Abstract: A portable battery pack containing multiple battery stacks operable to deliver power to equipment with differing power requirements that may further be compact and easily maintained. Further, the battery pack may have an integrated battery management system and charger system to prevent over-discharge and/or overcharging of the battery cells contained therein.

Abstract: Provided are sealed pouch-cell batteries that are alkaline batteries or non-aqueous proton-conducing batteries. A pouch cell includes a flexible housing such as is used for pouch cell construction where the housing is in the form of a pouch, a cathode comprising a cathode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an anode comprising an anode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an electrolyte that is optionally an alkaline or proton-conducting electrolyte, and wherein the pouch does not include or require a safety vent or other gas absorbing or releasing system. The batteries provided function contrary to the art recognized belief that such battery systems were impossible due to unacceptable gas production during cycling.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium battery comprising a body of carbon, such as graphitic carbon, having a layer of a Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance disposed upon its electrolyte contacting surface. Further disclosed is an anode comprising a body of carbon having an SEI layer formed thereupon by interaction of a layer of Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance with an electrolyte material during the initial charging of the battery.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for filling and sealing an energy storage device. The process includes, for instance: providing an energy storage device with an opening to an electrolyte-receiving chamber; filling the electrolyte-receiving chamber with an electrolyte; cooling the electrolyte within the electrolyte-receiving chamber; and sealing the opening while cooling the electrolyte within the electrolyte-receiving chamber.

Abstract: Provided are sealed pouch-cell batteries that are alkaline batteries or non-aqueous proton-conducing batteries. A pouch cell includes a flexible housing such as is used for pouch cell construction where the housing is in the form of a pouch, a cathode comprising a cathode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an anode comprising an anode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an electrolyte that is optionally an alkaline or proton-conducting electrolyte, and wherein the pouch does not include or require a safety vent or other gas absorbing or releasing system as the anode active material and the cathode active material do not increase the internal atmospheric pressure any more than 2 psig during cycling. The batteries provided function contrary to the art recognized belief that such battery systems were impossible due to unacceptable gas production during cycling.

Abstract: State of health processes and systems are provided for analyzing a capacitor, such as a supercapacitor. The process includes, for instance: determining a measured capacitance of a capacitor; estimating an effective series resistance (ESR) of the capacitor; determining, using the measured capacitance and the effective series resistance, a linearized capacitance parameter (CAP) for the capacitor; and signaling should the CAP drop below, or the ESR rise above, a respective specified threshold for the capacitor. Using the CAP and the effective series resistance, an amount of energy remaining in the capacitor may be determined, upon which to base one or more actions.

Abstract: Laves phase-related BCC metal hydride alloys historically have limited electrochemical capabilities. Provided are processes of activating these alloys to produce hydrogen storage materials with greater than 200 mAh/g capacities and commonly much greater than 300 mAh/g capacities. The processes include cooling the alloy during hydrogenation to reduced temperatures or by subjecting the materials to significantly increased hydrogen pressures. Temperatures in many embodiments do not exceed 300° C. By decreasing the temperature or increasing the hydrogen pressure the phase structure of the material is optimized to increase a synergistic effect between multiple phases in the resulting alloy thereby greatly improving the electrochemical capacities.

Abstract: A photoprotective composition can be utilized for a variety of cosmetic compositions. A photoprotective composition comprises one or more photoactive agents, and a synergistic combination of polymers. The photoprotective composition can provide a substantially a complete film. The photoprotective composition may comprise an alkyl dimethicone, a polymer with ester linkages, and a phenyl silicone or stearate. The photoprotective composition can further comprise abietic acid and ester derivatives. The photoprotective composition can be a liquid such that it is easily and consistently dispensed from a bottle, pump or spray.

Abstract: A photoprotective composition can be utilized for a variety of cosmetic compositions. A photoprotective composition comprises one or more photoactive agents, at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon, and at least one ester. The photoprotective composition can be substantially non-irritating, substantially non-whitening, anhydrous, a single phase composition, water-resistant and can provide any combination of the foregoing characteristics without further ingredients required in the prior art. The photoprotective composition can be a liquid such that it is easily and consistently dispensed from a bottle, pump or spray.

Abstract: Ultra-capacitor structures and electronic systems and assemblies are provided. In one aspect, the ultra-capacitor structure is configured to selectively power and at least partially house electronic component(s) therein. In one embodiment, the ultra-capacitor structure includes a thermally conductive material facilitating dissipation of heat generated. In another embodiment, the ultra-capacitor structure includes an electrically conductive sheet facilitating electromagnetic shielding. In another aspect, an electronic system includes: an electronic device including electronic component(s); and a support structure physically receiving and electrically coupling to the electronic device, and including an ultra-capacitor structure configured to selectively power the electronic component(s) of the electronic device when electrically coupled to the support structure.

Abstract: Lithiated composite materials and methods of manufacture are provided that are capable of imparting excellent capacity and greatly improved cycle life in lithium-ion secondary cells. By supplementing a high nickel content lithium storage material with a transition metal oxide lithium storage material or a dopant at relatively low levels, the capacity of the high nickel content lithium storage materials is maintained while cycle life is dramatically improved. These characteristics are promoted by methods of producing the materials that intermix unlithiated precursor materials with a lithium source and sintering the materials together in a single sintering reaction. The resulting lithiated composite materials provide for the first time both high capacity and excellent cycle life to predominantly high nickel content electrodes.

Abstract: Lithiated composite materials and methods of manufacture are provided that are capable of imparting excellent capacity and greatly improved cycle life in lithium-ion secondary cells. By supplementing a high nickel content lithium storage material with a transition metal oxide lithium storage material or a dopant at relatively low levels, the capacity of the high nickel content lithium storage materials is maintained while cycle life is dramatically improved. These characteristics are promoted by methods of producing the materials that intermix unlithiated precursor materials with a lithium source and sintering the materials together in a single sintering reaction. The resulting lithiated composite materials provide for the first time both high capacity and excellent cycle life to predominantly high nickel content electrodes.

Abstract: Charge processes and systems are provided for charging a supercapacitor. The charging includes: charging a supercapacitor by applying a constant charge to the supercapacitor; and controlling termination of the constant charging of the supercapacitor. In one approach, the controlling termination includes dynamically determining, during the charging, a remaining charge time for the constant charging to substantially fully charge the supercapacitor; and allowing the charging to continue for the remaining charge time, and based on expiration of the remaining charge time, terminating the charging.

Abstract: Ultra-capacitor structures and electronic systems and assemblies are provided. In one aspect, the ultra-capacitor structure is configured to selectively power and at least partially house electronic component(s) therein. In one embodiment, the ultra-capacitor structure includes a thermally conductive material facilitating dissipation of heat generated. In another embodiment, the ultra-capacitor structure includes an electrically conductive sheet facilitating electromagnetic shielding. In another aspect, an electronic system includes: an electronic device including electronic component(s); and a support structure physically receiving and electrically coupling to the electronic device, and including an ultra-capacitor structure configured to selectively power the electronic component(s) of the electronic device when electrically coupled to the support structure.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy material includes a primary phase having an ABx type structure and a secondary phase having a B2 structure that enhances the electrochemical properties of the alloy. The A component of the primary phase includes La and Ce, and the B component of the primary phase includes Ni, Co, Al, and Mn. The secondary phase may include Al, Mn, and Ni. Also disclosed are battery systems including the alloy material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a structurally and compositionally disordered electrochemically active alloy material as an anode active material with unexpected capacity against a nickel hydroxide based cathode active material. The disordered metal hydroxide alloy includes three or more transition metal elements and is formed in such a way so as to produce the necessary disorder in the overall system. When an anode active material includes nickel as a predominant, the resulting cells represent the first demonstration of a functional Ni/Ni cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium battery comprising a body of carbon, such as graphitic carbon, having a layer of a Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance disposed upon its electrolyte contacting surface. Further disclosed is an anode comprising a body of carbon having an SEI layer formed thereupon by interaction of a layer of Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance with an electrolyte material during the initial charging of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tampon applicator package assembly having a tampon applicator and a cap having a closed end and an open end. The tampon applicator has a barrel for housing a pledget and a plunger. The plunger has an end portion that is a cap cover that connects to a remainder of the plunger and mates with the cap at the open end to provide a seal with the cap that completely encloses the tampon applicator in the cap. Also disclosed is an assembly having a tampon applicator, a cap having both a closed end and open end, and a cap cover for covering the open end of the cap. When the cap cover is placed on the open end, the open end is sealed and the tampon applicator is completely enclosed in the cap.

Abstract: An alkaline, rechargeable electrochemical cell includes a pasted electrode structure in which a composition comprising a paste matrix component includes cobalt in an amount greater than 6 weight percent ranging up to 14 weight percent. The matrix may also include a rare earth such as yttrium. The composition further includes particles of nickel hydroxide dispersed in the matrix, and these particles include cobalt levels ranging from greater than 8 atomic percent up to 15 atomic percent. Cells incorporating these materials have good charging efficiency at elevated temperatures.