Abstract: An electrode structure for use in a battery cell includes: a current collector layer having a current collector surface; a free-standing electrode layer having an electrode surface that faces the current collector surface; and an interlayer arranged between the current collector surface and the electrode surface. The interlayer includes an electrically conducting material.

Abstract: An electrode structure for use in a battery cell, the electrode structure including: a current collector layer having a current collector surface; a polymer gel electrode layer having an electrode surface that faces the current collector surface; and an interlayer arranged between the current collector surface and the electrode surface. The interlayer includes an electrically conducting material.

Abstract: A micro moulding machine and process for forming small plastic parts for the medical device industry. The machine adds heat in two steps to a precision sized plastic pellet and then displaces the entire pellet volume into the mould cavity. A substantial amount of heat is added to the pellet by forcing it through an orifice very near the gate of the mould. The pneumatic pressure to drive the pellet through the orifice is controlled to regulate the amount of heat introduced into the pellet.

Abstract: An electrical device including a surface which may be exposed to heat derived from operation of the electrical device such that the temperature of the surface increases during operation. The surface includes a temperature sensor including first and second electrodes separated by a layer of control material. The material properties and/or configuration of the control material are selected such that the electrical conductivity of the control material increases with increasing temperature so that electrical current is able to pass between the first and second electrodes once the temperature of any part of the control material has reached or exceeded a predetermined temperature. The temperature sensor extends over substantially the whole of the surface. A system including the electrical device and a method of controlling the electrical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery cell including an electrode assembly contained within a housing. The electrode assembly shrinks and/or swells depending on a charge/discharge cycle of the cell. A swelling compensation member configured to shrink upon swelling of the electrode assembly, and expand upon on shrinking of the electrode assembly is in continuous contact with the electrode assembly and an innermost surface of the housing. A first portion of the innermost surface of the housing is in contact with the swelling compensation member, and a second portion is free from contact with the swelling compensation member. The battery cell includes a cooling member in thermal contact with the outermost surface of the housing. Part of the outermost surface of the housing in contact with the cooling member corresponds to a part of the innermost surface of the housing which is free from contact with the swelling compensation member.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an internal space defined by at least one internal wall and a base. The mandrel comprises a longitudinal axis, and is positioned in the container such that the longitudinal axis passes through the internal space and the base. The sheet of separator material is arranged about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers which are spaced apart in a packing direction normal to the longitudinal axis. At least one electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, and the mandrel has at least one hollow column running along the length of its longitudinal axis such that a part of the base is accessible via the hollow column.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an internal space bounded by an internal wall. The mandrel is positioned in the internal space and forms a cavity between a mandrel surface and the internal wall of the container. The sheet of separator material is arranged within the cavity about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers. An electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, the mandrel is compressible, and the shape of the mandrel surface is concentric with the internal wall of the container.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises a base and an inner surface forming an internal space. The mandrel is positioned in the container and is spaced apart from the inner surface to define a cavity within the container. The sheet of separator material is arranged about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers within the cavity. At least one electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, and at least a portion of an external surface of a container has a curved profile.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an inner surface. The mandrel comprises a mandrel surface, and is positioned within the container so that the mandrel surface is spaced apart from the inner surface to define a cavity within the container. The container has a packing axis that passes through the cavity, the mandrel surface, and the inner surface. The mandrel is compressible in the direction of the packing axis, the at least one sheet of separator material is arranged in the cavity to provide a plurality of separator layers along the packing axis, and an electrode is provided between the separator layers.

Abstract: A micro moulding machine and process for forming small plastic parts for the medical device industry. The machine adds heat in two steps to a precision sized plastic pellet and then displaces the entire pellet volume into the mould cavity. A substantial amount of heat is added to the pellet by forcing it through an orifice very near the gate of the mould. The pneumatic pressure to drive the pellet through the orifice is controlled to regulate the amount of heat introduced into the pellet.

Abstract: A micro moulding machine and process for forming small plastic parts for the medical device industry. The machine adds heat in two steps to a precision sized plastic pellet and then displaces the entire pellet volume into the mould cavity. A substantial amount of heat is added to the pellet by forcing it through an orifice very near the gate of the mould. The pneumatic pressure to drive the pellet through the orifice is controlled to regulate the amount of heat introduced into the pellet.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an inner surface. The mandrel comprises a mandrel surface, and is positioned within the container so that the mandrel surface is spaced apart from the inner surface to define a cavity within the container. The container has a packing axis that passes through the cavity, the mandrel surface, and the inner surface. The mandrel is compressible in the direction of the packing axis, the at least one sheet of separator material is arranged in the cavity to provide a plurality of separator layers along the packing axis, and an electrode is provided between the separator layers.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an internal space defined by at least one internal wall and a base. The mandrel comprises a longitudinal axis, and is positioned in the container such that the longitudinal axis passes through the internal space and the base. The sheet of separator material is arranged about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers which are spaced apart in a packing direction normal to the longitudinal axis. At least one electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, and the mandrel has at least one hollow column running along the length of its longitudinal axis such that a part of the base is accessible via the hollow column.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises a base and an inner surface forming an internal space. The mandrel is positioned in the container and is spaced apart from the inner surface to define a cavity within the container. The sheet of separator material is arranged about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers within the cavity. At least one electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, and at least a portion of an external surface of a container has a curved profile.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising: a container, a mandrel, at least one sheet of separator material, and two or more electrodes. The container comprises an internal space bounded by an internal wall. The mandrel is positioned in the internal space and forms a cavity between a mandrel surface and the internal wall of the container. The sheet of separator material is arranged within the cavity about the mandrel to provide a plurality of discrete separator layers. An electrode is provided between each of the discrete separator layers, the mandrel is compressible, and the shape of the mandrel surface is concentric with the internal wall of the container.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell having a gel electrolyte. An electrochemical cell is provided having a cell casing, and a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte solution and a temperature activated gelling agent disposed within the cell casing. A gel electrolyte comprising the electrolyte solution and the gelling agent is formed by passing a current through the electrochemical cell such that the temperature of the gelling agent exceeds the activation temperature of the gelling agent.

Abstract: A micro moulding machine and process for forming small plastic parts for the medical device industry. The machine adds heat in two steps to a precision sized plastic pellet and then displaces the entire pellet volume into the mould cavity. A substantial amount of heat is added to the pellet by forcing it through an orifice very near the gate of the mould. The pneumatic pressure to drive the pellet through the orifice is controlled to regulate the amount of heat introduced into the pellet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell having a gel electrolyte. An electrochemical cell is provided having a cell casing, and a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte solution and a temperature activated gelling agent disposed within the cell casing. A gel electrolyte comprising the electrolyte solution and the gelling agent is formed by passing a current through the electrochemical cell such that the temperature of the gelling agent exceeds the activation temperature of the gelling agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing improved interconnection elements and tip structures for effecting pressure connections between terminals of electronic components is described. The tip structure of the present invention has a sharpened blade oriented on the upper surface of the tip structure such that the length of the blade is substantially parallel to the direction of horizontal movement of the tip structure as the tip structure deflects across the terminal of an electronic component. In this manner, the sharpened substantially parallel oriented blade slices cleanly through any non-conductive layer(s) on the surface of the terminal and provides a reliable electrical connection between the interconnection element and the terminal of the electrical component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing improved interconnection elements and tip structures for effecting pressure connections between terminals of electronic components is described. The tip structure of the present invention has a sharpened blade oriented on the upper surface of the tip structure such that the length of the blade is substantially parallel to the direction of horizontal movement of the tip structure as the tip structure deflects across the terminal of an electronic component. In this manner, the sharpened substantially parallel oriented blade slices cleanly through any non-conductive layer(s) on the surface of the terminal and provides a reliable electrical connection between the interconnection element and the terminal of the electrical component.