Abstract: A substrate and apparatus for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting constituents of an environment by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The substrate is composed of two separate phases: an adsorbing phase which has an affinity for the molecular constituents of interest, and a metallic phase that possesses the specific geometry, chemical and electromagnetic properties required to enhance emission of Raman signal frequencies of adsorbed molecules. An apparatus is provided which includes a monochromatic light source, a means to transmit the desired wavelength from the light source to the surface substrate surface, a means to collect the scattered Raman signal frequencies and transmit them to a detector, and a means to analyze the recorded response.

Abstract: This invention pertains to Lithium batteries using Li ion (Li.sup.+) conductive solid polymer electrolytes composed of solvates of Li salts immobilized in a solid organic polymer matrix. In particular, this invention relates to Li batteries using solid polymer electrolytes derived by immobilizing solvates formed between a Li salt and an aprotic organic solvent (or mixture of such solvents) in poly(vinyl chloride).

Abstract: This invention pertains to Li ion (Li.sup.+) conductive solid polymer electrolytes composed of solvates of Li salts immobilized (encapsulated) in a solid organic polymer matrix. In particular, this invention relates to solid polymer electrolytes derived by immobilizing complexes (solvates) formed between a Li salt such as LiAsF.sub.6, LiCF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 or LiClO.sub.4 and a mixture of aprotic organic solvents having high dielectric constants such as ethylene carbonate (EC) (dielectric constant=89.6) and propylene carbonate (PC) (dielectric constant=64.4) in a polymer matrix such as polyacrylonitrile, poly(tetraethylene glycol diacrylate), or poly(vinyl pyrrolidinone).

Abstract: A fiber-optic probe which is useful for measuring Raman spectra of samples remote from the light source and detector. The probe head contains optical components which selectively remove unwanted fluorescence and Raman scattering arising from the interaction between the Raman excitation source radiation and the input optical fiber. The optics also filter the Raman excitation source into a return optical fiber leading to a spectrometer or detector. In one embodiment, the disposition of optical components provides a compact probe geometry with parallel input and output fibers at one end and a sampling port at the other end. An encasement for the optics is also disclosed, for sealing the components against the environment, and for coupling the probe to specialized sampling attachments, such as for conducting Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

Abstract: An oxidatively coloring electrochromic layer of composition M.sub.y CrO.sub.2+x (0.33.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2.0 and x.ltoreq.2) where M=Li, Na or K with improved transmittance modulation, improved thermal and environmental stability, and improved resistance to degradation in organic liquid and polymeric electrolytes. The M.sub.y CrO.sub.2+x provides complementary optical modulation to cathodically coloring materials in thin-film electrochromic glazings and electrochromic devices employing polymeric Li.sup.+ ion conductors.

Abstract: A process, based on sputtering from metal sources, is disclosed for forming a stable, reduced electrochromic layer in contact with an ionically conducting oxide. A deposited electrochromic layer is reduced by sputtering onto it an alloy or composite metallic thin film capable of injecting insertion atoms into the electrochromic layer. The metallic thin film, now partially depleted in insertion atoms, is converted into an electronically insulating but ionically conducting oxide layer in an oxidizing atmosphere. The resultant two-layer structure, consisting of the reduced electrochromic layer capped by the insulating oxide, may be used as on component in an all solid-state electrochromic device.

Abstract: A liquid mixture is assayed for a biologically active component that undergoes a reduction or oxidation reaction within a specific voltage range by immobilizing at an electrically conductive surface, a binding partner for the component, exposing the surface to the component to permit complexing to occur, applying a voltage to the surface in a range which will cause the component to undergo an oxidation or reduction reaction, and measuring the resulting current as an indication of the presence of the component.

Abstract: A secondary, rechargeable, battery comprising as a cathode-active material, a transition metal oxysulfide having the formula:M.sub.y.sup.1 M.sub.l.sup.2.sub.--Y O.sub.x S.sub.n--xwhereinM.sup.1 and M.sup.2 are transition metals, y is higher than zero but not higher than 1, x is higher than zero and less than 1, and n is half the sum of the oxidation states of the transition metals M.sup.1 and M.sup.2, preferably molybdenum oxysulfide; an anode active material; and an electrolyte. Also disclosed is a method of making such a transition metal oxysulfide by mixing at least one transition metal oxide and at least one transition metal sulfide in aqueous ammonia, removing the ammonia and then decomposing the residue at elevated temperature under non-oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell with an electrolyte and anode has a cathode including an active cathode material with a surface at which at least one side reaction occurs during a normal discharge cycle of the cell. The outer surface of the cathode material includes a protective coating that inhibits the side reactions without preventing discharge of the cathode.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a chemical substance includes an insertion element having a structure which enables insertion of the chemical substance with a resulting change in the bulk electrical characteristics of the insertion element under conditions sufficient to permit effective insertion; the change in the bulk electrical characteristics of the insertion element is detected as an indication of the presence of the chemical substance.

Abstract: In a device for transmitting light, means for controlling the transmissivity of the device, including a ceramic, reversibly electrochromic, crystalline element having a highly reflective state when injected with electrons and charge compensating ions and a highly transmissive state when the electrons and ions are removed, the crystalline element being characterized as having a reflectivity of at least 50% in the reflective state and not greater than 10% in the transmissive state, and means for modulating the crystalline element between the reflective and transmissive states by injecting ions into the crystalline element in response to an applied electrical current of a first polarity and removing the ions in response to an applied electrical current of a second polarity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical cell that includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, the cathode containing more than a trace amount of a sulfur impurity capable of causing the cell to self-discharge and also containing a scavenger that reacts with the impurity to reduce the rate of self-discharge of the cell.

Abstract: A metallic electrode made of platinum, platinum iridium alloy, stainless steel, stainless steel alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, tantalum or tantalum alloys is coated with iridium oxide. Ir(III) trichloride is heated in 5.5M HCl until 75-80% of the solution is evaporated. Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol is added to the evaporated solution to restore the solution to its original volume. This restored acid/alcohol solution is aged for 1-2 weeks. The metallic electrode is soaked in the aged acid/alcohol solution for 16 hours, dried for one hour at room temperature and annealed in air at 320.degree. C. for 80-90 minutes.

Abstract: A metallic electrode made of platinum, platinum iridium alloy, stainless steel, stainless steel alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, tantalum or tantalum alloys is coated with iridium oxide. Ir(III) trichloride is heated in 5.5M HCl until 75-80% of the solution is evaporated. Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol is added to the evaporated solution to restore the solution to its original volume. This restored acid/alcohol solution is aged for 1-2 weeks. The metallic electrode is soaked in the aged acid/alcohol solution for 16 hours, dried for one hour at room temperature and annealed in air at 320.degree. C. for 80-90 minutes.

Abstract: Rechargeable electrochemical cell including a lithium-containing electrode and an electrolyte, the electrolyte including a lithium salt; a solvent for the lithium salt comprising a polymethoxy ether having the formula(CH.sub.3 O).sub.n CR.sub.pwherein n is 2 or 3, p is 2 when n is 2 and 1 when n is 3, and R is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing between one and four carbon atoms, inclusive, provided that, when p is 2, one R can be the same as or different from the other R; and an organic cosolvent comprising between 0 and 95% of the electrolyte, by volume, the polymethoxy ether being present in the electrolyte in an amount sufficient to render the cycling efficiency of the electrolyte greater than the cycling efficiency of an electrolyte consisting of the lithium salt and the cosolvent.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a housing containing a sodium anode assembly, a cathode assembly, and an electrolyte, in which the electrolyte is a sodium ion conducting alkali metal aluminum tetrahalide and the cathode material is a transition metal chalcogenide, or a reaction product of the chalcogenide and the electrolyte, disposed on a substrate in contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell comprising a sealed container having a light-transmitting window for admitting light into the container across a light-admitting plane, an electrolyte in the container, a photoelectrode in the container having a light-absorbing surface arranged to receive light from the window and in contact with the electrolyte, the surface having a plurality of spaced portions oblique to the plane, each portion having dimensions at least an order of magnitude larger than the maximum wavelength of incident sunlight, the total surface area of the surface being larger than the area of the plane bounded by the container, and a counter electrode in the container in contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: Metal/gas battery featuring a sealed pressure vessel containing a plurality of electrode stacks encased in hydrophobic cups having a gap between them.

Abstract: An all solid-state variable transmission electrochromic device has a source of charge compensating ions. An inorganic oxide counterelectrode film which on reduction with the accompanying insertion of the charge compensating ions increases its transmission of light of predetermined wavelength is separated from a primary electrochromic film which on reduction with the accompanying insertion of the charge compensating ions decreases its transmission of light of predetermined wavelength by an insulating electrolyte film that transports the charge compensating ions. First and second electrodes are contiguous with the inorganic oxide counter electrode film and the primary electrochromic film, respectively, and separated by the three films.