Abstract: A multi-layer microporous battery separator which comprises: a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer; a polyethylene layer; and a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer. The resulting microporous battery separator which is formed by a dry stretch process produces the microporous battery separator which has a porosity of ?37% while maintaining a gurley from 13-25 seconds and a thickness of ?25 microns.

Abstract: A multi-layer microporous battery separator which comprises: a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer; a polyethylene layer; and a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer. The resulting microporous battery separator which is formed by a dry stretch process produces the microporous battery separator which has a porosity of ?37% while maintaining a gurley from 13-25 seconds and a thickness of ?25 microns.

Abstract: A multi-layer microporous battery separator which comprises: a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer; a polyethylene layer; and a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer. The resulting microporous battery separator which is formed by a dry stretch process produces the microporous battery separator which has a porosity of ?37% while maintaining a gurley from 13-25 seconds and a thickness of ?25 microns.

Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive matrix containing a disulfide group, wherein an S—S bond of the disulfide group is cleaved by electrochemical reduction and reformed by electrochemical oxidation. A plurality of carbon nanotubes are substantially disentangled and dispersed in the electrically conductive matrix. The electrode can be used as a cathode of a lithium battery. A method for producing disentangled carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: adding a plurality of aggregates of carbon nanotubes to a liquid; and providing sheer force (e.g. passing the liquid through a narrow gap at a high speed) onto the liquid for disentangling the aggregates of carbon nanotubes therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator. The battery separator comprises a microporous film having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is bonded to the second portion. The bond has a strength greater than 5 g/in. The film has a thickness less than 1.7 mils, a Gurley of less than 50 sec/10 cc, and a puncture strength of greater than 400 g/mil.

Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive matrix containing a disulfide group, wherein an S—S bond of the disulfide group is cleaved by electrochemical reduction and reformed by electrochemical oxidation. A plurality of carbon nanotubes is dispersed in the electrically conductive matrix. The electrode can be used as a cathode of a lithium battery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator. The battery separator comprises a microporous film having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is bonded to the second portion. The bond has a strength greater than 5 g/in. The film has a thickness less than 1.7 mils, a Gurley of less than 50 sec/10 cc, and a puncture strength of greater than 400 g/mil.

Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive matrix containing a disulfide group, wherein an S—S bond of the disulfide group is cleaved by electrochemical reduction and reformed by electrochemical oxidation. A plurality of carbon nanotubes are substantially disentangled and dispersed in the electrically conductive matrix. The electrode can be used as a cathode of a lithium battery. A method for producing disentangled carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: adding a plurality of aggregates of carbon nanotubes to a liquid; and providing sheer force (e.g. passing the liquid through a narrow gap at a high speed) onto the liquid for disentangling the aggregates of carbon nanotubes therein.

Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive matrix containing a disulfide group, wherein an S—S bond of the disulfide group is cleaved by electrochemical reduction and reformed by electrochemical oxidation. A plurality of carbon nanotubes is dispersed in the electrically conductive matrix. The electrode can be used as a cathode of a lithium battery.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus capable of supporting even narrow wire widths and of detecting defects of wires in a non-contact manner is provided. The detecting apparatus comprises an optical sensor, a sensor head, and a signal processing unit. The optical sensor comprises a transparent substrate, a transparent electrode disposed on the transparent substrate, a thin film of a polymer non-linear optical material disposed on the transparent electrode, and a reflective film disposed on the thin film, and is positioned in close approximation to and without contacting an electrode to be measured on the wiring board. The sensor head comprises a light source, optical means for guiding light from the light source into the optical sensor, and detecting means for detecting reflected light from the optical sensor. The detecting means supplies the signal processing unit with a signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light when the electrode on the wiring board is applied with a voltage.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a film for detecting chemical substances comprising a homopolymer or a copolymer having recurring units represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH.sub.3, --CF.sub.3, --CN or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; and R.sup.1 is --R.sup.2 or --Z--R.sup.2 ;wherein Z is --O--, --S--, --NH--, --NR.sup.2' --, --(C.dbd.Y)--, --(C.dbd.Y)--Y--, --Y--(C.dbd.Y)--, --(SO.sub.2)--, --Y'--(SO.sub.2)--, --(SO.sub.2)--Y'--, --Y'--(SO.sub.2)--Y'--, --NH--(C.dbd.O)--, --(C.dbd.O)--NH--, --(C.dbd.O)--NR.sup.2' --, --Y'--(C.dbd.Y)--Y'-- or --O--(C.dbd.O)--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --(C.dbd.O)--O--;wherein Y is independently O or S, and Y' is independently O or NH, and n is an integer of 0 to 20;and wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.2' represent independently a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group, a branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, an aryl group, a saturated or unsaturated hetero ring or derivatives thereof, provided that R.sup.

Abstract: A low-cost, fast and highly accurate defective wire detector is provided for detecting defects of wires in a wiring board at least having one wiring layer. The detector has a light emitting element substrate comprising a transparent substrate and a light emitting element arranged thereon. The light emitting element is, for example, an organic light emitting element or an organic light emitting diode. The light emitting element substrate is placed to be in contact with wires on a wiring board under measurement. The detector detects and processes a condition of light emitted from the light emitting element substrate when a voltage is applied between the light emitting element substrate and the wiring board, and determines whether or not any defective wire is present.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a film for detecting chemical substances comprising a homopolymer or a copolymer having recurring units represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH.sub.3, --CF.sub.3, --CN or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; and R.sup.1 is --R.sup.2 or --Z--R.sup.2 ;wherein Z is --O--, --S--, --NH--, --NR.sup.2' --, --(C.dbd.Y)--, --(C.dbd.Y)--Y--, --Y--(C.dbd.Y)--, --(SO.sub.2)--, --Y'--(SO.sub.2)--, --(SO.sub.2)--Y'--, --Y'--(SO.sub.2)--Y'--, --NH--(C.dbd.O)--, --(C.dbd.O)--NH--, --(C.dbd.O)--NR.sup.2' --, --Y'--(C.dbd.Y)--Y'-- or --O--(C.dbd.O)--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --(C.dbd.O)--O--;wherein Y is independently O or S, and Y' is independently O or NH, and n is an integer of 0 to 20;and wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.2' represent independently a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group, a branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, an aryl group, a saturated or unsaturated hetero ring or derivatives thereof, provided that R.sup.

Abstract: A polymer containing triazine rings that has a molecular weight of 5,000-1,000,000 and that comprises a recurring unit represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently S, NR.sup.1 (R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group) or O; Y may be an alkylene group, a divalent substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group that do not contain chromophore moieties or a group in which said aromatic ring groups are bonded or condensed together; Z is either a spacer group comprising a group represented by --G--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- (n is an integer of 1-10) or a direct bond (G is S, NR.sup.4 or O, and R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group); and A is an organic chromophore moiety in which an electron donative group and an electron attractive group are conjugated via a .pi.-electron system. The polymer is lightproof, forms a thin film of high quality and has a high glass transition point.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting gaseous or liquid chemical species including a sensing element having a flat light reflecting substrate and one or more transparent thin films which are organic or inorganic films or high-polymer films and are formed on the substrate. The detection of the gaseous or liquid chemical species is effected by measuring a change in the light reflection characteristic of the sensing element based on swelling of the thin film or a change in its thickness or refractive index or changes in both parameters.