Abstract: This invention involves a separation method of a spent battery material. The spent battery electrode is first obtained by disassembling an electrical battery manually or preferably through robot automation. A voltage of less than 600 V is applied onto a surface of the spent electrode where localized gas bubbles form and collapse directly on the electrode surface. The gas bubble collapsing generates the impacting force on the electrode material surface and causes a separation of the battery material. As a result, the battery electrode (active) material is removed from Al or Cu current collector. The electrode active material can be subsequently recycled or regenerated. The Al and Cu collectors can be straightly re-used.

Abstract: This invention involves an alumina-based coating deposited on a steel or copper metallic component for enhanced anti-corrosion and electric insulation properties. The coated metallic component can be a bearing, laminate, shaft, gear, bolt, washer, bush or shim made of steels; or wire and hairpin winding made of copper.

Abstract: This invention involves a method of making a crater-like texture or a ceramic coating on a surface by electrolytic plasma discharging which occurs in fashion of micro-sized arcs distributing on the surface. The high temperature of plasma and high pressure of vapour bubbles of an electrolyte at the local discharging spots during the plasma activities cause micro-sized craters on the surface. Alternatively, using another selected electrolyte, the surface can also form a ceramic coating with a crater-like texture as its top layer. The surface can be polished, ground or honed afterward, and the surface shows improvements in friction, wear resistance, and heat transfer behavior.

Abstract: This invention involves a method of making an electrode and a ceramic separator for use in batteries using a plasma oxidation process. The electrode is a metallic sheet that undergoes plasma oxidation, through which active materials are grown and metallurgically bonded to the metallic sheet. The plasma oxidation method is also used to make a ceramic separator. The electrode is assembled into a conventional battery cell or a hybrid battery cell. In a conventional battery, the said electrode is used as an anode or a cathode. In a hybrid battery, the said electrode is used as a cathode, a thin lithium metal sheet is an anode, the said separator is inserted between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte is held within the separator.

Abstract: This invention involves a plasma oxidation method for making an oxide coating containing air pockets. The encapsulated air, which has minimal thermal conductivity and capacity, allows the coating to adapt quickly to changes in the surrounding temperature. The thermal diffusivity and conductivity of the coated metal can be tailored to provide various thermal functions for internal combustion engine parts.

Abstract: This invention deals with a testing instrument that is used to investigate failure behavior of items subject to impact and sliding forces. The testing instrument produces an impact motion and a sliding motion in each testing cycle with maximum contact pressure similar to actual stresses applied to the items during real applications. The invented instrument simulates wear conditions and failure behaviors of biomedical implants, components, tools and coatings which are observed in practical applications.

Abstract: This invention deals with a testing instrument that is used to investigate failure behavior of items subject to impact and sliding forces. The testing instrument produces an impact motion and a sliding motion in each testing cycle with maximum contact pressure similar to actual stresses applied to the items during real applications. The invented instrument simulates wear conditions and failure behaviors of biomedical implants, components, tools and coatings which are observed in practical applications.

Abstract: This invention involves a process of forming an oxide coating with dimples on Al, Mg and Ti alloys. The oxide coating with dimples on its surface is produced by the process consisting of an electrochemical etching on the surface of those alloys followed by plasma oxidation in an alkaline electrolytic solution using a high voltage power supply. The as-prepared coating has smooth surface finish and improved properties being suitable for wear and corrosion protection of materials which have contacts with each other. The present invention can also be applied onto Al—Si and Mg alloys for wear and corrosion-wear prevention of sleeveless aluminium and magnesium engines.