Abstract: Metals having a silvery-white appearance and methods of producing the same. In one embodiment, the composite material of the present invention comprises a metallic core, a first layer, and a second layer. The first layer encases the external surfaces of the metallic core and is produced by electroplating copper or copper alloy from a first bath containing copper ions. The second layer encases the first layer and is produced by electroplating white bronze from a second bath containing copper and tin ions. According to one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the first layer is electroplated on the metallic core and the second layer is electroplated on the first layer. In another embodiment of the composite material and method of the present invention, the material comprises only the metallic core and a first layer of white bronze. The resulting composite has a silvery-white appearance and does not include exposed nickel so that persons allergic to nickel metals are not affected by the composite.

Abstract: Galvanically protected reinforcement dowel pins and methods of producing the same. In one embodiment, the reinforcement dowel pins comprise a bar or tube, the longitudinal exposed surfaces of which are covered by a heavy gauge of a sacrificial metal, such as zinc, zinc alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. The bar or tube comprises steel, carbon steel, or other ferrous metal. The heavy gauge of sacrificial metal is applied to the ferrous metal by various processes, such as roll bonding, lock seaming, welding, die casting, flame spraying, plasma spraying, dipping, sinking, and drawing. The resulting reinforcement dowel pins resist corrosion without sacrificing structural integrity, and are reasonable in materials and manufacturing costs. These dowel pins may be installed in adjacent concrete panels using conventional methods, and therefore do not introduce additional costs in installation.

Abstract: A battery charging system comprising: a current source; a battery; and a voltage and current regulator, which regulates voltage applied to the battery and current supplied to the battery. The battery charging system shapes the current supplied to the battery, and may be used to taper the current supplied to the battery. The voltage and current regulator may comprise: an adjustable band-gap voltage reference diode, a potentiometer, a resistor, and a transistor, or an adjustable shunt regulator, and a transistor operating in conjunction with the adjustable shunt regulator, or other suitable voltage and current regulator means. The battery charging system regulates the current flow supplied to the battery, which originates from a constant charging current source. As the battery voltage exceeds a predefined terminal voltage, the battery charging system diverts charging current through a transistor, thus clamping the battery at the terminal voltage and shaping the current supplied to the battery.

Abstract: A battery charging system comprising: a current source; a battery; and a voltage and current regulator, which regulates voltage applied to the battery and current supplied to the battery. The battery charging system shapes the current supplied to the battery, and may be used to taper the current supplied to the battery. The voltage and current regulator may comprise: an adjustable band-gap voltage reference diode, a potentiometer, a resistor, and a transistor, or an adjustable shunt regulator, and a transistor operating in conjunction with the adjustable shunt regulator, or other suitable voltage and current regulator means. The battery charging system regulates the current flow supplied to the battery, which originates from a constant charging current source. As the battery voltage exceeds a predefined terminal voltage, the battery charging system diverts charging current through a transistor, thus clamping the battery at the terminal voltage and shaping the current supplied to the battery.

Abstract: A composition and method for making a frangible bullet. In one embodiment, the bullet comprises a primarily zinc composition with the addition of bismuth, tin, and/or indium in the amount of about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight. In another embodiment, the bullet comprises additional elements, including but not limited to lead, iron, cadmium, aluminum, copper, and/or titanium. In one embodiment of the method of making a bullet, the composition containing from about 0.5% to about 20% of bismuth, tin, and/or indium is admixed and hand cast into the shape of a bullet core. In another embodiment of the method, the bullet is formed by die casting the admixed composition having from about 0.5% to about 20% of bismuth, tin, and/or indium into the shape of a bullet core.

Abstract: A film which slowly releases solids is prepared by dissolving cellulose in a solvent such as an alkali metal salt, for example L1Cl in a polar solvent such as DMAC, dispersing the solid in the solution and gelling the solution with water to form a film.

Abstract: A container method for pre-treating the inside surface of a titanium container before electroplating a metal conductive such as silver to increase adhesion for use in a lightweight alkaline battery comprising the step of applying an alkaline solution of peroxide to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention is an oil system component comprising and a method for its making, designed to neutralize acid by utilizing components comprising zinc or a zinc-coating. According to one embodiment, a multipurpose component is provided by spraying a standard component such as the oil sump, oil screen, and/or oil filter with a zinc plasma in an inert atmosphere to create an acid-neutralizing coating on the component. The present invention is particularly suited for incorporation into a standard oil filter by fabricating the casing and or an internal screen of zinc coated materials and/or by incorporating zinc coated product or materials into the mechanical filter material.

Abstract: The present invention is an oil system component comprising an acid neutralizing metal such as zinc, calcium, cadmium or magnesium, or alloys thereof. According to one embodiment, a multipurpose component is provided by including an acid neutralizing metal in a standard component such as the oil sump, oil screen, and/or oil filter. The present invention is particularly suited for incorporation into a standard oil filter by fabricating the casing and or an internal screen of acid neutralizing metal and/or by incorporating acid neutralizing metallic fibers into the mechanical filter material.

Abstract: A mobile zinc stripping device for stripping zinc from cathodes comprising a moveable base frame, a cathode support frame to support the cathodes during stripping, a stripping assembly for stripping the zinc sheets from the cathodes and at least one power source for powering the stripping assembly. The stripping assembly includes a lateral stripper for separating an upper edge of a zinc sheet from each of the cathodes, the lateral stripper being adapted to bias away from the cathode immediately upon entering between the zinc sheet and the cathode, and a scraping device for completing removal of the sheet from each said cathode. The device also includes a cathode cleaner and a bottom up stacker assembly for stacking zinc sheets.

Abstract: An increased capacity battery holder, which allows a device to be used for a longer time duration than can be achieved from solely internally contained batteries, capable of providing additional energy to the device, beyond internal space and volume limitations of the device, having additional battery holding capacity external to the device, with the additional battery holding capacity self contained within the battery holder. The battery holder provides maximum energy output, a portion of the battery holder being matingly removably attachable and optionally removably lockable to the device. The battery holder is safe, of simple construction, easy to install and remove therefrom the device, acts as an additional means for holding and/or handling the device, and is capable of forming an integral assembly with the device. The battery holder has means for preventing inadvertent shorting and/or reversing polarity of the batteries, and optionally recharging means for recharging the batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-based alloy for a lead-acid battery, comprising not less than 0.02% and less than 0.05% by weight of calcium, not less than 0.4% and not more than 2.5% by weight of tin, not less than 0.005% and not more than 0.04% by weight of aluminum, not less than 0.002% and not more than 0.014% by weight of barium, and the balance of lead and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A rechargeable, alkaline, zinc-based battery containing a stack of hydrogen permeable cellulose-based films, each one optionally containing a dispersion of metal salts. A film may contain copper salt that reacts with cellulose to prevent zinc dispersion. A second film may contain fluoride salts that react with silver ions to prevent silver plating. A third optional film contains sulfide salts that react with copper ions to form copper sulfide salts to lower copper ion concentration in the electrolyte. The stack may also contain at least one hydrogen-permeable regenerated cellulose film and at least one hydrogen permeable hydrocarbon film such as polypropylene.

Abstract: Lead composition for use in the production of battery components particularly the electrode plates, having specific amounts or ranges of trace elements to maximise battery life. Ranges of trace elements include the combination of 20-100 ppm silver, 250-1000 ppm bismuth, and 250-1000 ppm zinc; or 100-1000 ppm antimony and 100-1000 ppm iron; or 250-1000 ppm bismuth, 250-1000 ppm zinc, 20-100 ppm silver, not more than 20 ppm antimony and not more than 30 ppm iron.

Abstract: A heterogeneous, cellulose battery separator made of a mixture of cellulose and a polymer with hydrogen permeability for use in zinc-based batteries exhibiting increased hydrogen transport through the membrane while maintaining low electrical impedance and exhibiting resistance to zinc ion transport preventing zinc dendrite formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising one or more zinc ionophores for protecting tissue from the harmful effects of apoptosis in patients in need thereof. Concentrations of zinc-pyrithione and diethyldithiocarbamate in the picomolar to nanomolar range have a strong protective effect against apoptosis.

Abstract: Separator for silver-zinc batteries made of cellulose and containing insoluble fluoride ions which when placed next to the cathode slowly release and retard silver deposition thereon.

Abstract: An anode comprises one or more sheets of expanded zinc mesh. The thickness and mesh size of the expanded zinc mesh may vary. A single sheet of zinc mesh may be coiled, forming continuous electrical contact with itself. Alternatively, a single sheet of zinc mesh may be folded into layers, each layer in electrical contact with its adjacent layers. A third alternative is the use of two or more sheets of zinc mesh, layered on top of each other so that each layer is in electrical contact with adjacent layers. These zinc mesh anodes are combined with a casing, a cathode, an electrolyte solution, and a separator between the cathode and anode to manufacture electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluidized bed roaster with stabilized fluidized bed for roasting zinc concentrate which can have a uniform internal temperature distribution to form a stabilized fluidized bed, thereby dramatically reducing the amount of sulfide sulfur contained in calcine and the amount of fine calcine particle carried over to a gas discharge port.

Abstract: A zinc alloy for use in zinc-alkaline batteries having improved gassing properties includes a bismuth-indium intermetallic compound in an amount sufficient to improve the gassing properties of the alloy, and with the major part of the alloy being zinc that is substantially free of lead and mercury. The bismuth-indium intermetallic is preferably present in the form of segregates located at the intergrain boundaries. The bismuth and indium are preferably present in an amount between 50 and 10,000 ppm, and more preferably 200 to about 1000 ppm, and most preferably about 300 ppm. The weight ratio of bismuth to indium is preferably from about 46:54 to about 50:50, and more preferably about 48:52. Magnesium, calcium and aluminum may also be present.