Abstract: Techniques for dispensing a type of liquid in a specific amount or at a constant flow rate are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a height difference between an inlet and an outlet is maintained by an adjustable tubing assembly. An overflow assembly is provided to divert any overflow of the liquid from entering a reservoir and keep a specific level of the liquid. A valve is provided to the inlet and can be turned off when a sensor detects that there is an overflow of the liquid in the overflow assembly.

Abstract: Techniques for dispensing a type of liquid in a specific amount or at a constant flow rate are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a height difference between an inlet and an outlet is maintained by an adjustable tubing assembly. An overflow assembly is provided to divert any overflow of the liquid from entering a reservoir and keep a specific level of the liquid. A valve is provided to the inlet and can be turned off when a sensor detects that there is an overflow of the liquid in the overflow assembly.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses apparatus and methods to provide compression of an electrochemical cell independent of atmospheric pressure. One aspect of this invention is directed towards a lithium ion cell assembly which is surrounded by a layer of material under tension, so that the material applies pressure which compresses the cell to enhance contact between the anode, separator, and cathode layers. Specifically, a heat shrink material (material which reduces in size, or contracts in at least one dimension of a three-dimensional conformation, due to the application of heat) is provided about a laminar battery and shrunk in situ to provide a battery package. Another embodiment of this invention is directed towards a lithium ion cell asembly in which a sealed package contains both the battery and a spring element. The spring element within the package applies pressure to the battery to compress it and improve contact between the anode, separator, and cathode layers.

Abstract: In a system for applying material to a substrate, a first material is applied to the substrate and the substrate coated with the first material is drawn between a pair of rollers to form a material layer. The roller which contacts the first material is grounded and an electrostatic charging device sprays electrostatically charged particles of a second material onto the roller such that the particles are evenly dispersed on the surface of the roller. The particles of the second material on the roller tend to prevent the first material from adhering to the roller and are preferably incorporated into the second material.

Abstract: A new technique for securing into place a plurality of layers which make a battery body, and for preventing electrical short-circuits within the battery by retarding the formation of dendritic growths is disclosed. A radiation curable layer of material is coated onto a portion of at least one outwardly exposed face of a battery body, whereupon the layer of material is then cured. The cured layer of material is positioned relative to the body such that the cured layer provides support to the body in a manner to secure in place a plurality of layers which make up the battery body, thereby ensuring proper electrical contact between the plurality of layers. In addition, the cured layer of material is also positioned such that the cured layer inhibits formation of short circuiting electrical paths between the anode and cathode layers of the battery, the paths being caused by formation of dendritic growths extending out from the anode layer towards the cathode layer.

Abstract: In order to maintain electrical contact between the anode, cathode and electrolyte layers in an electrochemical cell, a layer of material under tension is wrapped around the cell so that the material compresses the layers together to ensure sufficient electrical contact. Alternatively, a metal, foam or inflatable gas spring is employed in a housing structure containing the electrochemical cell to apply a compressive force to achieve the same result.

Abstract: A secondary, solid electrolytic battery includes a number of electrically connected electrolytic cells wherein for each cell the anode and cathode are separated from each other by a mask that is a layer of electrically insulative material that is coated along the perimeter of the anode and/or cathode. The mask reduces the rate of dendrite formation and prevents edge-effects, short circuits, and related problems caused by inadvertent contact of the anode and cathode.

Abstract: This invention is directed to solid electrolytes containing a solvent and, in particular, a solvent comprising a mixture of an organic carbonate and triglyme as well as electrolytic cells prepared from such solid electrolytes. The electrolyte also contains an inorganic ion salt, preferably an alkali metal salt, and most preferably LiPF.sub.6.

Abstract: In a new method, a defective electrochemical cell is detected by non-invasive means before assembly into a battery comprising multiple cells. The method detects faulty cells by sensing and detecting variations in the intensity level of infrared radiation emitted from an exterior surface of the cell or battery. The scanning and detection, preferably, is conducted by sensing infrared energy in a range of about 2 to about 12 um (microns) emitted from the major surface of the cell or battery. The variations are recorded as a function of geometric variables indicative of the geographic position of the variations.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for enhancing the adhesion of composite electrodes onto metal foils (i.e., current collectors). Also disclosed are electrochemical cells produced from these metal foils.

Abstract: In a magnesium battery, a magnesium foil envelope encloses a current collector, cathode layers on the current collector, and an electrolyte material separating the cathode layers from the foil envelope to form the battery. The magnesium foil envelope serves as the packaging so that no extra packaging is required. The current collector has an elongated portion which protrudes through the magnesium foil to serve as a battery terminal and the magnesium foil is sealed around the battery terminal and is electrically insulated from it by an insulating layer or adhesion layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for enhancing the adhesion of composite electrodes onto conductive plastic foils (e.g., current collectors). Also disclosed are electrochemical cells produced from these foils.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the conductivity of an electrolyte comprises at least one conductivity cell, e.g., syringe-type conductivity cell and a constant temperature jacket. The syringe-type conductivity cell preferably employed in the apparatus comprises a generally longitudinal, cylindrical wall and two electrode rods which serve to define a volume for testing the conductivity of a sample in the volume. The constant temperature jacket comprises at least one longitudinal chamber for holding a conductivity cell, a temperature sensing device, and a fluid channel which is in fluid communication with a source of constant temperature fluid.