Abstract: Composite structures including an ion-conducting material and a polymeric material (e.g., a separator) to protect electrodes are generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is bonded to a polymeric separator. The ion-conducting material may comprise a lithium oxysulfide having a lithium-ion conductivity of at least at least 10?6 S/cm.

Abstract: Electrode structures and methods for making the same are generally described. In certain embodiments, the electrode structures can include a plurality of particles, wherein the particles comprise indentations relative to their convex hulls. As the particles are moved proximate to or in contact with one another, the indentations of the particles can define pores between the particles. In addition, when particles comprising indentations relative to their convex hulls are moved relative to each other, the presence of the indentations can ensure that complete contact does not result between the particles (i.e., that there remains some space between the particles) and that void volume is maintained within the bulk of the assembly. Accordingly, electrodes comprising particles with indentations relative to their convex hulls can be configured to withstand the application of a force to the electrode while substantially maintaining electrode void volume (and, therefore, performance).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery comprising as a first component (A) a pressure vessel (A) and as a second component (B), which is inside of the pressure vessel (A), at least one electrochemical cell (B) comprising at least one cathode comprising at least one electroactive sulfur-containing material, wherein the pressure vessel (A) can be filled or is filled with a pressure medium (C) in order to generate a pressure in the range from 2 bar to 200 bar inside of said pressure vessel. The present invention further relates to a process for operating an electrochemical cell (B), wherein the electrochemical cell (B) is exposed to a hydrostatic pressure in the range from 2 bar to 200 bar.

Abstract: Articles and methods including layers for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells are provided. As described herein, a layer, such as a protective layer for an electrode, may comprise a plurality of particles (e.g., crystalline inorganic particles, amorphous inorganic particles). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of particles (e.g., inorganic particles) are fused to one another. For instance, in some embodiments, the layer may be formed by aerosol deposition or another suitable process that involves subjecting the particles to a relatively high velocity such that fusion of particles occurs during deposition. In some embodiments, the layer (e.g., the layer comprising a plurality of particles) is an ion-conducting layer.

Abstract: Articles and methods including layers for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells are provided. As described herein, a layer, such as a protective layer for an electrode, may comprise a plurality of particles (e.g., crystalline inorganic particles, amorphous inorganic particles). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of particles (e.g., inorganic particles) are fused to one another. For instance, in some embodiments, the layer may be formed by aerosol deposition or another suitable process that involves subjecting the particles to a relatively high velocity such that fusion of particles occurs during deposition. In some embodiments, the layer (e.g., the layer comprising a plurality of particles) is an ion-conducting layer.

Abstract: Sulfur-based electrodes, and associated systems and methods for their fabrication, are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to sulfur-based electrodes with smooth external surfaces. According to some embodiments, relatively large forces can be applied to compositions from which the sulfur-based electrodes are made during the fabrication process. In some such embodiments, the compositions can maintain relatively high porosities, even after the relatively large forces have been applied to them. Methods in which liquids are employed during the electrode fabrication process are also described.

Abstract: Electrode structures and methods for making the same are generally described. In certain embodiments, the electrode structures can include a plurality of particles, wherein the particles comprise indentations relative to their convex hulls. As the particles are moved proximate to or in contact with one another, the indentations of the particles can define pores between the particles. In addition, when particles comprising indentations relative to their convex hulls are moved relative to each other, the presence of the indentations can ensure that complete contact does not result between the particles (i.e., that there remains some space between the particles) and that void volume is maintained within the bulk of the assembly. Accordingly, electrodes comprising particles with indentations relative to their convex hulls can be configured to withstand the application of a force to the electrode while substantially maintaining electrode void volume (and, therefore, performance).

Abstract: Composite structures including an ion-conducting material and a polymeric material (e.g., a separator) to protect electrodes are generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is bonded to a polymeric separator. The ion-conducting material may comprise a lithium oxysulfide having a lithium-ion conductivity of at least at least 10?6 S/cm.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a soft latch mechanism. The soft latch mechanism includes a spring arm disposed on a bracket and a housing disposed on a seat back frame. The housing engages an end portion of the spring arm when the seat back frame is in a folded position to inhibit movement of the seat back frame away from the seat bottom frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for generating biogas, electrical energy and heat starting from biological materials, more precisely a process for the anaerobic fermentation of a flowable substrate using a reactor including at least: an inlet (1), and outlet (3), a plurality of divider walls (6) which divide at least the internal reactor volume provided for the substrate into a plurality of compartments (7 (i)-7 (iv)) and divide each individual compartment (7 (i)-7(iv)) into at least two chambers (8 (i)-8 (iv); 9 (i)-9 (iv)) through which the substrate flows in opposite directions, wherein the process is characterized in that for increasing or reducing a ratio of a volume of the chambers (8 (i)-8 (iv)) through which substrate flows in one direction to a volume of the chamber (9 (i)-9 (iv)) through which substrate flows in the other direction at least some of the divider walls (6) are arranged moveable with respect of their spatial location and/or position and/or extension, wherein the movement and/or exten

Abstract: A seat assembly having a soft latch mechanism. The soft latch mechanism includes a spring arm disposed on a bracket and a housing disposed on a seat back frame. The housing engages an end portion of the spring arm when the seat back frame is in a folded position to inhibit movement of the seat back frame away from the seat bottom frame.

Abstract: A process and a device for coating a strip in which the strip is transported along a strip guide inside a coating chamber. At least two guide elements of the strip guide are positioned a certain distance apart, their longitudinal axes being arranged at a slant to each other in such a way that the distance between the guide elements varies along the longitudinal axes. The strip is conducted along the guide elements inside the coating chamber in such a way that at least two sections of the strip are traveling essentially adjacent to each other as they are being coated.