Abstract: A material for use as an electrode, and particularly the anode (20) of an electrochemical device, such as an electrochemical capacitor device (10). The material is a multicomponent alloy material, including a host matrix material consisting of antimony, and at least one modifier element selected from the group consisting of bismuth, nickel, cadmium, zinc, silver, manganese, lead, lithium, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A one-piece cigarette lighter adapter is described which comprises a barrel for insertion into a cigarette lighter socket, which barrel has a deep groove and a shallow groove, and a slip-ring which fits over the barrel, which slip-ring has a ridge on its inner circumference, which ridge can be seated in either the deep groove or the shallow groove by rotation of the slip ring about the barrel. The one-piece cigarette lighter adapter can fit into both sizes of international cigarette lighter adapter receptacles, without recourse to an easily misplaced separate spacing element.

Abstract: Described is a plug prong comprising a blade and an anchor where the blade has a section cut from one or both sides of the blade. The cut out section is replaced by plastic and the anchor is covered by plastic except for the electrical contact area. The invention provides increased protection against electrocution of a child.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating a microscopically dense amorphous carbon material for use as an electrode (20) in an electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of mixing a lignin material with a matrix-enhancing salt, and subsequently heating (72) the mixture.

Abstract: A device for powering electrical digital pulse discharge applications comprises one or more solar energy conversion modules and a load-leveling circuit that is comprised of at least one capacitor.