Abstract: Provided are rechargeable batteries, positive electrodes, and methods for manufacturing rechargeable batteries and positive electrodes. A rechargeable battery as disclosed includes a zinc metal negative electrode, an electrolyte having a pH between ˜4 and ˜6, and a positive electrode. The positive electrode includes a current collector and a primer coating layer applied to the current collector to form a primer-coated current collector for protecting the current collector from the electrolyte. The primer coating layer includes a binder and a conductive filler. The positive electrode further includes a positive electrode composite layer applied to the primer coating layer. The positive electrode composite layer includes a hydrophilic binder, a conductive additive, and a material that undergoes reversible faradaic reactions with zinc ions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: Separators for zinc metal batteries, zinc metal batteries, and methods of fabricating a separator for use in a zinc metal battery are provided. The separator includes a hydrophilic membrane having a first side for facing a negative electrode when arranged in the zinc metal battery and a second side for facing a positive electrode when arranged in the zinc metal battery. The hydrophilic membrane includes a plurality of pores traversing the hydrophilic membrane from the first side to the second side enabling flow of zinc cations between the negative electrode and the positive electrode through the separator. Each of the pores may have a pore size ranging from about 0.1 to 1.3 ?m.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: Provided is a secondary electrochemical cell for storing and delivery electrical energy and method of forming same. The secondary electrochemical cell includes: a thin film zinc metal negative electrode comprising a negative electrode current collector and a zinc metal layer applied to the negative electrode current collector; a thin film positive electrode comprising a positive electrode current collector and an active material layer applied to the positive electrode current collector, wherein the active material layer electrochemically reacts reversibly with Zn2+ cations; an aqueous electrolyte ionically coupling the negative electrode to the positive electrode; and a thin separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the separator is wetted by the aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: A card-enabled processing system comprises a security module for securely exchanging data with cards, such as smart cards, and an application module for processing data from the smart cards. The security module encrypts and decrypts data using keys, which are securely stored in a secure memory. The security module also validates the cards before processing by the application module occurs and assists the card in validating the system. The application module provides a common platform in which different types of smart cards can be processed.

Abstract: An access control system, and a method of controlling an access to a controlled area, comprising an integrated-circuit card key having contact pads and a sufficient memory capacity to store key access information and transaction information, information in the integrated circuit integral therein at respective addresses, and an acceptor which includes a memory to store lock access information, and circuity for reading the key and lock access information, whenever the contact pads of the key is electrically engaged with the acceptor, comparing the key and lock access information, providing a control signal to the opening mechanism of an access controlled area based on a comparison, result and recording transactional information from the lock into the integrated circuit of the key at respective addresses.