Abstract: There is provided an ionic compound having attached thereto a silyloxy group. There is also provided methods of making this ionic compound as well as electrolytes, electrochemical cells and capacitors comprising this ionic compound.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are for varying an impedance of a phase line of a segment of a first electrical power line, the phase line including n conductors electrically insulated from each other and short-circuited together at two ends of the segment. The apparatus includes at least one controllable switching device for connection with at least one of the conductors. The apparatus also includes a controller for performing control of the at least one controllable switching device, the controller having at least one optical port for receiving first optical signals on which the control is based, and for sending second optical signals to adjacent switching apparatuses, the second optical signals including status information of the one switching apparatus, upon which control of adjacent switching apparatuses is based.

Abstract: The switching apparatus and the method are for varying the impedance of a phase line of a segment of an electrical power line. The phase line includes n conductors electrically insulated from each other and short-circuited together at two ends of the segment. The apparatus comprises a controllable interrupter connected in series for each conductor; a parameter detector; a first controller for controlling the interrupters; and a disabling unit for disabling the interrupters. The disabling unit comprises n controllable switches associated with the interrupters, position detectors for detecting which of the interrupters is closed, and a second controller having a command output to command the controllable switches and ensure that, at all operating times, at least one of the interrupters is closed and disabled.

Abstract: A composite electrode material consisting of a carbon coated complex oxide, fibrous carbon and a binder. Said material is prepared by a method which includes co-grinding an active electrode material and fibrous carbon, and adding a binder to the co-grinded mixture to lower the viscosity of the mixture. The fibrous carbon is preferably vapor grown carbon fibers.

Abstract: Mixture of particles comprising a non-conducting or semi-conducting nucleus covered with a hybrid conductor coating and hybrid conductor chains located between the particles of the mixture to constitute a conductivity network, that is prepared by mechanical crushing. Due to a very good conductivity of the network, a low resistivity, a very good capacity under elevated current and/or a good density of energy, these mixtures of particles are advantageously incorporated in anodes and cathodes of electrochemical generators, resulting in highly performing electrochemical systems.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of carbon-coated particles, where the particles include an electrochemically active material. The process includes the steps of emulsion polymerization, drying and thermally treating the polymer to obtain a nano-layer of carbon on the particles, where the carbon layer includes fibers and nitrogen-containing polyaromatics have a graphene-like structure. Also, the particles produced by the method as well as to electrode materials, electrodes and electrochemical cells including the particles.

Abstract: Method for preparing a particulate material including particles of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof, the method including: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa, an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers, optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. Method can include further steps of (c) drying the nanometer size particles, (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolyzing the mixture, thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or electrochemical storage energy apparatus.

Abstract: Particles including a core and a coat covering at least part of the core surface. The core has more than 50% of an acidic metal oxide and the core coating is based on a polymer, preferably based on a solid polymer with high electrochemical stability. The particle has a solubility rate (ds), in fixed time, of the metal oxide migrating towards the electrolyte, per cycle, which is less than 5 per 10000. The particles are obtained by mixing the polymer and a metal oxide, via dry process with addition of solvent. The electrodes constituting an electrode substrate at least partly coated with a mixture consisting of at least 40 of those particles have remarkable electrochemical properties, in particular regarding the lifetime of batteries in which they are incorporated.

Abstract: A process for producing lithium titanate which includes the steps of synthesizing a lithium titanate hydrate intermediate via aqueous chemical processing, and thermally treating the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate to produce the lithium titanate. The lithium titanate hydrate is preferably (Li1.81H0.19)Ti2O<<2H2O. The lithium titanate is preferably Li4Ti5O12 (LTO). Synthesizing the lithium titanate hydrate intermediate may include mixing a titanium-containing compound with a lithium-containing compound in a solvent to produce a lithium-titanium precursor mixture. Preferably the titanium-containing compound includes titanium tetrachloride TiCl4. Also, a lithium titanate obtained according to the process and a lithium battery including the lithium titanate.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymers and their uses in electrochemical systems, for example, as electrolyte membrane, are described. More precisely, these crosslinked polymers are formed by the crosslinking of a random copolymer based on monomers of glycidyl methacrylate or acrylate and of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl acrylate or methacrylate with a volatile polyamine crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of electrodes from a porous material making it possible to obtain electrodes that are useful in electrochemical systems and that have at least one of the following properties: a high capacity in mAh/gram, a high capacity in mAh/liter, a good capacity for cycling, a low rate of self-discharge, and a good environmental tolerance.

Abstract: Method and system for thermal treatment by heat induction of a metal piece on a targeted zone. According to the method, the thermal treatment is carried out using a thermal element mounted on a robotic system for moving the thermal element along a cyclical trajectory on the targeted zone so as to heat the target zone and minimize the temperature deviations over the targeted zone.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanofilament particles of SiOx in which x is between 0.8 and 1.2, the process comprising: a step consisting of a fusion reaction between silica (SiO2) and silicon (Si), at a temperature of at least about 1410° C., to produce gaseous silicon monoxide (SiO); and a step consisting of condensation of the gaseous SiO to produce the SiOx nanofilament particles. The process may also comprising using carbon.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and methods for transferring of a ferromagnetic metal ribbon from a roll mounted on a mandrel to another mandrel, including a mandrel located around electrical coils of a transformer. The system includes an apparatus for securing a free end of a ribbon roll including a reel onto which the ribbon roll is mounted and a ribbon retention mechanism having retaining elements movable between a retaining position in which the free end of the ribbon roll is secured on the reel and a releasing position in which the free end of the ribbon roll is free from the reel. An apparatus and method for rolling up a cuttable ferromagnetic ribbon on a mandrel are also disclosed. An apparatus and method for rolling up a cuttable ferromagnetic ribbon on a mandrel are also disclosed. An apparatus and method for manipulating and displacing ferromagnetic material along a path are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers used as rolling lubricating agents, to compositions comprising said polymers, and to alkali metal films including the polymers or compositions on the surface(s) thereof. The use of said polymers and compositions is also described for strip-rolling alkali metals or alloys thereof in order to obtain thin films. Methods for producing said thin films, which are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, are also described. The present invention proposes an improved lubricant according to formula I, which, for example, achieves enhanced conductivity, and/or enables the production of electrochemical cells having an improved life span in cycles.

Abstract: A multi-stage quick charging system is proposed. The system uses an intermediate power battery as voltage supporting point so that a converter having a fraction of the output voltage may control the entire power flow towards or from the battery of a vehicle or an electrical power device. The intermediate battery comprises several stages in series, associated with respective small chargers allowing a management of the charge balancing of the stages of the intermediate battery, since the chargers may be controlled in order to separately vary the contribution of each stage.

Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material.