Abstract: Improved nonaqueous electrolytes for application in electrical storage devices such as electrochemical capacitors or batteries are disclosed. The electrolytes of the invention contain salts consisting of alkyl substituted, cyclic delocalized aromatic cations, and their perfluoro derivatives, and certain polyatomic anions having a van der Waals volume less than or equal to 100 .ANG..sup.3, preferably inorganic perfluoride anions and most preferably PF.sub.6.sup.-, the salts being dissolved in organic liquids, and preferably alkyl carbonate solvents, or liquid sulfur dioxide or combinations thereof, at a concentration of greater than 0.5M and preferably greater than 1.0M. Exemplary electrolytes comprise 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate dissolved in a cyclic or acylic alkyl carbonate, or methyl formate, or a combination therof.

Abstract: A series of electroactive insertion compounds, LiM.sub.y.sup.II M.sub.z.sup.III Mn.sub.l.sup.III Mn.sub.q.sup.IV O.sub.4 (0<y+z.ltoreq.0.5, y+z+l+q=2), where M=any transition metal or combination of metals, for application in non-aqueous batteries, capacitors, and superconducting materials, are disclosed. These newly synthesized compounds are unique in that they contain at least two mixed valence elements, thereby allowing the reversible intercalation of lithium cations at potentials near 4.7-5.1 V vs. lithium. Also disclosed are novel copper insertion compounds of the formula LiM.sub.y Cu.sub.0.5-y Mn.sub.1.5 O.sub.4 (0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.49), where M=one or more metals or transition metals. Such materials have also been found to be remarkably stable at this voltage upon repeated cycling.

Abstract: Ionic liquids having improved properties for application in non-aqueous batteries, electrochemical capacitors, electroplating, catalysis and chemical separations are disclosed. Exemplary compounds have one of the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are either H; F; separate alkyl groups of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, respectively, or joined together to constitute a unitary alkylene radical of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms forming a ring structure converging on N; or separate phenyl groups; and wherein the alkyl groups, alkylene radicals or phenyl groups may be substituted with electron withdrawing groups, preferably F--, Cl--, CF.sub.3 --, SF.sub.5 --, CF.sub.3 S--, (CF.sub.3).sub.2 CHS-- or (CF.sub.3).sub.3 CS--; and X.sup.- is a non-Lewis acid-containing polyatomic anion having a van der Waals volume exceeding 100 .ANG..sup.3.

Abstract: Salts for use in nonaqueous electrolytes, and electrolytes and electromical generators including such materials. An exemplary compound for use as an electrolyte in an electrochemical cell has the formula ##STR1## wherein M.sup.n+ is an ion of Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, or Al; each of the moieties Y, Y', and Y", are>SO.sub.2 or>CO; the groups R and R' are separate halogenated alkyl groups of 1-4 carbon atoms, respectively or are joined together to constitute a unitary halogenated alkylene radical of from 2-4 carbon atoms linking Y and Y' and forming a ring structure which includes R, R', Y, Y', and the carbon atom to which Y and Y' are attached; the group R" is an alkyl or haloalkyl radical of 1-4 carbon atoms or a halogenated phenyl group; n is an integer of 1-3 depending on the identity of the metal M; and metal ion M.sup.n+ is an ion of Li, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn or Al when each of the Y--R, Y'--R', and Y"--R" groups is SO.sub.2 CF.sub.3.

Abstract: Methods and kits are set out having improved selectivity and improved sensitivity for use in field and home immunoassays. A specifically binding biomaterial is attached to a macroextensive surface of a plastic strip or the like. A biological substance which is a specific binding partner to a binding site of the specifically binding biomaterial is attached to each of a plurality of synthetic particles. The particles are of a preselected size, refractive index, or the like to enhance their visibility in accordance with the Mie scattering phenomenon. Testing is by either contacting the particles with the strips to obtain adherence of the particles to the strips, or by exposing strips having the particles already adhering to them to a solution containing either the specifically binding biomaterial or the biological substance, whereby the particles adherence to the strip is eliminated. A quick and accurate pregnancy test is one result of the invention.