Abstract: New or improved lead acid batteries with vapor pressure barriers and/or improved battery separators, as well as systems, vehicles, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof are disclosed herein. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid batteries with a vapor pressure barrier. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid battery vapor pressure barriers along with new or improved battery separators, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides a new or improved lead acid battery with a vapor pressure barrier that reduces the water loss from the battery. In at least select embodiments, a method of reducing the water loss of a lead acid battery may include providing a vapor pressure barrier, such as a layer of oil, inside the lead acid battery along with an improved battery separator.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium battery is disclosed. The separator has a microporous membrane and a coating thereon. The coating is made from a mixture of a gel forming polymer, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The first solvent is more volatile than the second solvent. The second solvent acts as a pore former for the gel-forming polymer.

Abstract: The invention uses the technology of the common USB (flash) drive to hold a person's medical history and can be carried on a key chain or in your pocket or purse. The medical history is entered by the owner of the USB drive and is protected by a user ID and password. The invention provides for the digital storage and retrieval of user's medical records that includes drug prescriptions, medical history, doctors, religion preference, living will, medical power of attorney and personal identification. Information can be retrieved and read by any window's base computer that has an available USB port. This invention will self boot and give you access to a medical emergency screen that shows vital information in matter of seconds without a users password all other information stays private. Data is encrypted to ensure security on the drive and a copy can be placed on the local hard drive and/or in a secure database via the internet, that can be accessed anywhere, 24/7 using your ID and password.

Abstract: A method for selectively blocking flow of manganese ions from manganese dioxide electrode to a lithium electrode in lithium-manganese dioxide cell comprising the steps of: providing a lithium electrode adapted to providing lithium ions; providing a manganese dioxide electrode adapted to providing manganese ions; and blocking flow of manganese ions from the manganese dioxide electrode to the lithium electrode but allow lithium ions to flow freely between the lithium electrode to the manganese dioxide electrode and back by; providing a battery separator between the manganese dioxide electrode and the lithium electrode where the separator selectively allow transport of lithium ions between the lithium electrode to the manganese dioxide electrode, but blocks flow of manganese ions from the manganese dioxide electrode to the lithium electrode.

Abstract: A method of making a composite microporous membrane includes the steps of: coating a nonporous precursor film with a polymer composition, and then stretching the coated nonporous precursor. Stretching includes a first stretching conducted at a first temperature and a first stretching rate and a second stretching conducted at a second temperature and a second stretching rate. The first stretching rate and the second stretching rate are different.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium-ion secondary battery is a microporbus membrane with an adjuvant. The microporous membrane is made of a thermoplastic, and has a thickness of 25 ?m or less. The adjuvant, in an effective amount, is mixed into the membrane or coated thereon. The adjuvant is a material adapted to reduce or eliminate energy concentrations around the separator. The energy concentration is sufficient to initiate a reaction of the components of the lithium ion secondary battery.

Abstract: Liquid crystal phases containing components of the formulae I and III have an acceptable combination of threshold steepness, viewing angle and temperature dependence at a low threshold voltage.