Abstract: Method and related device intended for rapid non-destructive testing of powdered materials with low electric conductivity such as cement and cement-based compositions through determination of their electrical properties. The invention involves an electromagnetic method, including an electronic circuit for generating an electric field in a capacitance probe that is inserted into the powder to be tested. Electrical properties of powdered materials are determined on the basis of a set of the values for a set of parameters including quality factor (Q-factor), capacitance, dissipation factor, and dielectric permeability of the material. These parameter values can be related to such characteristics as moisture content, particle size, and material composition. The method and device can indicate the differences between the samples with various quantities of unwanted components or reaction products, and the extent of sample ageing.

Abstract: Electrochemical active cathode layers (MoO3, FeS2) are produced on the substrate of stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium by the method of thermal vacuum condensation-solidification. This method enables formation of active cathode layer in the wide thickness range of 0.5 ?m-3.0 mm.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for optical detection and size evaluation of through-penetrating defects such as pinholes in moving foil or film. The invention comprises the installation of at least one image capture device at a first given distance over the moving foil surface, placement of at least one elongated light source comprising an infinite number of point-sources that are not in phase, and are emitting light independently from one another under the foil, periodic automatic computer-controlled image capture of the foil surface with image capture devices, automatic transmission of the image captured by each device to a control computer, and processing of the transmitted image data to detect of defect light spot, followed by determination of generalized index of its initial image. This generalize index value is equal to the brightness averaged within the spot multiplied by the area of the spot.

Abstract: The present invention is a low-cost method for fabricating electrodes for batteries, electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC or supercapacitors) and hybrid electrical energy storage devices. for which by low contact resistance between the metal current collector and carbon-containing electrode enhances performance. The electrodes comprise at least two layers. The first layer is a highly conductive carbon material, such as graphite, fused into the metal current collector. The second layer is a polarizing carbon-containing electrode typically comprising a nanoporous carbon powder pressed or rolled with a binder, or a composite that includes active materials (for example oxides, sulfides), binder and conductive additives such as carbon, black. The method provides electrodes with low interface resistance, which lowers the overall internal electrical resistance of the battery or EDLC devices in which they are used and allows it to deliver increased power.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for applying coatings in a rarefied gaseous medium. A cold cathode electron gun is used to generate an electron beam, which is directed to a crucible containing initial solid materials in a vacuum chamber, thus generating an initial solid material vapor. Nitrogen reaction gas is bled into the vacuum chamber, and ionization of the nitrogen gas in high frequency discharge. Subsequent interaction of initial material vapor with nitrogen ions and atoms results in generation of solid product heating of the substrate. Condensation of the vapor on the surface of substrate generates a thin film of solid electrode or electrolyte. The resulting rate of deposition of thin film of vitreous solid electrolyte and LiPon solid electrolyte is substantially higher than can be achieved with a magnetron sputtering process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of electrodes for Li-primary and Li-ion batteries based of using two types of binder. The first binder is soluble in organic solvent and second binder is insoluble in organic solvent during the process of slurry preparation. Combination of the slurry composition and conditions of the electrode temperature treatment decrease the cathode production complexity, improve electrochemical characteristics of the electrode, increase adhesion properties and flexibility of coating, and reduce the interface resistance between the current collector and electrode mass.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of specially formulated polymers into which anti-static and conducting metal additives have been incorporated to create a flexible, optically transparent cover for mechanical protection of the incident light-facing surface of the photovoltaic cells. The polymer coating imparts higher conversion efficiencies to photovoltaic cells and modules and is resistant to the destructive effects of UV. In the preferred embodiment, the surface comprising a flexible optically transparent polymer cover has a relief or “crinkle coat” structure morphology comprising a random set of rounded ridge and valley features that impart higher conversion efficiencies to photovoltaic cells and modules due to a concentration affect. Application of the present invention yields mono-crystalline photovoltaic modules that have conversion efficiencies as high as 20%, or more, as compared to 13-14% for presently available commercial module designs.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral thin-layer photovoltaic device, comprising a substrate with a coated layer of semiconductor materials, for example amorphous silicon of i-type conductivity, and made up of alternating areas, having different type of conductivity, different amounts of doping and/or band gap width, transparent and clear coatings on the front side, and electrical contacts. The alternating areas are formed in the initial film of semiconductor material as counter-comb, interleaved structures in the horizontal plane, and heterostructural areas are manufactured with variable ratios of crystal, micro-crystal, nano-crystalline and amorphous phases.

Abstract: The present invention is connected with the holographic interferometry method and device that provides, to a very high precision, the reconstructing the original waveform of light emitted or reflected by an object. This method allows image resolution close to that of the wavelength of the light being used. The non-destructive method of holographic interferometry coupled with impulse heating of the test article to allow observation of its dynamic response to operating conditions, as described herein, is one of the most effective non-contact automated quality control methods available.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated method and apparatus for determining the quality of electrochemical energy storage devices, especially batteries. The invention is based on an integrated usage of electromagnetic and ultrasonic energy to probe of the interior volume of the battery. The first probe is carried out when the battery is at an initial charged state. After the first probe stage, a discharge of the battery being diagnosed is carried out until the test battery is at a small fixed test charge value. Signals from the eddy current probes allow determination of the continuity of the discharge current during the discharge process. After the discharge of the battery, the above described test sequence is repeated. The resultant eddy current signal generated at the initial state of the battery and the gradients of the eddy current signal and of the ultrasonic signal versus the battery capacity is determined.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive non-contact quality inspection of dry electrode units of energy storage includes an eddy current-based inspection system having a conveyor belt, and a hollow dielectric shell. An outer surface of the shell has a plurality of spaced apart measuring transducers. Each of the transducers include a feed-through eddy current probe and at least two strap capacitors spatially linked therewith. In the related method, an electrode unit to be inspected is placed on the conveyor belt and enters and moves through the dielectric shell. The electrode unit is excited using a magnetic field from the eddy current probe as it passes by each of the plurality of transducers, where eddy currents at a plurality of frequencies are induced in the electrode unit. The modulation characteristics of impedance at a plurality of frequencies are measured by the probes, and from the impedance data it is determined whether the electrode unit is defective.

Abstract: Solid electrolytes of the composition: 60L2O·15Li2SO4·25B2O3; 65L2O·10Li2SO4·25B2O3; 65L2O·15Li2SO4·20B2O3; 60L2O·20Li2SO4·20B2O3; 59,55L2O·19,85Li2SO4·19,85B2O3·0,75MoO3, characterized by the high level of productivity, high ionic conductivity, negligible low level of electronic conductivity and resistance to metal lithium suitable for use in primary and rechargeable lithium power sources.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis, preparation and use of a new family of proton conducting polymer membranes. These proton-conducting polymer membranes are produced from the products of joint condensation of polyamides with sulfonated aromatic derivatives of aldehydes in the presence of solvent and acid catalyst. The resulting products have low equivalent weight, high ionic conductivity at room temperature, excellent proton function value, and insignificant change of geometrical size due to swelling in water and acid solutions. The products exhibit high mechanical strength and thermal stability to more than 150° C., well in excess of that for poly-fluorinated compounds presently used in electrochemical membranes and sensors.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for determining the remaining service life of electrochemical energy generation and storage device including batteries, supercapacitors, DSSC solar cells and fuel cell. Measurements are performed by passing ultrasonic oscillations through the test object. The apparatus of the present invention comprises two arrays of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic probes between which the object being tested is affixed. Polyurethane tips are used for matching the acoustic resistance of the probes with the test object body. The apparatus includes means for positioning the transmitting and the receiving probe arrays relative to each other. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic means for measuring the test object thickness. The calibration characteristic for determining the remaining service life of a the test object are established from the signal values from the ultrasonic probes related to the number of charge-discharge cycles obtained at various charge values.