The Texas A&m University System

University of California

Choongho Yu

Gang Yang

Woongchul Choi

Ramamoorthy Ramesh

Jaime Christopher Grunlan

Arunava Majumdar

Mark Huijben

Hong Wang

Yufan Zhang

Xiong Pu

Suk Lae Kim

Matthew L Scullin

A hydro-electrochemical power generator includes an interlayer having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first electrode in contact with the first end of the interlayer, wherein the first electrode includes a first material that is a corrodible metallic material, a second electrode in contact with the second end of the interlayer, wherein the second electrode includes a second material that is a corrodible metallic material, and at least one heat source coupled to one of the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to apply a temperature gradient across the first end and the second end of the interlayer, and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to output a non-zero electrical voltage in response to the application of the temperature gradient.

Hydro-electrochemical power generators and associated methods

A method of forming an polymer composites is disclosed herein that includes infiltrating CNT sponges with a polymer or metal to form a composite. The method uses a relatively easy, scalable, and low-cost synthesis process that makes the composites attractive as TIM. CNTs in the sponge structure are covalently bonded, resulting in a low Young's modulus while at the same time maintaining a good thermal conductivity. This strategy makes it possible to obtain both high deformability and high thermal conductivity, which are difficult to have simultaneously due to their adverse correlation.

Polymer composites with highly tunable thermal and mechanical properties and methods of manufacture

Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to a device, comprising: an anode that includes a lithiated silicon-based or lithiated carbon-based material or pure lithium metal or metal oxides and a sandwich-type sulfur-based cathode, wherein the anode and the cathode are designed to have porous structures. An additional embodiment of the invention is directed to a scalable method of manufacturing sandwich-type Li&#x2014;S batteries at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional methods. An additional embodiment is directed to the use of exfoliated CNT sponges for enlarging the percentage of sulfur in the cathode to have large energy density.

Large energy density batteries and methods of manufacture

An energy storage device and method of forming and operating the same. In one embodiment, the energy storage device includes a positive electrode including a first redox polymer deposited on a first conductive porous substrate. The energy storage device also includes a solid-state polyelectrolyte separator operative as a voltage generator, and a negative electrode including a second redox polymer deposited on a second conductive porous substrate, thereby forming an electrochemical cell.

Thermally self-chargeable flexible energy storage device and method of forming and operating the same

Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to a device, comprising: an anode that includes a lithiated silicon-based or lithiated carbon-based material or pure lithium metal or metal oxides and a sandwich-type sulfur-based cathode, wherein the anode and the cathode are designed to have porous structures. An additional embodiment of the invention is directed to a scalable method of manufacturing sandwich-type Li&#x2014;S batteries at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional methods. An additional embodiment is directed to the use of exfolidated CNT sponges for enlarging the percentage of sulfur in the cathode to have large energy density.

Disclosed are non-noble element compositions of matter, structures, and methods for producing the catalysts that can catalyze oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). The disclosed composition of matter can be comprised of graphitic carbon doped with nitrogen and associated with one or two kinds of transition metals. The disclosed structure is a three dimensional, porous structure comprised of a plurality of the disclosed compositions of matter. The disclosed structure can be fashioned into an electrode of an electrochemical cell to serve as a diffusion layer and also to catalyze an ORR. Two methods are disclosed for producing the disclosed composition of matter and structure. The first method is comprised of two steps, and the second method is comprised of a single step.

Non-noble element catalysts and methods for making

Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to a device, comprising: an anode that includes a lithiated silicon-based material and a sulfur-based cathode, wherein the anode and the cathode are designed to have mesoporous structures. In certain embodiments, the sulfur-based cathode is a mesoporous carbon structure comprising sulfur within the mesopores. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to a device comprising a semi-liquid lithium-sulfur battery comprising a lithium anode and a sulfur cathode. In certain embodiments, the sulfur cathode comprises a liquid catholyte, which is housed within a reservoir that is a carbon nanotube sponge. An additional embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for producing a lithiated silicon anode and a sulfur-based cathode.

Large energy density batteries

A method and device produce thermoelectric power and thermoelectric modules. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric module comprises N-type carbon nanotube film and P-type carbon nanotube film.

High performance thermoelectric materials

The invention provides for a thermoelectric system comprising a substrate comprising a first complex oxide, wherein the substrate is optionally embedded with a second complex oxide. The thermoelectric system can be used for thermoelectric power generation or thermoelectric cooling.

Growing community of inventors

College Station, TX, United States of America

Choongho Yu