Abstract: A method for detecting the position of a separator relative to electrodes in a secondary lithium battery includes the steps of: providing a secondary lithium battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a X-ray sensitive separator located between the electrodes, and a can or pouch housing the electrodes and separator, the X-ray sensitive separator comprising a microporous membrane having a X-ray detectable element dispersed therein or thereon, the X-ray detectable element comprising at least 2 and no greater than 20 weight % of the membrane; subjecting the secondary lithium battery to X-ray radiation; determining the position of the separator relative to the electrodes; and approving or rejecting the secondary lithium battery based upon the position of the separator relative to the electrodes.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous membrane or layer made of a polymeric material having a plurality of surface treated (or coated) particles (or ceramic particles) having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron dispersed therein. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The particles may be selected from the group consisting of boehmite (AlOOH), SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, BaSO4, CaCO3, BN, and combinations thereof, or the particles may be boehmite. The surface treatment (or coating) may be a molecule having a reactive end and a non-polar end. The particles may be pre-mixed in a low molecular weight wax before mixing with the polymeric material. The membrane may be used as a battery separator.

Abstract: Lithium metal powder based inks are provided. The inks are provided in formulations suitable for printing using a variety of printing techniques, including screen printing, offset litho printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, pad printing and inkjet printing. The inks include lithium metal powder, a polymer binder and optionally electrically conductive materials and/or lithium salts in a solvent. The inks are well suited for use in printing electrodes for use in lithium metal batteries. Batteries made from lithium powder based anodes and electronic applications such as RFID labels, Smart Cards and wearable medical devices are also provided.

Abstract: Porous membrane contactors and/or their methods of manufacture and/or use are provided. In at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to flat panel hollow fiber or flat sheet membrane contactors and/or their methods of manufacture and/or use. In at least certain particular embodiments, the present invention is directed to hollow fiber array flat panel contactors, contactor systems, and/or their methods of manufacture and/or use. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, the contactor is adapted for placement in an air duct (such as an HVAC ductwork) and has a rectangular frame or housing enclosing at least one wound hollow fiber array or membrane bundle.

Abstract: Disclosed or provided are high melt temperature microporous Lithium-ion rechargeable battery separators, shutdown high melt temperature battery separators, battery separators, membranes, composites, and the like that preferably prevent contact between the anode and cathode when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time, methods of making, testing and/or using such separators, membranes, composites, and the like, and/or batteries, Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and the like including one or more such separators, membranes, composites, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed or provided are non-shutdown high melt temperature or ultra high melt temperature microporous battery separators, high melt temperature separators, battery separators, membranes, composites, and the like that preferably prevent contact between the anode and cathode when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time and preferably continue to provide a substantial level of battery function (ionic transfer, discharge) when the battery is maintained at elevated temperatures for a period of time, methods of making, testing and/or using such separators, membranes, composites, and the like, and/or batteries, high temperature batteries, and/or Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries including one or more such separators, membranes, composites, and the like.

Abstract: An IC card includes at least one plastic layer, a battery and at least one electronic device embedded in the plastic layer. The battery is electrically connected to the electronic device for providing power to the device. The battery includes an anode, a cathode, and at least one polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The PME separator includes a polyimide, at least one lithium salt and at least one solvent all intermixed. The PME is substantially optically clear and stable against high temperature and pressure, such as processing conditions typically used in hot lamination processing or injection molding.

Abstract: Lithium metal powder based inks are provided. The inks are provided in formulations suitable for printing using a variety of printing techniques, including screen printing, offset litho printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, pad printing and inkjet printing. The inks include lithium metal powder, a polymer binder and optionally electrically conductive materials and/or lithium salts in a solvent. The inks are well suited for use in printing electrodes for use in lithium metal batteries. Batteries made from lithium powder based anodes and electronic applications such as RFID labels, Smart Cards and wearable medical devices are also provided.

Abstract: The instant application relates to an X-ray sensitive battery separator for a secondary lithium battery and a method for detecting the position of a separator in a secondary lithium battery. The X-ray sensitive battery separator includes a microporous membrane having an X-ray detectable element therein, thereon, or added thereto. The X-ray detectable element constitutes less than 20% by weight of the microporous membrane or separator. The method for detecting the position of a separator in a battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, can, or the like includes the following steps: (1) providing a battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, or the like including an X-ray sensitive battery separator; (2) subjecting the battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, or the like to X-ray radiation; and (3) thereby detecting the position of said separator in said battery, cell, stack, jellyroll, or the like.

Abstract: The instant invention is a separator for a battery having a zinc electrode. The battery separator according to the instant invention includes a microporous membrane, and a coating on at least one surface of the microporous membrane. The coating includes a mixture of 25-40 weight % polymer and 60-75 weight % surfactant combination. The polymer is cellulose acetate, and the surfactant combination includes a first surfactant and a second surfactant. The first surfactant, preferably, has an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of organic ethers, and the second surfactant is, preferably, an oxirane polymer with 2-ethylhexyl dihydrogen phosphate.

Abstract: Lithium metal powder based inks are provided. The inks are provided in formulations suitable for printing using a variety of printing techniques, including screen printing, offset litho printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, pad printing and inkjet printing. The inks include lithium metal powder, a polymer binder and optionally electrically conductive materials and/or lithium salts in a solvent. The inks are well suited for use in printing electrodes for use in lithium metal batteries. Batteries made from lithium powder based anodes and electronic applications such as RFID labels, Smart Cards and wearable medical devices are also provided.

Abstract: The instant invention is a separator for a battery having a zinc electrode. The battery separator according to the instant invention includes a microporous membrane, and a coating on at least one surface of the microporous membrane. The coating includes a mixture of 25-40 weight % polymer and 60-75 weight % surfactant combination. The polymer is cellulose acetate, and the surfactant combination includes a first surfactant and a second surfactant. The first surfactant, preferably, has an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of organic ethers, and the second surfactant is, preferably, an oxirane polymer with 2-ethylhexyl dihydrogen phosphate.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium battery is disclosed. The separator has a microporous membrane and a coating thereon. The coating is made from a mixture of a gel forming polymer, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The first solvent is more volatile than the second solvent. The second solvent acts as a pore former for the gel-forming polymer.

Abstract: A polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) includes a polyimide, at least one salt and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The PME is stable through harsh temperature and pressure conditions. A method of forming a PME includes the steps of dissolving a polyimide in at least one solvent, adding at least one salt to the polyimide and the solvent, wherein said polyimide, salt and solvent become intermixed to form the PME, the PME being substantially optically clear.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The PME separator includes a polyimide, at least one lithium salt in a concentration of at least 0.5 moles of lithium per mole of imide ring provided by the polyimide, and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The battery can be a lithium ion or lithium metal battery.

Abstract: An IC card includes at least one plastic layer, a battery and at least one electronic device embedded in the plastic layer. The battery is electrically connected to the electronic device for providing power to the device. The battery includes an anode, a cathode, and at least one polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The PME separator includes a polyimide, at least one lithium salt and at least one solvent all intermixed. The PME is substantially optically clear and stable against high temperature and pressure, such as processing conditions typically used in hot lamination processing or injection molding.

Abstract: The instant invention is a separator for a lithium polymer battery. The separator comprises a membrane and a coating. The membrane has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of micropores extending from the first surface to the second surface. The coating covers the membrane, but does not fill the plurality of micropores. The coating comprises a gel-forming polymer and a plasticizer in a weight ratio of 1:0.5 to 1:3.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The PME separator includes a polyimide, at least one lithium salt in a concentration of at least 0.5 moles of lithium per mole of imide ring provided by the polyimide, and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The battery can be a lithium ion or lithium metal battery.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium battery is disclosed. The separator has a microporous membrane and a coating thereon. The coating is made from a mixture of a gel forming polymer, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The first solvent is more volatile than the second solvent. The second solvent acts as a pore former for the gel-forming polymer.

Abstract: A polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) includes a polyimide, at least one salt and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The PME is stable through harsh temperature and pressure conditions. A method of forming a PME includes the steps of dissolving a polyimide in at least one solvent, adding at least one salt to the polyimide and the solvent, wherein said polyimide, salt and solvent become intermixed to form the PME, the PME being substantially optically clear.