An electrolyte for use in an electrical energy storage device includes: a hydrogel and an electrolytic solution retained by the hydrogel; and a polymeric layer substantially encapsulating the hydrogel and forming at least one crosslinked structure with the hydrogel; wherein the polymeric layer is arranged to prevent water escaping from the hydrogel structure.

The disclosed technology relates generally to apparatuses and methods of fabricating solid-state electrochemical cells having redox-active polymers. In one aspect, an electrochemical cell comprises a negative electrode including a first redox-active polymer and configured to be reversibly oxidized during a discharging operation and further configured to be reversibly reduced during a charging operation. The electrochemical cell additionally comprises a positive electrode including a second redox-active polymer and configured to be reversibly reduced during the discharging operation and further configured to be reversibly oxidized during the charging operation. The electrochemical cell further comprises an electrolyte including a solid ion-exchange polymer, the electrolyte interposed between positive and negative electrodes and configured to conduct ions therebetween. The electrochemical cell is configured to store energy for an associated device or apparatus and further configured to provide structural features of the associated device or apparatus. The electrochemical cell may constitute a part of the casing, packaging or containment of the device.

Disclosed is a carbon nanotube dispersion liquid containing carbon nanotubes, a binder, and a dispersion medium. The binder includes a polymer (A) containing an aromatic vinyl monomer unit and a linear alkylene structural unit having a carbon number of at least 4. The proportion of the binder in the carbon nanotube dispersion liquid is 30 mass % or less, and the viscosity change rate of the carbon nanotube dispersion liquid as measured under predetermined conditions before and after leaving the carbon nanotube dispersion liquid for 1 week is 50% or more and 300% or less.

Disclosed herein are compositions, which can be used to coat electrode plates, comprising at least one carbonaceous material and at least one additive, wherein the at least one additive comprises a metal ion selected from calcium, barium, potassium, magnesium, and strontium ion, and wherein the metal ion is present in an amount ranging from 0.5 wt. % to 3 wt. % relative to the total weight of carbonaceous material. Also disclosed are electrodes and lead acid batteries comprising such compositions, and methods of making the compositions.

A decorative ring includes a body having a hollow tubular structure and defining a body space. A plurality of electrical energy generating elements is located in the body space and spaced apart from each other. The body space is divided into a plurality of sub-body spaces separated from each other. Each of plurality of electrical energy generating elements includes a first porous electrode, an eggshell membrane, and a second porous electrode stacked on each other in that order. A light emitting element is located on the body and electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrical energy generating elements. A liquid having positive ions and negative ions in the body space.

A method for making an electrical energy generating element includes providing a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, and an eggshell membrane. The first porous electrode, the eggshell membrane, and the second porous electrode are stacked on each other in that order. The present application also relates to an electrical energy generating device and a decorative ring.

A method for generating electrical energy includes providing an electrical energy generating element. The electrical energy generating element includes a first porous electrode, an eggshell membrane, and a second porous electrode stacked on each other in that order. The electrical energy generating element has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. A liquid having positive ions and negative ions is allowed to penetrate the electrical energy generating element from the first side to the second side.

Sulfur composites and polymeric materials having a high sulfur content and prepared from elemental sulfur as the primary chemical feedstock. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by the polymerization of elemental sulfur with one or more monomers of amines, thiols, sulfides, alkynylly unsaturated monomers, nitrones, aldehydes, ketones, thiiranes, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, or epoxides. The sulfur copolymers may be further dispersed with metal or ceramic composites or copolymerized with elemental carbon, photoactive organic chromophores, or reactive and solubilising/biocompatible moieties. The sulfur composites and polymeric materials feature the ability self-healing through thermal reformation. Applications utilizing the sulfur composites and polymeric materials may include electrochemical cells, optics, H.sub.2S donors and antimicrobial materials.

The present invention provides for a composition of matter comprising: poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-fluorenone-co-methylbenzoic ester)(PFM), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and sulfur particles nanocomposite, wherein the nanocomposite is porous. The present invention also provides for an electrode comprising: poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-fluorenone-co-methylbenzoic ester)(PFM), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and sulfur particles nanocomposite, wherein the nanocomposite is porous. The present invention also provides for a lithium sulfur (LiS) battery comprising: an electrode comprising poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-fluorenone-co-methylbenzoic ester)(PFM), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and sulfur particles nanocomposite, wherein the nanocomposite is porous.

Disclosed is an electrode active material that has a large charge discharge capacity, a high initial efficiency, as well as excellent cycle characteristics and rate characteristics and is favorably used in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. An organo sulfur-based electrode active material contains sodium and potassium in a total amount of 100 ppm by mass to 1000 ppm by mass; an electrode for use in a secondary battery, the electrode containing the organo sulfur-based electrode active material as an electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including the electrode. Preferably, the organo sulfur-based electrode active material further contains iron in an amount of 1 ppm by mass to 20 ppm by mass. Preferably, the organo sulfur-based electrode active material is sulfur-modified polyacrylonitrile, and the amount of sulfur in the organo sulfur-based electrode active material is 25 mass % to 60 mass %.