An electrochemical includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode including an electronically and ionically conductive solid material. The solid conductive material defines pores configured to receive metal ions during charge to establish a reservoir. The reservoir prevents localized occurrence of surface ion depletion during discharge, precluding void formation between the negative electrode and a separator.

The anode active material of the present invention comprises silicon-based particles obtained from at least one of silicon, a silicon oxide and a silicon alloy, and the silicon-based particles have a faceted shape, thereby providing high capacity and good life characteristics without causing any deterioration which has been generated in the use of conventional silicon-based particles, and eventually providing a lithium secondary battery having such characteristics.

Provided is a method for producing an electrode paste capable of readily and reliably removing bubbles from the produced electrode paste. A method includes a step for performing vacuum-defoaming of bubbles present in an electrode paste (8) by vacuuming the inside of a defoaming tank (6) while introducing the electrode paste (8) to the defoaming tank (6). In the step for performing vacuum-defoaming of bubbles present in an electrode paste (8), a rising velocity (fluid surface rising velocity VL) of the fluid surface of the electrode paste (8) in the defoaming tank (6) is made smaller than a rising velocity (reference bubble rising velocity VGa) of the bubbles in the electrode paste (8) by adjusting a flow rate (supply flow rate Q) of the electrode paste (8) introduced to the defoaming tank (6).

The present invention relates to a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery that can ensure a high energy density, a long-life characteristic, and stability by forming a film on a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery and thus suppressing dendrites during electrodeposition, a method of manufacturing the same, and a lithium secondary battery using the same. The method of manufacturing the negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention includes preparing a sulfur dioxide-based sodium molten salt and forming a protective layer on the surface of a current collector by immersing the current collector in the sulfur dioxide-based sodium molten salt.

The invention relates to a cathode that is usable in a cell of a lithium-ion battery comprising an electrolyte based on a lithium salt and on a non-aqueous solvent, to a process for manufacturing this cathode and to a lithium-ion battery having one or more cells incorporating this cathode. This cathode is based on a polymer composition, obtained by melt processing and without solvent evaporation, that is the product of a hot compounding reaction between an active material and additives including a polymer binder and an electrically conductive filler. According to the invention, the binder is based on at least one crosslinked elastomer and the additives furthermore comprise at least one non-volatile organic compound usable in the electrolyte solvent, the composition advantageously includes the active material in a mass fraction greater than or equal to 90%.

A silicon based micro-structured material and methods are shown. In one example, the silicon based micro-structured material is used as an electrode in a battery, such as a lithium ion battery, we have successfully demonstrated the first synthesis of a scalable carbon-coated silicon nanofiber paper for next generation binderless free-standing electrodes for Li-ion batteries that will significantly increase total capacity at the cell level. The excellent electrochemical performance coupled with the high degree of scalability rriake this material an idea candidate for next-generation anodes for electric vehicle applications. C-coated SiNF paper electrodes offer a highly feasible alternative to the traditional slurry-based approach to Li-ion battery electrodes through the elimination of carbon black, polymer binders, and metallic current collectors.

A method for simultaneously forming alkali metal layers includes heating a laminate structure including a top layer, a bottom layer, and an alkali metal layer sandwiched between opposing facing surfaces of the top layer and the bottom layer. The laminate structure is heated to a peel temperature to at least partially melt the alkali metal layer and form a volume of molten alkali metal at the location of a peel site within the alkali metal layer. The top layer and the bottom layer apart from each other such that the alkali metal layer splits internally at the location of the peel site and is divided between the top layer and the bottom layer.

An end-to-end system/process for producing advantageous end products from a raw biomass feedstock is provided. The process includes steps for enhancing biomaterial feedstock, biochar generation and end-product fabrication. The method steps may be employed in selecting, treating and handling biomass materials and their additive inputs to tailor their end performance. Each operative step in the process may be employed to enhance the overall effectiveness of biochar generation and use. Charring furnace design and operational parameters are provided that generate desirable biochar material for various applications, including specifically fabrication of ultra-capacitor electrodes and electric battery components.

A co-extrusion print head capable of extruding at least two layers vertically in a single pass having a first inlet port connected to a first manifold, a first series of channels connected to the first inlet port arranged to receive a first fluid from the first inlet port, a second inlet port connected to one of either a second manifold or the first manifold, a second series of channels connected to the second inlet port arranged to receive a second fluid from the second inlet port, a merge portion of the print head connected to the first and second series of channels, the merge portion arranged to receive the first and second fluids, and an outlet port connected to the merge portion, the outlet port arranged to deposit the first and second fluids from the merge portion as a vertical stack on a substrate.

A nanofiber based micro-structured material including metal fibers with metal oxide coatings and methods are shown. In one example, nanofiber based micro-structured material is used as an electrode in a battery, such as a lithium ion battery, where the nanofibers of micro-structured material form a nanofiber cloth with free-standing, core-shell structure.