Abstract: High capacity silicon based anode active materials are described for lithium ion batteries. These materials are shown to be effective in combination with high capacity lithium rich cathode active materials. Supplemental lithium is shown to improve the cycling performance and reduce irreversible capacity loss for at least certain silicon based active materials. In particular silicon based active materials can be formed in composites with electrically conductive coatings, such as pyrolytic carbon coatings or metal coatings, and composites can also be formed with other electrically conductive carbon components, such as carbon nanofibers and carbon nanoparticles. Additional alloys with silicon are explored.

Abstract: The bottom surface of a paper cassette that supports recording paper is configured of a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface. The second bottom surface is formed of a swing member having a fulcrum at the downstream side in the paper feeding direction and being capable of swinging about the fulcrum with the upstream side in the paper feeding direction serving as a free end, thereby providing a structure in which an angle formed by the second bottom surface and a separation slope increases when the second bottom surface is caused to sink downward by a swing of the swing member.

Abstract: A compact sheet material feeding device with a small height is provided. The device includes a lower sheet material stacking unit, an upper sheet material stacking unit disposed above and movable relative to the lower sheet material stacking unit, a feeding mechanism swingable between a first position relatively near to the lower sheet material stacking unit and a second position away from the lower sheet material stacking unit, a holding member configured to hold the feeding mechanism at the second position, and a pressing plate configured to move sheet material stacked in the upper sheet material stacking unit toward the feeding mechanism so that the sheet material is pressed against the feeding mechanism.