Artificial Intelligence Brings Better Hurricane Predictions
A new model offers more accurate predictions of how intensely hurricanes may strike.
Metal Fluoride Electrode Protection Layer and Method of Making Same
The present invention discloses a method to modify the titanium oxide based anode materials by coating a thin layer of AlF3 on the particle surface and the excellent battery performance for the thus obtained surface-modified titanium oxide based materials. This method is simple and cost effective. The key aspect of the present invention is to keep the AlF3 coating at low content particularly between 0.1% and 10% and more particularly between 1% and 5%. The thin AlF3-coating layer significantly improves the power performance, capacity retention at elevated temperatures and long term cycle life of the lithium-ion batteries using these surface-modified anode materials.
Thermoelectric Devices and Applications for the Same
This invention describes a process for sputter deposition of thin films of alloys of Bi2Te3, Sb2Te3 and Bi2Se3 for thermoelectric energy conversion. The approach allows deposition of these films on glass and flexible substrates such as Kapton. The process was used to deposit n-type and p-type films that exhibit properties nearly as good as measured for bulk materials. A single thermocouple was formed from n-type and p-type films that produced 3 millivolts under a temperature difference of 10 degrees centigrade. This result demonstrates that miniature high-voltage, microwatt power sources can be constructed from thin film arrays deposited as described by the disclosed process.
Single-Crystal Technology Holds Promise for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries
Scientists have created a single-crystal, nickel-rich cathode that is hardier and more efficient than before—important progress on the road to better lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
Affordable, Reliable and Efficient-Energy Research is PNNL Focus at ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit
New Grid-Forming Inverter Models Help Utilities Plan for a Renewable Future
PNNL and collaborators developed new models—recently approved by the U.S. Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)—to help utilities understand how new grid-forming inverter technology will enhance grid stability.
Sensors and Batteries: Never Small Enough?
The world is becoming reliant on increasingly smaller sensors that improve daily life in many ways. A PNNL-led paper takes a closer look at these technologies and their future development for environmental and sensitive species monitoring.