Abstract: A thin flexible conformable electrochemical cell for powering a wearable electrical device comprising an inner electrode having an active electrode face of one charge and an outer electrode having an active electrode face of the opposite charge separated by a separator, wherein said separator comprises an electrolyte layer as a single continuous layer folded around the inner electrode, and wherein the cell has a single continuous flexible coating material folded around the separator and the inner electrode so as to offer protection for the cell, and wherein the coating material is sealable so as define access to the cell for electrode contacts for connection with the electrical device, and so as to offer avoidance of the cell short circuiting in use. Also provided are methods for cell preparation.

Abstract: A thin flexible conformable electrochemical cell for powering a wearable electrical device comprising an inner electrode having an active electrode face of one charge and an outer electrode having an active electrode face of the opposite charge separated by a separator, wherein said separator comprises an electrolyte layer as a single continuous layer folded around the inner electrode, and wherein the cell has a single continuous flexible coating material folded around the separator and the inner electrode so as to offer protection for the cell, and wherein the coating material is sealable so as define access to the cell for electrode contacts for connection with the electrical device, and so as to offer avoidance of the cell short circuiting in use. Also provided are methods for cell preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices incorporating thin, lightweight electrochemical cells and their method of manufacture, whereby a thin flexible pouch-type cell (1) comprises at least one pair of overlying electrode layers separated from one another by an intermediate electrolyte layer (13), the cell exterior being defined by first and second laminated sheets (3, 9) sealed together, wherein each laminated sheet (3, 9) has an outermost layer (3a, 9a) forming a respective external face of the cell (1) and a coextensive, innermost, conductive layer (3b, 9b) that acts as a current collector layer (3b, 9b) and which supports an electrode layer (5, 11), although the conductive layer may also itself act as the active electrode layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for the synthesis of a mesoporous lithium transition metal compound, the method comprising the steps of (i) reacting a lithium salt with one or more transition metal salts in the presence of a surfactant, the surfactant being present in an amount sufficient to form a liquid crystal phase in the reaction mixture (ii) heating the reaction mixture so as to form a sol-gel and (iii) removing the surfactant to leave a mesoporous product. The mesoporous product can be an oxide, a phosphate, a borate or a silicate and optionally, an additional phosphate, borate or silicate reagent can be added at step (i). The reaction mixture can comprise an optional chelating agent and preferably, the reaction conditions at steps (i) and (ii) are controlled so as to prevent destabilization of the liquid crystal phase. The invention is particularly suitable for producing mesoporous lithium cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate.

Abstract: A multi-functional, laminated composite comprises a plurality of cloth layers (3) penetrated by an infused matrix, wherein at least one cell (1) for energy storage is supported by and integrally built up from at least one of the cloth layers (3), the cell (1) being embedded in the matrix. The cell may comprise first and second electrodes (6,7) separated by a porous, separator layer (2) that has a liquid electrolyte-permeable, matrix-free intra-electrode region to which the electrolyte (2?) may be added before or after resin infusion to activate the cell. The structural composite may have integrated energy storage comprising a lithium-ion rechargeable cell, optionally of printed construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices incorporating thin, lightweight electrochemical cells and their method of manufacture, whereby a thin flexible pouch-type cell (1) comprises at least one pair of overlying electrode layers separated from one another by an intermediate electrolyte layer (13), the cell exterior being defined by first and second laminated sheets (3, 9) sealed together, wherein each laminated sheet (3, 9) has an outermost layer (3a, 9a) forming a respective external face of the cell (1) and a coextensive, innermost, conductive layer (3b, 9b) that acts as a current collector layer (3b, 9b) and which supports an electrode layer (5, 11), although the conductive layer may also itself act as the active electrode layer.

Abstract: A multi-functional, laminated composite comprises a plurality of cloth layers (3) penetrated by an infused matrix, wherein at least one cell (1) for energy storage is supported by and integrally built up from at least one of the cloth layers (3), the cell (1) being embedded in the matrix. The cell may comprise first and second electrodes (6,7) separated by a porous, separator layer (2) that has a liquid electrolyte-permeable, matrix-free intra-electrode region to which the electrolyte (2?) may be added before or after resin infusion to activate the cell. The structural composite may have integrated energy storage comprising a lithium-ion rechargeable cell, optionally of printed construction.

Abstract: A method is provided for the synthesis of a mesoporous lithium transition metal compound, the method comprising the steps of (i) reacting a lithium salt with one or more transition metal salts in the presence of a surfactant, the surfactant being present in an amount sufficient to form a liquid crystal phase in the reaction mixture (ii) heating the reaction mixture so as to form a sol-gel and (iii) removing the surfactant to leave a mesoporous product. The mesoporous product can be an oxide, a phosphate, a borate or a silicate and optionally, an additional phosphate, borate or silicate reagent can be added at step (i). The reaction mixture can comprise an optional chelating agent and preferably, the reaction conditions at steps (i) and (ii) are controlled so as to prevent destabilisation of the liquid crystal phase. The invention is particularly suitable for producing mesoporous lithium cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate.

Abstract: A man portable hydrogen source, the source comprising one or more hydrogen generating elements, an ignition control system and a pressure vessel. Each hydrogen generating element comprises a pellet holder provided with one or more recesses and a thermal insulation layer to reduce heat transfer to adjacent hydrogen generating elements; wherein at least one recess contains a pellet of a chemical mixture which on thermal decomposition evolves hydrogen gas; wherein the ignition control system comprises one or more igniters, associated with an individual pellet, and activation means to activate the igniters; and wherein the evolved hydrogen and hydrogen generating elements are contained within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A man portable hydrogen source, the source comprising one or more hydrogen generating elements (2), an ignition control system (3) and a pressure vessel (1). Each hydrogen generating element comprises a pellet holder (7) provided with one or more recesses and a thermal insulation layer (9) to reduce heat transfer to adjacent hydrogen generating elements; wherein at least one recess contains a pellet (8) of a chemical mixture which on thermal decomposition evolves hydrogen gas; wherein the ignition control system comprises one or more ignitors (14), associated with an individual pellet (8), and activation means to activate the ignitors; and wherein the evolved hydrogen and hydrogen generating elements are contained within the pressure vessel.