A method for fabricating a reticulated lead electrode for a lead-acid battery, including: preparing a molten metal in a container; applying a DC voltage to the molten metal and the substrate; while the DC voltage is applied, placing a reticulated ceramic substrate in the molten metal; while the DC voltage is applied, withdrawing the substrate from the molten metal; and cooling the substrate. The method may be used to form reticulated electrodes for other types of batteries or capacitors. Also described is a method for making a reticulated ceramic substrate, including: adhering mineral fibers such as milled glass fibers on the surfaces of a reticulated PU substrate with an adhesive; coating the reticulated PU substrate with a ceramic slurry with the assistance ultrasonic waves; pre-baking the dried slurry at a low temperature to vaporizes the polymer substrate; and baking the substrate at sintering temperature of the ceramic slurry.

A method for producing a negative electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery, comprising a step of charging either silicon and copper (II) oxide or silicon and copper metal in a pulverization device, pulverizing either the silicon and copper (II) oxide or silicon and copper metal, and simultaneously mixing either silicon and copper (II) oxide or silicon and copper metal thus pulverized. A negative electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery is produced by the method.

A method for forming an electrical connection to a microscale electrically conductive fibre material electrode element, such as a carbon fibre electrode element of a Pb-acid battery, comprises pressure impregnating into the fibre material an electrically conductive lug material, such as molten Pb metal, to surround and/or penetrate fibres and form an electrical connection to the fibre material and provide a lug for external connection of the electrode element. Other methods of forming a lug for external connection are also disclosed.

A method for forming an electrical connection to a microscale electrically conductive fibre material electrode element, such as a carbon fibre electrode element of a Pb-acid battery, comprises pressure impregnating into the fibre material an electrically conductive lug material, such as molten Pb metal, to surround and/or penetrate fibres and form an electrical connection to the fibre material and provide a lug for external connection of the electrode element. Other methods of forming a lug for external connection are also disclosed.

A composite anode active material includes: a silicon anode active material, a metal nitride; and a metal fluoride, wherein the metal nitride and the metal fluoride are each independently disposed on at least one surface of the silicon anode active material.

A pasting carrier for a lead-acid battery. The pasting carrier includes a nonwoven fiber mat having a thickness between 5 and 50 mils, the nonwoven fiber mat being composed of a plurality of entangled glass microfibers.

A pasting carrier for a lead-acid battery. The pasting carrier includes a nonwoven fiber mat having a thickness between 5 and 50 mils, the nonwoven fiber mat being composed of a plurality of entangled glass microfibers.

An electrode has a first active material layer between a current collector and a separator. The first active material layer comprises an active electrode material and electrically actuated fibers extending from a surface of the current collector and into the active electrode material. The electrically actuated fibers have an actuated state, in which the electrically actuated fibers change dimension in a linear direction under application of an electric field, the electrically actuated fibers configured to direct electrons through the active electrode material in a stacked direction of the electrode, and an unactuated state, in which the electrically actuated fibers are conductive but remain in an original state.

An electrode has a first active material layer between a current collector and a separator. The first active material layer comprises an active electrode material and electrically actuated fibers extending from a surface of the current collector and into the active electrode material. The electrically actuated fibers have an actuated state, in which the electrically actuated fibers change dimension in a linear direction under application of an electric field, the electrically actuated fibers configured to direct electrons through the active electrode material in a stacked direction of the electrode, and an unactuated state, in which the electrically actuated fibers are conductive but remain in an original state.

A lithium metal secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a solid electrolyte, and a soft electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector having at least one hole, in which lithium metal is deposited in a charged state. The solid electrolyte is disposed on the surface, which face negative electrode current collector, of the positive electrode. The soft electrolyte fills the space between the negative electrode current collector and solid electrolyte and entering into the at least one hole. The solid and soft electrolytes have lithium ion conductivity.