Abstract: Perfluoropolyethers having fluorinated epoxy groups positioned along their perfluoropolyether chain, and free from peroxidic oxygen, are obtained by means of a low-temperature oxidation process, in the liquid phase, with molecular oxygen and in the presence of U.V. light, of a mixture of a perfluorinated monoolefin and a perfluorinated conjugated diene, and of the subsequent photochemical decomposition of the peroxy groups contained in the photooxidation product, carried out by treating the peroxy-groups-containing product with U.V. light at a temperature comprised within the range of from 0.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. Derivatives of said epoxy containing perfluoropolyethers in which the epoxy groups have been turned into functional groups.

Abstract: A method for forming an ohmic contact on a GaAs semiconductor material comprising depositing a non-uniform layer of Au onto the surface layer of the semiconductor material, depositing a multi-layer ohmic contact of AuGeNi onto the non-uniform layer and alloying the ohmic contact to the semiconductor material. The non-uniform Au layer may be deposited by backscattering Au during sputter cleaning of the semiconductor surface wherein the electrode is coated with Au. After alloying, the ohmic contact comprises a two layer structure having a high density of large area NiAs(Ge) grains contacting the semiconductor material as the first layer and an AuGa phase as the top layer. The ohmic contact has reduced contact resistance and exhibits a reduction in the spread of contact resistance after high temperature annealing.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, an electrolyte matrix sandwiched between electrodes, and a pair of plates above and below the electrodes. The plate above the electrodes has a lower surface with a first group of process gas flow channels formed thereon and the plate below the electrodes has an upper surface with a second group of process gas flow channels formed thereon. The channels of each group extend generally parallel to one another. The improvement comprises the process gas flow channels on the lower surface of the plate above the anode electrode and the process gas flow channels on the upper surface of the plate below the cathode electrode being skewed in opposite directions such that contact areas of the surfaces of the plates through the electrodes are formed in crisscross arrangements.

Abstract: An ionically conductive material useful in electrochemical generators is disclosed. This ionically material comprises a salt in solution in a solvent. The solvent comprises a sulfonated derivative of Formula (I):R.sub.1 R.sub.2 N--SO.sub.2 NR.sub.3 R.sub.4wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group or a C.sub.1-10 oxaalkyl group.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing a manifold to a stack of fuel cells includes a first resilient member for providing a first sealing barrier between the manifold and the stack. A second resilient member provides a second sealing barrier between the manifold and the stack. The first and second resilient members are retained in such a manner as to define an area therebetween adapted for retaining a sealing composition.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical power source is shown, adapted for use as a primary and/or secondary cell, wherein a non-aqueous electrolyte is used, the solvent being a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 aliphatic acid chloride and the solute being a lithium aluminum halide with an additive selected from the group consisting of bromine and iodine.

Abstract: In a lithium-alloy/metal sulfide high temperature electrochemical cell, cell damage caused by overcharging is avoided by providing excess lithium in a high-lithium solubility phase alloy in the negative electrode and a specified ratio maximum of the capacity of a matrix metal of the negative electrode in the working phase to the capacity of a transition metal of the positive electrode. In charging the cell, or a plurality of such cells in series and/or parallel, chemical transfer of elemental lithium from the negative electrode through the electrolyte to the positive electrode provides sufficient lithium to support an increased self-charge current to avoid anodic dissolution of the positive electrode components above a critical potential. The lithium is subsequently electrochemically transferred back to the negative electrode in an electrochemical/chemical cycle which maintains high self-discharge currents on the order of 3-15 mA/cm.sup.2 in the cell to prevent overcharging.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite article suitable for use in thermoelectric generators. The article comprises a thin film comprising molybdenum oxide as an electrode deposited by physical deposition techniques onto solid electrolyte. The invention is also directed to the method of making same.

Abstract: End of train marker light equipment (10) has been designed with a battery compartment (13) which can receive either a lead/acid battery (100), a Ni/Cd battery pack (250) or a pair of lantern batteries (350 and 352). In a first configuration, the lead/acid battery (100) mates with an electrical connector (30) positioned on the back wall (20) of the battery compartment (13). In a second configuration, an adapter (200) is fitted into the battery compartment (13) to receive a Ni/Cd battery pack (250). The adapter (200) includes an electrical connector (218) which is copmlimentary to the electrical connector (30). In a third configuration, a pair of lantern batteries (350 and 352) are fitted in the battery compartment (13) to contact a contact pattern (300) positioned on the back wall (20).

Abstract: A current connection device for use in batteries formed from a plurality of electrochemical cells wherein the electrodes in each cell are to have pressure cushions for isostatic compression and the cells are to operate at increased pressure levels. The device comprises two contact sheets welded to the sides of a metal plate, one to a side, the metal plate with its contact sheets being surrounded by an elastomer frame. A metallic current connection strip is coupled to the plate and extends through the frame to permit coupling the cells together.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nickel hydroxide electrode for use in an alkaline storage cell. The disclosed method comprises a first step of forming cobalt hydroxide on surfaces of a porous nickel sintered plaque, a second step of changing the cobalt hydroxide into cobalt oxyhydroxide, and a third step of carrying out an active material filling operation for the sintering plaque formed with the cobalt oxyhydroxide.

Abstract: A nickel electrode for an alkaline battery includes a porous alkali-proof metal fiber substrate as a current collector and an active material principally formed of a nickel hydroxide powder is precluded from formation of the higher oxide, .gamma.-NiOOH, is improved in the ratio of utilization of the active material, and is provided with a high energy density and a long service life when the nickel hydroxide powder employed therein possesses a pore radius in the range of 15 to 30 .ANG., a total pore volume of not more than 0.05 ml/g, and a specific surface area in the range of 15 to 30 m.sup.2 /g. An alkaline battery is also provided by the invention which uses the nickel electrode described above.

Abstract: A method of producing interlayer conductive paths having substantially planar top surfaces in a multilayer integrated circuit structure, comprising the steps of forming elements of either a conductive or semiconductive material as a lower layer, depositing an insulative layer on top of the lower layer elements, implanting ions into one or more selected regions of the insulative layer, forming at least one upper conductor over the selected regions and sintering the integrated circuit structure sufficient to render the selected regions conductive. The invention also embraces an integrated circuit structures with interlayer conductive paths made in accordance with this method.

Abstract: An improved zinc electrode is disclosed for a rechargeable zinc-air battery comprising an outer frame and a porous foam electrode support within the frame which is treated prior to the deposition of zinc thereon to inhibit the formation of zinc dendrites on the external surface thereof. The outer frame is provided with passageways for circulating an alkaline electrolyte through the treated zinc-coated porous foam. A novel rechargeable zinc-air battery system is also disclosed which utilizes the improved zinc electrode and further includes an alkaline electrolyte within said battery circulating through the passageways in the zinc electrode and an external electrolyte circulation means which has an electrolyte reservoir external to the battery case including filter means to filter solids out of the electrolyte as it circulates to the external reservoir and pump means for recirculating electrolyte from the external reservoir to the zinc electrode.

Abstract: Low temperature molten compositions are comprised of a mixture of a metal halide, such as aluminum trichloride, and a ternary alkyl sulfonium salt, such as trimethylsulfonium chloride, and are useful as electrolytes in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A Co-based alloy sputter target comprising a f.c.c. phase and a h.c.p. phase, wherein the value of th ratio of X-ray diffraction peak intensity, I.sub.fcc(200) /I.sub.hcp(101), is smaller than the value of the same ratio in a Co-based alloy obtained by cooling a Co-based alloy having a f.c.c. single phase to room temperature from the high temperature at which it is in a melted state.The target is manufactured by subjecting to cold-working treatment a Co-based alloy obtained by cooling a Co-based alloy material having a f.c.c. single phase from its melting temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrochemical cells wherein the cathode comprises ceramics containing copper oxides characterized as perovskites.

Abstract: An novel metal-sulfur type cell operable at a temperature of 200.degree. C. or less with an energy density of 150 Whrs/Kg or better is disclosed characterized by an organo-sulfur cathode formed from an organic-sulfur compound having the general formula, in its charged state, of (R(S).sub.y).sub.n wherein y=1 to 6; n=2 to 20; and R is one or more different aliphatic or aromatic organic moieties having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which may include one or more oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen heteroatoms when R comprisises one of more aromatic rings, or one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or fluorine atoms associtated with the chain when R comprises an aliphatic chain, wherein the aliphatic group may be linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein either the aliphatic chain or the aromatic ring may have substituted groups thereon.

Abstract: A method for forming an interpenetrating polymeric network containing a liquid electrolyte for use in solid state electrochemical cells which comprises forming a mixture of a liquid monomeric or prepolymeric radiation polymerizable, compound, a radiation inert ionically conducting liquid, and an ionizable alkaline metal salt; subjecting said mixture to actinic radiation to thereby crosslink said radiation polymerizable ionically conducting material and form a solid matrix containing said ionically conducting liquid; and electrode half elements and electrochemical cells incorporating said network.

Abstract: An electrical accumulator has an electrically-insulating container with a covering which reflects infra-red radiation.