The present invention provides a fiber-reinforced aerogel material which can be used as insulation in thermal battery applications. The fiber-reinforced aerogel material is highly durable, flexible, and has a thermal performance that exceeds the insulation materials currently used in thermal battery applications. The fiber-reinforced aerogel insulation material can be as thin as 1 mm less, and can have a thickness variation as low as 2% or less. Also provided is a method for improving the performance of a thermal battery by incorporating a reinforced aerogel material into the thermal battery. Further provided is a casting method for producing thin fiber-reinforced aerogel materials.

Pressure relief mechanisms can provide an outlet for cathode pressure buildup during battery operation. Mechanical cathode modifications can control cathode interfaces during battery operation. Pressure relief mechanisms and mechanical modifications can be utilized to improve performance, longevity and/or to prevent failure of batteries, such as during cycling of liquid metal batteries.

A lithium-ion secondary-battery case that allows bonding without weld spatter and has high strength against external force acting on the battery case, and a method for manufacturing the lithium-ion secondary-battery case are provided. Specifically, an austenitic stainless steel foil is used for a cup component (2), and a two-phase stainless steel having an austenite transformation start temperature A.sub.C1 in a temperature increase process at 650° C. to 950° C. and an austenite and ferrite two-phase temperature range of 880° C. and higher, is used for a cover component (3), and the diffusion bonding is proceeded while accompanied by grain boundary movement upon transformation of the two-phase steel from a ferrite phase into an austenite phase within a heating temperature range of 880° C. to 1080° C.

An electricity storage device includes a case and two electrode terminal portions provided in a cover plate of the case. Each of the electrode terminal portions includes (a) a bolt-shaped electrode terminal that has a head portion and a threaded portion and is inserted into a corresponding terminal hole of the cover plate from the inner side of the case, (b) a ring-shaped first gasket between the electrode terminal and a circumferential portion of the corresponding terminal hole, (c) a nut that fixes the electrode terminal to the cover plate, (d) a washer between the nut and the cover plate, (e) a second gasket between the washer and the cover plate, and (f) a third gasket disposed between the head portion of the electrode terminal and the cover plate. Each of the first to third gaskets contains a fluororesin, and an acrylic sealing agent is disposed between each second gasket and a corresponding washer, between the cover plate and each second gasket, between each third gasket and the head portion of a corresponding electrode terminal, and between the cover plate and each third gasket.

Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

A secondary battery according to an embodiment includes a container, an electrolytic solution, a cathode and an anode, and a flow mechanism. The container includes an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The electrolytic solution is disposed in the container. The cathode and the anode are disposed in the electrolytic solution. The flow mechanism includes a generation part that is connected to the container via the opening and generates a gas bubble(s) in the container through the opening, and that causes the electrolytic solution to flow. A protrusion part that is positioned at an edge part of the opening and extends in upward and downward directions is disposed on the bottom surface.

To improve design of a lighting device. A lighting device includes optically transparent glass plates provided on side faces and placed on an optical path of light emitted from a light source, where some or all of the optically transparent glass plates contain an optically transparent battery adapted to drive the light source; and an optically transparent glass plate that contains a transparent conductive film by being provided on a bottom face, wherein the optically transparent battery is placed in contact with a pair of transparent conductive film layers, which are connected to the light source. The pair of transparent conductive film layers are formed in a pair of parallel linear grooves formed in a surface of the optically transparent glass plate on the bottom face, and a tabular positive tab and negative tab of the optically transparent battery fit in respective ones of the pair of grooves.

Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).