Abstract: A process for forming a protective layer on a metal surface includes the steps of: providing a metal material having an oxygen containing layer; applying at least two compounds to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein a first compound applied is a molecularly large compound; and applying at least a second compound to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein the second compound is molecularly small.

Abstract: An anode material made from nanoparticles, said anode material including a homogeneous mixture of lithium-alloying nanoparticles with active support matrix nanoparticles, is provided. The active support matrix nanoparticle is a compound that participates in the conversion reaction of the lithium battery. The compound is preferably a transition metal compound, with said compound including a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof. An electrode manufactured from the anode material preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% and more preferably has a porosity between 10 and 50%. The anode material nanoparticles preferably have a mean linear dimension of between 2 and 500 nanometers, and more preferably have a mean linear dimension of between 2 and 50 nanometers.

Abstract: A process for forming a protective layer on a metal surface includes the steps of: providing a metal material having an oxygen containing layer; applying at least two compounds to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein a first compound applied is a molecularly large compound; and applying at least a second compound to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein the second compound is molecularly small.

Abstract: A process for forming a protective layer on a metal surface includes the steps of: providing a metal material having an oxygen containing layer; applying at least two compounds to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein a first compound applied is a molecularly large compound; and applying at least a second compound to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein the second compound is molecularly small.

Abstract: An anode material with lithium-alloying particles contained within a porous support matrix is provided. The porous support matrix preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% afforded by porosity channels and expansion accommodation pores, and is electrically conductive. More preferably the support matrix has a porosity of between 10 and 50%. The support matrix is made from an organic polymer, an inorganic ceramic or a hybrid mixture of organic polymer and inorganic ceramic. The organic polymer support matrix and can be made from a rod-coil polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, UV cross-linked polymer, heat cross-linked polymer or combination thereof. An inorganic ceramic support matrix can be made from at least one group IV-VI transition metal compound, with the compound being a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof.

Abstract: An anode material made from nanoparticles, said anode material including a homogeneous mixture of lithium-alloying nanoparticles with active support matrix nanoparticles, is provided. The active support matrix nanoparticle is a compound that participates in the conversion reaction of the lithium battery. The compound is preferably a transition metal compound, with said compound including a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof. An electrode manufactured from the anode material preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% and more preferably has a porosity between 10 and 50%. The anode material nanoparticles preferably have a mean linear dimension of between 2 and 500 nanometers, and more preferably have a mean linear dimension of between 2 and 50 nanometers.

Abstract: A process for forming a protective layer on a metal surface includes the steps of: providing a metal material having an oxygen containing layer; applying at least two compounds to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein a first compound applied is a molecularly large compound; and applying at least a second compound to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein the second compound is molecularly small.

Abstract: An anode material with lithium-alloying particles contained within a porous support matrix is provided. The porous support matrix preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% afforded by porosity channels and expansion accommodation pores, and is electrically conductive. More preferably the support matrix has a porosity of between 10 and 50%. The support matrix is made from an organic polymer, an inorganic ceramic or a hybrid mixture of organic polymer and inorganic ceramic The organic polymer support matrix and can be made from a rod-coil polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, UV cross-linked polymer, heat cross-linked polymer or combination thereof. An inorganic ceramic support matrix can be made from at least one group IV-VI transition metal compound, with the compound being a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode having a metal material having an oxygen containing layer. The electrochemical cell also includes a cathode and an electrolyte. The anode includes a chemically bonded protective layer formed by reacting a D or P block precursor with the oxygen containing layer.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis system for an energy storage device, the latter including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series or parallel to form a cell string. The self-diagnosis system correlates a state of health of the battery based on the internal resistance value of each electrochemical cell of the energy storage device and determines a corresponding battery initial capacity which enables the self-diagnosis system to evaluate the exact capacity of the battery at any given time.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis system for an energy storage device, the latter including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series or parallel to form a cell string. The self-diagnosis system correlates a state of health of the battery based on the internal resistance value of each electrochemical cell of the energy storage device and determines a corresponding battery initial capacity which enables the self-diagnosis system to evaluate the exact capacity of the battery at any given time.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis system for an energy storage device, the latter including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series or parallel to form a cell string. The self-diagnosis system correlates a state of health of the battery based on the internal resistance value of each electrochemical cell of the energy storage device and determines a corresponding battery initial capacity which enables the self-diagnosis system to evaluate the exact capacity of the battery at any given time.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis system for an energy storage device, the latter including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series or parallel to form a cell string. The self-diagnosis system correlates a state of health of the battery based on the internal resistance value of each electrochemical cell of the energy storage device and determines a corresponding battery initial capacity which enables the self-diagnosis system to evaluate the exact capacity of the battery at any given time.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making aquatic pools such as swimming pools, which consist in covering the panels (1) of a cavity with concrete. The invention is characterised in that it comprises the following steps: preparing a mixture of cement (2), sand (4) and fibres (3); transferring said mixture to a spray nozzle; simultaneously spraying said mixture and water on the wall to be covered, with the spray nozzle (12). The invention also concerns a pool, in particular for swimming obtainable by using said method. The invention is applicable to aquatic pools.

Abstract: A hydrophone including a flexible membrane which is encased along its periphery within two rings. A piezoelectric disc is placed against each face of the membrane. The membrane, encasement, and discs form a unit which is embedded in an elastomeric material such as polyurethane. The elastomeric material forms a window of reduced thickness facing each disc and provides the sole mechanical connection with a rigid support. The hydrophone has good directivity and good sensitivity over a sound frequency band several KHZ wide.