Abstract: A method for discharging end-of-life batteries prior to dismantling and recycling involves recovering residual stored electrical energy by draining the battery to a zero charge state, and reverse biasing the battery to bring the potential from a zero charge state of around 2.7 V to a zero or near zero energy state. The reverse bias inverts the normal usage polarity for inducing a reverse current flow, and continues based on formation of internal short circuits formed on the cathode current collector for rendering the battery with little to no energy storage for safe agitation and dismantling.

Abstract: A continuous feed coater for coating a length of substrate with vaporized or sprayed material, is disclosed. A specific example is a roll-to-roll coater which includes two lower supply rollers for supporting two webs of uncoated material, and two upper take-up rollers for supporting the webs after they are coated. A central web-support forms a plenum that acts as a deposition chimney or chamber by bringing the two webs into close proximity to each other to form two large walls of the plenum. The ends of the webs are sealed using side dams to form the chimney with a rectangular cross section such that the vapor cannot exit from the edges of the material. The vaporized coating constituents to be deposited on the rolled material are directed into the deposition plenum from a coating material supply source located at the bottom of the plenum, and are exhausted through the top of the plenum.

Abstract: A continuous feed coater for coating a length of substrate with vaporized or sprayed material, is disclosed. A specific example is a roll-to-roll coater which includes two lower supply rollers for supporting two webs of uncoated material, and two upper take-up rollers for supporting the webs after they are coated. A central web-support forms a plenum that acts as a deposition chimney or chamber by bringing the two webs into close proximity to each other to form two large walls of the plenum. The ends of the webs are sealed using side dams to form the chimney with a rectangular cross section such that the vapor cannot exit from the edges of the material. The vaporized coating constituents to be deposited on the rolled material are directed into the deposition plenum from a coating material supply source located at the bottom of the plenum, and are exhausted through the top of the plenum.

Abstract: An improved chemical vapor deposition apparatus and procedure is disclosed. The technique provides improved shielding of the reaction and deposition zones involved in providing CVD coatings, whereby coatings can be produced, at atmospheric pressure, of materials which are sensitive to components in the atmosphere on substrates which are sensitive to high temperatures and which are too large, or inconvenient, to process in vacuum or similar chambers. The improved technique can be used with various energy sources and is particularly compatible with Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning or removing coatings, such as paint, from a surface with a stream of particles. A carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) pelletizer forms carbon dioxide pellets, which are delivered by a delivery system against a surface to be cleaned. The delivery system includes a hopper for containing the pellets and a high pressure air supply. A feeder introduces the pellets from the hopper into the high pressure air. The combined high pressure air and pellets are directed along a delivery hose to a nozzle, which directs the air and pellets against a surface to be cleaned. Temperature sensors are provided to monitor the temperature of the pressurized air at various points in the delivery system. Signals from the temperature sensor are provided in a feedback control manner to a control valve. The control valve controls the introduction of liquid nitrogen (N.sub.2) into the air stream at a mixing chamber in the delivery system.