Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.

Provided is a negative electrode for use in a zinc secondary battery, including a negative electrode active material layer having a first surface and a second surface, and a negative electrode current collector plate embedded in the negative electrode active material layer parallel to the negative electrode active material layer. The first surface of the negative electrode active material layer is more remote from the negative electrode current collector plate than the second surface, whereby the center of the negative electrode active material layer in a thickness direction is deviated from a reference plane passing through the center of the negative electrode current collector plate in a thickness direction. A ratio of a thickness defined as a distance between the second surface and the reference plane to a thickness defined as a distance between the first surface and the reference plane is greater than 0 and 0.5 or less.

Provided is a negative electrode for use in a zinc secondary battery, including a negative electrode active material layer having a first surface and a second surface, and a negative electrode current collector plate embedded in the negative electrode active material layer parallel to the negative electrode active material layer. The first surface of the negative electrode active material layer is more remote from the negative electrode current collector plate than the second surface, whereby the center of the negative electrode active material layer in a thickness direction is deviated from a reference plane passing through the center of the negative electrode current collector plate in a thickness direction. A ratio of a thickness defined as a distance between the second surface and the reference plane to a thickness defined as a distance between the first surface and the reference plane is greater than 0 and 0.5 or less.

A flow battery system and methods are provided for eliminating crossover issues of active materials in redox flow batteries. A solid adsorbent with large specific surface area is disposed in an electrolyte of at least one half-cell, in contact with the electrolyte. During a charging process, the active material in a charged state is captured and stored on surfaces of the adsorbent, so that concentrations of the active material in the electrolyte in the charged state is reduced and the crossover is inhibited. During a discharging process, the active material is desorbed from the adsorbent to the electrolyte and pumped into the stack for reaction. The flow battery stack can have a microporous membrane separator. The electrolyte of the flow battery includes zinc iodide as active material and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an additive.

A flow battery system and methods are provided for eliminating crossover issues of active materials in redox flow batteries. A solid adsorbent with large specific surface area is disposed in an electrolyte of at least one half-cell, in contact with the electrolyte. During a charging process, the active material in a charged state is captured and stored on surfaces of the adsorbent, so that concentrations of the active material in the electrolyte in the charged state is reduced and the crossover is inhibited. During a discharging process, the active material is desorbed from the adsorbent to the electrolyte and pumped into the stack for reaction. The flow battery stack can have a microporous membrane separator. The electrolyte of the flow battery includes zinc iodide as active material and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an additive.

A technique facilitates evaluation of a fluid, such as a fluid produced from a well. The technique utilizes a modular and mobile system for testing flows of fluid which may comprise mixtures of constituents, and for sampling fluids thereof. The multiphase sampling method includes flowing a multiphase fluid comprising an oil phase and a water phase through a first conduit, the oil phase and water phase at least partially separating in the first conduit, mixing together the oil phase and water phase to form a mixed bulk liquid phase by flowing the multiphase fluid through a flow mixer toward a second conduit downstream the flow mixer, sampling a portion of the mixed bulk liquid phase at location at or within the second conduit, wherein the sampled portion of the mixed bulk liquid phase has a water-to-liquid ratio (WLR) representative of the pre-mixed oil phase and water phase.

A technique facilitates evaluation of a fluid, such as a fluid produced from a well. The technique utilizes a modular and mobile system for testing flows of fluid which may comprise mixtures of constituents, and for sampling fluids thereof. The multiphase sampling method includes flowing a multiphase fluid comprising an oil phase and a water phase through a first conduit, the oil phase and water phase at least partially separating in the first conduit, mixing together the oil phase and water phase to form a mixed bulk liquid phase by flowing the multiphase fluid through a flow mixer toward a second conduit downstream the flow mixer, sampling a portion of the mixed bulk liquid phase at location at or within the second conduit, wherein the sampled portion of the mixed bulk liquid phase has a water-to-liquid ratio (WLR) representative of the pre-mixed oil phase and water phase.

A high voltage aqueous battery includes a cathode comprising a cathode electroactive material, an anode comprising an anode electroactive material, a catholyte solution in contact with the cathode, and a polymerized anolyte solution in contact with the anode. The catholyte solution can be polymerized, and an optional separator can be used between the anolyte and the catholyte.

The invention discloses a high voltage rechargeable Zn—MnO.sub.2 battery. The structure of the Zn—MnO.sub.2 battery includes zinc electrode/alkaline electrolyte/ion exchange membrane/acid electrolyte/MnO.sub.2 electrode. The ion exchange membrane comprises a cation exchange membrane, an anion exchange membrane or a proton exchange membrane. According to the invention, by using a composite electrolyte system (alkaline electrolyte/ion exchange membrane/acid electrolyte), a high voltage rechargeable Zn—MnO.sub.2 battery is obtained. According to the invention, an open circuit voltage of up to 2.7V is obtained, greatly improving the discharge voltage, and at the same time increasing the discharge capacity and enabling cyclic charge and discharge. The invention is of great importance in science research, beneficial to society and economics.