Energy Storage Systems (United States)

Solid-electrolyte interphases (SEIs) are essential for stabilizing metal anodes in aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries (AZBs), yet their formation remains intrinsically uncontrolled, leaving the interphase vulnerable to dissolution and water-driven parasitic reactions. Herein, we report an electron-induced molecular programming strategy that uses only 1mM of 4-bromobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate (BDTF) to in situ construct a Zn2+-favored molecular lock on the ZnF2-rich SEI surface. Electrochemically generated p-bromoaniline becomes molecularly woven into the inorganic layer, forming an ultrathin molecular-lock shell (∼1nm) atop a graded hybrid SEI. Through N-Zn coordination coupled with Br-induced interfacial polarization, the molecular lock reorganizes the local electrostatic environment, stabilizes ZnF2, limits water access, and promotes desolvation-facilitated Zn2+ transport. As a result, the programmed SEI enables highly reversible Zn plating/stripping with a 99.8% average Coulombic efficiency, and stable cycling under 80% depth of discharge at 10mA cm- 2. Moreover, it displays broad cathode compatibility, extending cycling stability in vanadium-, manganese-, and iodine-based full cells. In Ah-level pouch cells with ultrahigh vanadium-based cathode loading (21mg cm-2), the system delivers 1.2 Ah with 81% retention after 100 cycles, surpassing state-of-the-art aqueous Zn batteries that typically fail at high mass loading.

2D/3D perovskite-basedX-ray detectors have emerged asone of themost competitive candidates for future medical imaging owing to theirease of fabrication via solution processes and outstanding performance.Nevertheless, despite significant efforts in innovating materialsand device structures, it remains challenging to achieve high-quality2D/3D heterojunctions with a single and effective strategy. In thisstudy, we propose a gas-phase replacement reaction between propylamine(PA) and MAPbBr3 for the construction of the 2D (PA)2PbBr4–3D MAPbBr3 heterojunction.The growth of the (PA)2PbBr4 layer was influencedby the diffusion of PA. The quality of (PA)2PbBr4 could be controlled by finely choosing reaction conditions. X-raydetectors based on optimized 2D–3D perovskite heterojunctionsshowed a sensitivity of 25,143 μC Gyair–1 cm–2, lowest limit of detection of 1.33 μGyair s–1, dark current drift value of 2.27× 10–3 nA cm–1 s–1 V–1, and outstanding performance, which are allbetter than those of detectors based on MAPbBr3 singlecrystals. This research unveils the growth mechanism of 2D (PA)2PbBr4 perovskite via gas-phase replacement reactions,which are beneficial for the construction of high-quality 2D/3D perovskite-basedheterojunctions.

It is well known that the internal gradient (gi) that exists within pores haunts the diffusion coefficient (D) as measured by the pulsed-field gradient (PFG) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Several PFG-NMR methods developed to determine accurate D were not successful. Then, the steady-state diffusion coefficient (Dapp,∞) for the cation [C4mim]+ of [C4mim][Tf2N] [1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium][bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imde] ionic liquid confined in ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) was determined by comparing Dapp,∞ obtained from 1H PFG-NMR performed with three different stimulated echo sequences: STE, alternating pulsed-field gradient (APFG), and magic pulsed-field gradient (MPFG) under the two external magnetic field strengths, B0 = 9.4 and 14.1 T. The measured Dapp,∞, which is an order of magnitude smaller than D of bulk [C4mim][Tf2N], is in good agreement between APFG and MPFG in both B0 = 9.4 and 14.1 T. However, the strong gi artifact, which caused apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp), depending strongly and weakly on B0 and temperature, respectively, in diffusion time-dependent Dapp, Dapp(Δ), obtained from a sequence with monopolar gradients (STE), was suppressed by using sequences employing bipolar gradients (APFG and MPFG) in the region of steady-state diffusion. However, the incompletely suppressed gi artifact resulting in the different behaviors of the early part of Dapp(Δ) between the sequences leads to α ≈ 0.6 and 0.9 in MPFG and APFG, respectively, in the relationship between mean-squared displacement and diffusion time: ⟨z(t)2⟩ = 2Dtα, where α = 0.5 and 1 for one-dimensional single-file diffusion and 3D bulk diffusion, respectively. The above observations clearly show that the diffusion behavior of ions/molecules within the pores and pore structure, such as the surface-to-volume ratio (Dapp(Δ)=D0[1−49πSVD0Δ]) and tortuosity (T ≡ D0/Dapp,∞), is possible to be misunderstood, especially in systems with a non-negligible gi. This work demonstrates that it may be necessary to test several PFG sequences under multiple external magnetic fields for the correct determination of the diffusion behavior of ions or molecules in the pores with a larger internal gradient, gi.

The rapid advancement of reconnaissance technologies has rendered conventional single-band and static camouflage technology ineffective, driving the urgent demand for multispectral dynamic camouflage technology capable of actively changing its spectral properties. Herein, we present a flexible multispectral dynamic modulator (FMDM) that achieves dynamic and compatible visible–infrared camouflage based on a silver-mesh multispectral transparent conductive electrode and reversible copper electrodeposition. The high electron conductivity of the working electrode, combined with the high ionic conductivity of quasi-solid gel electrolyte, enables the uniform, rapid, and reversible deposition/dissolution of copper nanoparticles. Consequently, the FMDM delivers broadband tunability from visible to mid-infrared with high optical modulation contrasts of 0.67 (0.7–2.5 μm), 0.68 (3–5 μm), and 0.82 (8–13 μm), while maintaining a relatively low visible reflectance consistently. Notably, the FMDM also demonstrates ultrafast response speed (2.4/2.7 s), wide operating temperature range (−40–60 °C), and long-term cycling stability. This work paves the way for next-generation multispectral dynamic camouflage technologies.

A major challenge in ensuring the reliability of battery systems is the uncertainty surrounding their service life. An accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) is essential for effective maintenance and operation. Traditional extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithms, which rely heavily on historical data, often have limited long-term prediction accuracy. To overcome this problem, this study proposes a multi-observation fusion approach to enhance the performance of the EKF for battery life prediction. To improve the practical applicability, we replaced the conventional aging capacity test values with operational capacity data obtained under real-world conditions. This modification refined the trajectory of the battery aging state space, thereby reducing the dependency on the quantity and quality of historical data while simultaneously boosting the long-term prediction accuracy and stability. Furthermore, a semi-empirical aging model was introduced to extract prior knowledge from offline data. This provided valuable insights into the life degradation trends and guided the filtering process. The resulting framework forms the basis for a novel RUL prediction method that utilizes a multi-observation fusion EKF. Validation experiments showed that the proposed method enhanced the prediction accuracy by over 60% compared with traditional EKF and particle filter algorithms throughout the lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, the technique exhibited robust stability (with no divergence observed over the full battery life) and demonstrated notable improvements in early stage RUL prediction.

Direct regeneration of spent layered ternary oxide cathodes offers a sustainable pathway for resource recovery and circular battery manufacturing. However, their long-term stability is fundamentally constrained by intrinsic electronic interactions. In particular, the inherent π-type hybridization between Ni 3d orbitals and O 2p orbitals facilitates detrimental Ni migration and rock-salt phase formation, ultimately leading to rapid capacity degradation. Here, we leverage the preexisting Li vacancies in spent LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM) as orientation sites to induce localized lattice stress fields during regeneration. The resulting lattice perturbation modulates the spin configuration of bridging O anions, thereby triggering antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent Ni cations and O anions. Consequently, the Ni─O orbital hybridization transitions from weak π-dominated to robust σ-dominated interactions, as evidenced by enhanced covalent character of the Ni─O bonds. This reinforced bonding framework effectively suppresses Ni migration and defect propagation during repeated lithiation/delithiation cycles. As a result, the regenerated NCM cathode exhibits significantly improved durability, retaining ∼60% of its initial capacity after 750 cycles. These findings reveal a direct correlation between the local valence bond evolution and cycling reversibility of cathode materials, offering new design principles and mechanistic insights for stabilizing regenerated cathode materials.

Gravity storage has become an important development direction of physical energy storage technology due to its high energy conversion efficiency and low site selection difficulty. However, the existing gravity energy storage systems based on pure mechanical transmission still have shortcomings, such as low reliability and high operation and maintenance costs, which seriously limit their promotion. To overcome this obstacle, this paper proposes a linear-motor direct-drive gravity energy storage system (LMDD-GESS) with a simpler structure and higher energy conversion efficiency. The cableless flux-switching permanent magnet linear motor (SFPMLSM) is used to replace the traditional wire rope or chain transmission mechanism and fundamentally eliminates frictional losses. Firstly, in terms of the SFPMLSM, the thrust fluctuation is suppressed through the integrated design of the permanent magnet and armature winding on the mover side and the optimization of the end magnetic blocks. In terms of the system grid connection, the double-closed-loop PI control of the machine side and the three-level coordination strategy of the grid side are established, and the in-phase carrier PWM modulation and harmonic feedback compensation algorithm are used to improve the quality of grid connection. The speed curve optimization and multi-machine-switching scheme are designed to achieve smooth power output. The simulation results show that the proposed system significantly improves the operation efficiency and power output stability and provides a reliable gravity energy storage solution for the high proportion of new energy grids.