Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present application or invention is directed to novel or improved porous membranes or substrates, separator membranes, separators, composites, electrochemical devices, batteries, methods of making such membranes or substrates, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes or substrates, separators and/or batteries. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present application is directed to novel or improved porous membranes having a coating layer, battery separator membranes having a coating layer, separators, energy storage devices, batteries, including lead acid batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries.

Abstract: A battery separator for extending the cycle life of a battery has a separator and a conductive layer. The conductive layer is disposed upon the separator. The conductive layer is adapted to be in contact with the positive electrode of the battery thereby providing a new route of current to and from the positive electrode.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments of the present invention, a novel concept of utilizing PIMS minerals as a filler component within a microporous lead-acid battery separator is provided. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, the PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A multilayer deep cycle battery separator comprising at least two layers of an automotive-sized separator bonded or welded together. The automotive-sized separator layers include a backweb having a backweb thickness between 6 to 10 mils, an overall thickness of between 25 to 65 mils, and a rib base width of between 20 to 35 mils. The automotive-sized separator layers also have an extraction time of between 45 to 75 seconds, thereby providing an overall extraction time of less than a standard deep cycle battery separator.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler, providing a processing plasticizer, adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lead acid (storage) battery is made from a thermoplastic sheet material. The sheet material has a central region flanked by peripheral regions. The central region includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs that are integrally formed from the sheet material. The peripheral regions are free of ribs and may include a densified structure. Also disclosed are a method of producing the foregoing separator, an envelope separator made from the sheet material, and a method of making the envelope separator.

Abstract: Improved battery separators, batteries, and systems, as well as methods relating thereto are disclosed herein for use in various lead acid batteries such as valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries that include one or more AGM layers. The improved battery separators described herein may provide a battery system with an advantage of a significantly decreased acid filling time and a significantly increased acid filling speed. Various improved batteries, methods and systems are described herein using such improved battery separators that increase acid filling speed and decrease acid filling time for a VRLA battery.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or high performance ISS lead acid battery separators, such as improved ISS flooded lead acid battery separators, ISS batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred ISS separator may include negative cross ribs and/or PIMS minerals. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, a PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.

Abstract: New or improved battery separators for lead-acid batteries that include a carbon or mineral additive applied to the separator. In possibly preferred embodiments, the battery separator may include engineered carbon materials applied to the battery separator to modify sulfate crystal formation while decreasing the detrimental consequences of excessive gas evolution into the negative electrode itself. In one embodiment, a method of enhancing the lead-acid energy storage performance of a lead-acid battery may include delivering carbon to the negative active material surface of the battery separator where the carbon may effectively enhance charge acceptance and improve life cycle performance of a lead-acid battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are soluble content absorbent glass mats or AGM separators for VRLA, AGM, or VRLA AGM batteries. Such glass mats may be prepared from insoluble glass fibers blended with soluble content materials. Upon exposure to a suitable solvent, the dissolving or solvating of the soluble content produces voids within the glass mat. The voids enhance the absorption of the solvent within the glass mat. The soluble content may be acid-soluble glass fibers or microfibers.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lead/acid battery is resistant to oxidation arising from the use of water or acid containing contaminants, for example chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and the like. The separator is a microporous membrane including a rubber. The rubber is no more than about 12% by weight of the separator. The rubber may be rubber latex, tire crumb, and combinations thereof. The rubber may be impregnated into the microporous membrane. The microporous membrane may be a microporous sheet of polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, phenol-formaldehyde resins, cross-linked rubber, or nonwoven fibers. A method for preventing the oxidation and/or extending battery life of the separator is also included.

Abstract: In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure is directed to new or improved battery separators, components, materials, additives, surfactants, lead acid batteries, systems, vehicles, and/or related methods of production and/or use. In at least certain embodiments, the instant disclosure is directed to surfactants or other additives for use with a battery separator for use in a lead acid battery, to battery separators with a surfactant or other additive, and/or to batteries including such separators. In at least certain select embodiments, the instant disclosure relates to new or improved lead acid battery separators and/or systems including improved water loss technology and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof.

Abstract: A separator for a lead acid battery is a porous membrane having a positive electrode face and a negative electrode face. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, a plurality of protrusions or a nonwoven material may be disposed upon the positive electrode face. A plurality of transversely extending ribs are disposed upon the negative electrode face. The transverse ribs disposed upon the negative electrode face are preferably juxtaposed to a negative electrode of the lead acid battery, when the separator is placed within that battery.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler, providing a processing plasticizer, adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: An improved, new, modified, or more robust embossed battery separator for a storage battery, a method for its production, an envelope embossed separator, batteries including the embossed separators and/or envelopes, and/or related methods for the production and/or use of the embossed separators, embossed envelopes, and/or batteries including such embossed separators and/or envelopes.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments of the present invention, a novel concept of utilizing PIMS minerals as a filler component within a microporous lead-acid battery separator is provided. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, the PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator material (6) for forming a separator for a lead-acid accumulator, especially in the form of unfinished rolled product, and a method for the production thereof. The inventive separator material (6) comprises a first layer in the form of a microporous film (1) and at least one second layer in the form of a planar fleece material (7). At least one face of the microporous film (1), which is made of a thermoplastic material, is provided with a number of protrusions (2, 2?) defining an area with an increased film thickness on a basic film sheet. The fleece material (7) is welded to the film (1) by means of ultrasonic welding in such a way that the planar fleece material (7) is located at least at the level of the surface of the basic film sheet without invading the same in the area of the welded joints (8).

Abstract: A battery separator for extending the cycle life of a battery has a separator and a conductive layer. The conductive layer is disposed upon the separator. The conductive layer is adapted to be in contact with the positive electrode of the battery thereby providing a new route of current to and from the positive electrode.