Abstract: A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a predetermined distance into the prostate with a solenoid actuation mechanism. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Abstract: A separator for a lithium battery having (a) a porous polymeric layer, such as a polyethylene layer; and (b) a nanoporous inorganic particle/polymer layer on both sides of the polymeric layer, the nanoporous layer having an inorganic oxide and one or more polymers; the volume fraction of the polymers in the nanoporous layer is about 15% to about 50%, and the crystallite size of the inorganic oxide is 5 nm to 90 nm.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in batteries and capacitors comprising (a) at least 50% by weight of an aluminum oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the aluminum oxide is surface modified by treatment with an organic acid to form a modified aluminum oxide, and wherein the treatment provides dispersibility of the aluminum oxide in aprotic solvents such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. Preferably, the organic acid is a sulfonic acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. Also preferably, the organic polymer is a fluorinated polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride. Also provided are electrochemical cells and capacitors comprising such separators.

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that includes a number of features. In one embodiment, a method comprises inserting a vapor delivery needle into tissue of a patient, activating a flow of vapor from a vapor generator through vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle to cause condensed liquid to exit vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle, generating vapor in the vapor generator, delivering a dose of vapor through the vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle into the tissue, and after the dose of vapor is delivered, re-activating the flow of vapor from the vapor generator through the vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle to prevent a vacuum from forming in the vapor delivery needle.

Abstract: A system for use in an aerospace environment includes an array of storage drives each comprising a non-radiation-hardened drive controller, a non-radiation-hardened, non-volatile, storage medium, and a non-radiation-hardened volatile memory. The system includes a radiation-tolerant storage controller coupled to the array. The storage controller provides failure-resistant data redundancy among the storage drives of the array. The system includes a bus host that accesses the array via the storage controller. The storage controller implements security logic and a root-of-trust that provides to the bus host verification of authenticity of the radiation tolerant storage controller and the storage drives.

Abstract: A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a predetermined distance into the prostate with a solenoid actuation mechanism. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing lithium batteries comprising a separator/electrode assembly having one or more current collector layers interposed between first and second electrode layers of the same polarity, wherein the first electrode layer is coated or laminated overlying a separator layer and the separator/electrode assembly is interleaved with an electrode comprising a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of opposite polarity to said first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that includes a number of features. In one embodiment, a method comprises inserting a vapor delivery needle into tissue of a patient, activating a flow of vapor from a vapor generator through vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle to cause condensed liquid to exit vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle, generating vapor in the vapor generator, delivering a dose of vapor through the vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle into the tissue, and after the dose of vapor is delivered, re-activating the flow of vapor from the vapor generator through the vapor delivery ports of the vapor delivery needle to prevent a vacuum from forming in the vapor delivery needle. Vapor therapy systems are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing lithium batteries comprising a separator/electrode assembly having one or more current collector layers interposed between first and second electrode layers of the same polarity, wherein the first electrode layer is coated or laminated overlying a separator layer and the separator/electrode assembly is interleaved with an electrode comprising a current collector layer interposed between two electrode layers of opposite polarity to said first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A separator for a lithium battery having (a) a porous polymeric layer, such as a polyethylene layer, and (b) a nanoporous inorganic particle/polymer layer on both sides of the polymeric layer, the nanoporous layer having an inorganic oxide and one or more polymers; the volume fraction of the polymers in the nanoporous layer is about 15% to about 50%, and the crystallite size of the inorganic oxide is 5 nm to 90 nm.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in batteries and capacitors comprising (a) at least 50% by weight of an aluminum oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the aluminum oxide is surface modified by treatment with an organic acid to form a modified aluminum oxide, and wherein the treatment provides dispersibility of the aluminum oxide in aprotic solvents such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. Preferably, the organic acid is a sulfonic acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. Also preferably, the organic polymer is a fluorinated polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride. Also provided are electrochemical cells and capacitors comprising such separators.

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that is adapted for treating prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a vapor delivery needle configured to deliver condensable vapor energy to tissue. In one method, the vapor delivery system is advanced transurethrally into the patient to access the prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a generator unit and an inductive heating system to produce a high quality vapor for delivery to tissue. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that is adapted for treating prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a vapor delivery needle configured to deliver condensable vapor energy to tissue. In one method, the vapor delivery system is advanced transurethrally into the patient to access the prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a generator unit and an inductive heating system to produce a high quality vapor for delivery to tissue. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium battery, wherein the battery comprises an anode, a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises one or more transition metals, an electrolyte, and a porous separator interposed between the cathode and anode, wherein the separator comprises an anionic compound. Also provided are methods of manufacturing such batteries.