Browsing by Author "Tour, James Mitchell"

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    Antibiofilm and antimicrobial functional membrane spacer
    (2021-06-08) Arnusch, Christopher John; Singh, Swatantra Pratap; Sargunaraj, Franklin; Oren, Yoram; Tour, James Mitchell; Li, Yilun; Rice University; B.G. Negev Technologies and Applications Ltd., at Ben-Gurion University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    Disclosed herein methods for combating biofouling in a liquid, e.g. an aqueous medium by providing a surface coated with at least one laser-induced graphene (LIG) layer in said liquid medium. Particularly disclosed herein method and devices for treating water comprising passing a water stream through a membrane module equipped with at least one spacer coated with at least one layer of LIG, and optionally by applying an electric potential to the at least one LIG layer to achieve a bactericidal effect in the water stream. Specifically, disclosed herein a polymeric mesh suitable for use as a spacer in a membrane module in water treatment application, said mesh being at least partially coated with LIG.
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    Construction and Regeneration of Solid-State Lithium Batteries by Rapid Joule Heating
    (2024-05-02) Chen, Jinhang; Tour, James Mitchell
    Solid-state batteries, with their superior safety and energy density, are promising candidates to replace current lithium-ion batteries with organic liquid electrolytes. Polymer- and oxide-based solid electrolytes are particularly attractive for their low cost in fabrication and stability in air and under high voltages. The thesis discusses the modifications of solid electrolytes, cathode materials, and their interface. Robust and intimate interfaces are designed and constructed for high electrical and ionic conductivity in solid-state batteries. Chapter 1 investigates the design of a polymer electrolyte incorporating a carbon-based redox mediator, tailed for use in Li-O2 and Li-air batteries. The modified electrolyte tolerates the parasitic LiO2 species, yielding reduced overpotential during cycling and extended cycling life. The underlying mechanism of superoxide dismutase mimetic behavior was studied. The work provides insights into the rational design and modification of polymer-based electrolytes. Chapter 2 explores the interfacial properties between an oxide-based solid electrolyte and common cathode materials. It details the construction of a thin, conductive interphase between lithium aluminum titanium phosphate and lithium cobalt oxide, achieved through a rapid sintering method surpassing traditional furnace sintering capabilities. The enhanced battery performance highlights the crucial role of reaction kinetics in developing an effective cathode-solid electrolyte interface. Chapter 3 presents a general method for applying a carbon coating to cathode materials using rapid Joule heating. This facile post-treatment technique allows for introducing heteroatoms, selectively enhancing the formation of inorganic components in the cathode-electrolyte interphase. This approach offers a practical way to engineer the interphase composition and improve its electrical and ionic conductivity. Chapter 4 explores the thermal-resistant battery design that can be regenerated through rapid Joule heating. The capacity loss due to mechanical failure is mitigated during the thermal treatment. The method proposes a potential solution to reduce the energy cost of oxide-based solid-state batteries, benefiting the circular economy and enhancing energy efficiency. Chapter 5 describes the synthesis of boron nitride nanomaterials through the rapid Joule heating method. The selectivity towards boron nitride nanotubes is tuned in the catalytic growth process, which provides critical insights into the mechanism of rapid materials synthesis techniques. This thesis advances our understanding of the interphase construction in solid-state batteries.
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    Flash joule heating synthesis method and compositions thereof
    (2024-08-06) Tour, James Mitchell; Luong X, Duy; Kittrell, Wilbur Carter; Chen, Weiyin; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    Methods for the synthesis of graphene, and more particularly the method of synthesizing graphene by flash Joule heating (FJH). Such methods can be used to synthesize turbostratic graphene (including low-defect turbostratic graphene) in bulk quantities. Such methods can further be used to synthesize composite materials and 2D materials.