The present invention provides an energy storage device comprising a cathode region or other element. The device has a major active region comprising a plurality of first active regions spatially disposed within the cathode region. The major active region expands or contracts from a first volume to a second volume during a period of a charge and discharge. The device has a catholyte material spatially confined within a spatial region of the cathode region and spatially disposed within spatial regions not occupied by the first active regions. In an example, the catholyte material comprises a lithium, germanium, phosphorous, and sulfur (LGPS) containing material configured in a polycrystalline state. The device has an oxygen species configured within the LGPS containing material, the oxygen species having a ratio to the sulfur species of 1:2 and less to form a LGPSO material. The device has a protective material formed overlying exposed regions of the cathode material to substantially maintain the sulfur species within the catholyte material. Also included is a novel dopant configuration of the Li.sub.aMP.sub.bS.sub.c (LMPS) [M=Si,Ge, and/or Sn] containing material.

The present invention provides a spheroidization method for the manufacture of additive-enhanced spheroidal graphite particles, and their application as lithium-ion battery anode active materials. Particles are comprised of natural crystalline flake graphite in combination with additive such as silicon nanoparticles or synthetic graphite. Preferably, graphite and additive particles are rolled into spheres using the spheroidization process of the present invention, followed by surface coating with a layer of amorphous carbon. In addition, a lithium ion battery is described, containing additive-enhanced graphite embedded into an agile matrix of high structure carbon black loaded at optimum compositions as a negative electrode.

Electrocatalytic polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon nanoparticles and methods of synthesizing and using the same are provided.

A silicon-carbon composite material includes: layers of carbon material; and secondary particles of silicon held between the layers of the carbon material. Each of the secondary particles of silicon is an aggregate of primary particles of silicon. At least one of the primary particles of silicon has a diameter 3 nm or more. At least one of the secondary particles of silicon has a diameter of 50 nm or less.

A silicon-carbon composite material includes: layers of carbon material; and secondary particles of silicon held between the layers of the carbon material. Each of the secondary particles of silicon is an aggregate of primary particles of silicon. At least one of the primary particles of silicon has a diameter 3 nm or more. At least one of the secondary particles of silicon has a diameter of 50 nm or less.

Providing a silicon-containing material having a novel structure being distinct from the structure of conventional silicon oxide disproportionated to use. A silicon-containing material according to the present invention includes at least the following: a continuous phase including silicon with SiSi bond, and possessing a bubble-shaped skeleton being continuous three-dimensionally; and a dispersion phase including silicon with SiO bond, and involved in an area demarcated by said continuous phase to be in a dispersed state.

Providing a silicon-containing material having a novel structure being distinct from the structure of conventional silicon oxide disproportionated to use. A silicon-containing material according to the present invention includes at least the following: a continuous phase including silicon with SiSi bond, and possessing a bubble-shaped skeleton being continuous three-dimensionally; and a dispersion phase including silicon with SiO bond, and involved in an area demarcated by said continuous phase to be in a dispersed state.

A unique method for preparing precipitated silica entails reacting a silicate with an acidifying agent to obtain a suspension of precipitated silica, and separating and drying the suspension, and further wherein the precipitation includes contacting a silicate with an acidifying agent in an acidic medium in a fast blender.

A silicon member for a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The silicon member has an equivalent performance to one fabricated from a single-crystalline silicon even though it is fabricated from a unidirectionally solidified silicon. In addition, it can be applied for producing a relatively large-sized part. The silicon member is fabricated by sawing a columnar crystal silicon ingot obtained by growing a single-crystal from each of seed crystals by placing the seed crystals that are made of a single-crystalline silicon plate on a bottom part of a crucible and unidirectionally solidifying a molten silicon in the crucible.

The invention relates to a new phase of silicon, Si.sub.24, and a method of making the same. Si.sub.24 has a quasi-direct band gap, with a direct gap value of 1.34 eV and an indirect gap value of 1.3 eV. The invention also relates to a compound of the formula Na.sub.4Si.sub.24 and a method of making the same. Na.sub.4Si.sub.24 may be used as a precursor to make Si.sub.24.