This disclosure relates to compositions and methods for improving the performance of batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, including reviving or rejuvenating a partially or totally dead battery, by adding an amount of nonionic, ground state metal nanoparticles to the electrolyte of the battery, and optionally recharging the battery by applying a voltage. The metal nanoparticles may be gold and coral-shaped and are added to provide a concentration within the electrolyte of 100 ppb to 2 ppm or more (e.g., up to 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, or 100 ppm). The metal nanoparticles may be added to battery electrode paste applied to the electrodes to enhance newly manufactured or remanufactured batteries.

Embodiments of the invention provide batteries, electrodes, and methods of making the same. According to one embodiment, a battery may include a positive plate having a grid pasted with a lead oxide material, a negative plate having a grid pasted with a lead based material, a separator separating the positive plate and the negative plate, and an electrolyte. A nonwoven glass mat may be in contact with a surface of either or both the positive plate or the negative plate to reinforce the plate. The nonwoven glass mat may include a plurality of first coarse fibers having fiber diameters between about 6 μm and 11 μm and a plurality of second coarse fibers having fiber diameters between about 10 μm and 20 μm.

Embodiments of the invention provide batteries, electrodes, and methods of making the same. According to one embodiment, a battery may include a positive plate having a grid pasted with a lead oxide material, a negative plate having a grid pasted with a lead based material, a separator separating the positive plate and the negative plate, and an electrolyte. A nonwoven glass mat may be in contact with a surface of either or both the positive plate or the negative plate to reinforce the plate. The nonwoven glass mat may include a plurality of first coarse fibers having fiber diameters between about 6 μm and 11 μm and a plurality of second coarse fibers having fiber diameters between about 10 μm and 20 μm.

Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).

An electrochemical cell includes solid-state, printable anode layer, cathode layer and non-aqueous gel electrolyte layer coupled to the anode layer and cathode layer. The electrolyte layer provides physical separation between the anode layer and the cathode layer, and comprises a composition configured to provide ionic communication between the anode layer and cathode layer by facilitating transmission of multivalent ions between the anode layer and the cathode layer.

An electrochemical cell includes solid-state, printable anode layer, cathode layer and non-aqueous gel electrolyte layer coupled to the anode layer and cathode layer. The electrolyte layer provides physical separation between the anode layer and the cathode layer, and comprises a composition configured to provide ionic communication between the anode layer and cathode layer by facilitating transmission of multivalent ions between the anode layer and the cathode layer.

A composite cathode active material, a cathode and a lithium battery that include the composite cathode active material, and a method of preparing the composite cathode active material are provided. The composite cathode active material includes: a core including a lithium transition metal oxide; and a shell arranged along a surface of the core, wherein the shell includes at least one first metal oxide represented by M.sub.aO.sub.b (where 0<a≤3, 0<b<4, when a is 1, 2, or 3, b is not an integer); a first carbon-based material; and a second carbon-based material, where the at least one first metal oxide is arranged in a matrix of the first carbon-based material, M is at least one metal selected from among Groups 2 to 13, 15, and 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements, and the second carbon-based material includes fibrous carbon having an aspect ratio of greater than or equal to 10.

A composite cathode active material, a cathode and a lithium battery that include the composite cathode active material, and a method of preparing the composite cathode active material are provided. The composite cathode active material includes: a core including a lithium transition metal oxide; and a shell arranged along a surface of the core, wherein the shell includes at least one first metal oxide represented by M.sub.aO.sub.b (where 0<a≤3, 0<b<4, when a is 1, 2, or 3, b is not an integer); a first carbon-based material; and a second carbon-based material, where the at least one first metal oxide is arranged in a matrix of the first carbon-based material, M is at least one metal selected from among Groups 2 to 13, 15, and 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements, and the second carbon-based material includes fibrous carbon having an aspect ratio of greater than or equal to 10.

A lead-based alloy containing alloying additions of bismuth, antimony, arsenic, and tin is used for the production of doped leady oxides, lead-acid battery active materials, lead-acid battery electrodes, and lead-acid batteries.