Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: Described herein, are battery separators, comprising the following: a microporous polymeric film; and an optional coating layer on at least one side of the microporous polymeric film, wherein at least one of the microporous polymeric film and the optional coating comprises an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of a lubricating agent, a plasticizing agent, a nucleating agent, a shrinkage reducing agent, a surfactant, an SEI improving agent, a cathode protection agent, a flame retardant additive, LiPF6 salt stabilizer, an overcharge protector, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a lithium deposition agent or improver, or a solvation enhancer, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a wetting agent, and a viscosity improver. Also, described herein are batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, comprising one or more of the described separators. Methods for making the battery separators are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: Described herein, are battery separators, comprising the following: a microporous polymeric film; and an optional coating layer on at least one side of the microporous polymeric film, wherein at least one of the microporous polymeric film and the optional coating comprises an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of a lubricating agent, a plasticizing agent, a nucleating agent, a shrinkage reducing agent, a surfactant, an SEI improving agent, a cathode protection agent, a flame retardant additive, LiPF6 salt stabilizer, an overcharge protector, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a lithium deposition agent or improver, or a solvation enhancer, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a wetting agent, and a viscosity improver. Also, described herein are batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, comprising one or more of the described separators. Methods for making the battery separators are also described.

Abstract: This application is directed to dry-process porous membranes comprising polyethylene and to methods for forming such membranes. Some of the dry-process porous membranes may comprise polyethylene that has been irradiated with electron-beam irradiation. The dry-process porous membranes disclosed herein may be used in the following: lithium ion batteries, including those utilizing nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium metal, or lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries, and/or large format lithium ion batteries, textiles, garments, PPE, filters, medical products, house products, fragrance devices, and/or disposable lighters.

Abstract: An automatic modeling method for a user-defined vehicle controller includes: configuring a component model; generating a description file; summarizing component input and output signals/parameters; and creating the user-defined vehicle controller. A template and data required by the user is provided to automatically build a vehicle controller port model, and a vehicle controller policy model framework to assist the user to quickly and flexibly build the vehicle controller model is provided. The problem of low efficiency in building various user-defined vehicle controller models for different vehicle types is solved. The user develops a vehicle controller policy model under the given model framework, and the model can run directly without additional configuration of port signals. The user can modify the vehicle controller policy model online in real time, which solves the problem that the application configuration of the vehicle controller is complex and cannot be updated online in real time.

Abstract: An automatic modeling method for a user-defined vehicle controller includes: configuring a component model; generating a description file; summarizing component input and output signals/parameters; and creating the user-defined vehicle controller. A template and data required by the user is provided to automatically build a vehicle controller port model, and a vehicle controller policy model framework to assist the user to quickly and flexibly build the vehicle controller model is provided. The problem of low efficiency in building various user-defined vehicle controller models for different vehicle types is solved. The user develops a vehicle controller policy model under the given model framework, and the model can run directly without additional configuration of port signals. The user can modify the vehicle controller policy model online in real time, which solves the problem that the application configuration of the vehicle controller is complex and cannot be updated online in real time.

Abstract: A multilayer membrane comprising at least two co-extruded layers where the two co-extruded layer contain different polymers and one of the two co-extruded layers contains an extrusion additive. Examples of useful extrusion additives may include a nucleating agent or a pore-forming particulate. A method for making the membrane is also disclosed. Using an extrusion additive when co-extruding two different polymers avoids some of the drawbacks associated with processes involving the co-extrusion of different polymers, particularly processes where a co-extruded non-porous precursor is later stretched to form pores. For example, the drawback of lower permeability, difficulty to make lower Gurley, and splittiness may be improved.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendaring step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: A microporous membrane wipe and a method of using such microporous membrane wipe are disclosed. The microporous membrane wipe may be uniaxially or biaxially oriented microporous membrane. The uniaxially or biaxially oriented microporous membrane may be made from one or more block and/or impact copolymers of polyethylene and/or polypropylene. A method of using such a microporous membrane wipe for skin oil blotting is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a method of using such a microporous membrane wipe for cleaning a surface for the removal of fingerprints, smudges and the like, where such surfaces may include, for example, eyeglasses, electronics, cell phones, displays, optical devices, camera lenses, microscope lenses and other precision optics, and/or the like.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, coated, or treated separator membranes, separators or membrane based separators for lithium batteries. The membranes or separators may include non-woven layers, improved surfactant treatments, or combinations thereof. The separators or membranes are useful for solvent electrolyte lithium batteries, especially rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and provide improved performance, wettability, cycling ability, and/or recharging efficiency.

Abstract: A microporous membrane wipe and a method of using such microporous membrane wipe are disclosed. The microporous membrane wipe may be uniaxially or biaxially oriented microporous membrane. The uniaxially or biaxially oriented microporous membrane may be made from one or more block and/or impact copolymers of polyethylene and/or polypropylene. A method of using such a microporous membrane wipe for skin oil blotting is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a method of using such a microporous membrane wipe for cleaning a surface for the removal of fingerprints, smudges and the like, where such surfaces may include, for example, eyeglasses, electronics, cell phones, displays, optical devices, camera lenses, microscope lenses and other precision optics, and/or the like.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: Methods and systems for spectroscopy are provided. Exemplary methods include: illuminating, with a tunable laser, an analyte with first light; detecting, with a filtered sensor, a first Raman signal; illuminating, with the tunable laser, the analyte using second light; detecting, with the filtered sensor, a second Raman signal, the second Raman signal being shifted from the first Raman signal by a second predetermined increment; illuminating, with the tunable laser, the analyte using third light; detecting, with the filtered sensor, a third Raman signal, the third Raman signal being shifted from the second Raman signal by the second predetermined increment; constructing a Raman spectrum using the first Raman signal, the second Raman signal, and the third Raman signal; and determining at least one molecule of the analyte using the Raman spectrum and a database of predetermined Raman spectra.

Abstract: Systems for spectroscopy are provided. Exemplary systems include: an enclosure; a tunable laser disposed in the enclosure; an opening on a surface of the enclosure; a beam splitter disposed in the enclosure, the beam splitter being optically coupled to the tunable laser and the opening; a sensor, a sensing surface of the sensor having a filter disposed thereon; and electronics coupled to the tunable laser and the sensor, the electronics including a processor, memory, and a battery.

Abstract: The instant disclosure or invention is preferably directed to a polyamide-imide coated membrane, separator membrane, or separator for a lithium battery such as a high energy or high voltage rechargeable lithium battery and the corresponding battery. The separator preferably includes a porous or microporous polyamide-imide coating or layer on at least one side of a polymeric microporous layer, membrane or film. The polyamide-imide coating or layer may include other polymers, additives, fillers, or the like. The polyamide-imide coating may be adapted, for example, to provide oxidation resistance, to block dendrite growth, to add dimensional and/or mechanical stability, to reduce shrinkage, to add high temperature performance (HTMI function), to prevent electronic shorting at temperatures above 200 deg C., and/or the like.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, novel or improved separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes and/or separators, and/or methods of using such membranes and/or separators are disclosed or provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, an ionized radiation treated microporous polyolefin, polyethylene (PE), copolymer, and/or polymer blend (e.g., a copolymer or blend comprising PE and another polymer, such as polypropylene (PP)) battery separator for a secondary or rechargeable lithium battery and/or a method of making an ionized radiation treated microporous battery separator is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for spectroscopy are provided. Exemplary systems include: an enclosure; a tunable laser disposed in the enclosure; an opening on a surface of the enclosure; a beam splitter disposed in the enclosure, the beam splitter being optically coupled to the tunable laser and the opening; a sensor, a sensing surface of the sensor having a filter disposed thereon; and electronics coupled to the tunable laser and the sensor, the electronics including a processor, memory, and a battery.