In an embodiment, an active material-based nanocomposite is synthesized by infiltrating an active material precursor into pores of a nanoporous carbon, metal or metal oxide material, and then annealing to decompose the active material precursor into a first gaseous material and an active material and/or another active material precursor infiltrated inside the pores. The nanocomposite is then exposed to a gaseous material or a liquid material to at least partially convert the active material and/or the second active material precursor into active material particles that are infiltrated inside the pores and/or to infiltrate a secondary material into the pores. The nanocomposite is again annealed to remove volatile residues, to enhance electrical contact within the active material-based nanocomposite composite and/or to enhance one or more structural properties of the nanocomposite. In a further embodiment, the pores may be further infiltrated with a filler material and/or may be at least partially sealed.

In an embodiment, an active material-based nanocomposite is synthesized by infiltrating an active material precursor into pores of a nanoporous carbon, metal or metal oxide material, and then annealing to decompose the active material precursor into a first gaseous material and an active material and/or another active material precursor infiltrated inside the pores. The nanocomposite is then exposed to a gaseous material or a liquid material to at least partially convert the active material and/or the second active material precursor into active material particles that are infiltrated inside the pores and/or to infiltrate a secondary material into the pores. The nanocomposite is again annealed to remove volatile residues, to enhance electrical contact within the active material-based nanocomposite composite and/or to enhance one or more structural properties of the nanocomposite. In a further embodiment, the pores may be further infiltrated with a filler material and/or may be at least partially sealed.

A cap assembly is disclosed that creates a gas-tight seal with a cell can housing. The cap assembly has an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge. The cap assembly further includes an electrolyte injection port forming a port opening between the outer surface and the inner surface, a vent constructed to form a vent opening from the inner surface to the outer surface when a vent pressure differential is achieved between an outer surface pressure and an inner surface pressure. The vent is positioned (a) concentric to the electrolyte injection port, and (b) closer to the perimeter edge than the position of the electrolyte injection port.

An energy storage apparatus suitable for mounting on a printed circuit board using a solder reflow process is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a sealed housing body (e.g., a lower body with a lid attached thereto) including a positive internal contact and a negative internal contact (e.g., metallic contact pads) disposed within the body and each respectively in electrical communication with a positive external contact and a negative external contact. Each of the external contacts provide electrical communication to the exterior of the body, and may be disposed on an external surface of the body. An electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) (also referred to herein as an “ultracapacitor” or “supercapacitor”) energy storage cell is disposed within a cavity in the body including a stack of alternating electrode layers and electrically insulating separator layers. An electrolyte is disposed within the cavity and wets the electrode layers. A positive lead electrically connects a first group of one or more of the electrode layers to the positive internal contact; and a negative lead electrically connects a second group of one or more of the electrode layers to the negative internal contact.

A power system adapted for supplying power in a high temperature environment is disclosed. The power system includes a rechargeable energy storage that is operable in a temperature range of between about seventy degrees Celsius and about two hundred and fifty degrees Celsius coupled to a circuit for at least one of supplying power from the energy storage and charging the energy storage; wherein the energy storage is configured to store between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a joule and about one hundred megajoules of energy, and to provide peak power of between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a watt and about one hundred megawatts, for at least two charge-discharge cycles. Methods of use and fabrication are provided. Embodiments of additional features of the power supply are included.

A power system adapted for supplying power in a high temperature environment is disclosed. The power system includes a rechargeable energy storage that is operable in a temperature range of between about seventy degrees Celsius and about two hundred and fifty degrees Celsius coupled to a circuit for at least one of supplying power from the energy storage and charging the energy storage; wherein the energy storage is configured to store between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a joule and about one hundred megajoules of energy, and to provide peak power of between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a watt and about one hundred megawatts, for at least two charge-discharge cycles. Methods of use and fabrication are provided. Embodiments of additional features of the power supply are included.

An electrical energy power source comprises a casing made by micro-bonding an upper ceramic wafer and a lower ceramic wafer to the opposed surfaces of a ceramic ring. The upper and lower ceramic wafers have respective first and second conductive pathways extends therethrough. A first current collector supporting a first active material layer contacts the upper ceramic wafer and the first conductive pathway, and a second current collector supporting a second, opposite polarity active material layer contacts the lower ceramic wafer and the second conductive pathway. A separator resides between the first and second active materials, and an electrolyte filled into the casing through a fill port activates the active materials. The first and second conductive pathways serve as opposite polarity terminals for the power source.

An electrical energy storage device comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions. In an implementation, a channel disposed in the housing permits ions to flow adjacent to the first end and a barrier in the housing prevents ions from flowing adjacent to the second end. In another implementation, some of the ions are magnetic. In a further implementation, some of the ions have a greater density than other ions. Charging of the electrical energy storage device is enhanced by applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device or rotating the device.

An electrical energy storage device comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions. In an implementation, a channel disposed in the housing permits ions to flow adjacent to the first end and a barrier in the housing prevents ions from flowing adjacent to the second end. In another implementation, some of the ions are magnetic. In a further implementation, some of the ions have a greater density than other ions. Charging of the electrical energy storage device is enhanced by applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device or rotating the device.

This invention relates to electrical engineering. In particular, the invention relates to the design of electrochemical device storing electric energy, and can be used in modern power engineering, for example, in devices storing regenerative braking energy in transport, as traction batteries for electric transport (electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles), in emergency power systems when operating in a floating or trickle charge mode.

The proposed invention ensures steady operation of this device due to stable preservation of a given concentration of electrolyte components on the electrodes, and improvement of service life in various modes of operation.