In an example of the method disclosed herein, SiO.sub.x (0<x<2) particles are combined with a lithium metal. The SiO.sub.x (0<x<2) particles and the lithium metal are caused to react to form lithium oxide nanoparticles in a silicon matrix. At least some of the lithium oxide nanoparticles are removed from the silicon matrix to form porous silicon particles.

A dendrite penetration-resistant layer for a rechargeable alkali metal battery, comprising an amorphous carbon or polymeric carbon matrix, an optional carbon or graphite reinforcement phase dispersed in this matrix, and a lithium- or sodium-containing species that are chemically bonded to the matrix and/or the optional carbon or graphite reinforcement phase to form an integral layer that prevents dendrite penetration through this integral layer in the alkali metal battery, wherein the lithium- or sodium-containing species is selected from Li.sub.2CO.sub.3, Li.sub.2O, Li.sub.2C.sub.2O.sub.4, LiOH, LiX, ROCO.sub.2Li, HCOLi, ROLi, (ROCO.sub.2Li).sub.2, (CH.sub.2OCO.sub.2Li).sub.2, Li.sub.2S, Li.sub.xSO.sub.y, Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, Na.sub.2O, Na.sub.2C.sub.2O.sub.4, NaOH, NaiX, ROCO.sub.2Na, HCONa, RONa, (ROCO.sub.2Na).sub.2, (CH.sub.2OCO.sub.2Na).sub.2, Na.sub.2S, Na.sub.xSO.sub.y, or a combination thereof, wherein X=F, Cl, I, or Br, R= a hydrocarbon group, x=0-1, y=1-4; and wherein the lithium- or sodium-containing species is derived from an electrochemical decomposition reaction.

Interlayers are included between electrode(s) and solid state electrolyte in electrochemical devices such as thin film batteries (TFBs), electrochromic (EC) devices, etc., Second Electrode in order to reduce the interfacial resistance and over-potential for promoting ion transport, such as lithium ion transport, through certain of the interfaces in the electrochemical device stack. Methods of manufacturing these electrochemical devices, and equipment for the same, are disclosed herein.

A method of coating a flexible substrate in a roll-to-roll deposition system is described. The method includes unwinding the flexible substrate from an unwinding roll, the flexible substrate having a first coating on a first main side thereof; measuring a lateral positioning of the first coating while guiding the flexible substrate to a coating drum; adjusting a lateral position of the flexible substrate on the coating drum depending on the measured lateral positioning of the first coating; and depositing a second coating on the flexible substrate, particularly on a second main side of the flexible substrate opposite the first main side. Further described is a vacuum deposition apparatus for conducting the methods described herein.

A method for using an integrated battery and device structure includes using two or more stacked electrochemical cells integrated with each other formed overlying a surface of a substrate. The two or more stacked electrochemical cells include related two or more different electrochemistries with one or more devices formed using one or more sequential deposition processes. The one or more devices are integrated with the two or more stacked electrochemical cells to form the integrated battery and device structure as a unified structure overlying the surface of the substrate. The one or more stacked electrochemical cells and the one or more devices are integrated as the unified structure using the one or more sequential deposition processes. The integrated battery and device structure is configured such that the two or more stacked electrochemical cells and one or more devices are in electrical, chemical, and thermal conduction with each other.

A lithium electrode and a lithium secondary battery including the same. More particularly, in the preparation of the lithium electrode, a protective layer for protecting the lithium metal is formed on the substrate, lithium metal may be deposited on the protective layer and then transferred to at least one side of the current collector to form a lithium electrode having a thin and uniform thickness, and the energy density of the lithium secondary battery using the lithium electrode thus manufactured may be improved.

A layer combination for an electrode can be used in rechargeable electrochemical cells. The rechargeable electrochemical cells are in the form of lithium batteries, e.g. a lithium-sulfur battery or a lithium-oxygen battery. The layer combination includes at least one superhydrophobic, nanostructured protective layer which repels polar substances.

A method is provided for fabricating a thin film solid-state Li-ion battery comprising a first electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer. The method comprises depositing, on a substrate, an initial layer stack comprising a first layer comprising a first electrode material compound, and a second layer comprising an electrolyte material compound; and afterwards performing a lithiation step comprising incorporating Li in the first layer and in the second layer, thereby forming a stack of a first electrode layer and a solid electrolyte layer. The initial layer stack may further comprise a third layer comprising a second electrode material compound. By performing the lithiation step, Li is also incorporated in the third layer, such that a stack of a first electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer is formed. One or more of the first, second, or third layers may be Li-free.

A silicon ⋅ silicon oxide-carbon complex has a core-shell structure in which the core comprises silicon particles, a silicon oxide compound represented by SiOx (0<×2), and magnesium silicate, and the shell forms a carbon coating, and has a specific range of conductivity, whereby the use of the complex as a negative electrode active material for a secondary battery can provide the secondary battery with an improvement in capacity as well as cycle characteristics and initial efficiency.

Nanofilm-encapsulated sulfide glass solid electrolyte structures and methods for making the encapsulated glass structures involve a lithium ion conducting sulfide glass sheet encapsulated on its opposing major surfaces by a continuous and conformal nanofilm made by atomic layer deposition (ALD). During manufacture, the reactive surfaces of the sulfide glass sheet are protected from deleterious reaction with ambient moisture, and the nanofilm can be configured to provide additional performance advantages, including enhanced mechanical strength and improved chemical resistance.