A method is provided for synthesizing metal cyanometallate (MCM). The method provides a solution of A.sub.XM1.sub.Y(CN).sub.Z; where “A” is selected from a first group of metals and M1 is selected from a second group of metals. The method adds a material including M2 to the solution to form a liquid phase material that may be either a suspension or a solution. M2 is selected from the second group of metals. The method adds acid to the liquid phase material. The addition of acid to the liquid phase material decomposes the M2 material into M2-ions. Simultaneous with the addition of the acid, a precipitate of A.sub.NM1.sub.PM2.sub.Q(CN).sub.R.FH.sub.2O is formed, where N is in a range of 1 to 2. A variation of the above-described synthesis method is also provided.

Disclosed are batteries and methods of manufacturing batteries with improved energy densities. In some embodiments, a first cathode current collector and a first anode current collector are provided on a first side of a substrate. A second cathode current collector and a second anode current collector are provided on a second side of the substrate. A laser is used to form: a first channel through the substrate between the first cathode current collector and the second cathode current collector, and a second channel through the substrate between the first anode current collector and the second anode current collector. A cathode interconnection is formed, via the first channel, between the first cathode current collector and the second cathode current collector. An anode interconnection is formed, via the second channel, between the first anode current collector and the second anode current collector.

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.

Gravoltaic cell devices and methods are disclosed for producing robust electrochemical gravoltaic cells that convert a gravitational force into electrical energy. The cells includes a reaction vessel and a first stationary homogeneous volume of dissociated aqueous cations and a second stationary homogeneous aqueous volume of dissociated aqueous reactant cations, both volumes being disposed within the reaction vessel, and providing bulk solvent and anions a stationary bulk volume of a homogeneous mixture of solvent and dissociated anions collectively disposed homogeneously throughout the two layers of dissociated aqueous cations. The cell also includes an anode junction providing electrochemically active dissimilar anode/cation chemical species junction. The cell also includes a cathode junction providing a gravity-sustained electrochemically passive similar cathode/cation chemical species junction. One of the several purposes of the present invention is to further study and define said properties and to develop longer lasting interfaces.

An object is to provide a secondary battery having excellent charge-discharge cycle characteristics. A secondary battery including an electrode containing silicon or a silicon compound is provided, in which the electrode is provided with a layer containing silicon or a silicon compound over a layer of a metal material; a mixed layer of the metal material and the silicon is provided between the metal material layer and the layer containing silicon or a silicon compound; the metal material has higher oxygen affinity than that of ions which give and receive electric charges in the secondary battery; and an oxide of the metal material does not have an insulating property. The ions which give and receive electric charges are alkali metal ions or alkaline earth metal ions.

To provide a flexible, highly reliable, and sheet-like power storage device. The power storage device including a flexible substrate; a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead over the flexible substrate; and a plurality of power storage elements over the flexible substrate. The plurality of power storage elements each includes a stack body including a sheet-like positive electrode; a sheet-like negative electrode; and an electrolyte therebetween in an exterior body. An edge portion of the sheet-like positive electrode which extends to the outside of the exterior body is electrically connected to the positive electrode lead through a positive electrode tab provided for the exterior body. An edge portion of the sheet-like negative electrode which extends to the outside of the exterior body is electrically connected to the negative electrode lead through a negative electrode tab provided for the exterior body.

A method is provided for fabricating a graphene-doped, carbohydrate-derived hard carbon (G-HC) composite material for alkali metal-ion batteries. The method provides graphene oxide (GO) dispersed in an aqueous solution. A carbohydrate is dissolved into the aqueous solution and subsequently the water is removed to create a precipitate. In one aspect, the carbohydrate is sucrose. The precipitate is dehydrated and exposed to a thermal treatment of less than 1200 degrees C. to carbonize the carbohydrate. The result is the formation of a graphene-doped, carbohydrate-derived hard carbon (G-HC) composite. Typically, the G-HC composite is made up of graphene in the range of 0.1 and 20% by weight (wt %), and HC in the range of 80 to 99.9 wt %. The G-HC composite has a specific surface area of less than 10 square meters per gram (m.sup.2/g). A G-HC composite suitable for use in alkali metal-ion batteries electrodes is also provided.

A durable electrode material suitable for use in Li ion batteries is provided. The material is comprised of a continuous network of graphite regions integrated with, and in good electrical contact with a composite comprising graphene sheets and an electrically active material, such as silicon, wherein the electrically active material is dispersed between, and supported by, the graphene sheets.

The invention relates to a battery (10) for a vehicle. Said battery comprises a plurality of battery cells (12), which are arranged in a housing (16, 18, 20) of the battery (10), and also a cooling device (22, 24) for dissipating heat from the battery cells (12). A material (32), which takes up a first volume in a basic state and takes up a volume which is greater than the first volume in an expanded state, is introduced between the housing (20) and the cooling device (22, 24). The cooling device (22, 24) is pressed against the battery cells (12) by the material (32) which has changed over to its expanded state. The invention also relates to a method for producing a battery (10) of this kind.

A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a metal shell located over the base and the fuel cell stacks. The metal shell contains an integrated heat exchanger.