to its good cyclic performance at high current density and its relatively large capacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode unit for an electrochemical device for storing electrical energy, comprising a solid electrolyte (3) and a porous electrode (7), the solid electrolyte (3) dividing a compartment for cathode material and a compartment for anode material and the porous electrode (7) being extensively connected to the solid electrolyte (3) and the cathode material flowing along the porous electrode (7) during discharging. On the side remote from the solid electrolyte (3), the porous electrode (7) is covered towards the compartment for the cathode material with a segment wall (9), the segment wall (9) comprising inlet openings (15) in the direction of flow of the cathode material, through which the cathode material penetrates into the porous electrode (7), reacts chemically with the anode material in the porous electrode (7) and emerges back out of the porous electrode (7) through outlet openings (17) downstream in the direction of flow.

Abstract: The invention provides electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, manganese, a +3 oxidation state metal ion, and optionally other metals, and a phosphate moiety. Such electrode active materials include those of the formula: AaMnbMIcMIIdMIIIePO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a?1; (b) 0<b?1; (c) MI is a metal ion in the +3 oxidation state, and 0<c<0.5; (d) MII is metal ion, a transition metal ion, a non-transition metal ion or mixtures thereof, and 0?d<1; (e) MIII is a metal ion in the +1 oxidation state and 0<e<0.5; and wherein A, Mn, MI, MII, MIII, PO4, a, b, c, d and e are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a negative electrode containing a graphite material as the negative active material, a positive electrode containing lithium cobalt oxide as a main component of the positive active material and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution, the battery being characterized in that the lithium cobalt oxide contains a group IVA element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Hf and a group IIA element of the periodic table, the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains 0.2-1.5% by weight of a sulfonyl-containing compound and preferably further contains 0.5-4% by weight of vinylene carbonate.

Abstract: Negative active materials, negative electrodes, and rechargeable lithium batteries are provided. A negative electrode according to one embodiment includes a non-carbon-based active material, a lithium salt having an oxalatoborate structure, and a high-strength polymer binder. The negative active material may include a non-carbon-based material and a coating layer on the non-carbon-based material. The coating layer includes a lithium salt having an oxalatoborate structure and a high-strength polymer binder. A rechargeable lithium battery including the negative electrode or negative active material has good cycle life characteristics and high capacity.

Abstract: A battery that will operate at ambient temperature or lower includes an enclosure, a current collector within the enclosure, an anode that will operate at ambient temperature or lower within the enclosure, a cathode that will operate at ambient temperature or lower within the enclosure, and a separator and electrolyte within the enclosure between the anode and the cathode. The anode is a sodium eutectic anode that will operate at ambient temperature or lower and is made of a material that is in a liquid state at ambient temperature or lower. The cathode is a low melting ion liquid cathode that will operate at ambient temperature or lower and is made of a material that is in a liquid state at ambient temperature or lower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of general Formula (I) La-bM1bFe1-cM2cPd-eM3eOx (I), wherein Fe has the oxidation state +2 and M1, M2, M3, a, b, c, d, e and x are: M1: Na, K, Rb and/or Cs, M2: Mn, Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, Co, Ni, Cr, V, M3: Si, S, F a: 0.8-1.9, b: 0-0.3, c: 0-0.9, 15 d: 0.8-1.9, e: 0-0.5, x: 1.

Abstract: A composite material including a conducting material and an alkali metal sulfide formed integrally on the surface of the conducting material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode forming material for a positive electrode of a battery, the material including particles of a positive electrode active material and fine carbon fibers adhering to surfaces of particles of the positive electrode active material in a shape of a network. The positive electrode active material is preferably fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.03 to 40 ?m. Each of the fine carbon fibers is preferably carbon nanofiber having an average fiber diameter of 1 to 100 nm and an aspect ratio of 5 or greater. The carbon nanofiber is surface-oxidized. The positive electrode forming material includes a binder. The content of the fine carbon fibers is 0.5 to 15 parts by mass and the content of the binder is 0.5 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the positive electrode active material.

Abstract: A cathode material for fluoride-based conversion electrodes includes a matrix of graphite nanocarbon containing a dispersion of alkali metal ions, fluoride ions and metal nanoparticles with maximum particle sizes of 20 nm. Further there is provides a method for such cathode material that includes heating a metal and an organic compound during a single thermal treatment step until the organic compound is decomposed; and adding an alkali metal fluoride either before or after the thermal treatment step to the organic compound. Finally, there is provided a method of making an alkali metal ion battery, that includes utilizing the aforesaid cathode material for a fluoride-based conversion electrode in the battery.

Abstract: To provide a process for a lithium-containing composite oxide for a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety, and is excellent in the charge and discharge cyclic durability and low temperature characteristics. A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula LipNxMyOzFa (wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than N, 0.9?p?1.2, 0.95?x?2.00, 0<y?0.05, 1.9?z?4.2 and 0?a?0.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrode active material including: (a) first particulate of a metal (or metalloid) oxide alloyable with lithium; and (b) second particulate of an oxide containing lithium and the same metal (or metalloid) as that of the metal (or metalloid) oxide, and to a secondary battery including the electrode active material. When the electrode active material is used as an anode active material, reduced amounts of an irreversible phase such as a lithium oxide or a lithium metal oxide are produced during initial charge-discharge of a battery since lithium is already contained in the second particulate before the initial charge-discharge, and thus a dead volume on the side of the cathode can be minimized and a high-capacity battery can be fabricated.

Abstract: A negative active material and a lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes a non-carbonaceous nanoparticle capable of doping or undoping lithium; and a crystalline carbonaceous nano-sheet, wherein at least one of the non-carbonaceous nanoparticle and the crystalline carbonaceous nano-sheet includes a first amorphous carbonaceous coating layer on its surface, and thus an electrical conductivity thereof is improved. In addition, a lithium battery including the negative active material has an improved efficiency and lifetime.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a matrix including an Si—X based alloy, where X is not Si and is selected from alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, Group 13 elements, Group 14 elements, Group 15 elements, Group 16 elements, transition elements, rare earth elements, or combinations thereof; silicon dispersed in the matrix; and oxygen in the negative active material, the oxygen being included at 20 at % or less based on the total number of atoms in the negative active material. A rechargeable lithium battery includes the negative active material.

Abstract: Electrodeposition and energy storage devices utilizing an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and anode surface. For electrodeposition of a first metal (M1) on a substrate or anode from one or more cations of M1 in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second metal (M2), wherein cations of M2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the cations of M1.

Abstract: An object is to improve characteristics of a power storage device and achieve a long lifetime. In the case where a lithium nitride is used for a negative electrode active material of a power storage device, a plurality of lithium nitride layers with different lithium concentrations are stacked. For example, in the case where a first lithium nitride layer and a second lithium nitride layer are stacked over a current collector, lithium is contained in the first lithium nitride layer at a lower concentration than lithium contained in the second lithium nitride layer. In this case, a concentration of a transition metal of the first lithium nitride layer is higher than a concentration of the transition metal of the second lithium nitride layer. Note that another alkali metal may be used instead of lithium.

Abstract: Composite particles for an electrode comprising LiVOPO4 particles and carbon, wherein the carbon is supported on at least a portion of the surface of the LiVOPO4 particles to form a carbon coating layer.

Abstract: A method for producing conductive carbon coated particles of an at least partially lithiated electroactive core material comprises the step of premixing an oxidant electroactive material with a metallated reductant followed by chemically reacting the oxidant electroactive material with the metallated reductant, said reductant being a coating precursor, said metal being at least one alkaline and/or at least one alkaline earth metal, and said chemically reacting being performed under conditions allowing reduction and metallation of the electroactive material via insertion/intercalation of the alkaline metal cation(s) and/or the alkaline earth metal cation(s) and coating formation via a polymerisation reaction like polyanionic or radicalic polymerisation of the reductant.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a positive electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium; a negative electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a composite oxide represented by formula (1): LiNixM1-x-yLyO2 as an active material. The formula (1) satisfies 0.3?x?0.9 and 0?y?0.1. The element M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Co and Mn, and the element L is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Ti, Sr, Zn, B, Ca, Cr, Si, Ga, Sn, P, V, Sb, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Zr, Y and Fe. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a main solvent, a solute and vinyl ethylene carbonate.

Abstract: A positive electrode composition is described, containing granules of at least one electroactive metal, at least one alkali metal halide and carbon black. An energy storage device and an uninterruptable power supply device are also described.

Abstract: The positive electrode active material sintered body for a battery of the present invention is a positive electrode active material sintered body for a battery satisfying the following requirements (I) to (VII): (I) fine particles in a positive electrode active material are sintered to constitute the sintered body; (II) a peak pore diameter which provides a maximum differential pore volume value in a pore diameter range of 0.01 to 10 ?m in a pore distribution is 0.3 to 5 ?m; (III) a total pore volume is 0.1 to 1 cc/g; (IV) an average particle diameter is not less than the peak pore diameter and not more than 20 ?m; (V) any peak, which provides a differential pore volume value of not less than 10% of the maximum differential pore volume value, is not present on a smaller pore diameter side than the peak pore diameter in the pore distribution; (VI) a BET specific surface area is 1 to 6 m2/g; and (VII) a full width at half maximum of a strongest X-ray diffraction peak is 0.13 to 0.2.

Abstract: A cathode and a battery including a cathode active material including a layer-structured material having a composition of xLi2MO3-(1-x)LiMeO2; and a metal oxide having a perovskite structure. The cathode active material may have improved structural stability by intermixing a metal oxide having a similar crystalline structure with the layer-structured material, and thus, life and capacity characteristics of a cathode and a lithium battery including the metal oxide may be improved.

Abstract: Protected anode architectures for active metal anodes have a polymer adhesive seal that provides an hermetic enclosure for the active metal of the protected anode inside an anode compartment. The compartment is substantially impervious to ambient moisture and battery components such as catholyte (electrolyte about the cathode), and prevents volatile components of the protected anode, such as anolyte (electrolyte about the anode), from escaping. The architecture is formed by joining the protected anode to an anode container. The polymer adhesive seals provide an hermetic seal at the joint between a surface of the protected anode and the container.

Abstract: The battery includes a cathode and an anode. The anode has a first medium that includes a first active material. The anode also has a second medium including a concentration gradient of a second active material. The battery also includes an electrolytic solution in contact with the cathode and the anode. In some instances, the first medium is positioned so as to protect at least a portion of the second medium from the electrolytic solution. The first medium can also be selected so as to dissipate during discharge of the battery. The first medium can be configured to dissipate enough that one or more of the protected regions of the second medium become exposed to the electrolytic solution during the discharge of the battery.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same. The negative active material includes a carbon-nanoparticle composite including a crystalline carbon material including pores, and amorphous nanoparticles dispersed either inside the pores, or on the surface of the crystalline carbon material, or both inside the pores and on the surface of the crystalline carbon material. At least one of the amorphous nanoparticles includes a metal oxide layer in a form of a film on the surface, and the amorphous nanoparticles have a full width at half maximum of about 0.35 degree (°) or greater at a crystal plane producing the highest peak as measured by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of lithium metal phosphate/carbon nanocomposites as cathode active materials in rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising mixing and reacting precursors of lithium, transition metal(s) and phosphate with high surface area activated carbon, preferably phosphorylated carbon.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention is directed to a positive electrode composition that includes a first group of granules that contain about 30% by volume of at least one metal or electrically-conductive carbon, or combinations thereof; and a second group of granules that contain at least about 60% by volume of a metallic salt, and less than about 30% by volume of a metal. A porous structure based on a material that is resistant to non-passivating oxidation and alkaline electrolysis may be used in place of the second group of granules. An article that includes a positive electrode based on such a composition is also described, as well as related energy storage devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode active material including: a crystalline phase comprising Si and a Si-metal alloy; and an amorphous phase comprising Si and a Si-metal alloy, wherein the metal of the Si-metal alloy of the crystalline phase is the same as or different from the metal of the Si-metal alloy of the amorphous phase.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. An anode compartment in the cell contains a sacrificial metal in an amount between about 10 volume percent and about 40 volume percent, based on the volume of the compartment. The sacrificial metal has an oxidation potential less than the oxidation potential of iron. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided.

Abstract: An active material for a battery includes an electrochemically reversibly oxidizable and reducible base material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a lithium-containing alloy, a sulfur-based compound, and a compound that can reversibly form a lithium-containing compound by a reaction with lithium ions and a surface-treatment layer formed on the base material and comprising a compound of the formula MXOk, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a group 13 element, a group 14 element, a transition metal, and a rare-earth element, X is an element that is capable of forming a double bond with oxygen, k is a numerical value in the range of 2 to 4.

Abstract: Protected anode architectures have ionically conductive protective membrane architectures that, in conjunction with compliant seal structures and anode backplanes, effectively enclose an active metal anode inside the interior of an anode compartment. This enclosure prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment external to the anode compartment, which may include aqueous, ambient moisture, and/or other materials corrosive to the active metal. The compliant seal structures are substantially impervious to anolytes, catholyes, dissolved species in electrolytes, and moisture and compliant to changes in anode volume such that physical continuity between the anode protective architecture and backplane are maintained. The protected anode architectures can be used in arrays of protected anode architectures and battery cells of various configurations incorporating the protected anode architectures or arrays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing lithium iron phosphate particles, wherein the process has a step of obtaining a melt containing, as represented by mol % based on oxides, from 1 to 50% of Li2O, from 20 to 50% of Fe2O3 and from 30 to 60% of P2O5; a step of cooling and solidifying the melt; a step of pulverizing the solidified product into a desired particle shape; and a step of heating the pulverized product in the air or under oxidizing conditions (0.21<oxygen partial pressure<1.0) at from 350 to 800° C. to precipitate crystals of LinFe2(PO4)3 (0<n<3), in this order.

Abstract: An electrode active material, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrode and a lithium battery utilizing the same. The electrode active material includes a core capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium and a coating layer formed on at least a portion of a surface of the core, wherein the coating layer includes a composite metal halide having a spinel structure.

Abstract: A niobium oxide-containing electrode includes a collector; and an active material layer formed on the collector, the active material layer including an active material, a conducting agent and a binder; and niobium oxide on the active material layer on the collector.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing alkali metal silicate which can be easily microparticulated, a method for synthesizing, with the use of the alkali metal silicate, alkali transition metal silicate, and alkali metal silicate and alkali transition metal silicate which are synthesized by the synthesis methods are disclosed. The alkali metal silicate is synthesized by the following steps: forming a basic solution including an alkali metal salt; mixing the basic solution including the alkali metal salt with silicon particles to form a basic solution including the alkali metal silicate; and adding the basic solution including the alkali metal silicate to a poor solvent for the alkali metal silicate to precipitate the alkali metal silicate. Further, the alkali metal silicate is mixed with a microparticulated compound including a transition metal to form a mixture, and the mixture is subjected to heat treatment, whereby the alkali transition metal silicate is generated.

Abstract: An electrochemical test cell, containing an anode comprising a metal as an active component; a cathode comprising a porous chemically inert tube containing an active material compatible with the metal of the anode; and an electrolyte; wherein the only metal in contact with the electrolyte is the metal of the anode, is provided. This test cell is useful in a method to evaluate various combinations of materials for suitability as a combination for preparation of a battery.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: an electrode group in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are spirally wound with a separator interposed therebetween; and a non-aqueous electrolyte including a non-aqueous solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent, the positive electrode including a positive electrode material mixture layer containing a nickel-containing lithium composite metal oxide, wherein a product of A and B equals 150 to 350, A equals 15 to 20%, and B equals 10 to 25%, where A (%) represents a porosity of the positive electrode material mixture layer, and B (%) represents a volume percentage of ethylene carbonate in the non-aqueous solvent.

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.