Abstract: The technology described herein provides methods for addressing obesity by introducing a device into the stomach. Embodiments of a device for treating obesity may comprise a shaped membrane construct that contains a swellable material. The construct may be contained within a capsule which is ingested by a patient. When the capsule dissolves in the stomach, the gastric secretions may diffuse through the membrane and spontaneously swell the internal material, which swells and stiffens the construct sufficiently to create a sensation of satiety by both filling gastric volume and by distending the walls of the stomach. The volume of the construct may be sufficient to prevent passage through the pyloric sphincter. After a set period of time or after the administration of a degradation formulation, the device may structurally degrade to allow passage through the pyloric sphincter and eventual passage from the body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolytic cell and associated process for fabrication, wherein the cell utilizes an intermediate sub-component connecting layer. This layer comprises an electrolyte which, in an at least partially cured state, is at least partially sandwiched between an electrolyte on a first sub-component and an electrolyte on a second sub-component. Prior to full curing of the intermediate sub-component connecting layer, the cell is oriented into a desired product configuration. Once such a configuration is obtained, the intermediate sub-component connecting layer is fully cured to, in turn, maintain the cell in the desired product configuration without concern of misalignment or mechanical degradation between the various sub-components and/or the cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolytic cell and associated process for fabrication, wherein the cell utilizes an intermediate sub-component connecting layer. This layer comprises an electrolyte which, in an at least partially cured state, is at least partially sandwiched between an electrolyte on a first sub-component and an electrolyte on a second sub-component. Prior to full curing of the intermediate sub-component connecting layer, the cell is oriented into a desired product configuration. Once such a configuration is obtained, the intermediate sub-component connecting layer is fully cured to, in turn, maintain the cell in the desired product configuration without concern of misalignment or mechanical degradation between the various sub-components and/or the cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrode, and associated fabrication process, for use in an electrochemical cell. The electrode has an active material comprising a transition metal oxide. A lithium salt having an organic component is associated with the surface of the transition metal oxide so as to increase compatibility with an associated electrolyte. In another embodiment, a lithium salt of saccharin may be adsorbed onto the surface of the transition metal oxide.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrochemical cell comprising a current collecting substrate, an electrode active material cluster having at least one particle wherein the particle includes at least one inclusion, an elastomer binder surrounding at least a portion of the at least one particle, and means associated with the elastomer binder for precluding mechanical degradation of the electrode active material cluster and, in turn, loss of electrical continuity between the at least one particle therein.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, and an associated process, wherein the cell includes a controlled electrode surface comprising an electrode with a metallic current collector having a surface, an electrolyte and a reduced additive. The invention further includes a passivating layer at the interface between the metallic current collector and the electrolyte. The passivating layer includes the reduced additive. This passivating layer substantially precludes contact between electrolyte solvent and surface of the metallic current collector to, in turn, substantially prevent gas formation within the cell, which would otherwise result from decomposition of the solvent upon contact with the surface of the metallic current collector. Also, the reduced additive will likewise be substantially precluded from generating a gas upon its decomposition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to both an electrolyte solution for use as a gel electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, and a process for making both the electrolyte gel and the electrolytic cell. The electrolyte solution comprises a polymerizable electrolyte material and a reinforcement polymer. The reinforcement polymer preferably consists of at least poly(methyl methacrylate), while the polymerizable electrolyte material comprises at least a solvent, a monomer, a polymerization initiator, and an ionic conductor. The use of a reinforcement polymer increases the homogeneity and thus the coatability of the electrolytic solution, while also improving the mechanical properties of the cured electrolyte gel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, and an associated process, wherein the cell includes a controlled electrode surface comprising an electrode with a carbonaceous surface, an electrolyte and a reduced additive. The reduced additive is formulated from an additive which is either soluble or insoluble in the solvated electrolyte prior to reduction. The invention further includes a passivating layer at the carbonaceous electrode/electrolyte interface. The passivating layer includes the additive and/or the reduced additive. This passivating layer substantially precludes contact between electrolyte solvent and the carbonaceous surface of the electrode to, in turn, substantially prevent gas formation within the cell, which would otherwise result from decomposition of the solvent upon contact with the carbonaceous surface. Also, the additive and/or the reduced additive will likewise be substantially precluded from generating a gas upon its decomposition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolytic cell and associated process for fabrication, wherein the cell utilizes an intermediate sub-component connecting layer. This layer comprises an electrolyte which, in an at least partially cured state, is at least partially sandwiched between an electrolyte on a first sub-component and an electrolyte on a second sub-component. Prior to full curing of the intermediate sub-component connecting layer, the cell is oriented into a desired product configuration. Once such a configuration is obtained, the intermediate sub-component connecting layer is fully cured to, in turn, maintain the cell in the desired product configuration without concern of misalignment or mechanical degradation between the various sub-components and/or the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying an electrode paste onto a substrate for use in an electrolytic cell. The apparatus includes a mixing device which mixes, and then dispenses, predetermined amounts of an electrode paste and a polymerization initiator onto a substrate. The mixing device is constructed so as to substantially preclude polymerization of the electrode paste during such mixing, as well as to preclude polymerization prior to application of the mixture onto the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying an electrode paste onto a substrate for use in an electrolytic cell. The apparatus includes a mixing device which mixes, and then dispenses, predetermined amounts of an electrode paste and a polymerization initiator onto a substrate. The mixing device is constructed so as to substantially preclude polymerization of the electrode paste during such mixing, as well as to preclude polymerization prior to application of the mixture onto the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrode mask for use in an electrolytic cell, and an associated process for fabricating such a cell with an electrode mask. The electrode mask is applied to a limited portion of the active material of at least one of the first and second electrodes so that the peripheral edge of the electrode mask and associated electrodes are in planer relationship with each other. In addition, the electrode mask can be applied in a manner which enables a fully fabricated electrolytic cell to be manufactured with any desired geometric configuration, merely by altering the electrode mask application pattern, and a die-cutter to cut an assembled cell in conformance with the applied pattern of the electrode mask.

Abstract: A food skewering tool is used to insert a skewer into a food item, such as an apple. The tool includes a barrel having an axial bore for receiving and guiding the skewer, and a striker element which applies force to the skewer to drive it into the food item. The striker element may include a detent that receives the skewer and prevents slippage when the skewer is being driven. The length of the barrel and the length of the skewer combine to establish the depth that the skewer will penetrate into the food item.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and process for treating an alkali metal electrode, wherein an additive is applied to the electrode so as to result in a predominately additive interface between the electrode and an electrolyte. The additive interface is ionically conductive yet non-ionic. In addition, the additive interface is substantially inert when in contact with the electrode, while being substantially insoluble in the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, having cavitands associated with a metal ion source-electrode and an electrolyte. The cavitands, which are anchored to the electrode by a polymer leash, are capable of releasably attracting particular ions, such as lithium ions, which are migrating from the electrolyte, toward the surface of the electrode during electrodeposition. The polymer leash serves to continuously maintain the cavitands at a predetermined distance away from the surface of the electrode, regardless of surface area fluctuations, typically caused during deposition and dissolution of the particular ions. Accordingly, the cavitands facilitate substantially uniform electrodeposition of the particular ions, which, in turn, substantially suppresses and/or controls the formation and growth of a passive film or layer, on the electrode surface, which may otherwise promote the formation of dendrites.

Abstract: An molecular complex is provided which includes a linear polymer associated with a cyclic molecule to form a rotaxane of the general formula, ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are blocking end groups of size and character sufficient to prevent dethreading of the rotaxane and said R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 the same or different;where the cyclic molecule comprises a cyclic skeleton and at least one A functional group, said functional group attached to the cyclic skeleton;where A is selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functional groups, cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species; andwherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and A are selected from the group consisting of cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species.The molecular complex may used in an electrolyte.

Abstract: An molecular complex is provided which includes a linear polymer associated with a cyclic molecule to form a rotaxane of the general formula, ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are blocking end groups of size and character sufficient to prevent dethreading of the rotaxane and said R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 the same or different;where the cyclic molecule comprises a cyclic skeleton and at least one A functional group, said functional group attached to the cyclic skeleton;where A is selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functional groups, cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species; andwherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and A are selected from the group consisting of cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species.The molecular complex may used in an electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process wherein the cell includes a metal anode (such as a lithium anode), a cathode and an electrolyte. A surface layer which is applied to the metal anode enables transfer of ions from the metal anode to the electrolyte and thus allows the ions to pass back into contact with the metal anode. The surface layer is also electronically conductive so that the ions will be uniformally attracted back onto the metal anode during electrodeposition to, in turn, substantially suppress dendrite growth and, in turn, substantially increase the cycle life of the cell.