A method for making a pitting resistant carbon coating that includes a hydrogenated diamond-like coating (“H-DLC”). The H-DLC is relatively soft and elastic. Unlike hard and/or inelastic coatings in the prior art, the present coatings do not exhibit a loss of adhesion (delamination). A bonding layer may be deposited on a metallic substrate and the deposited H-DLC on the bonding layer.

This method attempts to reduce the amount of residual stress and aberration that occurs by eliminating the forceful bending of such standard devices. This invention solves a difficult problem faced by those wishing to create a crystal surface, with even modest curvature, without causing non-uniform residual surface stresses.

The corrosion behaviors of materials must be addressed to develop both durable and degradable alloys for use in various applications and predict their long-term performance in service conditions.

This invention comprises an electrochemical test method that imposes the chemical and redox conditions and allows the material surface representing the long-term performance of durable or degradable materials to develop in various applications.

The invention provides a single radiator cooling system for use in hybrid electric vehicles, the system comprising a surface in thermal communication with electronics, and subcooled boiling fluid contacting the surface. The invention also provides a single radiator method for simultaneously cooling electronics and an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising separating a coolant fluid into a first portion and a second portion; directing the first portion to the electronics and the second portion to the internal combustion engine for a time sufficient to maintain the temperature of the electronics at or below 175° C.; combining the first and second portion to reestablish the coolant fluid; and treating the reestablished coolant fluid to the single radiator for a time sufficient to decrease the temperature of the reestablished coolant fluid to the temperature it had before separation.

A process for forming a palladium or palladium alloy membrane on a ceramic surface by forming a pre-colloid mixture comprising a powder palladium source, carrier fluid, dispersant and a pore former and a binder. Ultrasonically agitating the precolloid mixture and applying to a substrate with an ultrasonic nozzle and heat curing the coating form a palladium-based membrane.

Technology Overview

Argonne’s has developed a suite of surface structures, treatments and coatings for a range of high-voltage lithium metal oxide electrodes, including advanced nickel- manganese- and lithium-rich cathode materials. 
See Low-Cobalt, Manganese-Rich Cathodes for Lithium-ion Batteries for Argonne’s complementary portfolio of Li- and Mn-rich cathode structure technologies.

Benefits 

• Surface-stabilizing structure, treatment and coating technologies offer customizable approaches for a range of high-voltage lithium metal oxides electrode materials.
• Enhance the surface stability, rate capability and cycling stability of electrodes, which leads to increased electrode energy capacity.
• Specifically address surface-related stability for enabling the use of next generation Mn- and Li-rich cathode structure types in lithium-ion batteries.

Applications and Industries

Electrodes used in batteries for: 

• Electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, 
• Stationary energy storage systems,
• Portable electronic devices, 
• Medical devices, and 
• Space, aeronautical, and defense-related devices. 

Developmental Stage

Ready for commercialization.