Abstract: A metal battery, such as a lithium battery, includes an anode, an anode current collector in electrical contact with the anode, a cathode, a cathode current collector in electrical contact with the cathode, a separator disposed between the anode and cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and an anode protection structure. The anode protection structure includes an anode protection layer disposed between the anode and the separator. The anode protection layer includes a matrix and domains within the matrix. One of the matrix and domains contains a first material and the other of the matrix and domains contains a second material. The first material is less permeable by the electrolyte than the second material.

Abstract: A material comprising a group of formula (I): (I) wherein: X and Y are each independently selected from S, O or Se; Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 and Ar4 are each independently an unsubstituted or a substituted benzene, an unsubstituted or a substituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic group or are absent; A1 and A2 are each independently an unsubstituted or a substituted benzene, an unsubstituted or a substituted 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic group, a non-aromatic 6-membered ring having ring atoms selected from C, N, S and O or are absent; R1 is H or a substituent; R2 and R3 are each independently H or a substituent; and * represents a point of attachment to a hydrogen or non-hydrogen substituent.

Abstract: A composition comprising an electron acceptor material and an electron donor material wherein the electron acceptor material is a compound of formula (I): EAG-EDG-EAG (I) wherein each EAG is an electron-accepting group and EDG is a group of formula (II): (II) wherein: n is at least 1; each m is independently 0 or at least 1; each X, Y and A is independently O, S or Se; Z, independently in each occurrence if n is greater than 1, is O, S, C?O or NR9 wherein R9 is H or a substituent; and R1-R8 are each independently selected from H or a substituent. The composition may be used as photosensitive organic layer of an organic photodetector.

Abstract: A light-emitting composition comprising: a light-emitting group and a polymer comprising: a repeat unit of formula Ar1 wherein Ar1 is an arylene repeat unit which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents; and a repeat unit of formula (I): (I) wherein Ar2 and Ar3 each independently represent a C6-20 arylene group or a 5-20 membered heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents and CB represents a conjugation-breaking group which does not provide a conjugation path between Ar2 and Ar3; wherein the polymer has a solubility in water or a C1-8 alcohol at 20° C. of at least 0.1 mg/ml. The composition may be a light-emitting polymer in which the polymer contains the light-emitting group. The light-emitting composition may be part of a particle containing the polymer and a matrix material, e.g. silica. The light-emitting composition may be used in an assay for detection of a target analyte.

Abstract: A method of recording data to a layer (101) of a recording medium in which an organic luminescent precursor composition is irradiated with a first light beam (103) and a second light beam (105), the first light beam having a write wavelength for conversion of the organic luminescent precursor composition to an organic luminescent composition and the second light beam having a write inhibition wavelength for inhibiting conversion of the organic luminescent precursor composition to the organic luminescent composition. The second light beam has a central area and a surrounding area; an intensity of the second light beam in the central area being lower than an intensity of the second light beam in the surrounding area. The first light beam extends across the central area and the surrounding area of the second light beam surrounds the first light beam.

Abstract: A light-emitting marker having a light-emitting core comprising a light-emitting material bound to a first biotin group and a biomolecule bound to a second biotin group. A protein, e.g. streptavidin or neutravidin, is bound to the first and second biotin groups. The light-emitting marker may be a light-emitting marker particle having a particulate core.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of a polynucleotide is described. The method comprises detecting in a sequencing reaction the incorporation of a first, second, third, or fourth nucleotide using first and second excitation wavelengths and a photodetector having a detection window comprising a range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A sensor system that removes responses from an interferent and/or corrects for baseline drift of a sensor to determine a presence, a concentration or a change in concentration of a target material in a gaseous environment. Fluid flowing into the system may be directed by a valve arrangement to either a first fluid flow path or a second fluid flow path. The target material may be absorbed by a filter material in the first fluid flow path. Fluid flowing along the second gas flow path passes directly to the sensor. Responses of the sensor to fluids from the first and second fluid flow paths may be used to determine a presence, concentration or change in concentration of the target material.

Abstract: A composition comprising a first compound and a second compound of formula (I) wherein EDG is an electron-donating group comprising a polycyclic hetero aromatic group and each BAG is an electron-accepting group of formula (II) --- is a bond to EDG; each R10 is, independently in each occurrence, H or a substituent; each R11-R14 is, independently in each occurrence, H or an electron-withdrawing group; and of the first and second compounds of formula (I), the total number of electron-withdrawing groups R11-R14 is greater for the first compound of formula (I). The composition may further contain an electron donor capable of donating an electron to the compounds of formula (I). The composition may be used in the photoactive layer of an organic photodetector.

Abstract: A composition comprising a semiconducting host compound having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than 100° C., and a phosphorescent compound wherein the phosphorescent compound is a metal complex of formula (II): M is Ir (III) or Pt (II). p is at least 1. q is 0, 1 or 2. L is a bidentate ligand substituted with one or two groups X wherein each X independently comprises an aromatic or heteroaromatic group Ar5; the sum of the number of rings comprised in the one or more X groups of formula (II) is at least 12; and at least 75% of the mass of each X is made up of the mass of the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring atoms of Ar5. L2 is a bidentate ligand which is different from L1.

Abstract: Thermoelectric apparatus comprising a thermoelectric generator (101), a thermally conductive heat spreader (105) and a thermally conductive heat transfer element (103). In use, the TEG is disposed on a surface of a heated object (10), e.g. a boiler, pipe or electrical equipment. Heat is drawn away from the cold side of the TEG by the thermally conductive heat transfer element. Thermal insulation (107, 109) may be provided between the TEG and the thermally conductive heat spreader and/or over the heat spreader. The apparatus may be provided in kit form for assembly on a surface which is heated when in use.

Abstract: A gas sensor system (100) for detecting conjugated hydrocarbons and/or esters in an environment. The gas sensor system includes two organic thin film transistor (OTFT) gas sensors (200, 300). The first OTFT gas sensor (200) allows for interaction of the conjugated hydrocarbon with the gas sensor's source and drain electrodes, and the second OTFT gas sensor (300) blocks the conjugated hydrocarbon from interacting with the gas sensor's source and drain electrodes. In the second gas sensor, a monolayer comprising 4-aminobenzenethiol and 4-fluorobenzenethiol may cover the source and drain electrodes preventing the conjugated hydrocarbon from interacting with the source and drain electrodes. The gas sensor system may be used to monitor a volatile conjugated hydrocarbon and/or an ester produced by fruit.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): EAG-EDG-EAG (I) wherein EDG is an electron-donating group comprising a polycyclic heteroaromatic group and each EAG is an electron-accepting group of formula (II): (II) wherein R10 in each occurrence is H or a substituent; ---- is a bond to EDG; and each X1-X4 is independently CR11 or N wherein R11 in each occurrence is H or a substituent, with the proviso that at least one occurrence of at least one of X1-X4 is N. The compound may be used as an acceptor in a bulk heterojunction layer of an organic photodetector.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): Each R1 and R2 is, independently in each occurrence, a substituent. Each R3-R10 is, independently in each occurrence, H or a substituent. At least one occurrence of at least one of R11-R14 is CN. Each Y is independently O or S. Z1-Z4 are each independently a direct bond or Z1, Z2, Z3 and/or Z4 together with, respectively, R4 or R5, R7 or R8, R6, or R9 forms an aromatic or heteroaromatic group. The compound of formula (I) may be provided in an active layer of an organic electronic device, e.g. as an electron acceptor in a bulk heterojunction layer of an organic photodetector. A photosensor may comprise the organic photodetector and a light source, e.g. a near infra-red light source.

Abstract: There is provided a production method of a lithium-containing composite oxide capable of improving performances of cycle characteristics, rate characteristics, and the like of a lithium ion secondary battery. A production method of a lithium-containing composite oxide is characterized in that when producing a lithium-containing composite oxide by mixing a transition metal hydroxide containing Ni and Mn essentially and a lithium source and heating the mixture, a transition metal hydroxide having a crystallite diameter of the (100) plane being 35 nm or less in a crystal structure model in the space group P-3m1 of an X-ray diffraction pattern is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the creation of a control system within a host cell to limit or eliminate degradation of key specified products at certain times during fermentation and to redirect the metabolic flux of the cell toward higher production of same key specified products.

Abstract: A cathode active material for a positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery, comprising a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by aLi(Li1/3Mn2/3)O2·(1-a)LiMO2 (M: at least one transition metal element selected from Ni, Co and Mn, and 0<a<1), wherein in an X-ray diffraction pattern of the lithium-containing composite oxide, the ratio of the height (H020) of a peak of (020) plane assigned to a crystal structure with space group C2/m to the height (H003) of a peak of (003) plane assigned to a crystal structure with space group R-3m (i.e. H020/H003) is at most 0.038, and the ratio of the height (H110) of a peak of (110) plane assigned to a crystal structure with space group C2/m to the height (H003) of a peak of (003) plane assigned to a crystal structure with space group R-3m (i.e. H110/H003) is at most 0.013.

Abstract: To provide a lithium-containing composite oxide capable of obtaining a lithium ion secondary battery having a large discharge capacity wherein the deterioration of the discharge voltage due to repetition of a charge and discharge cycle is suppressed, a cathode active material, a positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery. A lithium-containing composite oxide, which is represented by the formula I: LiaiNibCOcMndMeO2??Formula I, wherein M is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Na, Mg, Ti, Zr, Al, W and Mo, a+b+c+d+e=2, 1.1?a/(b+c+d+e)?1.4, 0.2?b/(b+c+d+e)?0.5, 0?c/(b+c+d+e)?0.25, 0.3?d/(b+c+d+e)?0.6, and 0?e/(b+c+d+e)?0.1, and wherein the valence of Ni is from 2.15 to 2.45.

Abstract: To provide a cathode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery excellent in the cycle characteristics and rate characteristics even when charging is conducted at a high voltage. A cathode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery, which comprises particles (III) having a covering layer comprising a metal oxide (I) containing at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of elements in Groups 3 and 13 of the periodic table and lanthanoid elements, and a compound (II) containing Li and P, on the surface of a lithium-containing composite oxide comprising lithium and a transition metal element, wherein the atomic ratio of said P to said metal element (P/metal element) contained within 5 nm of the surface layer of the particles (III) is from 0.03 to 0.45.

Abstract: Novel spirobifluorene compounds for light emitting devices where the spirobifluorene ring system comprises at least one acridine-type substituent.