Abstract: The invention basically comprises the addition of a small amount of nanometer sized carbon tubes or fibres grown by high temperature vapour deposition to a meso-phase graphite mixture used for a negative electrode (anode) for a lithium battery. These are referred to herein as “carbon nano-fibres”. According to one embodiment of the present invention, in an anode for a lithium battery having a conductive substrate coated with a pressed compact of spherical graphite and an ion-conducting polymeric binder, an amount of from 1.5 to 15% by weight of carbon nano-fibres is added. The carbon nano-fibres may have an average diameter of around 0.2 mm (200×10−9 m) a length of from 10 to 20 mm and an inner core diameter of from 65-70 nm. The spherical graphite may be mesophase graphite and more preferably, the carbon nano-fibres are included in amount of from 2 to 9% by weight.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device for storing electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a driving motor at different power levels is disclosed. The electrical storage device has an energy battery connected to a power battery. The energy battery has a higher energy density than the power battery. However, the power battery can provide electrical power to the electrical motor at different power rates, thereby ensuring that the motor has sufficient power and current when needed. The power battery is continuously recharged by the energy storage battery. In this way, the power battery temporarily stores electrical energy received from the energy battery and provides the electrical energy at the different power rates as required by the motor. The energy storage device can be releasably connected to an external power source in order to recharge both batteries. Both batteries can be recharged independently to optimize the recharging and lifetime characteristics of the batteries.

Abstract: A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator.

Abstract: Lithium electrochemical cells and batteries are described having electron conductive additives in the form of a mixture of carbon fibres and fine carbon particles. The electron conductive additives are provided in a polymeric fluoride coating between the electrode and the current collector. A mixture of carbon fibres and fine carbon can also be admixed with the cathode-active component in the cathode.

Abstract: A silicon nitride based composition for manufacturing sintered ceramic articles, in particular cutting tool inserts, having improved density, hardness and fracture toughness characteristics is described. The amounts of yttrium oxide, aluminum nitride and titanium nitride contained in the silicon nitride based mixture are interrelated by a formula to attain substantially improved abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A composition is described for hard sintered ceramic articles having densities which are 97% or higher than the theoretical density. The composition contains up to 98.5 vol. % titanium diboride, 0-59 vol % aluminum nitride, 0-59 vol. % hexagonal boron nitride, 0-59 vol. % zirconium nitride, and in addition, zirconia, hafnia or ceria having particle size 0.7 .mu.m or less, in 1.5 vol. % and optionally, a sintering aid in less 2 vol. %. The mixture of the above components is further mixed and ground by ball-milling and vibro-milling in the presence of an aliphatic alcohol, cast into required shapes and sintered in an inert gas at temperatures below 1950.degree. C. The sintered ceramic articles obtained of this composition include ceramic cutting tool inserts, impact-resistant ceramic structures, nozzles, extrusion dies and ceramic evaporating boats.

Abstract: A composition for hard, sintered, tough and wear resistant ceramic articles is described. The composition is comprised of alumina, titanium carbonitride and filaments of titanium diboride or titanium nitride. The ceramic articles made of this composition are isostatically hot pressed or sintered at high temperature in inert gas. The density of the ceramic articles is usually in excess of 99% theoretical density and the hardness is greater than 20 GPa. The process was applied to manufacture ceramic cutting inserts of the above composition.