UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC

Focuses on the composition, crystal structure, and synthesis methods of positive electrode active materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, often involving complex metal oxides of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium.

Methods for synthesizing high-purity lithium compounds, such as lithium carbonate, lithium sulfide, or composite salts, specifically optimized for use in battery electrodes or electrolytes.

Active anode materials and manufacturing techniques for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, including silicon-carbon composites, graphite, lithium-metal anodes, and electrode coating processes that improve capacity, cycle life, and rate capability.

Process and equipment for producing solid-state battery cells, including solid electrolyte synthesis (sulfide/oxide/polymer), thin-film deposition, lamination, sintering, dry-electrode fabrication, and stacking under controlled atmosphere.

Slurry compositions and coating processes for battery electrodes, including binder/active-material slurries, surface coating layers, and electrode-to-foil adhesion for cathode and anode.

Catalytic processes and novel catalyst materials designed to efficiently produce hydrogen gas from various feedstocks, including hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, natural gas) and ammonia.

Development and synthesis of catalysts with unique compositions or structures, such as medium entropy alloys, metal foam-supported catalysts, layered catalytic articles, or high-entropy oxides, to enhance activity, selectivity, or stability in chemical reactions.

Processes and apparatus for disassembling spent batteries and recovering valuable materials (e.g., metals, electrolytes, plastics) through mechanical, chemical, or electrochemical methods for reuse or sustainable disposal.

Technologies and materials for capturing carbon dioxide from gas streams and subsequently converting it into valuable chemical products or materials, rather than simply storing it.

Methods for depositing thin films with controlled conformality, thickness, and material properties, including selective deposition on specific areas, often using atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or epitaxial growth.

Creation of membranes and surfaces with nanoscale features to control properties like porosity, hydrophobicity, or catalytic activity, particularly for applications in filtration, separation, and environmental remediation.

Methods and systems for real-time monitoring and control of coating processes or chamber cleaning, utilizing sensor data (e.g., thermal, pressure, optical) and predictive models to ensure quality and optimize efficiency.

Development of materials with tailored porosity, surface chemistry, or structure, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolites, or superficially porous particles, for selective adsorption, ion exchange, or chromatographic separations.

Design and engineering of specialized components within deposition systems, such as heaters, targets, susceptors, and chamber walls, to achieve precise control over process parameters like temperature, material flux, and plasma characteristics.

Large-scale processes for synthesizing, purifying, or recycling various industrial metal compounds, including sulphides, hydroxides, and sulfates, often involving chemical reactions, crystallization, or electromembrane processes.

Methods and compositions for identifying, quantifying, or characterizing specific biological molecules (e.g., nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites, antibodies) or microbial species, often for diagnostic, prognostic, or quality control applications.

Involves the design and synthesis of semiconductor or perovskite nanocrystals and other nanostructures with tailored optical and electronic properties for advanced applications in light-emitting devices, displays, or quantum technologies.

Methods and apparatus for the efficient and selective production of organic compounds, including amines, acids, and esters, often involving catalytic or continuous processes and purification steps.

Application of protective layers to improve the durability and longevity of components by enhancing resistance to wear, oxidation, or chemical degradation in demanding operational environments.

Specific techniques and materials developed to remove persistent or difficult-to-treat pollutants from water, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), micropollutants, or specific industrial chemicals.

Systems and methods specifically engineered for removing pollutants and impurities from water sources, ranging from groundwater decontamination to point-of-use filtration, often employing adsorption, membrane, or distillation techniques.

Membrane-based separation for water purification, contaminant removal, desalination, and wastewater treatment, including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and forward osmosis modules.

Processes that use strong oxidants, electrochemical methods, sonic waves, or other energy-intensive techniques to break down organic pollutants, disinfect water, or facilitate contaminant separation.

Focuses on the production and application of cellulose-based materials engineered at the nanoscale, such as nanocellulose or micro cellulose fibers, to impart improved mechanical, thermal, or barrier properties to composites and other products, often from sustainable sources.

Membrane and depth filtration for industrial separation, gas purification, and bioprocess clarification including cross-flow, dead-end, tangential flow filtration, and oil/water separation.

Employs materials engineered at the nanoscale to create highly sensitive and selective sensors for detecting chemical, biological, or physical analytes, often leveraging plasmonic, photonic, or surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effects.

Engineering approaches to improve the efficiency, control, and performance of chemical reactors, encompassing continuous processes, heat exchange integration, and specialized reactor configurations for various chemical transformations.

Technologies and systems for removing unwanted components or separating desired gases from a mixed gas stream, including adsorption, absorption, and membrane-based methods.

Techniques for precisely creating structures, patterns, or devices with feature sizes in the nanometer range, including various lithography methods, self-assembly, and controlled growth of nanowires or thin films.

Processes and methodologies for the efficient and scalable preparation of complex heterocyclic compounds and their precursors, including specific reaction conditions, purification techniques, and intermediate compounds.

Non-chemical or non-biological methods that alter the physical properties or structure of water, often claimed to improve its quality or interaction with biological systems, such as vortexing or electromagnetic treatment.

Methods for treating solid or semi-solid waste (sludge, litter, industrial byproducts) from water treatment processes, often with a focus on reducing volume, detoxifying, or recovering valuable resources like energy (biogas), chemicals, or materials.