Abstract: Sheetmaking processes such as papermaking making systems employ water weight sensors underneath the moving water permeable wire that supports the wet stock (pulp slurry). A dynamically compensated calibration equation that equates the water weight plus fiber weight plus wire weight (total weight) to the resistance measured by the water weight sensor is developed for controlling the continuous process. Dynamic compensation accounts for changing papermaking machine conditions or states that affect the intrinsic conductivity of the wet stock being measured. The amount of correction to apply is determined by the conductance measured by a reference sensor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating polymeric matrices suitable for use in non-aqueous electrochemical cells is provided. The method includes forming an organic emulsion comprising an organic solvent and having a polar phase comprising polar polymer precursors and a non-polar phase comprising non-polar polymer precursors wherein the polar phase is substantially immiscible in the non-polar phase, said emulsion further including an effective amount of surfactant to maintain said emulsion; and initiating polymerization of said polar polymer precursors to form first polymers and of said non-polar polymer precursors to form second polymers wherein said first polymers are crosslinked by said second polymers to form a polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix will have superior physical strength and puncture resistance.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical cell wherein the composite electrode material adheres to the metal current collector to create good electrical contact is provided. The electrode/current collector comprises a current collector, a layer of an electrically conductive adhesion promoter formed on at least one surface of the current collector which comprises an electrically conductive material and an adhesive polymer; and a composite electrode selected from the group consisting of composite cathode and composite anode, wherein the thickness of said electrically conductive adhesive promoter is sufficient to bind the composite electrode to said current collector.

Abstract: A solid secondary lithium electrochemical cell comprises a physical mixture of Li.sub.x n.sub.2 O.sub.4 (spinel) (0<x.ltoreq.2) and at least one second compound selected from LiFeO.sub.3, .alpha.LiFe.sub.5 O.sub.8, .beta.-LiFe.sub.5 O.sub.8, LiFe.sub.3 O.sub.4, LiFe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Li.sub.1+w, Fe.sub.5 O.sub.8 (0<w<4), Li.sub.y V.sub.2 O.sub.5 (0<y<2), and Li.sub.z FeV.sub.2 O.sub.5 (0<z<2). The cell is particularly suitable for use with anodes carbon materials.

Abstract: Non-aqueous solid electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing intercalation based carbon anodes comprising graphite, coke, or mixtures thereof, and an electrolyte having an electrolyte solvent formed of propylene carbonate and 4,5-dichloroethylene carbonate. The cells are particularly suited for low temperature applications.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electrochemical cells wherein precursors thereof can be stored for extended periods of time following extraction of plasticizer therefrom to form porous structures in the polymeric layer and the polymer binder materials of the anode and cathode is provided. Electrochemical cells are produced when the precursors are activated by the addition of an electrolyte solvent and salt.

Abstract: A method of improving the structural integrity of the binder and polymeric matrix components of electrochemical cell precursors by employing polymer blends comprising fluoropolymers is provided. The method forms porous polymeric structures that enhances the mass transport of ions in the cell which results in improved electrochemical performance. Films or webs of electrochemical cell precursors comprising the fluoropolymer blends are flexible which enhances processability.

Abstract: A method of increasing the amount of alkali metal that is available during charge/discharge of an electrochemical cell that employs carbon based intercalation anodes is provided. The method comprises of prealkaliation of the carbon anode. By subjecting the anode carbon to the prealkaliation process prior to packaging the electrochemical cell, substantially all the alkali metal (e.g., lithium) which is originally present in the cathode will be available for migration between the anode and cathode during charge/discharge.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the thermal stability of electrolytic solvents containing lithium salts by the addition of carbonate additives such as lithium carbonate and calcium carbonate is provided. Electrochemical cells comprising electrolytes with the additives are expected to demonstrate improve performance and cycle life.

Abstract: Increasing the percentage of the 3R phase present in graphite reduces the first capacity loss of anodes employing the so modified graphite. Conversion of 2H phase graphite to 3R phase graphite can be achieved by grinding graphite. Non-aqueous solid electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing intercalation based carbon anodes comprising graphite with high percentage of 3R. When employed in an electrochemical cell, the first cycle capacity loss of only about 10%.

Abstract: Non-aqueous lithium solid electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing intercalation based carbon anodes and cathodes comprising Li.sub.x Ni.sub.y CO.sub.1-y VO.sub.4 wherein 0.9.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.1.1 and 0.1<y<0.9 as the cathode active material.

Abstract: A method for removing plasticizers such dibutyl phthalate from the anode, cathode, and polymeric matrix components of electrochemical cell precursors using carbon dioxide in the supercritical state is provided. The method forms porous polymeric structures that enhances the mass transport of ions in the cell which results in improved electrochemical performance.

Abstract: A battery module includes a number of electrically connected electrochemical cells. In a preferred embodiment, the battery includes multi-cell batteries in which electrodes are separated from different potential electrodes by a layer of polymer electrolyte. The battery module is formed from a number of multi-cell batteries stacked on top of one another, the electrodes of each multi-cell being electrically connected to one another, and the different potential electrodes of each multi-cell being electrically connected to one another so that a battery module having desired power characteristics is formed. The battery module includes electrically conductive spacers for electrically connecting tabs on the electrodes to tabs on other electrodes and tabs on the different potential electrodes to tabs on other different potential electrodes and for preventing damage to the tabs or the electrodes or different potential electrodes from bending the tabs excessively.

Abstract: Non-aqueous solid electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing intercalation based carbon anodes comprising a mixture of carbon particles having different morphologies and selected from platelet-type, microbead-type and/or fiber-type structures. The anodes exhibit good cohesion and adhesion characteristics. When employed in an electrochemical cell, the anode can attain a specific electrode capacity of at least 300 mAh/g. The electrochemical cell has a cycle life of greater than 1000 cycles, and has a first cycle capacity loss of only about 5-15%.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing anodes comprising a composition having graphite particles that have a BET method specific surface area of about 6 to about 12 m.sup.2 /g and a crystallite height L.sub.c of about 100 nm to about 120 nm, and wherein at least 90% (wt) of the graphite particles are less than 16 .mu.m in size; a cathode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a solvent and salt that is interposed between the anode and cathode. When employed in an electrochemical cell, the anode can attain a specific electrode capacity of at least 300 mAhr/g. The electrochemical cell has a cycle life of greater than 1500 cycles, and has a first cycle capacity loss of only about 10% to about 15%.

Abstract: This invention is directed to lithium and lithium alloy metal substrates, coated with a polymeric layer containing dispersed lithium or lithium alloy metal particles. The coated metal finds use as anode material in solid electrochemical cells.

Abstract: An electrode for measuring the conductivity of liquid and solid electrolytes comprises an electrically conductive support having an effective amount of a high surface area metal foil thereon.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical cell wherein the composite electrode material adheres to the current collector to create good electrical contact is provided. The electrode/current collector comprises a current collector having a layer of electrically conductive metal oxide on at least one surface of the current collector and a composite electrode selected from the group consisting of composite cathode and composite anode wherein the layer of metal oxide is positioned between the current collector and composite electrode. The composite electrode remains substantially and permanently attached to the electrically conductive metal oxide layer that has been formed on the surface(s) of the current collector during the life of the electrochemical cell or battery.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electrodes suitable for use in electrochemical cells is provided. Each electrode has a perforated current collector and a tab which form an integral unit. The method can be adapted for batch, semi-continuous, or continuous fabrication of electrodes having electrode material laminated onto one or both surfaces of the current collector.

Abstract: A secondary, solid electrolytic battery includes a number of electrically connected electrolytic cells wherein for each cell the anode and cathode are separated from each other by a mask that is a layer of electrically insulative material that is coated along the perimeter of the anode and/or cathode. The mask reduces the rate of dendrite formation and prevents edge-effects, short circuits, and related problems caused by inadvertent contact of the anode and cathode.