Abstract: A solventless method of making a dry electrode for an electrochemical cell is provided. A solventless electrode material mixture includes 85-99% electrode active material and from 0-10% conductive carbon additive. A polymer binder system is present from 1-15%. The polymer binder system includes one or more polymer binders. The electrode material mixture is mixed at a temperature greater than a softening point or a melting point of at least one polymer binder of the polymer binder system. The electrode material mixture is kneaded into an electrode material dough. The electrode material dough is formed into an electrode material sheet. At least a portion of the electrode material sheet is affixed to a metal current collector to form an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally-decomposable consolidated polymer particle encapsulated-electrode for a lithium-ion battery. The electrode includes polymer particles including at least one connection unit and at least one crosslinker in an amount of approximately 40% to 98% by weight and at least one binder material in an amount of approximately from 2% to 60% by weight. The consolidated crosslinked polymer particle coating results in a porous structure encapsulating the electrode. The pressure resistance of the consolidated crosslinked polymer particle coating ranges approximately from 0.5 to 8 MPa and the consolidated crosslinked polymer particle coating is decomposed to release a non-flammable gas and phosphorous-containing molecules so as to prevent thermal runaway at a temperature approximately from 300° C. to 500° C.

Abstract: An electronically-activated, self-molding and re-shapeable load-bearing support structure system is provided that includes a first composite structure. The first composite structure includes a first layer of a first thermally-responsive polymer; one or more first heating elements positioned adjacent to the first layer on a first heating element side; a second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer positioned adjacent to the first heating elements on a second heating element side; a temperature sensor communicating with at least the first layer or the second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer; one or more electrical connectors electrically communicating with the heating elements; and an electrical controller detachably connectable to at least one of the electrical connectors of the composite for providing an electrical current to the heating elements. A method of molding the load-bearing support structure system is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an in situ thermally-curable electrolyte. The thermally-curable electrolyte is cured from the thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution including a first crosslinking agent, a second crosslinking agent, an initiator, an electrolyte solvent, an electrolyte salt, one or more electrolyte additives, and one or more monomers or a monomer polymerization product. The viscosity of the thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution is below 200 cps such that the thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution is infiltrated within the separator and the pores inside the cathode and anode layers then cured to form porous separator and porous electrodes fully permeated with a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging device for a button/coin cell rechargeable lithium ion battery. A receiving inductor coil receives energy from a transmitting inductor coil which is passed to a wireless charging receiving circuit which is in electrical communication with the receiving inductor coil. The wireless charging receiving circuit communicates with a charging control circuit, a voltage regulation circuit, and a battery protection circuit in electrical communication with one another. The voltage regulation circuit includes a 1.8 V to 3.3 V constant voltage output regulator circuit to maintain a constant voltage output in loading currents ranging from approximately 10 ?A to approximately 300 mA.

Abstract: A fast charge lithium ion battery capable of being charged or discharged with 80% capacity retention at C rate of at least 2C is provided in the present invention, which includes a fast charge graphite-based anode; a cathode; and a separator, wherein the anode includes an anode current collector and a fast charge graphite layer deposited on at least one surface of the anode current collector, the fast charge graphite having a lattice constant equals to or larger than 0.3374 nm, a D-band to G-band integrated area ratio (ID/IG) of 0.03 to 0.3, and a surface morphology of a plate-like crystal structure under a scanned electron microscope; the cathode includes a cathode current collector and one or more active materials deposited on at least one surface of the cathode current collector.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board with a lithium ion battery printed thereon is achieved. The flexible printed circuit board comprises a top and a bottom electrically insulating base film, a top electrically conductive metal layer over the top electrically insulating base film, and a bottom electrically conductive metal layer under the bottom electrically insulating base film. A printable lithium ion battery sits in a cavity completely through the top and bottom base films wherein a top of the battery contacts the top electrically conductive metal layer and wherein a bottom of the battery contacts the bottom electrically conductive metal layer. An adhesive film around the battery seals it to the top and bottom electrically insulating base film and seals the top electrically conductive metal layer to the bottom electrically conductive metal layer.

Abstract: An amorphous composite solid electrolyte is provided that includes one or more three-dimensional branched macromolecules with a core portion and at least three arm portions connected to the core portion. Each arm portion includes a random copolymer or a block polymer comprising a first monomer and a second monomer with a molar ratio of the first monomer to the second monomer in the range from greater than 0 to less than or equal to 1. An ion conductive electrolytic solution including at least one lithium salt solution in an amount of approximately 1 mol/l to 10 mol/l is entrained within the branched macromolecule, with a weight ratio of the branched macromolecule to the ion conducive electrolytic solution equal to or lower than 1:9, such that the branched macromolecule has a swelling degree of at least 5:1 (liquid:polymer in weight) of the ion conductive electrolytic solution.

Abstract: A bendable wireless charging apparatus having an operational bend radius of approximately 90 degrees is disclosed, which includes a flexible substrate, a receiving coil, a battery, a flexible EMI-shielding layer and a control module. The receiving coil is disposed on a surface of the substrate, and is electrically connected to the control module. The battery, which may also be flexible, is located beneath another surface of the substrate. The EMI-shielding layer is disposed between the receiving coil and the battery.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board with a lithium ion battery printed thereon is achieved. The flexible printed circuit board comprises a top and a bottom electrically insulating base film, a top electrically conductive metal layer over the top electrically insulating base film, and a bottom electrically conductive metal layer under the bottom electrically insulating base film. A printable lithium ion battery sits in a cavity completely through the top and bottom base films wherein a top of the battery contacts the top electrically conductive metal layer and wherein a bottom of the battery contacts the bottom electrically conductive metal layer. An adhesive film around the battery seals it to the top and bottom electrically insulating base film and seals the top electrically conductive metal layer to the bottom electrically conductive metal layer.

Abstract: A shoe closure device comprising: a housing including a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion; a shape memory shoe fastener; a first electrically-powered heater positioned above the shape-memory shoe fastener; a second electrically-powered heater positioned beneath the shape memory shoe fastener; a rechargeable battery positioned within the housing and electrically communicating with each of the first and second electrically-powered heaters; a controller electrically communicating with the rechargeable battery and positioned within the housing, the controller including a microprocessor, a battery charging control circuit, and a wireless charging receiver, the controller configured to heat the shape memory shoe fastener to return each of the shape memory polymer strips to the shape-recovered configuration to close a shoe; an actuator communicating with the controller to actuate the controller to heat the shape memory shoe fastener.

Abstract: This patent application discloses a lithium secondary battery and methods of making and the same and use thereof. The lithium secondary battery has a cathode including a cathode active material, an anode including an anode active material, and an electrolyte solution including a lithium salt. A coating including a layer of fine polymer fibers is formed on a surface of at least one side of the cathode, the anode, or both the cathode and the anode. The coating having an area larger than the surface of the cathode, anode, or both the cathode and anode, extending to each edge of the at least one side of the cathode, the anode, or both the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging device for a button/coin cell rechargeable lithium ion battery. A receiving inductor coil receives energy from a transmitting inductor coil which is passed to a wireless charging receiving circuit which is in electrical communication with the receiving inductor coil. The wireless charging receiving circuit communicates with a charging control circuit, a voltage regulation circuit, and a battery protection circuit in electrical communication with one another. The voltage regulation circuit includes a 1.8 V to 3.3 V constant voltage output regulator circuit to maintain a constant voltage output in loading currents ranging from approximately 10 ?A to approximately 300 mA.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronically-activated, self-molding and re-shapeable load-bearing support structure system includes a first composite structure which includes a first layer of a first thermally-responsive polymer; one or more first heating elements positioned adjacent to the first layer on a first heating element side; a second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer positioned adjacent to the one or more first heating elements on a second heating element side; a temperature sensor communicating with at least the first layer or the second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer; one or more electrical connectors electrically communicating with the one or more heating elements; and an electrical controller detachably connectable to at least one of the one or more electrical connectors of the composite for providing an electrical current to the one or more heating elements. A method of molding the load-bearing support structure system is also provided.

Abstract: A shoe closure device comprising: a housing including a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion; a shape memory shoe fastener; a first electrically-powered heater positioned above the shape-memory shoe fastener; a second electrically-powered heater positioned beneath the shape memory shoe fastener; a rechargeable battery positioned within the housing and electrically communicating with each of the first and second electrically-powered heaters; a controller electrically communicating with the rechargeable battery and positioned within the housing, the controller including a microprocessor, a battery charging control circuit, and a wireless charging receiver, the controller configured to heat the shape memory shoe fastener to return each of the shape memory polymer strips to the shape-recovered configuration to close a shoe; an actuator communicating with the controller to actuate the controller to heat the shape memory shoe fastener.

Abstract: A fast charge lithium ion battery capable of being charged or discharged with 80% capacity retention at C rate of at least 2C is provided in the present invention, which includes a fast charge graphite-based anode; a cathode; and a separator, wherein the anode includes an anode current collector and a fast charge graphite layer deposited on at least one surface of the anode current collector, the fast charge graphite having a lattice constant equals to or larger than 0.3374 nm, a D-band to G-band integrated area ratio (ID/IG) of 0.03 to 0.3, and a surface morphology of a plate-like crystal structure under a scanned electron microscope; the cathode includes a cathode current collector and one or more active materials deposited on at least one surface of the cathode current collector.

Abstract: The invention provides a linear or substantially linear bi-component filament, fiber, or tape including a first elastomeric component having a cross-sectional area of at least greater or lower than approximately 50 percent of the filament, fiber, or tape, and having a glass transition temperature of approximately ?125 degrees to ?10 degrees Celsius; and a second shape-memory polymeric component having a cross-sectional area of at least lower or greater than approximately 50 percent and being selected from one or more of a thermoplastic polyester-based or polyether based shape memory polyurethane. The second shape-memory polymeric component is positioned within the bi-component filament, fiber, or tape, such that a region of the second shape-memory polymeric component is asymmetrically disposed with respect to a central core of the bi-component filament, fiber, or tape. The second shape-memory polymeric component has a selectively engineered shape recovery temperature Tr between approximately 25° C. and 90° C.

Abstract: A flexible and foldable lithium ion battery is disclosed having an operational bend radius of 180 degrees with no interruption in supply of electrical power. The lithium ion battery includes a high-elasticity separator sponge having a porosity of approximately 70% to approximately 90%. The separator is a polymer-based fiber mat having fibers with a submicron diameter. The separator sponge has a thickness in a range of approximately 5 to 50 microns, an air permeability of approximately 100 to approximately 300 s/100 ml, and a puncture resistance of approximately 350 to approximately 950 N. First and second electrodes are disposed on either side of the separator sponge and include active materials positioned on thin metal current collectors. A liquid electrolyte is absorbed by the separator sponge. The battery may be folded upon itself without loss of power.

Abstract: A bendable wireless charging apparatus having an operational bend radius of approximately 90 degrees is disclosed, which includes a flexible substrate, a receiving coil, a battery, a flexible EMI-shielding layer and a control module. The receiving coil is disposed on a surface of the substrate, and is electrically connected to the control module. The battery, which may also be flexible, is located beneath another surface of the substrate. The EMI-shielding layer is disposed between the receiving coil and the battery.

Abstract: A flexible and foldable lithium ion battery is disclosed having an operational bend radius of 180 degrees with no interruption in supply of electrical power. The lithium ion battery includes a high-elasticity separator sponge having a porosity of approximately 70% to approximately 90%. The separator is a polymer-based fiber mat having fibers with a submicron diameter. The separator sponge has a thickness in a range of approximately 5 to 50 microns, an air permeability of approximately 100 to approximately 300 s/100 ml, and a puncture resistance of approximately 350 to approximately 950 N. First and second electrodes are disposed on either side of the separator sponge and include active materials positioned on thin metal current collectors. A liquid electrolyte is absorbed by the separator sponge. The battery may be folded upon itself without loss of power.