An electrochemical cell includes a cathode, an anode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a cathode illumination source.

The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material for a battery. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The non-stoichiometric beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is L.sub.ixA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a-zM.sub.zO.sub.2nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0.02 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof.

The disclosed technology generally relates to energy storage devices, and more particularly to energy storage devices comprising frustules. According to an aspect, a supercapacitor comprises a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a plurality of frustules having formed thereon a surface active material. The surface active material can include nanostructures. The surface active material can include one or more of a zinc oxide, a manganese oxide and a carbon nanotube.

A lithium battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, wherein the positive electrode contains at least one selected from the group consisting of manganese oxide and graphite fluoride, and a powdered or fibrous carbon material is attached to at least part of the surface of the negative electrode opposite the positive electrode. Further, the nonaqueous electrolyte includes a nonaqueous solvent, a solute, a first additive, and a second additive, the solute contains LiClO.sub.4, the first additive is LiBF.sub.4, and the second additive is a salt having an inorganic anion that contains sulfur and fluorine.

A method of making an electrode with protection layers is provided. The method comprising the steps of withdrawing an immersed electrode from a coating liquid at an angle perpendicular to a surface of the coating liquid at a speed from about 1 mm/s to about 9 mm/s; and drying the electrode to obtain an electrode with protection layers. The coating liquid can be a dispersion liquid or a liquid comprising an upper layer and a lower layer; wherein the upper layer is the dispersion liquid and the lower layer is water. The dispersion liquid comprises graphene or a graphene derivative.

Materials, designs, and methods of fabrication for iron-manganese oxide electrochemical cells are disclosed. In various embodiments, the negative electrode is comprised of pelletized, briquetted, or pressed iron-bearing components, including metallic iron or iron-based compounds (oxides, hydroxides, sulfides, or combinations thereof), collectively called iron negative electrode. In various embodiments, the positive electrode is comprised of pelletized, briquetted, or pressed manganese-bearing components, including manganese (IV) oxide (MnO.sub.2), manganese (III) oxide (Mn.sub.2O.sub.3), manganese (III) oxyhydroxide (MnOOH), manganese (II) oxide (MnO), manganese (II) hydroxide (Mn(OH).sub.2), or combinations thereof, collectively called manganese oxide positive electrode. In various embodiments, electrolyte is comprised of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide including lithium hydroxide (LiOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), cesium hydroxide (CsOH), or combinations thereof. In various embodiments, battery components are assembled in prismatic configuration or cylindrical configuration.

Provided is a rolled alkali metal battery wherein the alkali metal is selected from Li, Na, K, or a combination thereof; the battery comprising an anode having an anode active material, a cathode containing a cathode active material, and a separator-electrolyte layer, comprising a first electrolyte alone or a first electrolyte-porous separator assembly, in ionic contact with the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode contains a wound cathode roll of at least a discrete layer of the cathode active material and an optional binder, at least a discrete layer of a conductive material, and at least a layer of a second electrolyte, identical or different in composition than the first electrolyte, wherein the wound cathode roll has a cathode roll length, a cathode roll width, and a cathode roll thickness and the cathode roll width is substantially perpendicular to the separator-electrolyte layer.

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, particularly an MRI contrast agent derived from nanoparticle that is porous first metal-doped second metal oxide nanoparticle with a central cavity, and a method for producing the same. The MEI contrast agent made in accordance with the present invention can be used not only as a drug-delivery agent for therapy but also as an MRI contrast agent for diagnosis.

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, particularly an MRI contrast agent derived from nanoparticle that is porous first metal-doped second metal oxide nanoparticle with a central cavity, and a method for producing the same. The MEI contrast agent made in accordance with the present invention can be used not only as a drug-delivery agent for therapy but also as an MRI contrast agent for diagnosis.

A material for use as an electrode in an electrochemical storage device, the material including: a composite including at least one manganese oxide and at least one ion-active carbon. An electrode for an electrochemical storage device and an electrochemical storage device is also disclosed.