Substituted ramsdellite manganese dioxide (R—MnO.sub.2) compounds are provided, where a portion of the Mn is replaced by at least one alternative cation, or a portion of the O is replaced by at least one alternative anion. Electrochemical cells incorporating substituted R—MnO.sub.2 into the cathode, as well as methods of preparing the substituted R—MnO.sub.2, are also provided.

Disclosed herein is a method for producing low thermal conductivity fibers for manufacturing low thermal conductivity textiles, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the method may include a step of grinding manganese oxide into manganese oxide particles of a particle size ranging from 20 (nanometers) to 600 (nanometers). Further, the method may include a step of mixing the manganese oxide particles with an applicable substance for creating a masterbatch based on the grinding. Further, the masterbatch may include the manganese oxide particles in an amount ranging from 0.25% to 20% by weight of the masterbatch. Further, the method may include a step of applying the masterbatch to hollow fibers of a polymer based on the mixing. Further, the method may include a step of producing low thermal conductivity fibers based on the applying. Further, the low thermal conductivity textiles may be manufactured using the low thermal conductivity fibers.

Disclosed herein is a method for producing low thermal conductivity fibers for manufacturing low thermal conductivity textiles, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the method may include a step of grinding manganese oxide into manganese oxide particles of a particle size ranging from 20 (nanometers) to 600 (nanometers). Further, the method may include a step of mixing the manganese oxide particles with an applicable substance for creating a masterbatch based on the grinding. Further, the masterbatch may include the manganese oxide particles in an amount ranging from 0.25% to 20% by weight of the masterbatch. Further, the method may include a step of applying the masterbatch to hollow fibers of a polymer based on the mixing. Further, the method may include a step of producing low thermal conductivity fibers based on the applying. Further, the low thermal conductivity textiles may be manufactured using the low thermal conductivity fibers.

A gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane for use with gas sensors consists of a film forming polymer which incorporates nanoparticles selected to improve one or more of the following: permeability to gases, to selectively regulate permeability of selected gases through the membrane, to inhibit microbial growth on the membrane. A capsule shaped container consists of wall material biocompatible with a mammal GI tract and adapted to protect the electronic and sensor devices in the capsule, which contains gas composition sensors, pressure and temperature sensors, a microcontroller, a power source and a wireless transmission device. The microprocessor receives data signals from the sensors and converts the signals into gas composition and concentration data and temperature and pressure data for transmission to an external computing device. The capsule wall incorporates gas permeable nano-composite membranes with embedded catalytic and nano void producing nanoparticles, enhancing the operation, selectivity and sensitivity of the gas sensors.

The present invention relates to nanocrystalline cellulose, an efficient way of its preparation and to uses of such nanocrystalline cellulose. The present invention also relates to porous metal oxides having a chiral nematic structure which are prepared using nanocrystalline cellulose.

The present invention relates to nanocrystalline cellulose, an efficient way of its preparation and to uses of such nanocrystalline cellulose. The present invention also relates to porous metal oxides having a chiral nematic structure which are prepared using nanocrystalline cellulose.

A process for producing a cathode or anode material adapted for use in the manufacture of fast rechargeable ion batteries. The process may include the steps of Selecting an precursor material that, upon heating in a gas stream, releases volatile compounds to create porous materials to generate a material compound suitable for an electrode in an ion battery. Grinding the precursor material to produce a powder of particles with a first predetermined particle size distribution to form a precursor powder. Calcining the precursor powder in a flash calciner reactor segment with a first process gas at a first temperature to produce a porous particle material suitable for an electrode in an ion battery, and having the pore properties, surface area and nanoscale structures for applications in such batteries. Processing the hot precursor powder in a second calciner reactor segment with a second process gas to complete the calcination reaction, to anneal the material to optimise the particle strength, and to modify the oxidation state of the product for maximising the charge density when the particle is activated in a battery cell to form a second precursor powder. Quenching the second precursor powder. Activating the particles of the second precursor powder in an electrolytic cell by the initial charging steps to intercalate electrolyte ions in the particles.

A manganese oxide, a manganese oxide/carbon mixture and a manganese oxide composite electrode material, having high catalytic activity produced at low cost, to be used as an anode catalyst for oxygen evolution in water electrolysis, and their production methods, are provided. A manganese oxide for an oxygen evolution electrode catalyst in water electrolysis is provided, which is a manganese oxide having a metallic valence of higher than 3.0 and at most 4.0, having an average primary particle size of at most 80 nm and an average secondary particle size of at most 25 μm, a manganese oxide/carbon mixture for an oxygen evolution electrode catalyst in water electrolysis, having a proportion of manganese oxide to the total of the manganese oxide and electrically conductive carbon of from 0.5 to 40 wt %, and a manganese oxide composite electrode material which includes an electrically conductive substrate constituted by fibers.

A method for recovering an active metal of a lithium secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present application whereby a cathode active material mixture obtained from a used cathode of a lithium secondary battery is prepared, and the cathode active material mixture is reacted in a fluidized bed reactor to form a preliminary precursor mixture. A lithium precursor is recovered from the preliminary precursor mixture. Yield and selectivity of a lithium precursor can be improved using the fluidized bed reactor.

A method for recovering an active metal of a lithium secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present application whereby a cathode active material mixture obtained from a used cathode of a lithium secondary battery is prepared, and the cathode active material mixture is reacted in a fluidized bed reactor to form a preliminary precursor mixture. A lithium precursor is recovered from the preliminary precursor mixture. Yield and selectivity of a lithium precursor can be improved using the fluidized bed reactor.