Abstract: A battery module is disclosed. The battery module comprises a housing, a heat-conducting fin disposed within the housing having a first fin surface and a second fin surface, the first fin surface and the second fin surface defining a respective first housing cavity and a second housing cavity within the housing. The battery module further comprises a first battery cell disposed within the first housing cavity and engaging the first fin surface and a second battery cell disposed with the second housing cavity and engaging the second fin surface. The heat-conducting fin is adapted to conduct heat from the first and second battery cells outwardly from the housing.

Abstract: An optimized lithium ion battery cell is disclosed. The battery cell comprises an anode and a cathode. The cathode is coated with a cathode coating comprising a cathode mixture of a cathode powder adapted for an energy cell application, a binder, and a conductive agent. The cathode mixture is of a respective ratio of 3 (binder) to 2 (conductive agent) to 95 (cathode powder). The anode is coated with an anode coating comprising an anode mixture of an anode powder adapted for an energy cell application, a first binder, a second binder, and a conductive agent. The anode mixture is of a respective ratio of 1.5 (first binder) to 2 (conductive agent) to 94 (anode powder) to 2.5 (second binder).

Abstract: A battery module is disclosed. The battery module comprises a housing, a heat-conducting fin disposed within the housing having a first fin surface and a second fin surface, the first fin surface and the second fin surface defining a respective first housing cavity and a second housing cavity within the housing. The battery module further comprises a first battery cell disposed within the first housing cavity and engaging the first fin surface and a second battery cell disposed with the second housing cavity and engaging the second fin surface. The heat-conducting fin is adapted to conduct heat from the first and second battery cells outwardly from the housing.

Abstract: A high rate lithium battery can include a cathode composition coated on a substrate. The cathode composition can include first and second active materials and binder. The first and second active materials can have different characteristics including, for example, particle size, tap density, and amount of conductive component. The first and second active materials can be combined to achieve higher packing densities of the active material, which may allow for a higher capacity battery as compared to conventional batteries formed with a single active material.

Abstract: An electromagnetic resonator has a resonant element made of a high-temperature superconducting material such as YBa2Cu3O7-x. The resonant element has a substrate coated with a thermally conductive layer such as silver, over which the high-temperature superconductor material is placed. The thermally conductive layer distributes heat along the length of the resonant element to minimize the effects of localized heating at, for instance, the center of the resonator. The resonant element is held to a housing by a mounting mechanism including a post made of polycrystalline alumina. The polycrystalline alumina transfers heat away from the center of the resonant element and may be used to suppress spurious response due to second harmonic resonance.

Abstract: An electromagnetic resonator has a resonant element made of a high-temperature superconducting material such as YBa2Cu3O7−x. The resonant element has a substrate coated with a thermally conductive layer such as silver, over which the high-temperature superconductor material is placed. The thermally conductive layer distributes heat along the length of the resonant element to minimize the effects of localized heating at, for instance, the center of the resonator. The resonant element is held to a housing by a mounting mechanism including a post made of polycrystalline alumina. The polycrystalline alumina transfers heat away from the center of the resonant element and may be used to suppress spurious response due to second harmonic resonance.

Abstract: A stripline resonator has a center conductor between layers of dielectric which are, in turn, between ground planes. The center conductor is made of a high-temperature superconducting material, preferably having a total superconductor thickness from at least about one micron to at least about one-hundred microns. The superconducting material has an electromagnetic penetration depth and the ratio of the thickness of the superconductor to the penetration depth is from at least about 4:1 to at least about 100:1. The center conductor may be formed of a substrate coated with the high-temperature superconducting material so that the center conductor is discrete from the dielectric element. The center conductor may have a length which is greater than the length of the dielectric element.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device, such as a resonator for a filter, incorporates a high-purity polycrystalline alumina. The device may include a superconducting component, which must be cooled significantly below room temperature. The high-purity polycrystalline alumina may be a dielectric slab in a stripline resonator, or may be used as a stand for holding other components. The high-purity polycrystalline alumina exhibits a very low loss tangent at cryogenic temperatures, and therefore will result in an electromagnetic device with superior performance characteristics.

Abstract: A magnetically-activated switch including a high temperature superconductor. The magnetic switch includes a high temperature superconductor coupled at both ends to a rigid beam, a thermal shield structure is disposed adjacent to the superconductor and a magnetic field source is positioned near the superconductor to allow transitioning of the superconductor in and out of the superconducting state.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor fault current limiter and a method of using same. The fault current limiter comprises a high temperature superconductor material structure at least partially encapsulated in an epoxy having thermal conductivity properties that enable the superconductor to heat rapidly during a fault condition while preventing thermal runaway. The epoxy encapsulation decreases the critical current density of the superconductor material structure and increases the rate at which resistance increases with increasing current once the critical current density is exceeded. Preferably, the epoxy has thermal expansion properties approximately equal to the thermal expansion properties of the superconductor material structure.

Abstract: A method of measuring a cryogenic fluid level utilizing a high temperature ceramic superconductor material driven above its level of critical current density. A high temperature ceramic superconductor is placed in cryogenic fluid and a voltage is applied between two points on the superconductor. The voltage drop is then measured at a third point on the superconductor. This voltage drop corresponds to the change in cryogenic fluid level, and thus can be used to measure the fluid level. Sensitivity of the measurement is increased by driving the high temperature ceramic superconductor above its level of critical current density.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor and composite structure. A superconductor is disposed on a silver substrate without interdiffusion. The superconductor is formed by heating to a temperature not exceeding the peritectic point of the superconductor material, providing an oxidizing atmosphere while not exceeding the melting point of silver and disposing the superconductor on the silver substrate.

Abstract: A fault current limiter incorporating a high temperature superconductor material. During a fault condition, the superconductor material is allowed to operate above its critical temperature, providing sharply increased resistance. The fault current limiter can be sized and selectively cooled to provide a desired range of fault current limiting capability.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid level sensor utilizing a high temperature ceramic superconductor material driven above its level of critical current density, an exterior housing for holding the length of ceramic superconductor material, a support material disposed between the ceramic superconductor material and the exterior housing, and a resilient retention material disposed opposite the ceramic superconductor material for holding the superconductor material while allowing expansion and contraction thereof during thermal cycling. A method of producing a superconductor material having a low level of critical current density and favorable structural properties is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a superconductor. The method includes preparing a mixture of superconductor material constituents, disposing the constituents on a silver containing substrate, heating the mixture of constituents on a silver containing substrate, heating the mixture in a first atmosphere having a partial pressure of CO.sub.2 to control decomposition of at least one of the superconductor material constituents and changing the first atmosphere to a second atmosphere consisting essentially of an oxidizing gas capable of allowing decomposition of at least one of the superconductor material constituents.

Abstract: A diamine salt and a surfactant are imbibed into never-dried aromatic polyamide fibers which may be printed or overprinted with acid dyes, after drying.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing superconducting ceramic powder includes calcining superconducting precursor compounds in an atmosphere having a controlled amount of oxygen, generally not more than that found in air, the remainder of the atmosphere composed of a gas or mixture of gases inert with respect to the ceramic. A preferred process includes forming the precursor compounds into a slurry, granulating the slurry, drying the granules (a binder can be added to the slurry to promote green strength), and calcining in the controlled atmosphere to provide the desired HTSC (high temperature superconductor) composition.

Abstract: A process for diffusing and subliming water-soluble and water-insoluble materials into never-dried, shrinkable aromatic polyamide fibers, using steam heated at certain controlled temperatures, within a specially designed treatment chamber and a process and apparatus for treating a tow of shrinkable material.

Abstract: Glass-ceramic packages for integrated circuits containing multi-layer, interconnected thick film wiring patterns are obtained by co-sintering a glass-ceramic composite and copper, silver, palladium, gold, based conductors at temperatures not exceeding about 1000.degree. C. The dielectric systems include composites of borosilicate glasses and crystalline fillers which are fabricated by either mixing glass frit and the filler or by a sol-gel coating process. The package is fabricated using a tape specifically designed for clean binder burnout in a reducing atmosphere at low temperatures and also for superior mechanical and thermal properties. Metallization, applied by the thick film screening technique, utilized herein has glass-ceramic bonding agents designed to promote adhesion yet maintain the desired electrical properties and post-processing characteristics.

Abstract: A tungsten paste suitable for co-sintering with 98+% alumina substrate can be produced by adding selected compositions of glass to the paste. Circuit packages produced in accordance with the present invention exhibit superior thermal conductivity, low shrinkage variability, and smoother and more homogeneous surface finish. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a substrate comprising narrow size range alumina powder, thus yielding lower sintering temperature and further improvements in shrinkage variability and surface finish.