Abstract: A battery separator for tubular positive electrodes composed of a microporous, composite sheet product having first and second major surface, formed from a uniform mixture of a polymer, a filler, a processing aid a porous form stable layer at least partially embedded in either the first or second major surface and having a series of vertical tubes arranged across its surface. The tubular sleeve/separator can be formed of individual tubes, flat sheets formed into a series of tubes or sheets containing half tubes and which are aligned and bonded together to form the series of tubes.

Abstract: A non-aqueous battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte as well as a battery can serving as a negative electrode-terminal and a sealing terminal serving as a positive electrode-terminal which are crimp-sealed through a gasket comprising a polyolefin resin, wherein the polyolefin resin comprises a block copolymer of propylene and ethylene having an ethylene copolymerization rate ranging from 2 to 20% by weight and a modulus in flexure ranging from 12000 to 18000 kg/cm.sup.2. The non-aqueous battery has substantially improved storage stability when it is not in use and is not deteriorated even when it is subjected to discharge, large current discharge and pulse-discharge in an atmosphere whose temperature varies.

Abstract: Polymer materials such as film and fabrics, woven, non-woven and meltblown, may be non-destructively surface treated to improve water wettability by exposure to a glow discharge plasma sustained at substantially atmospheric pressure in a modified gas atmosphere comprising helium or argon.

Abstract: A sealed storage battery for use in potable power supply is improved by using metal oxide-hydrogen storage alloy to have a higher capacity and a smaller weight. The battery has a structure which comprises a combination of a positive electrode having a high energy density in a wide range of temperature and consisting of a bulk high porosity body filled with an active material composed of solid solutions such as typical Co solid solution, oxide powders such as typically Ca(OH).sub.2 and ZnO, with an addition of graphite for rendering the electrode reaction effective; and a high capacity negative electrode of hydrogen storage alloy having a reduced equilibrium hydrogen pressure, and where the aforementioned characteristics at high temperatures are further enhanced by an electrolyte suitable to high temperatures, short-circuits are prevented by a chemically stable separator, and a structure sealing a container and a safety vent is excellent in air-tightness and reliability.

Abstract: A porous membrane of a single layer structure formed from a first polymer having a melting point of at least 130.degree. C. and a second polymer having a melting point of up to 120.degree. C., wherein the walls of the pores of the membrane have an amount of second polymer insufficient to block the permeability of the pores under normal operating temperature conditions yet sufficient to do so when the membrane reaches a temperature equal to or greater than the second polymer's melting point.

Abstract: There is provided a paste-type electrode for an alkali secondary cell which can suppress occurrence of internal short-circuiting, which is likely to happen when an electrode is rolled along with another electrode having the opposite polarity and a separator interposed therebetween. The paste-type electrode for an alkali secondary cell comprises a three-dimensional substrate including a felt-like metal porous member in which a plurality of hollow metal fibers are arranged three-dimensionally, diameters of those of the metal fibers arranged near the surface portion of the porous member being greater than those arranged in the inner portion, an average diameter of those of the metal fibers near the surface portion being in a range of 20 to 150 .mu.m, and an average diameter of those of the metal fibers in the inner portion being in a range of 10 to 100 .mu.m, and paste containing an activation substance filled in the three-dimensional substrate.

Abstract: A polymeric film useful as an interelectrode separator or electrolyte member in electrolytic devices, such as rechargeable batteries, comprises a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, a medium to high-boiling plasticizer, and a finely divided inorganic filler which has been subjected to actinic radiation or thermal energy to cause crosslinking thereof in the presence of a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of an acrylate ester, di- or triallyl ester and a di- or triglycidyl ether.

Abstract: Dendrites are prevented from shorting a secondary lithium battery by use of a first porous separator such as porous polypropylene adjacent the lithium anode that is unreactive with lithium and a second porous fluoropolymer separator between the cathode and the first separator such as polytetrafluoroethylene that is reactive with lithium. As the tip of a lithium dendrite contacts the second separator, an exothermic reaction occurs locally between the lithium dendrite and the fluoropolymer separator. This results in the prevention of the dendrite propagation to the cathode.

Abstract: Composite polymer membranes are disclosed comprising a first polymeric material which defines a porous matrix, and a second polymeric material which at least partially fills, and thereby blocks, the pores of the matrix, and in which preferably each of the first and second materials are crosslinked. The membrane preferably includes a layer of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid which is graft-polymerized with the first polymeric material of the porous matrix on one of its surfaces. Crosslinking has been found to improve the transport characteristics of species through the membrane, such as the barrier performance of the membrane towards species dissolved in solution.

Abstract: A fabric separator woven from synthetic halogenated polymeric fibers for use in an electrochemical cell comprising a Group IA, IIA and IIIB metal anode and a depolarizer/catholyte or a solid cathode/electrolyte system, is described. The separator is resistant to the highly oxidizing components present in the cell, is tear resistant and has a reduced thickness to minimize the diminishing effect of the separator on the volumetric amount of active components in the cell. The separator can be used by itself or as a laminate with a microporous film, preferably made of a fluoropolymeric fiber.

Abstract: The fuel cell disclosed in the present specification is provided with an electrolyte membrane comprising a three-dimensional structure composed of bridged chains of a first polymer stable to water, and a second polymer having a function as an electrolyte. In such an electrolyte membrane, the bridged chains of the first polymer hold the second polymer, and hence the membrane does not swell with water. Furthermore, the electrolyte membrane can be properly designed depending on conditions required of the fuel cell, by choosing the first and second polymers.

Abstract: A battery plate for lead acid storage batteries using a grid prepared by expanding a lead-calcium-tin (Pb--Ca--Sn) alloy sheet, is made by expanding a Pb--Ca--Sn alloy sheet having a tensile strength of 6.0 kg/mm.sup.2 or lower and an Sn content of 0.6-1.8% by weight to make a grid,filling this grid with an active material paste, and then aging the grid to increase the tensile strength of the expanded grid to 7.0 kg/mm.sup.2 or higher. The workability in expanding of the Pb--Ca--Sn alloy sheet can be improved and furthermore, concentration of stress strain on the nodes of the grid can be inhibited and thus, corrosion of the nodes can be inhibited. The aging can provide a battery pate having a high tensile strength and a lead acid storage battery having an excellent charge-discharge cycle life characteristics.

Abstract: A separator for alkaline batteries comprising as at least part of the main fibers a fibrilated product of cellulose fiber obtained by dissolving cellulose in a solvent and depositing cellulose directly. As another main fiber, preferably an extra fine synthetic fiber, particularly preferably a polyvinyl alcohol synthetic fiber is used. The binder is preferably polyvinyl alcohol. Also provided is an alkaline battery wherein such a separator is used. Preferably, the above cellulose fiber is cellulose fiber whose wet Young's modulus is 20 g/d or more and orientation degree .DELTA.n is 42.times.10.sup.-3 or more.

Abstract: A battery separator composed of a microporous sheet product having first and second major surfaces and a thickness of less than about 50 mils, formed from a uniform mixture of a polycarbonate polymer and a filler or a polycarbonate and a structure enhancing agent, said sheet product having a porous sheet embedded within said mixture and between the first and second major surfaces. The porosity of the sheet product is at least about 50 volume percent composed of pores such that the nominal pore diameter increases incrementally from each major surface towards the interior central portion of the sheet product's thickness.

Abstract: A battery separator composed of a microporous sheet product having first and second major surfaces and a thickness of less than about 50 mils, formed from a uniform mixture of a polymer and a filler or a polymer and a structure enhancing agent and having a porous sheet embedded between the first and second major surface. The porosity of the sheet product is at least about 50 volume percent having a pore distribution such that the nominal pore diameter increases from each major surface towards the interior central portion of the sheet product's thickness.

Abstract: The invention is to a non-woven fabric sheet for a storage battery separator. The sheet has an excellent property of holding electrolyte by using conjugate fibers having a specific sectional form. The sheet comprises an ethylene copolymer having a specific structure which can introduce a desirable amount of sulfo groups efficiently under mild reaction conditions. Conjugate fibers having a split sectional form include a first component and a second component having a radial arrangement. The conjugate fibers are obtained by forming an ethylene based random copolymer containing a unit represented by a formula --CH.sub.2 CH(COOH)--, with polypropylene. Subsequently, a non-woven fabric sheet of a thermally bonding type is obtained by mixing the conjugate fibers with polypropoylene fibers. Subsequently, a non-woven fabric sheet for a storage battery separator is obtained by sulfonating the non-woven fabric sheet using gas such as SO.sub.3 to form a unit of the formula --CH.sub.2 C(SO.sub.3 H)(COOH)--.

Abstract: A secondary battery containing at least a negative electrode, a positive electrode, an electrolyte comprising an alkaline metal salt dissolved therein, and a separator in which the said separator includes a high molecular solid electrolyte membrane formed by coating a latex on a porous membrane, and then drying the material. The separator may include a high molecular solid electrolyte membrane formed by coating a latex on both surfaces of a porous membrane, and then drying the material.

Abstract: A battery separator comprising an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene microporous membrane radiation grafted with a monomer, the separator having the following properties:(a) a porosity ranging from about 50% to about 95%,(b) an average pore size ranging from about 0.1 to about 20 microns,(c) an electrolytic resistance ranging from about 1 to about 50 m.OMEGA.-in.sup.2,(d) a maximum weight loss of 1% and a change in electrolytic resistance of no greater than 25% after immersion in an aqueous solution of 35% KOH and 5% KMnO.sub.4 at 50.degree. C. for 1 hour,(e) a tensile strength of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 lb/in in both length and width directions,(f) a KOH absorption ratio of from about 5 to about 30,(g) a Gurley air permeability of about 1 to 300 sec/10 ml, and(h) a thickness from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil.

Abstract: An electrochemical secondary cell using lithium and a liquid organic electrolyte, the cell being of the cylindrical or prismatic type, wherein its separator comprises a microporous film of polyolefin next to the lithium anode and a film of cross-linked polymer that swells in the electrolyte and which applies pressure against the electrodes. The cross-linked polymer may be an ion conducting polymer including a polyether with two terminal amine functions.

Abstract: A battery separator comprising a sheet material containing a polyvinyl alcohol cross-linked by a cross-linking group of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A represents a group of --CH.dbd.CH--R.sub.1 or ##STR2## R.sub.1 represents an optionally substituted quaternary nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic group, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m is o or 1, and n is an integer of 1 to 6, is disclosed.The separator exhibits a good resistance to electrolyte, electrolyte holding rate, and resistant to short-circuits.

Abstract: Fibers comprising 10 to 100% of bicomponent fibers, composed of a core polymer covered by a sheath polymer, are heated to a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the sheath polymer for 5 seconds to 5 minutes at a pressure of 0 to 2000 psi until the fibers are bonded together. The products are used for drive belts and seals, nib felts for marking pens, filter cloths for plate and frame filters, filtration cartridges, stamp pad ink reservoirs, and battery separators.

Abstract: An air-assisted alkaline cell having a zinc-containing anode encased within a closed end cylindrical shaped separator (such as cellophane) that is substantially permeable to hydrogen and substantially nonpermeable to the cell's electrolyte, and having a gel coating (such as starch) deposited on the exposed area of the anode within the separator so that the electrolyte in the anode will be substantially entrained within the separator/gel coating compartment while hydrogen will be free to exit the separator/gel coating compartment.

Abstract: A secondary battery comprising a positive-electrode active material enabling the battery to discharge and to be charged, an electrolyte solution, a separator, and a negative-electrode active material enabling the battery to discharge and to be charged, wherein the separator is obtained by subjecting a porous polymer substrate to plasma treatment and polymerizing a monomer in the presence of the plasma-treated substrate thereby to graft-polymerize the monomer onto the substrate.

Abstract: Electrolyte migrates inter-cell in fuel cell stacks due to an electric potential gradient across the stack. This migration can be substantially inhibited with a graphite separator plate which has been laminated to the electrolyte reservoir plates of adjacent fuel cells with a fluoropolymer resin. In such an arrangement, the fluoropolymer resin forms an electrolyte barrier between the graphite separator plate while maintaining an electrically conductive pathway between the electrolyte reservoir plate and the graphite separator plate.

Abstract: A composite membrane comprises a first material which defines a porous matrix and a second material blocking the pores of the matrix, the second material having been crosslinked by irradiation, preferably with UV radiation, when in the pores. Preferably a crosslinking agent is mixed with the second material.The porous matrix may be made by leaching a water soluble material from a blend of that material with polyethylene. The second material may be polymerizable, for example an acrylic acid derivative.

Abstract: An electrolyte-immobilizing mat for a mat-immobilized-electrolyte battery comprising a plurality of randomly oriented resilient fibers resistant to and wettable by sulfuric acid electrolyte, wherein the mat is held in a stressed, precompressed state by a resin which is substantially insoluble in sulfuric acid but is sufficiently degradable therein under battery formation conditions to free the mat from its stressed state during formation and allow it to swell within battery cell element. Thermosetting resins and particularly melamine-formaldehyde are preferred. The invention is particularly useful with mats made from glass fibers.

Abstract: A lead/accumulator with at least one separator made from filled microporous polyolefins is described, in which the formation of colored, mostly dark and often adhesive deposits occurring in practice is reduced in quantity. This is achieved by the fact that in the accumulator, there are present one or more non-ionic surfactants of a specific structure, the HLB value of which amounts to at least 5. In addition a separator made from filled microporous polyolefins is described, which contains one or more of these surfactants.

Abstract: Conjugate fibers using, as a surface component, ethylene copolymer containing a unit represented by a formula --CH.sub.2 --CH(COOH)--, and using, as a core component, polypropylene or like polyolefin fibers, are used to obtain thermally bonded non-woven fabric sheet to the treated with concentrated sulfuric acid or the like. By so doing, it is possible to readily introduce sulfo groups to replace tertiary carbon and thus impart the fibers with hydrophilicity. By using thus sulfonated thermal bonded non-woven fabric sheet as alkaline storage battery separators, it is possible to maintain high discharge capacity retention.

Abstract: A nylon battery separator material for use in nickel-cadmium batteries has a laminated construction comprising a nonwoven web of nylon staple fibers sandwiched between a pair of webs of spun-bonded nylon fibers. The staple web comprises nylon 6 and nylon 6-6 fibers. The spun-bonded fibers are nylon 6-6. During manufacture the staple web is fed between the webs of spun-bonded nylon fibers. The three webs form a sandwich which is passed through a stack of heated calendar rolls. The maximum temperature of the stack of calendar rolls is greater than the softening temperature of the nylon 6 fibers, but less than the melting temperature of the nylon 6-6 fibers. Upon cooling, the webs of spun-bonded fibers will be bonded to the staple web by the re-solidified nylon 6 fibers, whereby the laminated battery separator material is formed.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved textile fibers having deposited thereon a coagulable, multi-stage, latex binder. In addition, this invention relates to a method for improving the stiffness of textile materials by depositing thereon an acid-resistant, coagulable, multi-stage, latex binder wherein one stage enhances the stiffness of the textile fibers and another stage controls the coagulation temperature of the latex binder. The latex binder is particularly suitable for use in battery separators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous electrochemical cell having spirally wound electrodes and a separator having a basis weight of at least 20 g/m.sup.2 and comprising melt blown non-woven polypropylene fibers.

Abstract: A battery separator in the form of a nonwoven fibrous web of water dispersible fibers incorporates up to 65% by weight of fibers having a high cross-sectional aspect ratio. The high aspect ratio fibers include collapsible hollow fibers and ribbon fibers that have a width five to ten times greater than their thickness. These fibers provide reduced thickness at the same basis weight and a synergistic reduction in shrinkage when combined with lower denier solid fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electron-conductive high polymer, which has at least (1) an ethylenic repeating unit having an electron-conductive site comprising at least one of aniline compounds and heterocyclic compounds as the repeating unit in the side chain and (2) an ethylenic repeating unit having an anionic group in the side chain and/or an ethylenic repeating unit having a repeating unit of an oxyalkylene group in the side chain. As having excellent electroconductivity, mechanical strength and shapability, the high polymer is laminated with a solid polyelectrolyte or with a separator to prepare an electroconductive material usable as a battery material.

Abstract: Separator materials which are adapted for use in storage batteries and which comprise a fabric sheet of polyolefin resin fibers and a surface layer of a polyolefin resin sulfonated to such an extent that sulfone groups are formed in an amount sufficient to impart an appropriate degree of hydrophilicity. The surface layer is formed on individual resin fibers. The methods of making the separator material are also described.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics are disclosed, which are produced by molding a material containing as a main component a styrene-based polymer with mainly syndiotactic configuration, in such a manner that a difference between the absolute value of heat of fusion .vertline..DELTA.Hf.vertline. and the absolute value of crystallizing enthalpy on heating .vertline..DELTA.Htcc.vertline. of the molded polymer is at least 1 cal/g. These nonwoven fabrics are excellent in heat-resistant and chemical-resistant characteristics, and are suitable for use as medical fabrics, industrial filters, battery separators and so forth.

Abstract: A polymeric component, for use as a separator in an electrochemical device in which the anode comprises metallic lithium, comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a tertiary plasticizer and a filler that comprises a lithium compound which is substantially insoluble in both the polymer and the plasticizer. The component is rendered porous by deformation which increases its surface area. The porosity can be enhanced by extracting one or both of the plasticizer and the filler.

Abstract: An ion-exchange porous, secondary battery separation membrane produced by mixing a high molecular compound matrix material, an ion exchange material, and a pore forming material, kneading the materials, forming the kneaded materials in the form of a membrane, and extracting the pore forming material from the membrane.

Abstract: In an alkaline dry cell battery separator being a laid mat of non-dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol fibers held together by a matrix of dissolved or partially dissolved dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol fibers, the improvement comprising the mat having up to 85% of cellulosic fibers relatively uniformly distributed in and among the non-dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol fibers and held therein by said matrix.

Abstract: There is disclosed a separator medium for fluid-activated primary electrochemical battery cells of the reserve type. The separator medium comprises a thin, substantially impermeable film of a Lewis base polymer which is soluble in the activating electrolyte solution.

Abstract: In an alkaline dry cell battery separator being a laid mat of non-dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol fibers held together by a matrix of dissolved or partially dissolved dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol fibers, the improvement comprising the mat having up to 85% of cellulosic fibers relatively uniformly distributed in and among the non-dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol fibers and held therein by said matrix.

Abstract: A self-limiting electrochemical cell such as a lithium-sulfur dioxide cell having a non-porous, non-ion-permeable separator between the anode and cathode so as to control the passage of electrolyte and ion-transfer between the working electrodes thereby controlling the current drain based on the controlled amount of electrolyte. The invention provides a convenient method of controlling the drain rates of an electrochemical cell and permits utilization of conventional cells such as the lithium-sulfur dioxide, lithium-thionyl chloride, or lithium-sulfuryl chloride cells in applications not previously possible.

Abstract: A separator assembly for use in batteries comprising a film bearing a thermal fuse in the form of a layer of wax coated fibers is disclosed.

Abstract: For batteries containing strong oxidizing electrolyte and a membrane separating two electrolyte solutions, e.g., a zinc ferricyanide battery, an improved membrane is provided comprising an oxidative resistant, conductive, ion-selective membrane fabricated from a catenated aromatic polymer having an absence of tertiary hydrogens, e.g., a sulfonated polysulfone.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell separator plate formed from a mixture of carbonizable resin and coke particles, wherein the plate is molded from the resin and coke particles, carbonized, and graphitized. The particle size distribution of the coke is selected so that expansion occurring during graphitization minimizes the rupture of carbonized bonds within the separator plate. The separator plates have improved properties over separator plates formed from graphite particles including increased density, decreased porosity and increased corrosion resistance. The coke particle plates are more energy efficient to manufacture than graphite particle plates.

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells. These separators are best suited for electrochemical cells which contain reactive metals such as lithium and strong oxidants. It has been discovered that a certain class of partially halogenated hydrocarbons will stand up to these materials without degrading.

Abstract: Supported liquid membrane separators improve the flexibility, efficiency and service life of electrochemical cells for a variety of applications. In the field of electrochemical storage, an alkaline secondary battery with improved service life is described in which a supported liquid membrane is interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The supported liquid membranes of this invention can be used in energy production and storage systems, electrosynthesis systems, and in systems for the electrowinning and electrorefining of metals.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell separator plate formed from a composition of carbonizable resin, coke, and graphite particles, and methods of making and using the same. The separator plate has an improved balance of properties such as flexural modulus. The plates are formed by molding a composition of carbonizable resin, coke, and graphite particles, surface grinding the plate and then carbonizing and graphitizing the plate. The composition comprises about 40% to about 60% of carbonizable resin and about 60% to about 40% of a coke-graphite mixture. The coke-graphite mixture comprises about 30% to about 90% of coke particles and about 70% to about 10% of graphite particles. These separator plates may be used in, for example, fuel cells.

Abstract: A separator membrane for use in secondary alkali batteries having a non-ion selective hydrophilic group and ion exchange group said membrane having an electrical resistance which, when said membrane is heated in 12NaOH for 30 minutes at a temperature between about 20.degree. and 100.degree. C., varies from the initial value for 20.degree. C. by an amount between 10% and about 24% and the process thereof are herein disclosed.

Abstract: An improved electrode coating and separator coating derived from a copolymer of diacetone acrylamide and a polymerizable monomer.This invention relates to novel rechargeable electrodes, separators and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: A battery separator for an alkaline battery. The separator comprises a cross-linked copolymer of vinyl alcohol units and unsaturated carboxylic acid units. The cross-linked copolymer is insoluble in water, has excellent zincate diffusion and oxygen gas barrier properties and a low electrical resistivity. Cross-linking with a polyaldehyde cross-linking agent is preferred.