Abstract: Polypyrrole:carboxymethyl cellulose (PPy:CMC) composites were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. Following that, carbon-additive-free LiCoO2/PPy:CMC cathodes were fabricated by using water as a processing solvent. Carbon-additive-free cathodes were then cycled to study the performance of PPy:CMC electrode matrices. The results indicate that PPy:CMC composites were electrochemically stable within the cathode operating voltage window. As the cycle number increased, electrolyte anions became dopants for PPy units in PPy:CMC composites. The sharp spike in cell voltage of LiCoO2/PPy:CMC cathodes in the first charging cycle indicated that undoped/neutral PPy units in PPy:CMC composite were oxidized and doped to become fully conductive. This unique phenomena teaches an activation procedure for using other CP-based electrode matrices in Li-ion batteries such as polyaniline:carboxy methyl cellulose (PANI:CMC) composites.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an obstructed surface are provided. The apparatus includes: at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: detect a current draw from a generator; determine that a surface including a conductive coating is obstructed in response to the current draw being greater than a predetermined threshold; and output a signal to perform a function in response to determining that the surface is obstructed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an obstructed surface are provided. The apparatus includes: at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: detect a current draw from a generator; determine that a surface including a conductive coating is obstructed in response to the current draw being greater than a predetermined threshold; and output a signal to perform a function in response to determining that the surface is obstructed.

Abstract: A process to induce polymerization of an organic electronically conductive polymer in the presence of a partially delithiated alkali metal phosphate which acts as the polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A process to induce polymerization of an organic electronically conductive polymer in the presence of a partially delithiated alkali metal phosphate which acts as the polymerization initiator.