Abstract: Nanoporous composite separators are disclosed for use in batteries and capacitors comprising a nanoporous inorganic material and an organic polymer material. The inorganic material may comprise Al2O3, AlO(OH) or boehmite, AlN, BN, SiN, ZnO, ZrO2, SiO2, or combinations thereof. The nanoporous composite separator may have a porosity of between 35-50%. The average pore size of the nanoporous composite separator may be between 10-90 nm. The separator may be formed by coating a substrate with a dispersion including the inorganic material, organic material, and a solvent. Once dried, the coating may be removed from the substrate, thus forming the nanoporous composite separator. A nanoporous composite separator may provide increased thermal conductivity and dimensional stability at temperatures above 200° C. compared to polyolefin separators.

Abstract: Provided is a laser imageable media that forms both a vesicular bubble image and an infrared image upon exposure to laser radiation. The laser imageable media comprises (1) a substrate, preferably a transparent plastic substrate, (2) an infrared absorbing layer comprising an infrared absorbing compound, preferably an aminium radical cation compound, that exhibits a reduction in infrared absorption when exposed to the laser radiation, and (3) a polymeric layer comprising an organic polymer, preferably nitrocellulose, overlying the infrared absorbing layer. The vesicular image on a transparent plastic substrate is readable with a visible scanner without the use of any reflective background material behind the transparent plastic substrate.

Abstract: Provided are lithium batteries comprising (a) a separator/electrode assembly of a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of one polarity bonded to a porous separator layer on each electrode surface, wherein each electrode layer is coated directly on a separator layer, (b) an electrode of the opposite polarity with a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of the opposite polarity, and (c) an electrolyte, where the batteries comprise alternating layers of the separator/electrode assembly and the electrode of the opposite polarity. Preferably, a portion of the assembly is not in contact with the electrode of the opposite polarity and a portion of the electrode of opposite polarity is not in contact with the assembly, and an electrically conductive device independently connects the portions of each polarity for effective current collection. Also provided are methods of preparing such lithium batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a separator/cathode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises a cathode current collector layer interposed between a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first cathode layer opposite to the cathode current collector layer, wherein the first cathode layer is coated directly on the separator layer. Also provided are methods of preparing such separator/cathode assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to electrochemical cells which comprise (a) an anode; (b) a cathode; (c) a solid porous separator, such as a polyolefin, xerogel, or inorganic oxide separator; and (d) a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the separator comprises a porous membrane having a microporous coating comprising polymer particles which have not coalesced to form a continuous film. This microporous coating on the separator acts as a safety shutdown layer that rapidly increases the internal resistivity and shuts the cell down upon heating to an elevated temperature, such as 110° C. Also provided are methods for increasing the safety of an electrochemical cell by utilizing such separators with a safety shutdown layer.

Abstract: Provided are lithium batteries utilizing electrode coatings directly on nanoporous separators, the batteries comprising (a) a separator/cathode assembly, (b) a separator/anode assembly, and (c) an electrolyte, where the batteries comprise alternating layers of the separator/cathode assembly and the separator/anode assembly. Preferably, a portion of the separator/cathode assembly is not in contact with the separator/anode assembly and a portion of the separator/anode assembly is not in contact with the separator/cathode assembly, and electrically conductive edge connections are made through these portions. Also provided are methods of preparing such lithium batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer. Also provided are methods of preparing such separator/anode assemblies.

Abstract: A system of anti-surveillance security windows having one or more conductive glass substrates and one or more layers incorporating an organic radical cation compound, wherein the layers reflect in the infrared region, is demonstrated. Preferably, the organic radical cation compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. The security windows may contain one or more layers of a multilayer interference stack of a metal/metal or metal/metal oxide design.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Preferably, the inorganic oxide comprises an hydrated aluminum oxide of the formula Al2O3.xH2O, wherein x is less than 1.0, and wherein the hydrated aluminum oxide comprises organic substituents, preferably comprising a reaction product of a multifunctional monomer and/or organic carbonate with an aluminum oxide, such as pseudo-boehmite and an aluminum oxide. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Abstract: A system and method for windows films having one or more layers incorporating an organic free radical compound, wherein the layers reflect in the infrared region, and one or more layers of a multilayer interference stack of a metal/metal or metal/metal oxide design. Preferably, the organic free radical compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. One or more layers of the multilayer interference stack may incorporate an aminium radical cation compound. Also provided are security windows that utilize such window films.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in batteries and capacitors comprising (a) at least 50% by weight of an aluminum oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the aluminum oxide is surface modified by treatment with an organic acid to form a modified aluminum oxide, and wherein the treatment provides dispersibility of the aluminum oxide in aprotic solvents such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. Preferably, the organic acid is a sulfonic acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. Also preferably, the organic polymer is a fluorinated polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride. Also provided are electrochemical cells and capacitors comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided are infrared films comprising a substrate, a layer of an aminium radical cation compound in a crystalline state and an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of a divinyl ether polymer, a fluoropolymer, and a silicone polymer, and, optionally, a water repellent layer overlying the layer of the aminium compound. Such infrared films are stable in their optical properties and useful for security markings, test strips for analysis of fluids, and other optical articles for detection in the infrared. Also provided are methods for making such infrared films.

Abstract: Provided are infrared reflective films comprising a substrate and at least one infrared reflective layer comprising an aminium radical cation compound in a crystalline state and an organic polymer, wherein the infrared reflective layer has a reflectance peak in the infrared region from 1250 nm to 1700 nm. Such infrared films are stable in their optical properties against degradation by light and moisture. Also provided are solar control window films, security markings, and other optical articles comprising such infrared reflective films. Further provided are methods for making such infrared reflective films.

Abstract: Provided is a laser imageable media that forms both a vesicular bubble image and an infrared image upon exposure to laser radiation. The laser imageable media comprises (1) a substrate, preferably a transparent plastic substrate, (2) an infrared absorbing layer comprising an infrared absorbing compound, preferably an aminium radical cation compound, that exhibits a reduction in infrared absorption when exposed to the laser radiation, and (3) a polymeric layer comprising an organic polymer, preferably nitrocellulose, overlying the infrared absorbing layer. The vesicular image on a transparent plastic substrate is readable with a visible scanner without the use of any reflective background material behind the transparent plastic substrate.

Abstract: Provided are lithium batteries utilizing electrode coatings directly on nanoporous separators, the batteries comprising (a) a separator/cathode assembly, (b) a separator/anode assembly, and (c) an electrolyte, where the batteries comprise alternating layers of the separator/cathode assembly and the separator/anode assembly. Preferably, a portion of the separator/cathode assembly is not in contact with the separator/anode assembly and a portion of the separator/anode assembly is not in contact with the separator/cathode assembly, and electrically conductive edge connections are made through these portions. Also provided are methods of preparing such lithium batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer. Also provided are methods of preparing such separator/anode assemblies.

Abstract: Provided are lithium batteries comprising (a) a separator/electrode assembly of a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of one polarity bonded to a porous separator layer on each electrode surface, wherein each electrode layer is coated directly on a separator layer, (b) an electrode of the opposite polarity with a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of the opposite polarity, and (c) an electrolyte, where the batteries comprise alternating layers of the separator/electrode assembly and the electrode of the opposite polarity. Preferably, a portion of the assembly is not in contact with the electrode of the opposite polarity and a portion of the electrode of opposite polarity is not in contact with the assembly, and an electrically conductive device independently connects the portions of each polarity for effective current collection. Also provided are methods of preparing such lithium batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a separator/cathode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises a cathode current collector layer interposed between a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first cathode layer opposite to the cathode current collector layer, wherein the first cathode layer is coated directly on the separator layer. Also provided are methods of preparing such separator/cathode assemblies.

Abstract: Provided are infrared reflective films comprising a substrate and at least one infrared reflective layer comprising an aminium radical cation compound in a crystalline state and an organic polymer, wherein the infrared reflective layer has a reflectance peak in the infrared region from 1250 nm to 1700 nm. Such infrared films are stable in their optical properties against degradation by light and moisture. Also provided are solar control window films, security markings, and other optical articles comprising such infrared reflective films. Further provided are methods for making such infrared reflective films.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to organic reflective layers comprising an organic radical cation compound, wherein the layer reflects in the infrared region. Preferably, the organic radical cation compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. Also provided are marking systems comprising such reflective layers and methods of marking an article utilizing such reflective layers.