Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining one or more performance related characteristics (such as state of charge and/or health) of one or more electrochemical cells that store and release electrical energy are disclosed. Embodiments include pressure and/or temperature sensors that sense a change in pressure resulting from the tendency of the electrochemical cell to change volume and/or the temperature of the one or more electrochemical cells as the electrochemical cell(s) are charged or discharged. Alternate embodiments include one or more calculating members that receive pressure and/or temperature information from the pressure and/or temperature sensing members and calculate a performance related characteristic of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining one or more performance related characteristics (such as state of charge and/or health) of one or more electrochemical cells that store and release electrical energy are disclosed. Embodiments include pressure and/or temperature sensors that sense a change in pressure resulting from the tendency of the electrochemical cell to change volume and/or the temperature of the one or more electrochemical cells as the electrochemical cell(s) are charged or discharged. Alternate embodiments include one or more calculating members that receive pressure and/or temperature information from the pressure and/or temperature sensing members and calculate a performance related characteristic of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method for producing nonspherical particles including those of prolate spheroidal, oblate spheroidal, and ellipsoidal shape is described. A microparticulate latex can be produced wherein the microparticles in the latex are substantially identical in all dimensions. The overall shape, volume, and aspect ratio or aspect ratios of the particles can be systematically controlled. Non-spherical particles ranging in sizes from about 0.01 microns to about 100 microns can be produced from a variety of polymeric materials. Such particles can be used as model particles for a variety of scientific studies, calibration standards for electron microscopes, and in a variety of optical, thermal, electrical, and biomedical applications.