The present invention relates to a method for preparing and/or processing a sample. The sample comprises at least one fluid, and the method comprises directing a charged particle beam onto the at least one fluid and causing the at least one fluid to flow in response to the charged particle beam being directed on to it. The present invention also relates to a system and a computer program product used to carry out the method.

The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte comprising: a) a sodium salt; b) an additive comprising at least one additional metallic/metalloid cation having a standard reduction potential which is at least 2.5V more positive than that of sodium cation; wherein said sodium salt and said additive are dispersed in a solvent comprising at least one alkyl carbonate, and wherein the concentration of said metallic/metalloid cation in the electrolyte is 15 mM to 250 mM. The present disclosure also relates to a sodium-sulfur cell comprising a sodium anode, a microporous sulfur cathode, and the electrolyte as described herein. The present disclosure further provides a method of improving cycling life of a sodium-sulfur cell, wherein the sodium-sulfur cell comprising a sodium anode, a sulfur cathode, and an electrolyte containing a sodium salt dispersed in an alkyl carbonate solvent.

A cylindrical secondary battery includes a bottomed cylindrical battery case having an opening, an electrode group, an electrolyte solution, and a sealing member blocking the opening of the battery case. The electrode group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode mix layer placed on at least one principal surface of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode mix layer includes a non-facing region not facing the positive electrode mix layer. The density of the negative electrode mix layer is 1.25 g/cm.sup.3 to 1.43 g/cm.sup.3, the ratio of the entire length of the non-facing region to the entire length of the negative electrode mix layer is 0.09 or more, and the inside diameter of a hollow section of the electrode group is 2.0 mm or less.

The present invention relates to rhomboidal phase bismuth oxide that maintains electric conductivity of at least about 1×10.sup.−2 S/cm at temperature of about 500° C. for at least about 100 hours. In particular, the bismuth oxides of the invention have stable conductivity at a temperature range from about 500° C. to about 550° C.

The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery including a pre-lithiated carbon-based negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator, and an inorganic electrolyte represented by the following Formula 1 and a method of preparing the same.

LiMX_n(SO.sub.2)  [Formula 1]

In Formula 1, M is at least one metal selected from an alkali metal, a transition metal, and a post-transition metal, X is a halogen element, and n is an integer of 1 to 4.

A sulfur-carbon composite including a porous carbon material; and sulfur present in at least a part of pores of the porous carbon material and on an outer surface of the porous carbon material, wherein an inner surface and the outer surface of the porous carbon material are doped with a carbonate compound. Also, a positive electrode and a secondary battery including the same. Further, a method of preparing a sulfur-carbon composite and a method of preparing a positive electrode.

The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, where-in these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12.

Novel, non-aqueous, high salt concentration ammonia based electrolytes, compatible with lithium based anodes are described therein. Said electrolytes are supporting higher voltage provided by novel cathodes and lithium based anodes, which results in high power density batteries over prior art. Various cathodes, separators and cell constructions are also disclosed.

Novel, high voltage cathode active materials for non-aqueous ammonia based primary and reserve batteries are described therein, as well as non-aqueous electrolytes supporting high voltage, and various anodes, separators and cell constructions are disclosed. Said materials provide higher power output at low temperatures over prior art ammonia based batteries.

Provided is an electrolyte for use in a secondary zinc halide electrochemical cell comprising: from about 20 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of a zinc halide of formula ZnY.sub.2 or any combination of zinc halides of formula ZnY.sub.2, wherein Y is a halide selected from fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, or any combination thereof; from about 10 wt. % to about 79 wt. % of H.sub.2O; and from about 0.5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of one or more zinc additives. The one or more zinc additives comprises a first zinc additive, wherein the first zinc additive is a salt that is not a zinc halide and comprises an anion with a van der Waals volume of greater than about 65 Å.sup.3. Also provided is a secondary zinc halide battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell comprising at least one bipolar electrode and the zinc halide electrolyte. Also provided is a secondary zinc halide battery comprising a zinc metal reservoir.