Abstract: A battery separator comprises a multi-layered film, individual layers of film having been bonded together by heat and pressure, having a peel strength of greater than or equal to 40 grams per inch (1.6 g/mm) and a thickness of ?25 microns. A method for making a battery separator comprises the steps of: extruding and winding up a first precursor film, extruding and winding up a second precursor film, unwinding the first and second precursor films, stacking up the first and second precursor films to form a single stacked precursor, laminating the single stacked precursor film, winding up the laminated single stacked precursor film, stacking up a plurality of laminated single stacked precursor films, and making microporous the stacked plurality of laminated single stacked precursor films.

Abstract: The instant invention is a separator for a battery having a zinc electrode. The battery separator according to the instant invention includes a microporous membrane, and a coating on at least one surface of the microporous membrane. The coating includes a mixture of 25-40 weight % polymer and 60-75 weight % surfactant combination. The polymer is cellulose acetate, and the surfactant combination includes a first surfactant and a second surfactant. The first surfactant, preferably, has an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of organic ethers, and the second surfactant is, preferably, an oxirane polymer with 2-ethylhexyl dihydrogen phosphate.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium battery is disclosed. The separator has a microporous membrane and a coating thereon. The coating is made from a mixture of a gel forming polymer, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The first solvent is more volatile than the second solvent. The second solvent acts as a pore former for the gel-forming polymer.

Abstract: The instant invention is a hollow fiber membrane contactor. The hollow fiber membrane contactor includes a cartridge, a shell, a first end cap, and a second end cap. The shell, which is adapted for enclosing the cartridge, has two ends and an opening. The cartridge further includes a perforated center tube, a hollow fiber fabric, a first tube sheet, a second tube sheet, and a plug. The perforated center tube has a first end and a second end, and the hollow fiber fabric surrounds the center tube. The hollow fiber fabric includes hollow fiber membranes, and each hollow fiber membrane has a lumen. A first tube sheet and a second tube sheet affixes said fabric to said center tube at each end of the center tube, and the plug is located at the first tube sheet. Hollow fiber lumens are open at the first tube sheet and hollow fiber lumens are closed at the second tube sheet. The first end cap and the first tube sheet define a first headspace therebetween.

Abstract: The instant invention is a hollow fiber membrane contactor, and method of making same. The hollow fiber membrane contactor includes (1) a shell, said shell having a internal bonding surface, an interlocking geometry ring being provided on said internal bonding surface; (2) a unitized structure; (3) a potting material joining said unitized structure to said shell at said interlocking geometry ring thereby forming an interlocking seal therebetween; and (4) end caps, said end caps being adjoined to lateral ends of said shell. The method of making a hollow fiber membrane contactor includes (1) providing a shell, said shell having a internal bonding surface; (2) providing an interlocking geometry ring on said internal bonding surface; (3) forming a unitized structure; (4) placing the unitized structure into said shell (5) potting said unitized structure to said shell at said interlocking geometry ring thereby forming an interlocking seal therebetween; and (6) adjoining end caps to lateral ends of said shell.

Abstract: A lithium ion rechargeable battery comprises: a negative electrode adapted to give up electrons during discharge, a positive electrode adapted to gain electrons during discharge, a microporous separator sandwiched between said positive electrode and said negative electrode, an organic electrolyte being contained within said separator and being in electrochemical communication with said positive electrode and said negative electrode, and an oxidative barrier interposed between said separator and said positive electrode, and thereby preventing oxidation of said separator.

Abstract: The battery separator for a lithium battery is made from a nonwoven flat sheet material having high temperature melt integrity, a microporous membrane having low temperature shutdown properties, and an adhesive bonding the nonwoven flat sheet to the microporous membrane and being adapted for swelling when contacted by an electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator. The battery separator comprises a microporous film having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is bonded to the second portion. The bond has a strength greater than 5 g/in. The film has a thickness less than 1.7 mils, a Gurley of less than 50 sec/10 cc, and a puncture strength of greater than 400 g/mil.

Abstract: The instant invention is a separator for a lithium polymer battery. The separator comprises a membrane and a coating. The membrane has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of micropores extending from the first surface to the second surface. The coating covers the membrane, but does not fill the plurality of micropores. The coating comprises a gel-forming polymer and a plasticizer in a weight ratio of 1:0.5 to 1:3.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane contactor for debubbling (or degassing) a liguid. The membrane contactor comprises a perforated core tube, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding the tubes and having an end, a tube sheet affixing the end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the core tube, and a shell surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and the tube sheet. A lumen side is defined by an internal surface of the membranes. A shell side is defined by the perforated core tube, an external surface of said membrane, and the shell. The membrane is a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane. The skin is on the shell side.

Abstract: A lithium ion rechargeable battery comprises: a negative electrode adapted to give up electrons during discharge, a positive electrode adapted to gain electrons during discharge, a microporous separator sandwiched between said positive electrode and said negative electrode, an organic electrolyte being contained within said separator and being in electrochemical communication with said positive electrode and said negative electrode, and an oxidative barrier interposed between said separator and said positive electrode, and thereby preventing oxidation of said separator.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a battery separator including a microporous polyolefinic membrane having a porosity in a range 30-80%, an average pore size in a range of 0.02-2.0 microns, and being made from a blend of a polyolefin polymer and an oligomer of a polyolefinic polymer.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium-ion secondary battery is a microporous membrane with an adjuvant. The microporous membrane is made of a thermoplastic. The adjuvant, in an effective amount, is mixed into the separator or coated thereon. The adjuvant is a material adapted to reduce or eliminate energy concentrations around the separator. The energy concentration is sufficient to initiate a reaction of the components of the lithium ion secondary battery.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a secondary lithium battery. The battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator sandwiched between the electrodes, an electrolyte impregnating the separator and being in a fluid communication with the electrodes, and a metal package adapted for containing the electrodes, the separator, and the electrolyte. One of the electrodes is in thermal contact with the package.

Abstract: A method for removing a pin from a battery assembly by the step of providing a separator comprising: a microporous membrane having an exterior surface portion of polypropylene, the polypropylene including at least 50 ppm of metallic stearate, preferably calcium stearate Static and being adapted to exhibit a pin removal force ≦7100 g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid. The contractor includes a perforated core and a microporous membrane fabric wrapped around the core. The fabric includes a polymethyl pentene hollow fiber as a weft fiber and a warp yarn. A tube sheet secures the ends of the wound fiber and a shell encases the tube sheet and fabric. The shell has at least one opening to permit fluid flow through the shell and an end cap. In a further embodiment the invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid wherein the contactor is adapted to withstand pressures greater than 0.4 MPa and temperatures greater than 50° C.

Abstract: A split resistant microporous membrane is provided for use in preparing a battery separator. The microporous membrane has a TD tensile strength to MD tensile strength ratio of from about 0.12 to about 1.2, preferably from about 0.5 to about 1. The microporous membrane is made by a process which includes the steps of preparing a film precursor by blown film extrusion at a blow-up ratio of at least 1.5, annealing the film precursor, and stretching the resultant annealed film precursor to form the microporous membrane.

Abstract: A diffusion membrane is a microporous sheet comprising a blend of an aliphatic polyolefin and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) elastomer. The blend comprises less than 10 percent by weight of the elastomer. The preferred polyolefins are selected from a group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof. The preferred TPO elastomers are selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene rubbers (EPR), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubbers (EPDM), and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator. The battery separator comprises a microporous film having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is bonded to the second portion. The bond has a strength greater than 5 g/in. The film has a thickness less than 1.7 mils, a Gurley of less than 50 sec/10 cc, and a puncture strength of greater than 400 g/mil.