National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Sandia Corporation

Qorvo Us, Inc.

The University of New Mexico

Timothy N Lambert

David R Wheeler

Cody M Washburn

Tarak A Railkar

Christopher T Rodenbeck

Michael Hibbs

David Bruce Burckel

Patrick Sean Finnegan

Richard Alan Kemp

Ronald J Stanis

Bernadette A Hernandez-Sanchez

Christopher Dyck

Diane Dickie

Lee Taylor Massey

Jennifer Marie Strong

The present disclosure is directed to cobalt and nickel cobalt phosphide/phosphate electrocatalyst nanoparticles for catalyzing electrochemical reactions, such as water splitting. The nanoparticles are formed into electrodes that have bi-functional oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) capabilities.

Nickel cobalt phosphide-based nanoparticles and methods of making, and electrochemical systems and methods

The present invention provides a novel solution or route for metal phosphide (MP) nanomaterials from the thermal decomposition of metal bis[bis(diisopropylphosphino)amide], M[N(PPri)], and/or single-source precursors. Synthetic routes to MPnanomaterials may be used in energy applications including batteries, semiconductors, magnets, catalyst, lasers, inks, electrocatalysts and photodiodes.

Metal phosphide nanomaterials prepared from single source metal amides

The various technologies presented herein relate to formation of carbon micromechanical systems (CMEMS), wherein the CMEMS comprise multiple layers of carbon structures and are formed using a plurality of photoresist precursors that are processed to form carbon. The various embodiments can be utilized in producing a plurality of CMEMS with full production level fabrication, e.g., 6 inch wafers can be processed. A pyrolyzed layer of carbon is lithographically defined after pyrolysis, wherein the post-pyrolysis etch process can produce carbon structures having repeatable and accurate device geometries, with straight sidewalls. A sacrificial layer can be applied to facilitate separation of a first carbon layer from a second carbon layer, wherein, upon pyrolysis to form the second carbon layer and lithography thereof, the sacrificial layer is removed to form a CMEMS comprising a first carbon layer (e.g., comprising bottom contacts) located beneath a second carbon layer (e.g., a mechanical layer).

Fabrication of multilayered carbon MEMS devices

An apparatus includes an electrochemical half-cell comprising: an electrolyte, an anode; and an ionomeric barrier positioned between the electrolyte and the anode. The anode may comprise a multi-electron vanadium phosphorous. The electrochemical half-cell is configured to oxidize the vanadium and phosphorous alloy to release electrons. A method of mitigating corrosion in an electrochemical cell includes disposing an ionomeric barrier in a path of electrolyte or ion flow to an anode and mitigating anion accumulation on the surface of the anode.

Electrochemical cell having a vanadium phosphorous alloy electrode

Various technologies presented herein relate to forming one or more heat dissipating structures (e.g., heat spreaders and/or heat sinks) on a substrate, wherein the substrate forms part of an electronic component. The heat dissipating structures are formed from graphene, with advantage being taken of the high thermal conductivity of graphene. The graphene (e.g., in flake form) is attached to a diazonium molecule, and further, the diazonium molecule is utilized to attach the graphene to material forming the substrate. A surface of the substrate is treated to comprise oxide-containing regions and also oxide-free regions having underlying silicon exposed. The diazonium molecule attaches to the oxide-free regions, wherein the diazonium molecule bonds (e.g., covalently) to the exposed silicon. Attachment of the diazonium plus graphene molecule is optionally repeated to enable formation of a heat dissipating structure of a required height.

Graphene heat dissipating structure

An apparatus includes an electrochemical half-cell comprising: an electrolyte, an anode; and an ionomeric barrier positioned between the electrolyte and the anode. The anode may comprise a multi-electron vanadium phosphorous alloy, such as VP, wherein x is 1-5. The electrochemical half-cell is configured to oxidize the vanadium and phosphorous alloy to release electrons. A method of mitigating corrosion in an electrochemical cell includes disposing an ionomeric barrier in a path of electrolyte or ion flow to an anode and mitigating anion accumulation on the surface of the anode.

Electrochemical cell structure including an ionomeric barrier

An apparatus of an aspect includes a fuel cell catalyst layer. The fuel cell catalyst layer is operable to catalyze a reaction involving a fuel reactant. A fuel cell gas diffusion layer is coupled with the fuel cell catalyst layer. The fuel cell gas diffusion layer includes a porous electrically conductive material. The porous electrically conductive material is operable to allow the fuel reactant to transfer through the fuel cell gas diffusion layer to reach the fuel cell catalyst layer. The porous electrically conductive material is also operable to conduct electrons associated with the reaction through the fuel cell gas diffusion layer. An electrically conductive polymer material is coupled with the fuel cell gas diffusion layer. The electrically conductive polymer material is operable to limit transfer of the fuel reactant to the fuel cell catalyst layer.

Conductive polymer layers to limit transfer of fuel reactants to catalysts of fuel cells to reduce reactant crossover

A microporous carbon scaffold is produced by lithographically patterning a carbon-containing photoresist, followed by pyrolysis of the developed resist structure. Prior to exposure, the photoresist is loaded with a nanoparticulate material. After pyrolysis, the nanonparticulate material is dispersed in, and intimately mixed with, the carbonaceous material of the scaffold, thereby yielding a carbon composite structure.

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Timothy N Lambert