Abstract: Method of improving the performance of a Li-ion battery comprising metal-based cathode material which produces M2+ metal ions. The method comprises using a small organic compound in association with the electrolyte of the battery or using a polymer compound in association with the cathode active material of the battery. The small organic compound and the polymer compound comprise at least one chemical group suitable for forming complexes with the M2+ metal ions thereby preventing dissolution thereof.

Abstract: Here are described compounds for use as electrode additives or as salts in electrolyte compositions, and their methods of preparation. Also described are electrochemical cells comprising the compounds as electrode additives or as salts in electrolyte compositions.

Abstract: Method of improving the performance and safety of a Li-ion battery. The method includes using a nitrile-based small organic compound of general formula I, V or IX outlined in the application in association with the electrolyte of the battery. An electrolyte including a nitrile-based small organic compound. A battery including the electrolyte.

Abstract: A tool positioning system of an unmanned aerial vehicle that is mountable relative to a power line to monitor a component of the line. The tool positioning system includes a displacement module having a first member mountable to one side of a body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a second member movable vertically relative to the first member on the side of the body, and a tool holder pivotably coupled to the second member and couplable to a tool. The tool holder is movable relative to the body to mount the tool to or around the component.

Abstract: A bistable electromagnetic actuator is described. The actuator includes a mobile assembly and a fixed assembly. The mobile assembly includes at least one pair of ferromagnetic plunger-cores, a frame integrally connecting the plunger-cores, and a guiding element. The fixed assembly includes a ferromagnetic core having cavities defined on each of its two sides configured to receive a corresponding one of the plunger-cores, at least one magnet positioned between the cavities in the core and being able to create a first magnetic flux, at least one coil operable via an excitation current to create a second magnetic flux, and a guiding element adapted to cooperate with the guiding element of the mobile assembly to allow the mobile assembly to move between a first and a second stable position. Methods for actuating the bistable electromagnetic actuator are also described.

Abstract: The technology relates to a method of producing synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), wherein the synthesis gas is produced by a reduction reaction of a first flow comprising a carbon source and an excess of hydrogen in contact with an Oxy-flame. The hydrogen comes from a reducing stream, a first portion of which ends up in the first flow, and a second part of which is used to generate the Oxy-flame by combustion of the hydrogen in the presence of a second flow comprising oxygen (O2), the second flow coming from an oxidizing stream. The first flow and the second flow are at a distance from each other such that the Oxy-flame supports the reaction between the carbon source and the hydrogen. A reactor, which can have different configurations, is also proposed for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery. The method includes the following steps: (a) mixing components of a basic ingredient or active substance of electrode material and a conductive carbon material to obtain a conductive carbon material-composited material; (b) mixing the conductive carbon material-composited material and a surface layer-forming material; an (c) burning the mixture obtained at step (b) to obtain the electrode material. Also, a lithium-ion secondary battery including an electrode which includes the material.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery. The method includes the following steps: (a) mixing components of a basic ingredient or active substance of electrode material and a conductive carbon material to obtain a conductive carbon material-composited material; (b) mixing the conductive carbon material-composited material and a surface layer-forming material; an (c) burning the mixture obtained at step (b) to obtain the electrode material. Also, a lithium-ion secondary battery including an electrode which includes the material.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for making an anode containing an anode material, a protective material, and a current collector. The anode material is a mixture containing an active material, at least one electronically conductive agent and at least one binder. The active material may be an alloy of silicon and lithium or an alloy of silicon oxide and lithium. Processes also include use of the anodes in the fabrication of a battery.

Abstract: Here are described compounds for use as electrode additives or as salts in electrolyte compositions, and their methods of preparation. Also described are electrochemical cells comprising the compounds as electrode additives or as salts in electrolyte compositions.

Abstract: Method of improving the performance of a Li-ion battery comprising metal-based cathode material which produces M2+ metal ions. The method comprises using a small organic compound in association with the electrolyte of the battery or using a polymer compound in association with the cathode active material of the battery. The small organic compound and the polymer compound comprise at least one chemical group suitable for forming complexes with the M2+ metal ions thereby preventing dissolution thereof.

Abstract: The technology relates to a method of producing synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), wherein the synthesis gas is produced by a reduction reaction of a first flow comprising a carbon source and an excess of hydrogen in contact with an Oxy-flame. The hydrogen comes from a reducing stream, a first portion of which ends up in the first flow, and a second part of which is used to generate the Oxy-flame by combustion of the hydrogen in the presence of a second flow comprising oxygen (O2), the second flow coming from an oxidizing stream. The first flow and the second flow are at a distance from each other such that the Oxy-flame supports the reaction between the carbon source and the hydrogen. A reactor, which can have different configurations, is also proposed for implementing the method.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a polymer comprising at least one ester repeating unit and one ether repeating unit for use in an electrochemical cell, particularly in electrochemical accumulators such as lithium batteries, sodium batteries, potassium batteries and lithium-ion batteries. More specifically, the use of this polymer as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE), as a matrix for forming gel electrolytes, or as a binder in an electrode material are also contemplated.

Abstract: Various configurations of a power plant are described. The power plant is configured to supply power to a receiving electrical grid by the combustion of metal powder. The power plant is also configured absorb power by recovering the metal powder from the metal oxide produced by the combustion of the metal powder, with electricity from a source electrical grid.

Abstract: A battery safety vent assembly for a battery casing with an upper surrounding clamp-like shape is disclosed. The assembly has a positive cap, a safety vent disk extending under a disk element of the positive cap, a gasket insulator snugly fitting into the clamp-like shape of the battery casing and providing support to the positive cap, the safety vent disk and a circuit interrupt device embedded in an underside recess area of the gasket insulator. The circuit interrupt device is coupled to a button downwardly projecting from the safety vent disk. Gas release passages, openings and interfaces between parts of the assembly are arranged so that when gas pressure inside the battery casing exceeds a predetermined threshold limit of pressure, weak lines in the safety vent disk allow gas to safely exit the battery casing.

Abstract: A polymer of formula (I), wherein the nitrogen atoms are coordinated with a lithium atom in 0% to 100% of repeat units in the polymer, and each R1 in each individual repeat unit independently represents a bivalent group, wherein the bivalent groups are, independently from one another, alkylene, arylene, or —CH2—CH2—(O—CH2—CH2)m—, wherein m is an integer of 1 or more, and wherein the alkylene, the arylene, and the —CH2—CH2—(O—CH2—CH2)m— are optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms. The polymers of the invention can be used as battery electrolytes.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle displaceable along aerial conductors of an electricity transmission line. The vehicle includes a body having arms. Each arm has a first end pivotably mounted to the body and a second distal end. A motorized wheel is mounted to each arm to engage one of the conductors to displace the vehicle. Support rotors have at least two blades. Each blade has an arm portion extending from the support rotor and a contact portion extending from the arm portion to engage one of the conductors to temporarily support the vehicle. An arm displacement mechanism engages the arms, and is operable to displace the arms in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the vehicle to move the arms together and apart.

Abstract: The disclosed method reconstructs a topology of an electrical distribution network. An ohmic matrix model is generated as a function of consumption measurements provided by smart meters in the network. A tree table of nodes to which the smart meters are connected is defined. A branch in exploration is defined in the table and the nodes of the branch meeting preestablished relations are entered in the table as a function of connection values derived from resistive quantities in the matrix model. One of the relations determines a junction of the branch in exploration with a branch already explored connectable to a root to which a distribution transformer of the distribution network is connected. The topology is reconstructed by iteratively proceeding with sequences of decreasing values derived from the resistive quantities.

Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes a solvent, an electrolyte salt, and an aminoanthraquinone polymer compound. The aminoanthraquinone polymer compound includes a divalent maleic anhydride part and a divalent aminoanthraquinone derivative part.