Abstract: A database query set-up unit comprising a contribution stack and means for deriving a current information state from said contribution stack is described. Any search criteria provided by any user or by the system itself is pushed onto said contribution stack in the order of occurrence. The current information state, which is used for actually accessing the database, is formed from a subset of the set of search criteria contained in said contribution stack. In order to relax the search constraints, it is possible to suppress one or more of the search criteria contained in said contribution stack when forming the current information state. By implementing a contribution stack, it is possible to keep track of the order of occurrence of the various user inputs and system contributions, and to use this information for relaxing the search constraints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to separator-electrode units for lithium batteries and also to a process for their production. The separator-electrode units comprise a porous electrode which is useful as a positive electrode (cathode) or negative electrode (anode) in a lithium battery and a separator layer applied to this electrode and are characterized in that the separator-electrode units comprise a purely inorganic separator layer which comprises at least two fractions of metal oxide particles which differ from each other in their average particle size and/or in the metal. More particularly, the separator layer comprises metal oxide particles having an average particle size (Dg) which is greater than the average pore size (d) of the pores of the porous positive electrode that are bonded together by metal oxide particles having a particle size (Dk) which is smaller than the pores of the porous electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical separators for batteries, especially lithium batteries, having a shutdown mechanism and also a process for their production. An electrical separator is a separator which is used in batteries and other systems in which electrodes have to be separated from each other while maintaining ion conductivity for example. Safety is very important in lithium batteries, since in contrast to other types of battery (Pb, NiCd, NiMeH) the solvent for the electrolyte is not water but a combustible solvent, for example organic carbonates. This is why it is absolutely necessary for a separator for lithium cells to possess a suitable shutdown mechanism and at the same time for it not to be able to melt down. This object is achieved by an electrical separator according to the invention that comprises a shutdown layer which consists of particles which melt at a desired temperature, close the pores of the separator and so stop ion flow.

Abstract: A description is given of a hybrid membrane which combines the advantages of the inorganic membranes, such as solvent resistance and stability, with the advantages of the organic membrane materials. The hybrid membrane described is composed of a ceramic support layer which is applied on a support comprising polymer fibers, and an organic, selective layer. The separating properties of the membranes can be tailored by varying the polymers and/or the way in which the polymer materials are treated and/or the conditions under which the polymeric selective separating layer is produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical separators and to a process for making them. An electrical separator is a separator used in batteries and other arrangements in which electrodes have to be separated from each other while maintaining ion conductivity for example. The separator is preferably a thin porous insulating material possessing high ion permeability, good mechanical strength and long-term stability to the chemicals and solvents used in the system, for example in the electrolyte of the battery. In batteries, the separator should fully electrically insulate the cathode from the anode. Moreover, the separator has to be permanently elastic and to follow movements in the system, for example in the electrode pack in the course of charging and discharging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical separators and to a process for making them. An electrical separator is a separator used in batteries and other arrangements in which electrodes have to be separated from each other while maintaining ion conductivity for example. The separator is preferably a thin porous insulating material possessing high ion permeability, good mechanical strength and long-term stability to the chemicals and solvents used in the system, for example in the electrolyte of the battery. In batteries, the separator should fully electronically insulate the cathode from the anode. Moreover, the separator has to be permanently elastic and to follow movements in the system, for example in the electrode pack in the course of charging and discharging.

Abstract: A claim is laid to a permeable composite, a process of production of the composite as well as the use of this composite. The composite essentially contains a perforated and permeable carrier, on and in or on or in which another component that essentially contains metallic compounds with elements from group III to VI of the periodic system is stabilized. Stabilization of the component on or in the carrier is carried out by heating a suspension consisting of the component suspended in a metallic oxide sol that has been applied onto or into or onto and into the carrier. In this way, it is possible to produce a permeable composite that is ideally suited for use in filtration and membrane technologies under very mild conditions either by heating for a short time or warming for a longer time.

Abstract: A method and device for carrying out electrofiltration. Electrofiltration is a commonly known method, which is frequently used in industry for purifying suspensions, such as wastewater resulting from manufacturing processes. Conventional devices used for carrying out electrofiltration have the drawback that large amounts of expensive metals such as titanium, gold, iridium, platinum, and the like have to be used as counter-electrodes to the membrane electrodes. The method and device improve the filtration results compared to those of conventional filtration methods and modules without requiring the use of large amounts of expensive metals for the counter-electrodes. To this end, in the method the membrane electrodes are displaced, and a device carries out the method. The method and device can be used for separating substances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cation- and/or proton-conducting membrane, to a process for producing it, and to its use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cation- and/or proton-conducting membrane, to a process for producing it, and to its use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conducting composite which is permeable to matter, to a method for producing an ion-conducing composite which is permeable to matter, and to the use of this composite in various processes. Membranes or ion-conducting materials are used for various chemical and physical process, e.g., electrolysis, electrodialysis. The membranes used are often polymer-based. These polymers are relatively non-resistant to solvents and high temperatures. Therefore, the aim of the invention is to provide an ion-conducting composite. The inventive composite consists of inorganic constituents or at least mainly of inorganic constituents, and is characterised in that is very stable in relation to acids and high temperatures. According to the invention, ion-conducting materials or materials which will be ion-conducting after an additional treatment are added to a composite which is permeable to matter during production. Alternatively, the finished composite is treated with said materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophobic permeable composite, to a method for producing a hydrophobic permeable composite and to the use of said composite in various processes. Hydrophobic, permeable materials have been known for some time. Plastic materials especially, for example Gore-Tex®, but also materials consisting of other organic polymers are used whenever a material is required to be gas- and steam-permeable but not liquid-permeable. These materials have the disadvantage that they can only be used within a certain temperature range. The inventive composite is characterised by a higher temperature resistance since it consists mainly of inorganic materials. It is also relatively easy to produce since it can be obtained using the sol-gel technique. The inventive composite can be used as a membrane in the oxidation of aromatics, for example in the direct oxidation of benzene to phenol.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte coated permeable composite materials are prepared by coating a polyelectrolyte onto a composite material comprising an inorganic component composed of at least one compound of a metal, semimetal or mixed metal with at least one element from main groups 3 to 7, disposed on at least one side and on inner surfaces of a permeable support. The surface of the composite material is charged, and at least one, or a plurality of polyelectrolyte layers are deposited on the composite material to provide a polyelectrolyte coated permeable composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a permeable composite material, a method for producing said composite material, and the use of the composite material. The inventive composite material contains essentially a porous, permeable support, another constituent having been solidified on and in or on or in said support. Said other constituent essentially contains metallic compounds with elements of the 3rd to the 6th main group. The constituent is solidified to, on or in the support by heating a suspension of the constituent suspended in a metal oxide sol applied on and in or on or in the support. The invention hereby provides a means of producing a permeable composite material in very mild conditions, either by heating strongly for a short period or by heating more moderately for a longer period.

Abstract: A gas filter, a process for producing a gas filter and the use of the gas filter are claimed. The filtration of gases, in particular of gases which are contaminated by solids, e.g. automobile exhaust gases, is difficult since the solids which have been filtered out block the filter over the course of time. The gas filter of the invention can be used over relatively long periods of time since it is regenerable.

Abstract: A gas filter, a process for producing a gas filter and the use of the gas filter. The filtration of gases, in particular of gases which are contaminated by solids, e.g. automobile exhaust gases, is difficult since the solids which have been filtered out block the filter over the course of time. The gas filter of the invention can be used over relatively long periods of time since it is regenerable. The improvement achieved by the invention compared to conventional gas filters is that the filter comprises a composite material which can be heated in a simple manner by application of a voltage to the electrically conductive support material of the composite material and thermally decomposable substances which can block the filter can be decomposed. The filter of the invention can be used wherever gases which are contaminated by thermally decomposable solids have to be cleaned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a permeable composite material, a method for producing said composite material, and the use of the composite material. The inventive composite material contains essentially a porous, permeable support, another constituent having been solidified on and in or on or in said support. Said other constituent essentially contains metallic compounds with elements of the 3rd to the 6th main group. The constituent is solidified to, on or in the support by heating a suspension of the constituent suspended in a metal oxide sol applied on and in or on or in the support. The invention hereby provides a means of producing a permeable composite material in very mild conditions, either by heating strongly for a short period or by heating more moderately for a longer period. The resulting permeable composite material is excellently suited to applications in filtration and membrane technology.

Abstract: Mixtures of gases, liquids or solutions are separated by contacting the mixtures with a substance-permeable material and applying a voltage to the substance-permeable material, thereby increasing the efficiency of separation techniques such as microfiltration or ultrafiltration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytically active, permeable composite material, a method for producing said composite material, and the use of the composite material. The inventive composite material can be used for separating mixtures of materials. The fact that various catalytically active substances can be incorporated into the material in various ways makes it highly flexible in terms of possible applications with properties which can be adapted to the particular purpose of an application. The inventive composite material can be used as a catalytically active membrane electrode, for example. According to the invention, the material is obtained by solidifying a suspension on and in a porous, permeable support. The production of the material requires either a very short period of heat treatment at temperatures of around 400° C. or treatment for a longer period at very mild temperatures of below 100° C.