Abstract:
Al—Fe—Si alloys having optimized properties through the use of additives are disclosed. In some aspects, an alloy includes aluminum in a first amount, iron in a second amount, silicon in a third amount, and an additive in a fourth amount. The additive is selected from the group consisting of a non-metal additive, a transition-metal additive, a rare-metal additive, and combinations thereof. The first amount, the second amount, the third amount, and the fourth amount produce an alloy with a stoichiometric formula (Al1-xAx)3Fe2Si where A is the additive.
Abstract:
A method is provided in which a lithium titanate precursor structure is subjected to element selective sputtering to form a lithium titanate structure including a lithium titanate core and a conformal layer on the lithium titanate core, wherein the conformal layer includes titanium oxide. A method of preparing an electrode for a lithium ion battery, wherein the electrode includes lithium titanate structures, is also provided.
Abstract:
A method is provided in which a lithium titanate precursor structure is subjected to element selective sputtering to form a lithium titanate structure including a lithium titanate core and a conformal layer on the lithium titanate core, wherein the conformal layer includes titanium oxide. A method of preparing an electrode for a lithium ion battery, wherein the electrode includes lithium titanate structures, is also provided.
Abstract:
In an example of the method disclosed herein, a precipitate is formed in an aqueous mixture by mixing an SiOx precursor and an acid. The precipitate and a carbon material are added to a base, and the precipitate dissolves to form a solution having the carbon material therein. Hydrothermal synthesis is performed using the solution, and precursor nanostructures are grown on the carbon material. The precursor nanostructures on the carbon material are annealed so that the carbon material is removed and porous, one-dimensional SiOx (0
Abstract:
Membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells and components thereof are provided. In one example, a membrane electrode assembly includes a generally planar gas-permeable body having opposed first and second faces defining in-plane directions and a through-plane direction, a side face extending about an outer perimeter of the body and adjoining each of the first and second faces, and an active region bounded in the through-plane direction by the first and second faces and in the in-plane directions by an active region perimeter defined generally within the outer perimeter. The active region includes a distribution of a composite compound additive dispersed across at least one of the in-plane and through-plane directions. The composite compound additive includes a metal oxide-containing sub-compound and a tungsten-containing sub-compound.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method of making a negative electrode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The method includes centrifugally distributing a precursor including silicon, lithium, and an additional metal (M) selected from the group consisting of: aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), cerium (Ce), and combinations thereof by contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles that include Li4.4xSixMy, where x is greater than 0 to less than or equal to about 0.85 and y corresponds to a weight percent of M that is greater than or equal to 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 10 wt. %.
Abstract:
A method of making a lithiated silicon-based precursor material for a negative electrode material of an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. An admixture comprising a plurality of lithium particles and a plurality of silicon particles is briquetted by applying pressure of greater than or equal to about 10 MPa and applying heat at a temperature of less than or equal to about 180° C. to form a precursor briquette. The briquette has lithium particles and silicon particles distributed in a matrix and has a porosity level of less than or equal to about 60% of the total volume of the precursor briquette. The briquetting is conducted in an environment having less than or equal to about 0.002% by weight of any oxygen-bearing species or nitrogen (N2).
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and high performance electrochemical devices employing electroactive particles having a sandwich structure are described. The electroactive particle includes an electroactive layer between a pair of dimension-control layers. The electroactive layer includes an electroactive material configured to receive cations and experience a volumetric change in response thereto. The dimension-control layers are configured to inhibit planar dimensional changes of the electroactive particle such that the volumetric change of the electroactive layer occurs through a vertical dimension of the electroactive particle. The vertical dimension is orthogonal to the planar dimensions.
Abstract:
According to aspects of the present disclosure, a ternary alloy includes a dual-phase microstructure including a first phase and a second phase. The first phase defines a hexagonal close-packed structure with a stoichiometric ratio of Al4Fe1.7Si. The second phase defines a face-centered cubic structure with a stoichiometric ratio of Al3Fe2Si. The dual-phase microstructure is stable above about 800° C., and the dual-phase microstructure has a first-phase abundance greater than about 50 parts by weight and a second-phase abundance less than about 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ternary alloy.
Abstract:
High-strength, lightweight alloy components, such as automotive components, capable of high temperature performance comprising aluminum, silicon, and iron and/or nickel are provided, along with methods of making such high-strength, lightweight alloy components. A high-energy stream, such as a laser or electron beam, may be selectively directed towards a precursor material to melt a portion of the precursor material in a localized region. The molten precursor material is cooled at a rate of greater than or equal to about 1.0×105 K/second to form a solid high-strength, lightweight alloy component comprising a stable ternary cubic phase having high heat resistance and high strength. The stable ternary phase may be AlxFeySiz, where x ranges from about 4 to about 5 or about 7.2 to about 7.6, y is about 1.5 to about 2.2, and z is about 1. The stable ternary phase may also be Al6Ni3Si.