Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, coated, or treated separator membranes, separators or membrane based separators for lithium batteries. The membranes or separators may include non-woven layers, improved surfactant treatments, or combinations thereof. The separators or membranes are useful for solvent electrolyte lithium batteries, especially rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and provide improved performance, wettability, cycling ability, and/or recharging efficiency.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous membrane or layer made of a polymeric material having a plurality of surface treated (or coated) particles (or ceramic particles) having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron dispersed therein. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The particles may be selected from the group consisting of boehmite (AlOOH), SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, BaSO4, CaCO3, BN, and combinations thereof, or the particles may be boehmite. The surface treatment (or coating) may be a molecule having a reactive end and a non-polar end. The particles may be pre-mixed in a low molecular weight wax before mixing with the polymeric material. The membrane may be used as a battery separator.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, novel or improved porous membranes or substrates, separator membranes, separators, composites, electrochemical devices, batteries, methods of making such membranes or substrates, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes or substrates, separators and/or batteries are disclosed. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, novel or improved microporous membranes, battery separator membranes, separators, energy storage devices, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are disclosed. In accordance with at least certain selected embodiments, a separator for a battery which has an oxidation protective and binder-free deposition layer which is stable up to 5.2 volts or more, for example, up to 7 volts, in a battery is disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, novel or improved porous membranes or substrates, separator membranes, separators, composites, electrochemical devices, batteries, methods of making such membranes or substrates, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes or substrates, separators and/or batteries are disclosed. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, novel or improved microporous membranes, battery separator membranes, separators, energy storage devices, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are disclosed. In accordance with at least certain selected embodiments, a separator for a battery which has an oxidation protective and binder-free deposition layer which is stable up to 5.2 volts or more, for example, up to 7 volts, in a battery is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed or provided are high melt temperature microporous Lithium-ion rechargeable battery separators, shutdown high melt temperature battery separators, battery separators, membranes, composites, and the like that preferably prevent contact between the anode and cathode when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time, methods of making, testing and/or using such separators, membranes, composites, and the like, and/or batteries, Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and the like including one or more such separators, membranes, composites, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed or provided are non-shutdown high melt temperature or ultra high melt temperature microporous battery separators, high melt temperature separators, battery separators, membranes, composites, and the like that preferably prevent contact between the anode and cathode when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time and preferably continue to provide a substantial level of battery function (ionic transfer, discharge) when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time, methods of making, testing and/or using such separators, membranes, composites, and the like, and/or batteries, high temperature batteries, and/or Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries including one or more such separators, membranes, composites, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed or provided are high melt temperature microporous Lithium-ion rechargeable battery separators, shutdown high melt temperature battery separators, battery separators, membranes, composites, and the like that preferably prevent contact between the anode and cathode when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time, methods of making, testing and/or using such separators, membranes, composites, and the like, and/or batteries, Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and the like including one or more such separators, membranes, composites, and the like.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, coated, or treated separator membranes, separators or membrane based separators for lithium batteries. The membranes or separators may include non-woven layers, improved surfactant treatments, or combinations thereof. The separators or membranes are useful for solvent electrolyte lithium batteries, especially rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and provide improved performance, wettability, cycling ability, and/or recharging efficiency.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, coated, or treated separator membranes, separators or membrane based separators for lithium batteries. The membranes or separators may include non-woven layers, improved surfactant treatments, or combinations thereof. The separators or membranes are useful for solvent electrolyte lithium batteries, especially rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and provide improved performance, wettability, cycling ability, and/or recharging efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed or provided are non-shutdown high melt temperature or ultra high melt temperature microporous battery separators, high melt temperature separators, battery separators, membranes, composites, and the like that preferably prevent contact between the anode and cathode when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time and preferably continue to provide a substantial level of battery function (ionic transfer, discharge) when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time, methods of making, testing and/or using such separators, membranes, composites, and the like, and/or batteries, high temperature batteries, and/or Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries including one or more such separators, membranes, composites, and the like.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous membrane or layer made of a polymeric material having a plurality of surface treated (or coated) particles (or ceramic particles) having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron dispersed therein. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The particles may be selected from the group consisting of boehmite (AlOOH), SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, BaSO4, CaCO3, BN, and combinations thereof, or the particles may be boehmite. The surface treatment (or coating) may be a molecule having a reactive end and a non-polar end. The particles may be pre-mixed in a low molecular weight wax before mixing with the polymeric material. The membrane may be used as a battery separator.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous membrane or layer made of a polymeric material having a plurality of surface treated (or coated) particles (or ceramic particles) having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron dispersed therein. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The particles may be selected from the group consisting of boehmite (AlOOH), SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, BaSO4, CaCO3, BN, and combinations thereof, or the particles may be boehmite. The surface treatment (or coating) may be a molecule having a reactive end and a non-polar end. The particles may be pre-mixed in a low molecular weight wax before mixing with the polymeric material. The membrane may be used as a battery separator.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous membrane or layer made of a polymeric material having a plurality of surface treated (or coated) particles (or ceramic particles) having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron dispersed therein. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The particles may be selected from the group consisting of boehmite (AlOOH), SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, BaSO4, CaCO3, BN, and combinations thereof, or the particles may be boehmite. The surface treatment (or coating) may be a molecule having a reactive end and a non-polar end. The particles may be pre-mixed in a low molecular weight wax before mixing with the polymeric material. The membrane may be used as a battery separator.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous membrane or layer made of a polymeric material having a plurality of surface treated (or coated) particles (or ceramic particles) having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron dispersed therein. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The particles may be selected from the group consisting of boehmite (AlOOH), SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, BaSO4, CaCO3, BN, and combinations thereof, or the particles may be boehmite. The surface treatment (or coating) may be a molecule having a reactive end and a non-polar end. The particles may be pre-mixed in a low molecular weight wax before mixing with the polymeric material. The membrane may be used as a battery separator.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, novel or improved porous membranes or substrates, separator membranes, separators, composites, electrochemical devices, batteries, methods of making such membranes or substrates, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes or substrates, separators and/or batteries are disclosed. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, novel or improved microporous membranes, battery separator membranes, separators, energy storage devices, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are disclosed. In accordance with at least certain selected embodiments, a separator for a battery which has an oxidation protective and binder-free deposition layer which is stable up to 5.2 volts or more, for example, up to 7 volts, in a battery is disclosed.

Abstract: Porous membrane contactors and/or their methods of manufacture and/or use are provided. In at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to flat panel hollow fiber or flat sheet membrane contactors and/or their methods of manufacture and/or use. In at least certain particular embodiments, the present invention is directed to hollow fiber array flat panel contactors, contactor systems, and/or their methods of manufacture and/or use. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, the contactor is adapted for placement in an air duct (such as an HVAC ductwork) and has a rectangular frame or housing enclosing at least one wound hollow fiber array or membrane bundle.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, coated, or treated separator membranes, separators or membrane based separators for lithium batteries. The membranes or separators may include non-woven layers, improved surfactant treatments, or combinations thereof. The separators or membranes are useful for solvent electrolyte lithium batteries, especially rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and provide improved performance, wettability, cycling ability, and/or recharging efficiency.

Abstract: The instant application relates to an X-ray sensitive battery separator for a secondary lithium battery and a method for detecting the position of a separator in a secondary lithium battery. The X-ray sensitive battery separator includes a microporous membrane having an X-ray detectable element therein, thereon, or added thereto. The X-ray detectable element constitutes less than 20% by weight of the microporous membrane or separator. The method for detecting the position of a separator in a battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, can, or the like includes the following steps: (1) providing a battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, or the like including an X-ray sensitive battery separator; (2) subjecting the battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, or the like to X-ray radiation; and (3) thereby detecting the position of said separator in said battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, or the like.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to improved or novel separators, cells, batteries, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to improved or novel separators such as a separator for a high energy and/or high voltage lithium ion battery which is stable up to a 4.5 volt, or preferably up to a 5.0 volt or higher charging voltage, such as a novel or improved single or multilayer or multiply microporous separator membrane. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present application or invention is directed to novel or improved porous membranes or substrates, separator membranes, separators, composites, electrochemical devices, batteries, cells, methods of making such membranes or substrates, separators, cells, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes or substrates, separators, cells, and/or batteries.

Abstract: A method for detecting the position of a separator relative to electrodes in a secondary lithium battery includes the steps of: providing a secondary lithium battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a X-ray sensitive separator located between the electrodes, and a can or pouch housing the electrodes and separator, the X-ray sensitive separator comprising a microporous membrane having a X-ray detectable element dispersed therein or thereon, the X-ray detectable element comprising at least 2 and no greater than 20 weight % of the membrane; subjecting the secondary lithium battery to X-ray radiation; determining the position of the separator relative to the electrodes; and approving or rejecting the secondary lithium battery based upon the position of the separator relative to the electrodes.