A Model Catalyst
Three years ago, a multi-disciplinary PNNL team led by Laboratory Fellow Pete McGrail devised a method to produce magnesium metal from salts extracted from sea water and other brine solutions.
A Unique Coastal Forest Flooding Experiment
This study demonstrated that a large-scale flooding experiment in coastal Maryland, USA, aiming to understand how freshwater and saltwater floods may alter soil biogeochemical cycles and vegetation in a deciduous coastal forest.
Functional Rhythmicity of Gut Microbial Enzyme Is Influenced by Feeding Patterns
This study profiled the 24-hour rhythmicity in bile salt hydrolase enzyme activity using simple fluorescence assay and the results showed that this rhythmicity is influenced by feeding patterns of the host.
ELECTROLYTE FOR STABLE CYCLING OF RECHARGEABLE ALKALI METAL AND ALKALI ION BATTERIES (incorporates 31452-E) (iEdison No. 0685901-18-0024)
This invention is related to novel electrolytes that are stable with alkali metal anode, graphite anode, silicon anode and various cathode materials in an electrochemical cell. Fluorinated orthoformate electrolytes are electrolyte containing fluorinated orthoformate compounds. In an electrolyte, fluorinated orthoformates has no or very poor solubility with lithium salts, but it can works as diluent with the most known electrolyte solvents (such as carbonates, ethers, phosphates or solvent mixtures, which has a high solvability for lithium salts) to form a localized high concentration electrolyte (LHCE) (which is also called localized superconcentrated electrolyte (LSE)) for lithium metal or lithium ion batteries. These fluorinated orthoformate containing electrolytes are stable with anode (such as lithium, sodium, other alkali metal, graphite, silicon and silicon/graphite anodes), cathode (including both ion intercalation and conversion compounds) and current collectors (such as Cu and Al). They are not only stable with anode by forming a high quality solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers, but also stable with high voltage cathodes, thereby improving long-term cycling stability of electrochemical cells. Furthermore, addition of fluorinated orthoformate solvent effectively decreases the electrolyte viscosity and improves the ionic conductivity and wetting ability of the electrolyte. This invention could be widely applied to a variety of electrochemical systems, including lithium (Li) metal batteries, Li ion batteries, Li-S batteries, Li-O2 batteries, sodium metal and sodium ion batteries, magnesium ion batteries, super capacitors, and sensors.
ELECTROLYTE FOR STABLE CYCLING OF RECHARGEABLE ALKALI METAL AND ALKALI ION BATTERIES (incorporates 31452-E) (iEdison No. 0685901-18-0024)
This invention is related to novel electrolytes that are stable with alkali metal anode, graphite anode, silicon anode and various cathode materials in an electrochemical cell. Fluorinated orthoformate electrolytes are electrolyte containing fluorinated orthoformate compounds. In an electrolyte, fluorinated orthoformates has no or very poor solubility with lithium salts, but it can works as diluent with the most known electrolyte solvents (such as carbonates, ethers, phosphates or solvent mixtures, which has a high solvability for lithium salts) to form a localized high concentration electrolyte (LHCE) (which is also called localized superconcentrated electrolyte (LSE)) for lithium metal or lithium ion batteries. These fluorinated orthoformate containing electrolytes are stable with anode (such as lithium, sodium, other alkali metal, graphite, silicon and silicon/graphite anodes), cathode (including both ion intercalation and conversion compounds) and current collectors (such as Cu and Al). They are not only stable with anode by forming a high quality solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers, but also stable with high voltage cathodes, thereby improving long-term cycling stability of electrochemical cells. Furthermore, addition of fluorinated orthoformate solvent effectively decreases the electrolyte viscosity and improves the ionic conductivity and wetting ability of the electrolyte. This invention could be widely applied to a variety of electrochemical systems, including lithium (Li) metal batteries, Li ion batteries, Li-S batteries, Li-O2 batteries, sodium metal and sodium ion batteries, magnesium ion batteries, super capacitors, and sensors.
Shining a Light Source on Batteries
A research effort under the PNNL-led Battery500 Consortium solved a longtime debate surrounding a structure in lithium-metal battery anodes.
Diffusion Barriers in Modified Air Brazes
In bonding an electroactive ceramic to structural metal for electrochemical device application, joining must typically be carried out in an oxidizing environment, nominally at a temperature greater than the device operating temperature (~800°C). Thus, the bond that eventually forms will take place between the functional ceramic component and an oxide scale that grows on the structural metallic component under these conditions. The objective in reactive air brazing (RAB) is to reactively modify one or both oxide faying surfaces with a compound that has been at least partially dissolved in a noble metal solvent, e.g. silver, gold, or platinum, such that the newly formed surface is readily wetted by the remaining molten filler material.
The Layered Look of Lithium Sulfur
Detailed view of a troubling layer offers insights for a better battery.
Methods and Electrolytes for Electrodeposition of Smooth Films
Electrolytes which can effectively enhance the smoothness of deposited films during electroplating process are provided. The electrolyte contains a solvent, a metal (M1) salt containing a metal to be deposited, and an additive metal (M2) salt. The cations of the additive salt can be preferentially adsorbed, but cannot be deposited on the protruded region of the deposited film, therefore forms a positively charged electrical shield which covers the protruded region. This self-assembled electrical shield (SAES) will prevent further deposition of metal (M1) in the protruded region so metal (M1) will be preferentially deposited onto the non-protruded region. This self-smoothing process will effectively improve the smoothness of deposited films during electroplating process.
Redefining Electrolyte Energetics
This seminar series is organized and sponsored by Battery500 Consortium, a multi-institute program supported by the Department of Energy to accelerate development and manufacturing of next-generation batteries for electrical vehicles.