Abstract: Electrodes for secondary (rechargeable) batteries are fabricated using active material particles such as flakes, fingers, projections, needles, threads, fibers, pods, hairs, ribbons and the like, which have an aspect ratio of at least 1:3:1. The high aspect ratio, in combination with relatively shallow discharge cycles, provides high power of at least 800 W/kg sustainable over at least ten seconds, high energy of at least 7 W-hr/kg, and a high cycle life of at least 250 cycles. Selection of parameters also provides power to energy ratios for high power, high energy batteries of at least 10. Preferred chemistries for the novel batteries include lithium ion, and preferred active materials include carbon, metal oxides and metal. Batteries including the novel technology can advantageously be used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, electrical appliances, and industrial applications such as battery backup systems and switches.

Abstract: Electrodes are manufactured using a fire-retardant solvent and a polymerizable monomer. Electrodes according to the present invention are contemplated to find applicability in substantially any electrode containing device, including batteries. A preferred class of fire-retardant solvents includes solvents that generate a fire-retardant gas upon decomposition. One subclass includes compositions that produce carbon dioxide upon decomposition. Other subclasses include species that generate non-CO2 gases upon decomposition, such as CO, SO2, SO3, NO, N2O, NO2, or N2. A second preferred class of fire-retardant solvents include solvents that are fire-retardant without generating a fire-retardant gas upon decomposition, and are electrochemically inactive. Subclasses here include the many phosphates, phosphazenes, borates, siloxanes, fluorinated carbonates and fluorinated ethers that are already known to be included in a fire-retardant electrolyte.

Abstract: Novel liquid electrolyte plasticizers having enhanced ambient temperature conductivity are provided. These plasticizers have the following general structures ##STR1## in which R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.e, R.sup.f, R.sup.i, .alpha., .beta., .gamma., l, p and q are as defined herein. Also provided are conductive compositions containing these novel plasticizers, particularly film compositions, and batteries formulated with such compositions.

Abstract: A single-ion electrolyte achieves conductivity greater than 10.sup.-3 S/cm at 20.degree. C. by employing repeating mer units which are functionalized by fluoroalkylsulfonate groups. Preferred backbones for the electrolyte include polysiloxanes, polymethacrylates and poly(alkylene oxides). More preferred backbones have the structure ##STR1## wherein A is selected from the group consisting of C and Si such that when A is C then R.sup.4 is (CH.sub.2).sub.1-100' and when A is Si then R.sup.4 is O; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, fluorinated lower alkyl, fluorinated lower alkoxy, and fluoroalkylsulfonate; and R.sup.3 is null or selected from the group consisting of O, (O).sub.1-100, O--CH.sub.2, (O).sub.1-100 --(CH.sub.2).sub.1-100.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for use in the stepwise, layer by layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects, in which a build material contains a metal having a covalent bond to a non-metal, and the layers are processed to produce the three-dimensional object at least in part through a chemical reaction which alters the covalent bond of the metal. In a first aspect of the invention the build material includes a metal that is covalently bound to a polymeric precursor. In another aspect of the invention, the build material includes a metal, Me, that is covalently bound to a first ligand, L.sub.1. Following deposition of the build material, the first ligand undergoes a redox reaction with a second ligand, L.sub.2, thereby breaking the covalent bond of the metal. In more preferred embodiments of this class, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 react to form a gas, and the metal reacts to form an oxide such as MeSO.sub.x, MeNO.sub.x, MeCO.sub.x and so forth.

Abstract: Novel devices for providing shielding from and absorption of broadband electromagnetic radiation, and methods of manufacturing and using these devices, are disclosed. The device is comprised of a perforated electrical absorbing layer, containing conductive polymers, laminated to a metal plate. Additional layers may be incorporated into the device including one or more additional layers of electrical absorbing layers, magnetic absorbing layers and impedance matching layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a layer of palladium on a substrate, comprising:preparing a solution of a palladium precursor, wherein the palladium precursor consists ofPd(OOCR.sup.1).sub.m (OOCR.sup.2).sub.nwhereinR.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, --R.sup.3 COOH, alkyl from 1 to 5 carbons substituted with one or two hydroxyl groups,R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, --R.sup.3 COOH, alkyl from 1 to 5 carbon atoms substituted with one or two hydroxyl groups, --CHO,R.sup.3 is alkyl, and alkyl groups from 1 to 5 carbon atoms substituted with one or two hydroxyl groupsm and n are real numbers or fractions, and m+n=2;applying the palladium precursor to the surface of the substrate;decomposing the palladium precursor by subjecting the precursor to heat.

Abstract: A process for forming a layer of gold on a substrate, comprising: preparing a solution of a gold precursor wherein the gold precursor consists ofAu(OH).sub.p (OOCR.sup.1).sub.q (OOCR.sup.2).sub.rwherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl, and R.sup.2 is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, alkenyl, or alkynyl, and p+q+r=3. Applying the solution of the gold precursor to the surface of the substrate. Decomposing the gold precursor by subjecting the gold precursor to heat.

Abstract: Novel fire-retardant electrolyte compositions are provided. These compositions comprise a lithium salt dissolved in a fire-retardant solvent selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phospholanes, cyclophosphazenes, silanes, fluorinated carbonates, fluorinated polyethers and mixtures thereof. The electrolyte composition optionally contains a CO.sub.2 -generating compound. Also provided are fire-retardant batteries and fire-retardant conductive films formulated with such compositions, as well as methods of manufacturing such films.

Abstract: Novel batteries formulated with compositions comprising liquid electrolyte plasticizers having enhanced ambient temperature conductivity are provided. These plasticizers have the following general structures ##STR1## in which R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, X, Y, Z, .alpha., .beta., .gamma., and l are as defined herein. Novel compositions and films comprising these plasticizers are also provided.

Abstract: Novel batteries containing single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are provided. The polymers are polysiloxanes substituted with fluorinated poly(alkylene oxide) side chains having associated ionic species. The polymers have the following structure ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: Novel single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are provided. A first group of polymers are polysiloxanes substituted with fluorinated poly(alkylene oxide) side chains having associated ionic species, while a second group are copolymers containing mer units having the following structures ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 through R.sup.8, x2, x3, y2, y3, z2, and z3 are as defined herein. Also provided are conductive compositions containing these novel polymers, particularly film compositions, and batteries formulated with such films.

Abstract: Fullerene-functionalized amine-containing polymers and polymerizable monomers are disclosed characterized by high temperature stability, i.e., capable of withstanding a temperature of at least about 300.degree. C., and in some instances as high as 650.degree. C., when in polymerized form. The fullerene groups are bonded to the polymers through the amine groups on the polymer. In some instances enhanced mechanical properties also result and, in the case of cross-linked polymers, a composite can be formed from such materials which is structurally reinforced at the molecular level, with the fullerene groups acting as the molecular level structural reinforcement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porphyrins and to metal ion-containing monomers and polymers. The monomer ##STR1## wherein A, R.sup.1,R.sup.2,R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 defined herein, is used with dianhydride to produce a porphyrin polymer or a metal ion containing porphyrin polymer. These polymers are useful as electrical conductors and as liquid crystal polymers, non-linear (NLO) materials, magnetic materials, electrochromic polymers photo-and electrocatalysts and advanced materials.

Abstract: A reaction of the compound (A) having at least two 2-oxazoline groups with the compound (B) having at least two functional groups of one or a plural kind selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydroxyl group, an amino group and a thiol group proceeds in a short period of time to produce a cured resin with superior mechanical strength, heat resistance and adhesion properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porphyrin and metal ion-containing monomers and polymers. The monomers ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from H, alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 alkyl groups each having 1 to 6 carbons or with 1 to 3 halogen atoms and A is a metal atom, are used with a diamine or a dialdehyde respectively to produce a porphyrin polymer or a metal ion containing porphyrin polymer. These polymers are useful as electrical conductors and as liquid crystal polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of manufacture of an essentially smooth texture-free conductive polymer comprising poly(dithiophene) which is subsequently doped with a dopant comprising an organometallic compound, preferably an optionally substituted metal phthalocyanine. Specifically, the process relates to a process to produce a smooth, texture-free conductive polymer comprising poly(dithiophene) and an organometallic compound which process comprises:A. contacting a solution itself comprising:(a) dithiophene is present in between about 0.01 and 0.001 M concentration;(b) a water-soluble salt of an optionally substituted organometallic wherein the metal is selected from iron, copper, cobalt or nickel, at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 10 mM;(c) in a solution of acetonitrile/water in a ratio of between about 30:70 and 10:90 percent by volume with a cycling potential of between about 0.1 volts and 10 volts at between about 0.degree. and 95.degree. C. for between about (0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein (a) A is independently selected from --SR.sup.1, --NR.sup.1 R.sup.2, --PR.sup.1 R.sup.2, --Si,R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3, or --SnR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3,R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, arylalkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or aryl, substituted aryl, or where R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together form a heterocycle group, having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, andn is an integer from 1 to 5;(b) Y is selected from a direct bond or --CR.sup.4 R.sup.5 --, wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently selected from hydrogen, or alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together form a cycloalkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms;(c) Z is aryl or substituted aryl; and(d) X is halogen, sulfonate, carboxylate, phosphate, carbonate, sulfate, or MD.sub.

Abstract: A plasticizer useful for enhancing the ionic conductivity of a solid polymer electrolyte, comprising a compound of the formula: R.sub.3 C(OC.sub.2 R.sub.4).sub.n CN wherein each R constituent is independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl alkenyl, or aralkyl and a plasticized solid polymer electrolyte including such a plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tetraketone of the structure ##STR1##wherein M is a metal atom and R is selected from phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl or halogen substituted phenyl. The process to prepare this tetraketone is disclosed. The present invention also relates to a process to produce the tetraketone structure(I). The present invention also relates to the novel polymer of the structure: ##STR2##and to the process to produce this novel polymer. R is as defined hereinabove, and Ar is a tetraamine substituted organic moiety having at least one aromatic ring. These polymers are useful as liquid crystals and in non-linear optical devices.