Abstract

A method of joining a substrate for a bipolar electrode of a bipolar battery to a frame for supporting the bipolar electrode for use in the bipolar battery includes the implanting of a thermoplastic material in the substrate. The substrate and the frame are then vibration welded together at a frequency in the range of 50 Hz to 1 kHz to melt the thermoplastic material. The melted thermoplastic material forms a continuous or substantially continuous loop around the substrate to join the substrate and the frame together. A bipolar battery comprising a substrate and a frame joined together by the method, and a substrate for a bipolar electrode for use in the method are also described.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01M 10/04 - Construction or manufacture in general
• H01M 10/14 - Assembling a group of electrodes or separators
• H01M 10/18 - Lead-acid accumulators with bipolar electrodes

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a composite material, the method comprising: (i) providing a ceramic powder comprising ceramic agglomerates, the agglomerates having an intra - agglomerate void volume space; (ii) providing a polymer; (iii) mixing the polymer with the ceramic powder to form a mixture comprising the agglomerates at least partially impregnated with the polymer, wherein the volume of polymer in the mixture is at least 80% of the total intra- agglomerate void volume space, but less than 130% of the total intra -agglomerate void volume space; (iv) optionally shaping the mixture to form a preform; (v) and treating the mixture to provide ceramic agglomerates which are at least partially impregnated with solid polymer.

IPC Classes  ?

• C04B 35/634 - Polymers
• C04B 35/626 - Preparing or treating the powders individually or as batches
• C09C 1/36 - Compounds of titanium
• C09C 3/10 - Treatment with macromolecular organic compounds

Abstract

A method of sealing together two elements of a bipolar battery, the method comprising: interposing an inductive heating element between the two elements; applying a current to the inductive heating element to generate localised heat to melt material in the vicinity of the heating element to seal the two elements together.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01M 10/04 - Construction or manufacture in general
• H01M 10/12 - Construction or manufacture
• H01M 10/18 - Lead-acid accumulators with bipolar electrodes
• H01M 10/28 - Construction or manufacture
• H01M 4/08 - Processes of manufacture
• H01M 2/02 - Cases, jackets or wrappings
• H01M 2/08 - Sealing materials

Abstract

A titanium suboxide powder comprising Ti4O7, Ti5O9 and Ti6O11, wherein the Ti4O7, Ti5O9 and Ti6O11 provide over 92% of the powder, and wherein the Ti4O7 is present at above 30% of the total powder.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01G 23/04 - OxidesHydroxides