The present invention relates to a method for stabilizing aqueous dispersions, notably of polymers based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF), and to the use of the stabilized aqueous dispersion thus obtained in electrochemical applications.

Disclosed are a separator that includes fibrils including a polyolefin; and bond structures generated by reacting at least some of a first radical formed on surfaces of the fibrils by a photoreactive material and a second radical formed in the photoreactive material, and a method of manufacturing the separator.

Disclosed are a separator that includes fibrils including a polyolefin; and bond structures generated by reacting at least some of a first radical formed on surfaces of the fibrils by a photoreactive material and a second radical formed in the photoreactive material, and a method of manufacturing the separator.

A system for replacing a reel of material for the production of electrical energy storage devices and comprising a self-driving vehicle for transporting a reel from a storage or receiving station to a change station is described; at least one support spindle carried by the vehicle and configured to support the reel and to transfer it, at the change station, to a feeding unit of an automatic machine for the production of the storage devices; and a gripping member carried by the vehicle and comprising at least one gripper configured to receive and grip an initial flap of the reel supported by the support spindle and to keep such initial flap tensioned along an unwinding path of the same.

According to one embodiment, a separator is provided. The separator includes a composite membrane. The composite membrane includes a substrate layer, a first composite layer, and a second composite layer. The first composite layer is located on one surface of the substrate layer. The second composite layer is located on the other surface of the substrate layer. The composite membrane has a coefficient of air permeability of 1×10.sup.−14 m.sup.2 or less. The first composite layer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is in contact with the substrate layer. The second surface is located on an opposite side to the first surface. Denseness of a portion including the first surface is lower than denseness of a portion including the second surface in the first composite layer.

In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs. In accordance with at least particular certain embodiments, the present invention is related to shutdown membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.

In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs. In accordance with at least particular certain embodiments, the present invention is related to shutdown membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.

According to one embodiment, an electrospinning apparatus deposits a fiber on an electrode. The apparatus includes a transport section and a fiber deposition section. The transport section transports electrodes. The fiber deposition section deposits the fiber on first and second surfaces of the electrodes. The electrodes include coated and uncoated portions. The transport section transports the electrodes in a third direction in the fiber deposition section. The electrodes include first and second electrodes. The first electrode is positioned at one end in the second direction and transported so that the uncoated portion of the first electrode protrudes toward the one end side. The second electrode is positioned at other end in the second direction and transported so that the uncoated portion of the second electrode protrudes toward the other end side.

According to one embodiment, an electrospinning apparatus deposits a fiber on an electrode. The apparatus includes a transport section and a fiber deposition section. The transport section transports electrodes. The fiber deposition section deposits the fiber on first and second surfaces of the electrodes. The electrodes include coated and uncoated portions. The transport section transports the electrodes in a third direction in the fiber deposition section. The electrodes include first and second electrodes. The first electrode is positioned at one end in the second direction and transported so that the uncoated portion of the first electrode protrudes toward the one end side. The second electrode is positioned at other end in the second direction and transported so that the uncoated portion of the second electrode protrudes toward the other end side.

Electrolyte materials for use in electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods of making such materials and cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the materials, processes, and uses described herein relate to electrochemical cells comprising sulfur and lithium such as, for example, lithium sulfur batteries.