Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a base plate. The batteries may include a first circuit board overlying the base plate. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery stack may define an aperture through an active region of the battery stack. The batteries may include a second circuit board overlying the battery stack and electrically coupled with the battery stack. The batteries may include a compression plate overlying the second circuit board. The batteries may include a retaining member compressibly coupling the compression plate with the base plate. The retaining member may extend through the aperture through the active region of the battery stack.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and an apparatus for plasma coating the inside surface of a container to provide an effective barrier against gas transmission. The method provides a way to deposit rapidly and uniformly very thin and nearly defect-free layers of polyorganosiloxane and silicon oxide on the inner surface of a container to achieve more than an order of magnitude increase in barrier properties.

Abstract: A barrier to diffusion of gas through polymers by means of plasma generated coating on polymeric substrates. The coating is suitable for application on planar polymeric substrates such a sheet or film. The coating is suitable for application on three-dimensional polymeric substrates, such as polymeric containers, or bottles.

Abstract: A barrier to diffusion of gas through polymers by means of plasma generated coating on polymeric substrates. The coating is suitable for application on planar polymeric substrates such as sheet or film. The coating is suitable for application on three-dimensional polymeric substrates, such as polymeric containers, or bottles.

Abstract: A self-cleaning automotive head lamp, wherein the inner surface of the lens has applied to it an amphiphilic coating containing a photocatalyst.

Abstract: The present invention is a covered microchannel comprising: a) a substrate; b) an etched material adhered to the substrate; and c) a silicon-carbon material adhered to the etched material in such a manner to form a covered microchannel; wherein the silicon-carbon material comprises SiO.sub.1.8-2.4 C.sub.0.3-1.0 and H.sub.0.7-4.0 containing at least one of the following functional groups:--Si--O--Si--, --Si--CH.sub.2 --, --Si--H, or --Si--OH.The covered microchannel can be prepared by the steps of: a) coating a filler material onto a substrate having a groove, wherein the filler material covering the substrate fills the groove; b) removing filler material from the substrate but not from the groove; c) coating the substrate and the filler with an adhering, formable, capping material; and d) removing the filler from the groove. An etched laminate can also be used to prepare the covered microchannel.

Abstract: The present invention is a laminate which comprises:a) a plastic substrate having a surface;b) an adhesion promoter layer which is a first plasma polymerized organosilicon compound deposited on the surface of the substrate in the substantial absence of oxygen; andc) a protective coating layer which is a second plasma polymerized organosilicon compound deposited on the surface of the adhesion layer at a power density from about 10.sup.6 J/kg to about 10.sup.8 J/kg, and in the presence of a sufficient stoichiometric excess of oxygen to form a silicon polymer of SiO.sub.1.8-2.4 C.sub.0.3-1.0 and H.sub.0.7-4.0.The coating layer provides abrasion and solvent resistance for the substrate, and the adhesion promoter prevents the coating layer from peeling off the substrate. The coated plastic substrate can be used in liquid crystal display devices as an alternative to glass.

Abstract: A reversed permeation membrane assembly and method for collecting one or more compounds of interest from a sample solution. The membrane assembly includes a semi-permeable membrane of predetermined thickness and length, and having inner and outer surfaces. The membrane is attached adjacent its outer surface to a substantially rigid membrane support, and a non-porous barrier contacts the outer surface of the membrane to prevent permeation of compounds beyond the outer surface in use. In a preferred embodiment, the semi-permeable membrane assumes a substantially tubular conformation through which sample solution may be passed. The membrane support also preferably features a tubular conformation within which the semi-permeable membrane is mounted. Because of its unique structure and improved efficiency, the assembly of the present invention may be incorporated for in-line use with liquid and gas chromatography devices and GC/MS units.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a new organic base, asbestos-free, asphalt-aluminum coating composition for use on roofs and the like. By the use of a gelling agent in place of asbestos fiber, a product with superior reflectivity is obtained which contains less aluminum than typical asbestos-containing coatings. In addition, since no water is used in the formulation of the composition, the possibility of producing such undesirable by-products as hydrogen gas or aluminum hydroxide is virtually eliminated.