Abstract: The invention concerns a battery separator comprising at least one first fibrous layer, at least one second fibrous layer, and at least one microporous polymer layer which is sandwiched between at least two fibrous layers, wherein said microporous polymer layer has an average pore size of less than 1 &mgr;m and wherein said at least one first fibrous layer has a thickness of at least 0.6 mm.

Abstract: The invention concerns a battery separator comprising at least one microporous polymer layer and at least one fibrous layer, wherein said microporous polymer layer comprises micropores with an average pore size of less than 1 &mgr;m and a number of holes with a diameter which is greater than the average diameter of the pores of the fibrous layer.

Abstract: A 9V rechargeable battery comprising a plurality of column cells connected in series and enclosed by a container and a cover with a negative terminal and a positive terminal. Said container (1) further comprises a pair of lateral sidewalls formed with openings and another pair of lateral sidewalls formed with recesses so as to receive said cells snugly.

Abstract: In an assembled battery including at least two unit cells provided within a supporter, each unit cell is a thin laminate cell packaged with a laminate, and each unit cell is covered by a group of at least one resin. Thus, the assembled battery has a stable performance without structure breakdown or a fracture of the connection tab even when vibration is applied.

Abstract: An electrical battery for multi-cellular interconnection in series, parallel or series and parallel has a protrusion and a recess, such as a tongue and a groove, extending on outer surfaces of the sidewalls of the battery case such that when a protrusion of one battery is slid into a recess of another, the two batteries are electrically connected by the portions of the protrusion and the recess that are made of electrically conductive materials connected to the voltage producing elements inside the case. The battery further includes hollow plug-in posts and plug-in pins at the top and the bottom of the case that are connected to the voltage producing elements of the battery so that when the plug-in pins of one battery are inserted into the plug-in posts of another, the two batteries are in electrical interconnection. The battery also includes an electrolyte recirculation, gas purging, and automatic watering systems.

Abstract: A lithium battery (1) has a battery module (2), a battery package (5) for holding the battery module (2) therein, and leads (4) extending from the battery module (2) and projecting outside from the battery package (5). The battery package (5) is formed from a laminated sheet (10), and a peripheral part (9) of the battery package (5) is heat-sealed. Lead-insulating films (6) are interposed between the peripheral part (9) of the package (5) and the leads (4). Each of the lead-insulating films includes a heat-resistant base film (22), a polyolefin resin layer (21) formed on one of the surfaces of the base film (22) on the side of the laminated sheet (10), and an acid-modified polyolefin resin layer (23) formed on the other surface of the base film (22) on the side of the lead (4).

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the lithium secondary battery includes the forming of an electrode assembly by interposing a separator between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, accommodating the electrode assembly into a battery case, injecting an electrolytic solution into the battery case, and forming the battery. The act of sealing the battery is by reducing the internal pressure of the battery to be maintained at a certain range of pressure for a certain period of time, is further provided after injecting an electrolytic solution or after forming the battery. The lithium second battery can prevent deformation of an external shape of a battery due to swelling under a high-temperature condition and can prevent deterioration in performance of a battery.

Abstract: A method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising the steps of: (i) mixing a positive electrode active material, a first binder A and a dispersion medium to prepare a paste A, the active material comprising a lithium-containing transition metal oxide; (ii) mixing a conductive agent, a second binder B and a dispersion medium to prepare a paste B, the conductive agent comprising carbon black; (iii) mixing the paste A and the paste B to prepare a positive electrode material paste C; (iv) applying the positive electrode material paste C onto a positive electrode core member and rolling and drying the resultant member to prepare a positive electrode; and (v) fabricating a battery using the positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein contact angle &thgr;A between the non-aqueous electrolyte and the binder A and contact angle &thgr;B between the non-aqueous electrolyte and the binder B satisfy the formula (1): &thgr;B−&thgr;A≧15°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bipolar battery having at least two battery cells comprising: a sealed housing, a negative end terminal, a positive end terminal, at least one biplate assembly arranged in a sandwich structure between said negative and positive end terminals, and a separator, including an electrolyte, arranged between each negative and positive electrode forming a battery cell. The biplate assembly is provided with an inner barrier of a hydrophobic material around the negative and the positive electrode, respectively, and an outer seal around the edge of each biplate. Each end terminal is provided with a terminal seal. The edge of each biplate is positioned close to the sealed housing to provide means to conduct heat from each biplate assembly to the ambient environment. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bipolar battery and a biplate assembly.

Abstract: Multilayer articles, particularly multilayer articles having electrical or ionic conductivity, are made using an improved melt extrusion process. The process includes a combination step in which a macroscopically homogeneous mass is formed prior to introduction into an extruder. The multilayer article may include an electrode layer and a separator layer that are extruded onto a metal current collector. Such structures are particularly useful in lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: An additive compound for oxidizable metal such as zinc is provided.

Abstract: A nickel electrode for alkaline storage battery according to the present invention is formed by applying a paste containing active material particles composed of nickel hydroxide to a conductive substrate and drying said paste, wherein a conductive layer consisting of sodium-containing cobalt oxide is formed on a surface of said active material particles, and titanium powder and/or titanium compound powder is added to the surface of said active material particles, and an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention uses as its positive electrode the above-mentioned nickel electrode for alkaline storage battery.

Abstract: A cathode electroactive material for use in lithium ion secondary cells, process for producing the material, and lithium ion secondary cells using the cathode electroactive material, wherein the electroactive material predominantly comprises an Li—Mn composite oxide particles with the spinel structure and particles of the electroactive material have an average porosity of 15% or less, the porosity being calculated by employing the following equation:

Abstract: This invention relates to an anode for a secondary battery capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, the anode having a multi-layer structure comprising: a first layer containing carbon as a main component; and a second layer as a main component containing a lithium-occluding material film, the film capable of occluding lithium more than a theoretical lithium-occlusion capacity for carbon, as well as a secondary battery using the anode. This invention can provide a secondary battery with a substantially improved battery capacity in a range where the battery is actually used, while having a higher charge-discharge efficiency and good cycle properties.

Abstract: An active material for a battery has a surface treatment layer that includes a conductive agent and at least one coating-element-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a coating-element-containing hydroxide, a coating-element-containing oxyhydroxide, a coating-element-containing oxycarbonate, a coating-element-containing hydroxycarbonate, and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising a lithium-containing transition metal oxide, produced with the use of a dry precursor obtained by: introducing an alkaline solution together with an aqueous solution containing two or more of transition metal salts or two kinds or more of aqueous solutions of different transition metal salts into a reaction vessel to obtain a hydroxide or an oxide as a precursor through coprecipitation with a reductant being coexistent or an inert gas being supplied; and drying the precursor at 300 to 500° C. to obtain a dry precursor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery having great capacity density per volume and weight. The lithium secondary battery contains a positive electrode having Li—Bi alloy or Li—Sb alloy as a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive electrode active material containing a lithium-containing composite metal oxide having a composition represented by formula (1) given below:

Abstract: There are provided a constituent material for a rechargeable battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte and a rechargeable battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte, using the constituent material, which has high energy density and a high level of safety.

Abstract: A current collector of positive electrode enabling a NaS battery to be excellent in the charge recovery characteristic and low in internal resistance is provided, which collector has a high resistance layer formed by needle-punching glass fibers with 5 to 15 &mgr;m fiber diameters into a felt substrate made of carbon fibers or graphite fibers by needle-punching from the one surface of the substrate. The density of the glass fibers needle-punched into the substrate is gradually decreased in the direction from the above mentioned surface to the other surface of the substrate, and the deepest portions of the needle-punched glass fibers reach the depths of 85 to 100% of the substrate thickness.

Abstract: A first manufacturing method of a totally solid polymer secondary battery includes laminating a first quasi-positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer on a positive electrode current collector, laminating a polymer solid electrolyte layer and a second quasi-positive electrode layer on the negative electrode layer, and adhering the first and second quasi-positive electrode layers to each other. A second manufacturing method of the same includes laminating a positive electrode layer and a first quasi-polymer solid electrolyte layer on a positive electrode current collector, laminating a negative electrode layer and a second quasi-polymer solid electrolyte layer on a negative electrode layer, and adhering the first and second quasi-polymer solid electrolyte layers to each other.

Abstract: An electrolyte with high ion conductivity, a process for producing the same and a battery using the same, and a compound for the electrolyte. The electrolyte is set between a negative electrode and a positive electrode. The electrolyte includes a first polymer compound, a second polymer compound and light metal salt. The first polymer compound has a three-dimensional network structure formed by bridging bridgeable compounds with the bridge groups, which contributes to the high mechanical intensity of the electrolyte. The second polymer compound has no bridge groups and dissolves light metal salt. Each of the first and the second polymer compounds has an ether bond. The first and the second polymer compounds form a semi-interpenetrating polymer network, and achieve higher ion conductivity than that of each polymer compound.

Abstract: In order to obtain a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high capacity and excellent charge/discharge cycle characteristics, a halogen-containing organic magnesium compound represented by the formula (1): RMgX, where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, X is fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom or iodine atom; or the formula (2): RMgY, where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, Y is —ClO4−, —BF4−, —PF6− or —CF3SO3− is added to the non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary cell including the following elements: a positive electrode capable of absorbing and releasing lithium; a negative electrode capable of absorbing and releasing lithium; and a nonaqueous electrolyte including a nonaqueoous solvent and a lithium salt dissolved therein wherein the electrolyte contains a vinyl ethylene carbonate compound represented by the general formula (1) 1

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of forming a mask comprising: providing a substrate, the substrate having a first thickness; forming a balancing layer over the substrate, the balancing layer having a second thickness; forming an absorber layer over the balancing layer, the absorber layer having a first region separated from a second region by a third region; removing the absorber layer in the first region and the second region; removing the balancing layer in the second region; and reducing the substrate in the second region to a third thickness.

Abstract: A photothermographic material and its processing method are disclosed, the photothermographic material comprising a support and provided on one side of the support, one or more image forming layers containing a binder, an organic silver salt, silver halide, and a reducing agent, wherein the variation in the maximum surface roughness Rt of the surface on the image forming layer side between the materials before heat treatment and after heat treatment is not more than 1.5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of forming a mask comprising: providing a substrate, the substrate having a first thickness; forming a balancing layer over the substrate, the balancing layer having a second thickness; forming an absorber layer over the balancing layer, the absorber layer having a first region separated from a second region by a third region; removing the absorber layer in the first region and the second region; removing the balancing layer in the second region; and reducing the substrate in the second region to a third thickness.

Abstract: A mask for manufacturing a semiconductor device in accordance with the present invention is equipped with a first mask having separated patterns and a second mask having dense patterns, wherein the first mask and the second mask are exposed under respectively independent illumination conditions to transfer one set of exposure patterns. The first mask includes only isolated patterns wherein adjacent ones thereof do not overlap one another when design data for the exposure patterns is enlarged at a specified magnification, and the second mask includes only dense patterns wherein adjacent ones thereof overlap one another when the design data for the exposure patterns is enlarged at a specified magnification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color film comprising (1) a support layer, (2) a light sensitive layer, and (3) a water permeable color filter array (CFA) layer comprising a continuous phase transparent binder containing a random distribution of colored transparent beads, said beads comprising a water-immiscible synthetic polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: A photosensitive solution for forming a picture cell comprising a pigment [A], a binder polymer [B], a radiation-sensitive compound [C], a solvent [D] and a carboxylic acid or salts thereof [E], wherein the pigment [A] includes at least one selected from C. I. Pigment Red 242 and C. I. Pigment Red 254, and the carboxylic acid or salts thereof [E] is at least one selected from oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and salts thereof is provided, and, by using the photosensitive solution, colored picture cells having excellent adherence with a substrate can be uniformly formed without unevenness, while leaving no un-dissolved substance onto non-cell parts on a substrate.

Abstract: A photosensitive transfer recording material includes a temporary support having sequentially disposed thereon a thermoplastic resin layer, an alkali-soluble intermediate layer, and an alkali-soluble pigment-containing photosensitive resin layer, with the intermediate layer containing a polymer latex. The glass transition temperature of the polymer latex is 60° C. or less. Also disclosed is a process for producing a color filter including the photosensitive transfer recording material.

Abstract: A self-developing diffusion transfer photographic film unit which includes a latent image which becomes visible upon photographic processing of the film unit. The latent image is formed with a chemical compound such as an indicator dye and the visible image formed from the latent image as a result of photographic processing may be transient or permanent. Also described are diffusion transfer photographic methods.

Abstract: Imaging errors in optical exposure units for the lithographic structuring of semiconductors are determined. First, a latent image of a mask is first produced in a photoactivatable layer by exposure using the optical exposure unit to be tested. After heat treating for increasing the contrast and developing the exposed resist, the latter is treated with an amplification agent which preferably diffuses into the exposed parts of the photoresist. There, it reacts with groups of the photoresist. This leads to an increase in the layer thickness of the resist in the exposed parts. A topographical image of the surface of the photoresist, which can be created, for example, by scanning electron microscopy, then indicates imaging errors by protuberances which are located outside the image of the mask. The method permits testing of optical exposure units under production conditions and thus facilitates the adjustment and the checking of all components of the exposure system used for the production of microchips.

Abstract: An image forming method, comprising steps of: forming a latent image on a photoreceptor having an electrically conductive support having thereon a charge generating layer and a charge transporting layer; developing the latent image with a developer containing a toner to form a toner image on the photoreceptor; and transferring the toner image onto an image receiving member,

Abstract: A multi-active electrophotographic charge generation element comprises a conductive support, a charge generation layer (CGL) disposed on the conductive support, and a charge transport layer (CTL) disposed on the charge generation layer. The charge generation layer (CGL) includes a charge-generation material comprising an aggregated or crystalline form of a first dye or pigment and a first polymeric binder. The charge transport layer (CTL) comprises at least one charge-transport agent, a second dye or pigment having absorption in a selected spectral region that at least partially overlaps the absorption of a dissolved non-aggregated or non-crystalline form of the first dye or pigment, and a second polymeric binder. The second dye or pigment in the charge transport layer absorbs radiation in the selected spectral region that is incident on the charge transport layer, thereby shielding the charge generation layer from that radiation and mitigating visible radiation-induced photofatigue.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor that can sufficiently prevent occurrence of filming, whereby defects on an image can be sufficiently prevented, and an electrophotographic process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus using the electrophotographic photoreceptor are to be provided. The electrophotographic photoreceptor contains an electroconductive substrate having provided thereon a photosensitive layer, and an outermost layer of the photosensitive layer has a dynamic hardness of about from 13.0×109 to 100.0×109 N/m2. According to the invention, occurrence of flaws on the surface of the photoreceptor can be sufficiently prevented, and cracking of a member made in contact with the photoreceptor can also be sufficiently prevented. Therefore, occurrence of filming is sufficiently prevented, and occurrence of defects on an image is also sufficiently prevented.

Abstract: A photoreceptor with good mechanical and physical properties is provided with an overcoat layer comprising a copolymer of an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated monomer wherein the weight percent of the &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic-acid is at least 25% up to 99% of the copolymer. The copolymer may comprise an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated monomer wherein the copolymer has an acid value of at least 150 mg KOH/g the copolymer. The copolymer may be present in a blend with a second polymer or copolymer comprised of units derived from a second &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated monomer that is different from the an &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or the &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member exhibiting a high sensitivity and a potential stability on repetitive use and capable of suppressing image defects, such as black spots in a reversal development scheme, is provided. The photosensitive member includes a support, and a phthalocyanine layer formed on the support and a novel phthalocyanine crystal, which comprises a phthalocyanine compound and a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity and long-life electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive substrate and at least a photosensitive layer on the electroconductive substrate is provided, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a polyarylate resin not having a nitrogen atom in its repeating unit, and the Hall mobility at an electric field strength of 3×105 (V/cm) and at a temperature of 21° C. of the photosensitive layer is 3×10−6 (cm2/Vs) or more.

Abstract: A magnetic toner contains, as a magnetic powder, magnetic iron oxide having an octahedral particle shape and an average particle diameter of 0.21 &mgr;m or larger and containing 18% or more by weight of FeO. The magnetic toner is so prepared as to have a bulk density A (g/cm3) and a magnetic powder content B (% by weight) that fulfill the formulae 0.8≦A/B×100≦1.6 and 35≦B≦50. This alleviates the reddishness of images produced with the magnetic toner, and alleviates the disturbance of a thin toner layer on a developing sleeve and thus the fogging resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A black toner for two-component development, comprising a resin binder; and a black colorant comprising a composite oxide of two or more metals, the composite oxide having a BET specific surface area of 7 m2/g or more; and a two-component developer comprising the black toner for two-component development and a resin-coated carrier. The black toner for two-component development can be suitably used for the development of a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a developing agent including toner particles containing a phosphorescent pigment and a binder resin, in the case of using the developing agent, printing capable of temporality storing light and emitting light even under a dark place can be easily formed by the electrophotographic system.

Abstract: A toner contains at least a bonding resin and a coloring agent, and has the following characteristics (i) to (iv):

Abstract: A carrier for electrophotographic developer essentially consisting of a core material of magnetic particles and thereon provided a resinous coating layer, wherein a weight-average particle-diameter(Dw) of the carrier ranges from 25 to 45 &mgr;m, the content of particles having diameter less than 44 &mgr;m is more than or equal to 75% by weight, the content of particles having diameter more than or equal to 62 &mgr;m is less than one percent by weight, the content of particles having diameter less than 22 &mgr;m is less than or equal to 7.0% by weight, the magnetic moment of the carrier at 1 kilo Oe of magnetic field is more than or equal to 76 emu/g. The carrier shows high optical density of image with no smearing of background area, good reproducibility in developing of small dots in image with no carrier deposition.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming method capable of forming an image at a high speed, simultaneously performing a low temperature fusing property and hot offset resistance and controlling gloss. The image forming method includes a developing step of forming a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image holding member by a developer containing at least a toner, a transferring step of forming a transfer image by transferring the toner image formed on the latent image holding member onto a transfer material, and a fusing step of fusing the toner image transferred on the transfer material.

Abstract: A dye-forming method comprising: reacting a dye-forming coupler and a color developing agent precursor represented by the following general formula (I): 1

Abstract: A negative-working lithographic printing plate has a coating which is imaged by heating an area of the coating with an infrared laser and actinically reacting the coating in the heated area with ultraviolet or visible radiation. The coating contains an infrared absorber but the coating is not imageable by infrared radiation or by the heat generated. The imaging time is reduced since the actinic reaction rate is increased at the elevated temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive photoresist composition including (A) an alkali-soluble resin and (B) a photosensitizer, and the ingredient (B) is a quinonediazide ester of, for example, 2,6-bis[4-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-2,5-dimethylbenzyl]-4-methylphenol, where the average degree of esterification of 20% to 80%.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided an insulating film for an organic EL element, which has sufficiently low water permeability and a good sectional form and whose reactivity with a basic material and an electrode made from a metal having a low work function is suppressed, an insulating film for an organic EL element, which enables the formation of a through hole or U-shaped cavity therein and has excellent flattening performance, high transparency and high resistance to a resist stripper, and a radiation sensitive resin composition for forming the insulating film.

Abstract: A polymer for a chemically amplified negative photoresist and a photoresist composition are provided.