Abstract: The present invention provides a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least one location of a blood vessel underneath the surface of a skin and that is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is well suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has an actuator for moving and aligning the cannula to a determined position. The system is further adapted to autonomously insert the cannula into the blood vessel for multiple purposes, such as blood withdrawal, venous medication and infusions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical energy source comprising at least one fuel cell, which fuel cell comprises: a first current collector coupled to a negative electrode, a fuel source connected to said negative electrode, a second current collector coupled to a positive electrode, an oxidant source connected to said positive electrode, and an ion-conducting electrolyte located between said negative electrode and said positive electrode. The invention also relates to an electronic device incorporating such an electrochemical energy source.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical energy source comprising at least one fuel cell, which fuel cell comprises: a first current collector coupled to a negative electrode, a fuel source connected to said negative electrode, a second current collector coupled to a positive electrode, an oxidant source connected to said positive electrode, and an ion-conducting electrolyte located between said negative electrode and said positive electrode. The invention also relates to an electronic device incorporating such an electrochemical energy source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a lithium battery, which method includes the following steps: A) forming at least one anode and at least one cathode; B) forming at least one assembly that includes the anode, a separator layer and the cathode by positioning the separator layer between the anode and the cathode, and C) realizing an ultimate configuration for the assembly. The invention also relates to a lithium battery, which includes at least one lamination of at least one lithium cathode, and an anode that is connected to the lithium cathode via intermediate separator means. The invention also relates to an electrical appliance that includes such a lithium battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a lithium battery. Said lithium battery at least comprises a stack of a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode. In said method a pattern of holes is produced in the negative electrode as well as in the positive electrode. A polymeric material is applied on at least one side of the stack and the stack is subjected to heat and pressure, so that the polymeric material penetrates the holes, whereby components are stuck and pressed together. In the method described, the polymeric material comprises a polymer having a melt flow index of at least 0.5 g/10 min. at 190° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are a lithium battery and methods for the manufacture thereof. Such a lithium battery includes a stack of a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode. In the manufacturing methods, a pattern of holes is produced in the negative electrode as well as in the positive electrode, and a polymeric material is caused to penetrate the holes, whereby the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the separator are stuck and pressed together. Moreover, the negative electrode and the positive electrode are provided with an alignment pattern which can be used for the purpose of aligning the electrodes. The presence of such an alignment pattern facilitates the alignment of the layers with respect to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a lithium battery having a stack of a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode. A pattern of holes is produced in the negative electrode as well as in the positive electrode. A polymeric material is applied on at least one side of the stack and the stack is subjected to heat and pressure, so that the polymeric material penetrates the holes, whereby components are stuck and pressed together. The polymeric material includes bulges which are at least partially located at the ends of holes in the electrode (s). The provision of such bulges of polymeric material makes enough polymeric material available to fill the holes and stick together the electrodes and the separator, while on the outer sides of the stack, in between the holes, the polymeric material can be very thin or even be absent.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery (5) comprising individual cells connected with one another, which cells each comprise a negative electrode including negative electrode material (9), a positive electrode including positive electrode material (10), a separator (6) sandwiched between the negative and the positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution between the negative and the positive electrode. The negative and the positive electrode material is provided in segments on the respective current collectors in order to increase the pliability of the battery. Common current collectors (7, 8) are used for all individual cells connected with one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a lithium battery, which method includes the following steps: A) forming at least one anode and at least one cathode; B) forming at least one assembly that includes the anode, a separator layer and the cathode by positioning the separator layer between the anode and the cathode, and C) realizing an ultimate configuration for the assembly. The invention also relates to a lithium battery, which includes at least one lamination of at least one lithium cathode, and an anode that is connected to the lithium cathode via intermediate separator means. The invention also relates to an electrical appliance that includes such a lithium battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the state of charge of a rechargeable lithium battery. The first step of said method is to determine whether the battery is in an equilibrium state or in a non-equilibrium state. If the battery is determined to be in an equilibrium state, the voltage across the battery is measured and converted into an equilibrium state-of-charge value. If the battery is in a non-equilibrium state, the charge withdrawn from or supplied to the battery is calculated by means of current integration, and this charge is subtracted from or added to a state-of-charge value calculated earlier. Also disclosed is a method of estimating the time that an application can be used under predefined conditions.

Abstract: A lithium battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution between the negative and the positive electrodes. At least the negative electrode material and the positive electrode material are provided with a pattern of holes which accommodate a polymeric material which sticks and presses the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the separator together. In order to decrease the tendency of the electrolyte solution to sublime, thereby expanding the packaging material around the battery, the non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a solution of lithium salts, solvent molecules and a polymer, forming a gel-electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the state of charge of a rechargeable lithium battery. The first step of said method is to determine whether the battery is in an equilibrium state or in a non-equilibrium state. If the battery is determined to be in an equilibrium state, the voltage across the battery is measured and converted into an equilibrium state-of-charge value. If the battery is in a non-equilibrium state, the charge withdrawn from or supplied to the battery is calculated by means of current integration, and this charge is subtracted from or added to a state-of-charge value calculated earlier.

Abstract: A description is given of a secondary lithium metal battery in which the formation of lithium dendrites is inhibited. The battery (1) comprises negative electrode material (3) on a current collector (5) and positive electrode material (7) on a current collector (9) separated by a separator (11), which may be a polymer gel electrolyte optionally combined with a separator. According to the invention, the negative electrode (anode) has a high specific surface area, so that lithium dendrites are prevented during charging of the negative electrode. Examples of electrode materials of high surface area are particles of graphite, metals such as nickel, or metal foams, e.g. of nickel. Lithium intercalation does not occur in metals, whereas the intercalating capacity for lithium in graphite is at most 25 percent of the capacity of the positive electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are a lithium battery and methods for the manufacture thereof. Such a lithium battery at least comprises a stack of a negative electrode (12), a separator (7), and a positive electrode (11). In the manufacturing methods, a pattern of holes is produced in the negative electrode (12) as well as in the positive electrode (11), and a polymeric material is caused to penetrate the holes, whereby the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the separator are sticked and pressed together. Moreover, the negative electrode and the positive electrode are provided with a pattern (4, 5, 6) which can be used for the purpose of aligning the electrodes. The presence of such a pattern facilitates the alignment of the layers with respect to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a lithium battery. Said lithium battery at least comprises a stack of a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode. In said method a pattern of holes is produced in the negative electrode as well as in the positive electrode. A polymeric material is applied on at least one side of the stack and the stack is subjected to heat and pressure, so that the polymeric material penetrates the holes, whereby components are stuck and pressed together. In the method described, the polymeric material comprises bulges which are at least partially located at the ends of holes in the electrode(s). The provision of such bulges of polymeric material makes enough polymeric material available to fill the holes and stick together the electrodes and the separator, while on the outer sides of the stack, in between the holes, the polymeric material can be very thin or even be absent.