The present invention provides a process for producing a graphene-enhanced anode active material for use in a lithium battery. The process comprises (a) providing a continuous film of a graphene material into a deposition zone; (b) introducing vapor or atoms of a precursor anode active material into the deposition zone, allowing the vapor or atoms to deposit onto a surface of the graphene material film to form a sheet of an anode active material-coated graphene material; and (c) mechanically breaking this sheet into multiple pieces of anode active material-coated graphene; wherein the graphene material is in an amount of from 0.1% to 99.5% by weight and the anode active material is in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight, all based on the total weight of the graphene material and the anode active material combined.

The present invention provides a process for producing a graphene-enhanced anode active material for use in a lithium battery. The process comprises (a) providing a continuous film of a graphene material into a deposition zone; (b) introducing vapor or atoms of a precursor anode active material into the deposition zone, allowing the vapor or atoms to deposit onto a surface of the graphene material film to form a sheet of an anode active material-coated graphene material; and (c) mechanically breaking this sheet into multiple pieces of anode active material-coated graphene; wherein the graphene material is in an amount of from 0.1% to 99.5% by weight and the anode active material is in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight, all based on the total weight of the graphene material and the anode active material combined.

The present disclosure provides an energy storage device comprising at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative current collector, a negative electrode in electrical communication with the negative current collector, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the negative electrode, a positive electrode in electrical communication with the electrolyte and a positive current collector in electrical communication with the positive electrode. The negative electrode comprises an alkali metal. Upon discharge, the electrolyte provides charged species of the alkali metal. The positive electrode can include a Group IIIA, IVA, VA and VIA of the periodic table of the elements, or a transition metal (e.g., Group 12 element).

The present disclosure provides an energy storage device comprising at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative current collector, a negative electrode in electrical communication with the negative current collector, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the negative electrode, a positive electrode in electrical communication with the electrolyte and a positive current collector in electrical communication with the positive electrode. The negative electrode comprises an alkali metal. Upon discharge, the electrolyte provides charged species of the alkali metal. The positive electrode can include a Group IIIA, IVA, VA and VIA of the periodic table of the elements, or a transition metal (e.g., Group 12 element).

According to the invention there is provided a fluidic port (8-9) for a refillable structural composite electrical energy storage device (1), and a method of producing same. The device may be a battery or supercapacitor with first and second electrodes (2,3) which are separated by a separator structure (6), wherein the device contains an electrolyte (4) which may further contain active electrochemical reagents. The fluidic port allows the addition, removal of electrolyte fluids, and venting of any outgassing by products.

Particles (A) including an element capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, carbon particles (B) capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (C), carbon nanofibers (D) and optionally electrically conductive carbon particles (E) are mixed in the presence of shear force to obtain a composite electrode material. A lithium ion secondary battery is obtained using the above composite electrode material.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for monitoring and/or regulating energy storage devices. Examples of such monitoring and/or regulating include cell balancing, dynamic impedance control, breach detection and determination of state of charge of energy storage devices.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for monitoring and/or regulating energy storage devices. Examples of such monitoring and/or regulating include cell balancing, dynamic impedance control, breach detection and determination of state of charge of energy storage devices.

Two-dimensional (2D) material-based metal or alloy catalysts synthesized on carbon materials (e.g., carbon nanotubes) prevent polysulfide shuttling and overcome technical challenges for developing practical lithium-sulfur (LiS) batteries. Soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) tend to shuttle during battery cycling and corrode a Li anode, leading to eventual performance fading in the LiS battery. This shuttle effect can be reduced by accelerating the conversion of the dissolved polysulfides to the insoluble LiPSs and back to the sulfur. A 2D material-based alloy or 2D material synthesized on carbon materials can suppress polysulfide shuttling by catalyzing polysulfide reactions. 2D material-based alloys with 2H (semiconducting)-1T (metallic) mixed phase exhibit synergistic effects of accelerated electron transfer and catalytic performance as confirmed by the lower charge-transfer resistance of carbon nanotube (CNT)-S cathode and the high binding energy of LiPSs to the catalyst.

Two-dimensional (2D) material-based metal or alloy catalysts synthesized on carbon materials (e.g., carbon nanotubes) prevent polysulfide shuttling and overcome technical challenges for developing practical lithium-sulfur (LiS) batteries. Soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) tend to shuttle during battery cycling and corrode a Li anode, leading to eventual performance fading in the LiS battery. This shuttle effect can be reduced by accelerating the conversion of the dissolved polysulfides to the insoluble LiPSs and back to the sulfur. A 2D material-based alloy or 2D material synthesized on carbon materials can suppress polysulfide shuttling by catalyzing polysulfide reactions. 2D material-based alloys with 2H (semiconducting)-1T (metallic) mixed phase exhibit synergistic effects of accelerated electron transfer and catalytic performance as confirmed by the lower charge-transfer resistance of carbon nanotube (CNT)-S cathode and the high binding energy of LiPSs to the catalyst.