Materials
Synthesis of Phosphate Lithium-Ion Cathode Materials: Eltron is developing new synthetic methods for preparation of phosphate compounds for application as cathodes in lithium-ion secondary batteries. This synthetic method utilizes low cost precursors, has a minimum number of processing steps, and is flexible for production of a range of phosphate compounds. To date four different compounds have been prepared including Li3V2(PO4)3, -LiVOPO4, -LiVOPO4, and LiVP2O7. This process results in phase pure compounds with powder surface areas up to 100 m2/g. Battery testing data on these compounds show high cathode specific capacities and high cycling efficiencies. More ...
Electron-Conducting Refractory Oxide Coatings: Eltron has developed refractory ceramic oxides which are true metallic conductors. Because the materials are refractory oxides, they have little tendency to further oxidize and, thus, also can be used in demanding, high-temperature oxidizing conditions (up to 900°C) or in oxygen plasmas or strong ultra-violet light without degradation. The materials been mixed with binders to form paints which can be sprayed onto various surfaces or inks which can be printed onto substrates. These coatings have very good adherence to a number of metals. They emit no volatile organic compounds, are non-flammable and are good shields for electromagnetic radiation. These paints are used to bleed electric charge from surfaces and to control discharge of static electricity.
High Voltage Insulating Paint: Eltron is developing refractory coatings that can be used for high voltage plastic insulators used in pulsed power applications. To date we have shown excellent adherence of our ceramic paint to various polymeric materials. This paint requires only a room temperature cure, is water based, sprayable, and contains no volatile organic chemicals (VOC’s). The paint will have other applications if the coatings are successful in overcoming the problems inherent in this high voltage application. More ...
Aluminum Nitride-Oxide Coatings for Hot Pipe Protection: Eltron has developed a patented process for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of aluminum nitride (AlN) coatings. AlN coating have been deposited onto a variety of surfaces including the inner surface of ferrous-based pipe. The coating is dense and well-adhered to the ferrous surface. Coatings up to 10 µm thick have been demonstrated. Once deposited the surface of the AlN can be partially oxidized to produce a high temperature corrosion resistant surface for hot pipe protection. More ...
Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Membranes: Eltron is developing materials for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration membrane systems that are more robust in environments containing significant amounts of contaminants such as chlorine. Eltron’s membrane have demonstrated ten times the lifetime in chlorine environments as standard membranes with more improvements underway. More ...
Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) Modified Epoxy Resins: Eltron has developed a unique method for completely dispersing Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) nanomaterials within high-performance epoxy resins. The modified epoxy resins exhibit improved mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties and have been used in the resin transfer molding (RTM) fabrication of woven S2-glass fiber reinforced composites. Potential applications exist in the electronics industry where the drive to new low-k dielectric materials is a high-priority. Concurrently, replacement of brominated flame retardant additives by POSS nanomaterials is a viable option. More ...
Processable Polyimides for Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) Fabrication of Fiber Reinforced Composites: Polyimides developed at Eltron Research, Inc., have glass transition temperatures (Tg’s) near 300 ºC. Moreover, the resin systems are amenable to solvent free liquid processing techniques such as resin transfer molding, resin infusion or vacuum-pressure impregnation. The polyimides can be formulated to vary and control crosslinking density and consequently resin toughness. Applications include the production of aerospace engine components such as nacelles and use in the nuclear or space industries where resistance to radiation damage is paramount. More ...
Incorporation of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes into Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composites: Eltron is incorporating Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) into a variety of polymeric materials. This is being done through the use of the polymer poly(m phenylenevinylene-co-2, 5-dioctoxyp- phenylenevinylene), (PmPV). This polymer has a helical structure to its backbone that winds itself around both individual SWNT’s and multiple SWNT ropes, providing the nanotubes with a new interface that can act to bridge the SWNTs and the matrix material in which the tubes are being dispersed.. The interaction between the PmPV and SWNTs is purely mechanical, so there is no disruption of the bond structure in the SWNTs. By attaching various functional groups to the side chains of the PmPV polymer we hope to make covalent bonding possible between this new interface of the SWNT the composite matrix without chemically binding directly to the SWNT surface. More ...