Circuit panel rack apparatus includes a hanging rack having a slot with a sloping surface. A roller is movable along the sloping surface. The roller moves downwardly along the sloping surface to hold a circuit panel in the rack, and the roller moves upwardly along the sloping surface to release the panel. The upward movement of the roller along the sloping surface is caused by the upward movement of a stem secured to the roller. The roller is biased downwardly along the sloping surface and against the circuit panel by a compression spring disposed about the stem.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to rack apparatus for holding printed circuit panels and, more particularly to hanging rack apparatus for holding printed circuit panels during transit by a clamp which secured the printed circuit panels to the transport rack with the panels hanging downwardly from the transport rack.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most printed circuit board transport racks of the prior art transport the printed circuit panels with the panels extending upwardly from the rack.
The racks include the holder elements for supporting the panels and the panels are disposed in the rack or on the rack in some fashion.
The apparatus of the present invention transports the printed circuit panels as the panels hang downwardly from the rack. The panels are fastened to the rack through a clamp arrangement in which gravity, or the weight of the circuit panel itself, helps to hold the panel in place.

Hanging rack apparatus for printed circuit panels


During a hybrid drive, a hybrid vehicle sets an engine required power based on a driving required power and controls an engine to output the engine required power, while controlling a motor to drive the hybrid vehicle with the driving required power. When a catalyst temperature of an exhaust emission control device is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature that requires warming up, in the state that an output upper limit power which a power storage device is allowed to output is equal to or larger than a predetermined power, the hybrid vehicle sets a power calculated by subtracting the output upper limit power from the driving required power, to the engine required power. In the state that the output upper limit power is smaller than the predetermined power, the hybrid vehicle sets the driving required power to the engine required power.

A proposed configuration of a hybrid vehicle sets a power calculated by subtracting an allowable battery output power from a driving power which a user requires, to an engine required power, when the driving power is larger than the allowable battery output power, during warm-up of a catalyst in an exhaust emission control device provided for exhaust emission control (as described in, for example, JP 2010-179780A). Even when the catalyst warm-up has not yet been completed and the battery is not allowed to output the driving power, such control enables the hybrid vehicle to be driven with output of the driving power, while suppressing deterioration of the emission.


A fuel cell with a gas diffusion media having a hydrophobic layer adjacent a flow field plate and a hydrophilic layer adjacent the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell. The two layers enable balanced humidification of reactant gas along with a basis for managing capillary water addition into the gas diffusion media. The combination of balanced moisture flux (via the hydrophobic layer) and the retention of water (via the hydrophilic layer) for humidifying reactant gas sustains hydration of the proton exchange membrane while preserving the catalyst at full activity.

Fuel cell power systems convert a fuel and an oxidant to electricity. One fuel cell power system type of keen interest employs use of a proton exchange membrane or PEM to catalytically facilitate reaction of fuels (such as hydrogen) and oxidants (such as air/oxygen) into electricity. The PEM is a solid polymer electrolyte that facilitates transfer of protons from the anode to the cathode in each individual fuel cell of the stack of fuel cells normally deployed in a fuel cell power system.
In a typical fuel cell assembly (stack) within a fuel cell power system, individual fuel cells have flow fields with inlets to fluid manifolds; these collectively transport the various reactant gases flowing through each cell. Gas diffusion media or assemblies then distribute these fluids from the flow field to the reactive anode and cathode focus of a membrane electrode assembly or MEA. These gas diffusion media are frequently advantageously formed as a part of the design of primary collector electrodes pressing against the reactive anode and cathode faces.
Effective operation of a PEM requires a balanced provision of sufficient water in the polymer of a PEM to maintain its proton conductivity even as the catalyst adjacent to the PEM, the flow field, and the gas diffusion media are maintained in non-flooded operational states. In this regard, the oxidant, typically oxygen or oxygen-containing air, is supplied to the cathode where it reacts with hydrogen cations that have crossed the proton exchange membrane and electrons from an external circuit. Thus, the fuel cell generates both electricity and water through the electrochemical reaction, and the water is removed with the cathode effluent, dehydrating the PEM of the fuel cell unless the water is otherwise replaced. It is also to be noted that airflow through the cathode flow field will generally evaporate water from the proton exchange membrane at an even higher rate than the rate of water generation (with commensurate dehydration of the PEM) via reaction at the cathode.
When hydrated, the polymeric proton exchange membrane possesses "acidic" properties that provide a medium for conducting protons from the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell. However, if the proton exchange membrane is not sufficiently hydrated, the "acidic" character diminishes, with commensurate diminishment of the desired electrochemical reaction of the cell.
A problem, however, in membrane hydration occurs in operation of the fuel cell as moisture mass transfer within the cell establishes localized moisture gradients in gas diffusion media. In this regard, an imbalance within the plane of the proton exchange membrane interfacing to the gas diffusion media occurs as some areas in the plane of the membrane benefit from a higher level of moisture respective to other areas of the plane in operation. The localized imbalances in gas diffusion medium moisture quality effect comparable differentiated moisture qualities in localized areas of the proton exchange membrane resulting in differentiated efficiencies per local areas of the proton exchange membrane in generation of electricity from the cell.
Another complexity in membrane hydration is that many fuel cell catalysts are deactivated when saturated with liquid water. As a result, solutions to providing balanced hydration across the plane of the proton exchange membrane are also constrained respective to the negative impact of liquid water on the activity of the catalyst adjacent to the surfaces of the proton exchange membrane when the catalyst itself becomes hydrated to saturation with liquid water either locally or across the plane of the PEM to which the catalyst is adjacent and/or attached.
What is needed is a fuel cell power system providing comprehensively balanced hydration of the proton exchange membrane along with maintenance during operation of full activity in the catalyst attached to the surfaces of the proton exchange membrane. The present invention is directed to fulfilling this set of needs.

Balanced humidification in fuel cell proton exchange membranes


A network device may receive network traffic for an application. The network device may identify an application layer protocol being used for the network traffic. The network device may obtain contextual information, from the network traffic, to obtain an item of contextual information, and the item of contextual information may be selected based on the application layer protocol. The network device may determine that the item of contextual information matches a stored item of contextual information. The network device may determine that a threshold has been met with regard to the stored item of contextual information. The network device may generate an application signature for the application based on the item of contextual information. The network device may send the application signature to another device to permit the other device to identify the application based on the application signature.

Application identification may support network security and services, such as application-aware firewalls, application-aware traffic visibility and control, application-aware quality of service (QOS), application-aware rate limiting, application-based routing, or the like. Many applications are at or above layer 7 (L7), the application layer, of the Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model). Applications may be identified based on deep packet inspection (DPI) of network traffic. DPI may identify known applications using application signatures that have been generated (e.g., by DPI vendors).

Application signature generation and distribution


A method of manufacturing a metallic fiber in which from a convergent extended wire, which is formed by a metallic fiber and a matrix member which is formed of a metallic material and whose dissolvability is higher than the dissolvability of the metallic fiber, the matrix member is continuously dissolved and removed by an electrolytic processing in a plurality of electrolytic tanks which are arranged in the conveying direction of the convergent extended wire, wherein: the convergent extended wire is passed through electrolytes in the plurality of electrolytic tanks, which are arranged in the shape of a gentle convex arch at the vertical direction upper side which includes the conveying passage of the convergent extended wire, the convergent extended wire is passed above a plurality of feeding devices which are provided at the outer sides of the electrolytes and which are disposed in the same arch-shape so as to correspond to the electrolytic tanks, in each of the plurality of electrolytic tanks, the metallic fiber is maintained in one of a cathode reduction area and a passivation area, or alternatively, anode current is maintained at a predetermined potential which is closer to 0, and the matrix member is anode-electrolyzed. At this time, a method of manufacturing the twine of metallic fibers, further including the step of: intertwining the convergent extended member in the unit of two to four before the electrolytic processing, while the convergent extended member is formed by a forming device in a spiral shape whose diameter is larger than the diameter of a closely-intertwined twine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved method of and an improved apparatus for manufacturing a metallic fiber, which is used advantageously as a filter, an electromagnetic shielding member, an antistatic member or the like, and to a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing the twine of metallic fibers, which is used in a product such as a belt, catalyst carrier or the like. Further, the present invention relates to a metallic fiber, in particular, a steel fiber, and the twine of metallic fibers manufactured in accordance with the above-described method. Also, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a color stainless steel fiber in which the color of textile can be freely selected, i.e., a color stainless steel fiber in which the mix spinning with an organic fiber or an inorganic fiber is allowed and which is useful in the fields of decoration and craft.
In general, as a technology of manufacturing inexpensively a metallic fiber whose diameter is 50 .mu.m or less, it has been widely used that a plurality of metal wires is coated by a metallic tube member or a metallic plate member, and is extended by drawing in which the metal wires are penetrated through a die and the diameters thereof decrease. Further, the plurality of extended wires is bound and coated again by the metallic tube member or the metallic plate member and extended. The diameter of metal wire is sufficiently decreased so as to form a metallic fiber. Next, a metallic coating member, i.e., a matrix member, formed by the tube member or the plate member is dissolved by acid and removed from the extended wire, i.e., convergent extended wire, which encloses the metallic fiber. The metallic fiber is thereby obtained.
In addition, in order to form a twine from the obtained metallic fiber, the metallic fibers are bound, and the plurality of bound fibers subjected to a primary twist is at first subjected to a secondary twist.
Moreover, conventionally, a stainless steel fiber which may be extra fine is mainly kneaded with a conductive cloth, a refractory cloth, a plastic or the like and is used for interior materials or industrial applications such as a filler, a filter of filtration device, or the like which improve conductivity or thermal conductivity of the cloth. Consequently, the appearance of the stainless steel fiber was not greatly demanded. The stainless steel fiber which is used for these conventional applications is manufactured by convergent extension or excision, such that the color thereof is simply silver of the stainless steel. Accordingly, the expansion of application in which the good appearance of the stainless steel is demanded is actually impeded.
2. Description of the Related Art
So far, in a case in which the matrix member of a convergent fiber material is dissolved so as to obtain a metallic fiber, a method of submerging the matrix member in a solution such as a nitric acid is known as the method of dissolving a matrix member. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 61-137623 (a method of manufacturing a stainless fiber) discloses a method of submerging a matrix member in a thermal nitric acid solution, and then dissolving and removing the matrix member from the convergent fiber material. Also, Japanese Patent Publication (JP-B) No. 53-34589 (a method of manufacturing a stainless metallic fiber) discloses a method of submerging a convergent extended wire in a nitric acid solution so as to dissolve and remove a matrix member (an armoring material) from the convergent extended wire, and thereafter, submerging instantaneously the convergent extended wire in a mixed solution of hydrofluoric acid and nitride acid.
Because highly reactive chemicals are used, these chemically dissolving methods required dangerous operations. At the same time, there were a drawback of environmental pollution due to the generation of NO.sub.x gas and a drawback of processing waste acid. Further, it was difficult to maintain the conditions of dissolution within a predetermined range.
On the other hand, a method of dissolving a matrix member electrochemically is known.
For example, there is a method of dissolving a matrix member electrically by direct feeding. In this case, feeding to a convergent extended wire is effected by contacting a feed roll or the like.
One of the conventional examples of direct feeding method uses conventional presser rolls, and the explanatory view of the feeding method is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, as a convergent extended wire 2 is bent and nipped by a feed roll 3 and presser rolls 4, which are positioned in front of and in rear of the feed roll 3, desirable contact between the convergent extended wire 2 and the feed roll 3 is achieved. FIG. 1 shows an electrolytic tank 1.
In this feeding method, when the convergent extended wire 2 passes between the presser rolls 4 and the feed roll 3, the convergent extended wire 2 is subjected to bending. Accordingly, tension generates in the convergent extended wire 2.
Tension, which is generated due to the bending by the feeding portion and which gradually increases in the traveling direction of the convergent extended wire, becomes greater than the tensile strength at break of the convergent extended wire, which gradually decreases in a stage in which the matrix member of the convergent extended wire is being electrically dissolved. As a result, there was a drawback in that the wire is broken during the electrolytic processing.
In a stage in which the matrix member of convergent extended wire is electrically dissolved, when the metallic fibers start to expose, the tensile strength at break of each of the metallic fibers becomes extremely small. Thus, reduction in the tension generated at the convergent extended wire during the traveling thereof becomes particularly important.
As means of reducing the tension generated at the convergent extended wire during the traveling thereof, FIG. 2 shows the explanatory view of a pendulum-type feeding method. As shown in FIG. 2, a structure is formed by a supporting member 5, a pendulum-type feed roll 6 which is rotatably supported by the supporting member 5, and receiving rolls 7. The feeding to a convergent extended wire 2 is effected by contacting the pendulum-type feed roll 6 with the upper portion of the convergent extended wire 2 by the weight of the feed roll 6. In this method, excessive contact pressure is not imparted at the convergent extended wire 2 and the tension generated thereat is not great. However, it is difficult to avoid the vibrations of convergent extended wire 2 at the time of passing between the feed roll 6 and the receiving rolls 7, and due to the vibrations, the pendulum-type feed roll 6 also vibrates in the vertical direction. Consequently, there was a drawback in that the contact pressure between the convergent extended wire 2 and the pendulum-type feed roll 6 varies and that stable feeding cannot be performed.
Further, FIG. 3 shows the explanatory view of a case in which a plurality of convergent extended wires are fed by one pendulum-type feed roll. In a case in which a plurality of convergent extended wires are fed by one pendulum-type feed roll 6, the tension of each of the convergent extended wires 2 is different. Accordingly, there was a drawback in that slack occurs at the convergent extended wire 2' whose tension is small such that the convergent extended wire 2' does not contact correctly the pendulum-type feed roll 6.
In this way, since there are various drawbacks in the method of electrical dissolution by direct feeding, an indirect feeding method has been considered as well.
For example, EP 0337517B1 discloses a method in which a plurality of electrolytic tanks are provided, a plurality of electrodes are disposed at the lower portion of the tanks so that a convergent extended wire pass through the electrodes, positive and negative potentials are alternately applied to the plurality of electrodes arranged in the passing direction of the convergent extended wire, so that the matrix member of the convergent extended wires is electrolytically removed by indirect feeding.
In this indirect feeding method, there was no drawback caused by the feeding portion as in the aforementioned direct feeding methods. However, the convergent extended wire alternately becomes a cathode and an anode repeatedly during the electrolytic processing, and the matrix member is not dissolved in the cathode processing. Thus, the method was inefficient, and there was a drawback in that it is difficult to control the anode electrolytic conditions under the power supply voltage.
The first aspect of the present invention solved advantageously the above drawbacks, and the object thereof is to provide a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a metallic fiber which dissolves and removes desirably the matrix member of a convergent extended wire by an electrolytic processing which is based on a direct feeding method and which does not generate harmful gas.
Further, with regard to manufacturing of the twine of metallic fibers, in the conventional methods, the elongation of metallic fibers is small as compared to that of organic fibers. As a result, when the fibers are twined, the fibers are broken due to the friction with a guide, and the fluffiness of twine is generated. Accordingly, the appearance of twine is deteriorated, the diameter thereof is increased, and therefore, these become drawbacks when the twine is woven into a cloth. When the twine is slack, a kink occurs due to the unwinding of twine and becomes an obstacle in subsequent manufacturing. The problem of generation of kinks due to the unwinding is especially noticeable when the thread is twined singly and not twined primarily for preventing fluffiness. In this case, subsequent manufacturing may not be carried out.
The second aspect of the present invention was developed in light of the above-described conventional art, and the object thereof is to provide the twine of metallic fibers which does not have fluffiness, which is strong, and which is not unwound. Further, the object thereof is to provide means of manufacturing the twine having such characteristics by a relatively simple method.
Conventionally, except for the case in which a silver metallic luster is used, it was inappropriate that the twine is mixedly spun or mixedly woven with dyed organic fibers. Additionally, in a case in which the twine is used as a thread for winding around a fly for fishing and adjusting buoyancy, the color of silver was not proper. Moreover, a plastic may be used as a cabinet for electronic components. At this time, from the point of view of preventing the drawbacks of electromagnetic wave, metallic fibers are mixed with the plastic. However, due to the difference in colors of the two, the appearance of cabinet was poor.
On the other hand, the method of coloring the stainless steel has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2-107798 discloses a method of coloring the stainless steel electrochemically by applying a pulse potential thereto.
However, in the above-disclosed coloring method, the stainless steel to be colored is a billet. When the above-described coloring method is applied to the bundle of plurality of stainless steel fibers having the diameters of 4 to 50 .mu.m, the fibers are broken due to the friction with a guide roll or a submerge roll, and the bundle of fibers becomes fluffy. There were drawbacks of reduction in the strength of fibers, deterioration of the appearance thereof, or the like. Moreover, in a case in which it is difficult for the electrolyte to penetrate through the interior of the bundle of fibers, there was a drawback in that the irregularities in color occurs.
Accordingly, the object of the third aspect of the present invention is to provide a color stainless steel fiber whose surface is satisfactorily colored and which does not have the above-described drawbacks, and to the method of manufacturing such color stainless steel fiber.

Method of and apparatus for manufacturing metallic fiber and the twine of metallic fibers, and method of coloring metallic fiber and the twine of metallic fibers


A radiation detection device for locally detecting radiation of RF energy emissions from close proximity direct line-of-sight electromagnetic fields emitted by a wireless transmit/receive electronic equipment antenna 22 or body 21 such as a cellular telephone, in miniature/planar design form with suitable embedding form-factoring fashioned arrangement capability joined with radiation shielding devices. Said radiation detection device operates without prerequisite need for a battery or external power source, operationally self-powered by the embodiments of this invention when exposed to electromagnetic field radiation of predetermined thresholding energy level setting for the user""s own personal alerting verification and assessment means of suitable predetermined radiation detection measurement tester coupling to radiation shielding devices to encompass an overall shield effectiveness system solution in real-time monitoring response fashion operation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to radiation detection devices for the presence of electromagnetic field (EMF), or radio frequency (RF), or microwaves, and more particularly, to radiation detection devices joined or operating in complementary suitable fashion with radiation shielding devices designed to reduce EMF radiating exposure to predetermined sensitive local human body tissue parts from potential harmful electromagnetic field energy levels emanating from close proximity direct line-of-sight wireless transmit/receive electronic equipment antenna or equipment body source, including wearable electronic equipment devices.
2. Discussion of Related Art
There is much concern throughout the world that radiation from electromagnetic field and microwaves may cause human body tissue damage. The antenna and the body of wireless transmit/receive electronic equipment such as a cellular telephone and higher frequency band transceivers come in close contact with a person head or sensitive human body tissue part thereby creating a close exposure to electromagnetic field and microwave radiation. Because of these hazards and to offer some protection against these hazards, some form of personal radiation shielding arrangement devices were invented.
As the proliferation of radiation shielding arrangement devices for wireless transmit/receive electronic equipment products make their way onto the marketplace. The assessing consideration of EMF verification and perceptible presence in measurable degree to which radiation shielding or blocking performances are determined by measured and evaluated purposes for user""s of wireless electronic equipment to quantifiably determine potential presence of EMF radiating exposure levels is lacking. This measure of EMF radiation with respect to radiation shielding arrangement device shielding performances is a necessary parameter specification as part of the overall shield effectiveness system solution for the user""s own personal assessment of radiation shielding arrangement device operational capability, reliability and the relative radiation safety figure-of-merit value that is provided in a real-time response evaluating fashion. Whereby said relative radiation safety figure-of-merit value is comprised of the method of shielding effectiveness figure-of-merit measure.
Existing prior art designs provide unsuitably large shape and complex accessories comprising of an abundance of assembly electronic piece parts as referred to personal electromagnetic radiation monitor devices that will afford radiation detection of EMF radiating sources propagating in direct line-of-sight. The prior art devices are adhoc design integrating combination to operate with radiation shielding arrangement devices. They constitute an incompatible design not suitable when taking into consideration form, fit, and function with the objective of providing the user with unhindered protective alerting detection means from exposure to EMF radiating sources. Or, to provide a user with a real-time radiation detection means. Other prior forms of radiation detection devices are dosimeters and densitometers. Both of which are bulky and are not portable or practical. Said prior art designs are generally not suitable for the type of radiation detection arrangement prescribed by this invention because by integrating said prior art designs with radiation shielding arrangement devices, their intended combined adhoc design integrating fashion utility would greatly alter the particular radiation shielding arrangement device design form-factor for any suitable practical use.
Therefore, there is a need for a radiation detection device that is simple, employing lightweight construction materials and without the need for a power source.
In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, a radiation detection device that is simple and economic to manufacture for use in conjunction with a radiation shielding devices, without altering said radiation shielding device, is disclosed. Furthermore, this invention will provide means for determining the EMF radiating exposure level at close-proximity to the radiation shielding device located near the user""s predetermined sensitive human body area for means of alerting and monitoring detection and coverage protection from EMF radiating source. The invention is comprised of a transducer arrangement means, in converting the free-space transmission of EMF energy originating from a EMF radiating source with EMF energy exposing and presently accepted by the invention signal receptor and transducing said EMF energy into a visible or audible or mechanical stimulation or electrical processing output as means for said EMF energy detection verification. The degree of exposed EMF energy at the user""s predetermined measuring location is presently detected by the radiation detection device in a close-proximity to EMF radiating source is proportional to the transduced EMF energy outputted by an indicator arrangement as is comprised within the radiation detection device and thereby said transduced EMF energy outputted by said radiation detection device provides the user with a measuring means for evaluating the EMF radiating exposure level at the user""s predetermined criterions.
The invention operates suitably over a wide range of frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. The predetermined frequency operational band selection is accomplished by tuning or fixing the antenna""s specification and an appropriate crystal detector tuning impedance comprising its junction capacitance of less than or about two picofarads. The coupling to the invention with a radiation shielding device, enhances overall shield system solution for a user""s need for determining the effectiveness of a radiation shielding device and its reliability in a continuously monitored real time mode.
Radiation shielding devices that would benefit from the addition of this invention are RF (radio frequency) shield wearable garments such as a hat, a RF shield eyewear, a RF shield wearable wrap-around articles, a RF shield electronic equipment carrying pouches or cases, a RF shield upwardly fan structure arrangement, a folded or fixed RF shield fan structure, a internally pop-up RF shield fan mechanism, and a RF shield screen structure arrangement. Said radiation shield devices may employ woven RF shielded article arrangements comprising of EMI/RFI (Electromagnetic Interference and Radio Frequency Interference) metallic conductive material weaved fabric and a non-woven RF shielded article arrangements comprising of EMI/RFI material properties sandwiched between a laminating processing layer and a EMI/RFI material property deposition layer composing of a metallic conductive nature, thereby forming hybrid fabrication constructions and processing arrangements and distinguishable apart from conventional article fabrication techniques.
The invention can be permanently attached or not permanently attached to a radiation shielding device. It can be attached via an adhesive contact, a sewn-on, a lining, a clip-on, a pocket inserting, a necklace forming arrangement, a jewelry forming arrangement, or a Velcro-attached arrangement, to said radiation shielding device.
There are two test modes for detecting radiation as relating to this invention in performing the method of shielding effectiveness figure-of-merit measure, is also referred to as the radiation detection verification methodology. The first test mode is performed with a predetermined electromagnetic field radiating source such as a cell phone with the cell phone antenna placed near a user""s predetermined target of measuring interest location point as located on the perspective non-blocking side of the radiation shielding device as is adjacently located next to the radiation detection device with antenna arrangement exposed sideway, or in a alternatively described perspective as referenced from an obverse perspective view is referred to as the radiation shielding side surface, then said radiation detection device with an antenna exposed side is illuminated or activated with EMF energy from said EMF radiating source. Said radiation detection device subsequently activates the stimulus indicator at a predetermined energy threshold level setting and provides means of a measurable stimulus indicator behavior response such as a light output, either flashing or in steady-state. Said output method is not limited to light. Other output such as sound or a mechanical vibration function operation or electrical processing operation, as to indicate that EMF energy or power density has been sensed by the radiation detection device on the perspective non-blocking side of the radiation shielding device, is disclosed. Additionally, this procedural process provide a first relative reference calibration measuring means for the user to indicate normal and proper radiation detection operation, thereby also providing an EMF energy measurement takened as to simulate a reference level without shielding in place.
The second test mode is performed by illuminating the invention with an EMF energy radiating source from the blocking side of the radiation shielding device with respect to the radiation detection device located in the opposing illuminated side, of said radiation detection device diametrically located across the radiation shielding device illuminated side provides a measurable indication that EMF energy is blocked. It is shown by an inactivating stimulus indicator such as diminished light apparatus intensity level to no light intensity level or by an alternative stimulus indicator such as a diminished audible response to no audible response, or diminished mechanical vibrating response to no vibrating response, or diminished electrical processing output to no electrical processing output product, all to show that EMF energy or power density has been sensed by the radiation detection device on the perspective blocking side of the radiation shielding device, thereby also providing an EMF energy measurement takened with shielding in place. In the stated procedure thereof, this second test mode procedural process provide a second relative reference calibration measuring means for a user to indicate proper sensing of radiation detection device in shielding or blocking mode.
Another alternative embodiment of said relative reference calibration measuring means would be to introduce a stimulus indicator functioning mode of the invention to indicate a graduated level indicating response means that would provide the user a displayed means of detection or another sensory indicator means to provide perceptible presence in degrees of detected EMF energy intensity level variations measured as a function of varying the distance separated from the illuminating EMF energy source and the referenced radiation detection device.
A procedure of using a radiation detection device to provide a measure rating for the shielding or blocking effectiveness measure of energy radiated electromagnetic fields as shown by indicating EMF energy reducing fashion is referred to as the method of shielding effectiveness figure-of-merit measure. Said method of shielding effectiveness figure-of-merit measure, is in more simple discussion terms referred to as the method. Said method is stated by the decibel value rating comprising the ratio equating formula of electromagnetic field strength measurement takened before and after shielding is in place or measurement takened without and with shielding in place, as prescribed by said radiation detection verification methodology comprising of said first test mode and said second test mode. Whereby, said method give results in providing a protective radiation monitoring detection ratio value and displayed accordingly to the previously mentioned specification. Also recognized is, of said decibel value rating, an alternative formula expression to the decibel value rating specification may also be restated in magnitude value rating specification for ease of the user""s shield effectiveness measure and interpretation. The method by which shielding effectiveness and radiation detection may be estimated is the transmission line method and circuit method, published by the IEEE, 1988 xe2x80x9cSpecial issue on electromagnetic shieldingxe2x80x9d, IEEE Transactions on EMC, EMC-30, No. 3, August.
A radiation detection device comprises a predetermined parameter set selection of tuned antenna arrangement, of tuned crystal detection arrangement and of tuned stimulus indicator arrangement. The tuned antenna arrangement parameters frequency response is optimized for a predetermined electric field energy pattern gain response over frequency and is designed to acceptingly receive a predetermined free-space path transmission signal EMF energy in direct line-of-sight transmission from a wireless transmit/receive electronic equipment antenna emission radiated energy or equipment body leakage emission radiated energy. Said energy is converted into RF electrical signal. Said RF (radio frequency) electrical signal is converted into monitoring DC voltage signal by a predetermined selection of tuned crystal detection arrangement parameters. Then said monitoring DC (direct current) voltage signal provide a predetermined excitation electrical signal level into the stimulus indicator arrangement to facilitate proper stimulus indicator operation by predetermined selection of stimulus indicator arrangement parameters.
Operation of the radiation detection device is self-powered with the exposure to predetermined EMF energy and converting this energy into monitoring DC voltage signal that is proportional to the radiated EMF energy exposure level. Said monitoring DC voltage signal operation is by simultaneous operating means, provide self-powered means to the stimulus indicator arrangement, in providing predetermined detection indicator response due to close-proximity exposure to direct line-of-sight propagation of EMF energy radiation from a wireless transmit/receive electronic equipment antenna EMF source or body EMF source or combined EMF source composition thereof.
Additional objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Close-proximity radiation detection device for determining radiation shielding device effectiveness and a method therefor


The disclosure provides compounds of formula (I):

The Kv3 voltage-gated potassium channel family includes four members, Kv3.1, Kv3.2, Kv3.3, and Kv3.4. Genes for each of these subtypes can generate multiple isoforms by alternative splicing, producing versions with different C-terminal domains. Thirteen isoforms have been identified in mammals to date, but the currents expressed by these variants appear similar (Rudy and McBain, 2001, Trends in Neurosciences 24, 517-526). Kv3 channels are activated by depolarisation of the plasma membrane to voltages more positive than −20 mV; furthermore, the channels deactivate rapidly upon repolarisation of the membrane. These biophysical properties ensure that the channels open towards the peak of the depolarising phase of the neuronal action potential to initiate repolarisation. Rapid termination of the action potential mediated by Kv3 channels allows the neuron to recover more quickly to reach sub-threshold membrane potentials from which further action potentials can be triggered. As a result, the presence of Kv3 channels in certain neurons contributes to their ability to fire at high frequencies (Rudy and McBain, 2001, Trends in Neurosci. 24, 517-526). Kv3.1-3 subtypes are predominant in the CNS, whereas Kv3.4 channels are found predominantly in skeletal muscle and sympathetic neurons (Weiser et al., 1994, J. Neurosci. 14, 949-972). Kv3.1-3 channel subtypes are differentially expressed by sub-classes of interneurons in cortical and hippocampal brain areas (e.g. Chow et al., 1999, J. Neurosci. 19, 9332-9345; Martina et al., 1998, J. Neurosci. 18, 8111-8125; McDonald and Mascagni, 2006, Neurosci. 138, 537-547, Chang et al., 2007, J. Comp. Neurol. 502, 953-972), in the thalamus (e.g. Kasten et al., 2007, J. Physiol. 584, 565-582), cerebellum (e.g. Sacco et al., 2006, Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 33, 170-179), and auditory brain stem nuclei (Li et al., 2001, J. Comp. Neurol. 437, 196-218).
Characterisation of mice in which one or more of the Kv3 subtypes has been deleted shows that the absence of Kv3.1 gives rise to increased locomotor activity, altered electroencephalographic activity, and a fragmented sleep pattern (Joho et al., 1999, J. Neurophysiol. 82, 1855-1864). The deletion of Kv3.2 leads to a reduction in seizure threshold and altered cortical electroencephalographic activity (Lau et al., 2000, J. Neurosci. 20, 9071-9085). Deletion of Kv3.3 is associated with mild ataxia and motor deficits (McMahon et al., 2004, Eur. J. Neurosci. 19, 3317-3327). Double deletion of Kv3.1 and Kv3.3 gives rise to a severe phenotype characterised by spontaneous seizures, ataxia, and an increased sensitivity to the effects of ethanol (Espinosa et al., 2001, J. Neurosci. 21, 6657-6665; Espinosa et al., 2008, J. Neurosci. 28, 5570-5581).
The known pharmacology of Kv3 channels is limited. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) has been shown to inhibit the channels at low millimolar concentrations (Rudy and McBain, 2001, Trends in Neurosci. 24, 517-526), and blood-depressing substance (BDS) toxins from the sea anemone, Anemonia sulcata (Diochot et al., 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273, 6744-6749), have been shown to selectively inhibit Kv3 channels with high affinity (Yeung et al., 2005, J. Neurosci. 25, 8735-8745). In addition to compounds acting directly on Kv3 channels, agonists of receptors that activate protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) have been shown to modulate Kv3-mediated currents in specific brain areas, leading to a reduction in the ability of the neurons to fire at high frequency (Atzori et al., 2000, Nat. Neurosci. 3, 791-798; Song et al., 2005, Nat Neurosci. 8, 1335-1342); these studies suggest that PKA and PKC can specifically phosphorylate Kv3 channels in a neuron-specific manner, causing a reduction in Kv3-mediated currents.
Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and epilepsy are serious disorders of the central nervous system that have been associated with reduced function of inhibitory interneurons and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) transmission (Reynolds et al., 2004, Neurotox. Res. 6, 57-61; Benes et al., 2008, PNAS, 105, 20935-20940; Brambilla et al., 2003, Mol. Psychiatry. 8, 721-37, 715; Aroniadou-Anderjaska et al., 2007, Amino Acids 32, 305-315; Ben-Ari, 2006, Crit. Rev. Neurobiol. 18, 135-144). Parvalbumin positive basket cells that express Kv3 channels in the cortex and hippocampus play a key role in generating feedback inhibition within local circuits (Markram et al., 2004, Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 5, 793-807). Given the relative dominance of excitatory synaptic input over inhibitory input to glutamatergic pyramidal neurons in these circuits, fast-firing of interneurons supplying inhibitory input is essential to ensure balanced inhibition. Furthermore, accurate timing of inhibitory input is necessary to sustain network synchronisation, for example, in the generation of gamma frequency field potential oscillations that have been associated with cognitive function (Fisahn et al., 2005, J. Physiol 562, 65-72; Engel et al., 2001, Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 2, 704-716). Notably, a reduction in gamma oscillations has been observed in patients with schizophrenia (Spencer et al., 2004, PNAS 101, 17288-17293). Consequently, positive modulators of Kv3 channels might be expected to enhance the firing capabilities of specific groups of fast-firing neurons in the brain. These effects may be beneficial in disorders associated with abnormal activity of these neuronal groups.
In addition, Kv3.2 channels have been shown to be expressed by neurons of the superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN) the main circadian pacemaker in the CNS (Schulz and Steimer, 2009, CNS Drugs 23 Suppl 2, 3-13).
Hearing loss represents an epidemic that affects approximately 16% of the population in Europe and the US (Goldman and Holme, 2010, Drug Discovery Today 15, 253-255), with a prevalence estimated at 250 million people worldwide (B. Shield, 2006, Evaluation of the social and economic costs of hearing impairment. A report for Hear-It AISBL: www.hear-it.org/multimedia/Hear_It_Report_October_2006.pdf). As life expectancy continues to increase, so too will the number of people suffering from hearing disorders. Furthermore, it is believed that modern lifestyles may exacerbate this burden as the younger generation ages. Hearing conditions, including tinnitus have a profound effect on the quality of life, causing social isolation, depression, work and relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, and prejudice. Voltage-gated ion channels of the Kv3 family are expressed at high levels in auditory brainstem nuclei (Li et al., 2001, J. Comp. Neurol. 437, 196-218) where they permit the fast firing of neurons that transmit auditory information from the cochlear to higher brain regions. Loss of Kv3.1 channel expression in central auditory neurons is observed in hearing impaired mice (von Hehn et al., 2004, J. Neurosci. 24, 1936-1940), and a decline in Kv3.1 expression may be associated with loss of hearing in aged mice (Jung et al. 2005 Neurol. Res. 27, 436-440). Furthermore, pathological plasticity of auditory brainstem networks is likely to contribute to symptoms that are experienced by many people suffering from hearing loss of different types. Recent studies have shown that regulation of Kv3.1 channel function and expression has a major role in controlling auditory neuron excitability (Kaczmarek et al., 2005, Hearing Res. 206, 133-145), suggesting that this mechanism could account for some of the plastic changes that give rise to tinnitus. More specifically, a reduction in Kv3-like potassium currents in neurons of the dorsal cochlear nucleus has now been observed following acoustic trauma in rats, suggesting that reduced Kv3 function could contribute to the pathological process that is triggered by damaging noise (Pilati et al., 2011, Hearing Res., doi: 10.1016/j.hearingres.2011.10.008), and supporting the hypothesis that positive modulation of Kv3 channels in auditory brainstem nuclei could have a therapeutic benefit in patients suffering from noise-induced hearing loss. Finally, Fraglie X syndrome and autism are frequently associated with hypersensitivity to sensory input, including auditory stimuli. Recent findings suggest that the protein coded by the FMR-I gene, whose mutation or absence gives rise to Fragile X syndrome, may directly regulate the expression of Kv3.1 channels in the auditory brainstem nuclei (Strumbos et al., 2010, J. Neuroscience, in press), suggesting that mis-regulation of Kv3.1 channels could give rise to hyperacusis in patients suffering from Fragile X or autism. Consequently, we propose that small molecule modulators of Kv3 channels in auditory brainstem nuclei could have a benefit in the treatment of disorders of hearing, including tinnitus and auditory hyper-acuity associated with Fragile X syndrome and autism.

Hydantoin derivatives useful as Kv3 inhibitors

Abstract: said compounds being inhibitors of Kv3 channels and of use in the prophylaxis or treatment of related disorders.


A transport vehicle includes a self-balancing vehicle base. A platform is supported on the base and is displaceable relative thereto between a first position and a second position. A support device engages the platform and supports at least a portion thereof during displacement between the first position and the second position. A method is also included.

The subject disclosure broadly relates to the art of transport vehicles and, more particularly, to a self-balancing vehicle suitable for transporting an associated cargo or payload over an uneven or discontinuous surface and a method of transporting the associated cargo using the same.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is capable of broad application and can be used in association with the transport of any suitably sized and/or weighted payloads, such as kitchen appliances, business or office equipment, and industrial machinery, for example. The subject matter of the present disclosure finds particular use and application in association with the transport of copy machines, printers, and sensitive and/or sophisticated equipment of other types and kinds, and specific reference is made herein with regard thereto. However, it is to be understood that the specific applications and uses shown and discussed herein are merely exemplary and that the same are not intended to be in any way limiting.
The current practice of transporting larger pieces of office equipment, such as copy machines and stand alone or network printers, for example, normally involves at least some amount of lifting and/or lowering the equipment. This is typically performed by delivery or service persons using manual physical effort. In many cases, such office equipment is loaded onto a two-wheeled cart or dolly and tilted back so that the weight of the equipment is carried on the two wheels of the cart. Even so, current practices of transporting such equipment and systems undesirably require substantial physical effort on the part of the transporting personnel, two or more of whom are often dispatched to transport the equipment.
Another disadvantage of current methods is that the complex and sophisticated equipment that is often being transported is usually unavoidably caused to experience certain undesirable conditions during transport. As an example, tilting a copy machine or printer on a two-wheeled dolly for transport often results in the spillage of toner and other consumables, which can negatively impact the performance and/or output of the equipment. Additionally, the machines and/or equipment often also experience undesirable loads or inputs during transport. This can be due to starting, stopping, bumps and other occurrences, which can impart impact loads on sensitive components. These types of inputs can result in further spillage of consumables, and can also cause components to deviate from pre-calibrated conditions or even become damaged.
What's more, both the physical difficulty and the magnitude of these undesirable inputs and conditions are greatly increased where the transport path involves traversing a discontinuous surface, such as a flight of stairs, for example. This situation is common in countries, including many European countries, in which older buildings that do not have elevators or lifts remain in use as residential, commercial or industrial buildings into which such equipment is commonly delivered.
It will be appreciated that the extent to which such inputs will be problematic for a given cargo will depend upon the type, kind and/or configuration of the product that is being transported. For example, complex and highly sensitive devices, such as electrophotographic equipment (e.g., copy machines and printers) can be subject to significant damage, such as component breakage, misalignment, loss of calibration and consumable spillage (e.g., toner spillage), for example, due to even minimal impact and other undesirable inputs. Whereas, less sophisticated equipment, such as kitchen appliances and industrial machinery, for example, may be less susceptible to issues such as misalignment, loss of calibration and spillage. However, these types of equipment and machinery too can benefit from improved handling and reduced impact loading, such as to minimize chipping and scratching of finished components, for example.
Devices have been developed that reduce the amount of the physical labor required to transport a piece of equipment up flights of stairs. Such devices commonly include an otherwise typical two-wheeled dolly or handcart that has powered endless belts disposed along the back support structure of the cart. In use, the transport personnel lean the dolly backward (along with the piece of equipment thereon) so that the powered track lays on and engages the stair treads. The powered track can then be energized such that the endless belt(s) assist in carrying the dolly and the equipment thereon up the stairs.
One difficulty with such arrangements, however, is that the dolly must be physically manipulated at the top and the bottom of each flight of stairs as well as being negotiated by hand around each landing therebetween. Thus, substantial physical effort remains, even with the benefit of the powered track. Another disadvantage is that such devices still require the equipment to be tilted or tipped. As such, the spilling and/or leakage of consumables remains an issue. Furthermore, to aid in engaging the stair treads, the endless belt(s) are often outfitted with grips or protrusions to catch on the tread. Unfortunately, the pitch or spacing of the grips is often different than the spacing of the stairs. In such cases, the use of the powered track can result in shock loads or inputs occurring at nearly each step. Thus, even with the use of the powered track to reduce the physical effort involved, shock loads and other undesirable inputs still unavoidably occur.
Further still, self-balancing devices have been developed that are well suited for transporting human beings over a variety of surface conditions. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,288,505; 6,302,230; 6,357,544; 6,367,817; 6,408,240; 6,538,411; 6,543,564; 6,561,294; 6,598,941; 6,651,763; 6,651,766; 6,779,621; 6,789,640; 6,796,396; 6,815,919; 6,827,163; 6,868,931; 6,874,591; 6,929,080 and 6,969,079; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20020063006; 20030146025; 20040011573; 20040055795; 20040055796; 20040055804; 20040069543; 20050017733; 20050121866; 20050126832 and 20050236215, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. It will be appreciated that these transport devices are generally not well suited for traversing a discontinuous surfaces, such as a flight of stairs.
However, other transporting devices are known that can traverse discontinuous surfaces and can generally perform such tasks with a minimum of tipping or tilting and while undergoing few impacts, shock loads or other such undesirable inputs. Examples of such devices are shown a in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,701,965; 5,791,425; 5,971,091; 5,975,225; 6,223,104; 6,311,794; 6,332,103; 6,343,664; 6,405,816; 6,415,879; 6,443,250; 6,443,251; 6,553,271; 6,571,892; 6,575,539; 6,581,714; 6,615,938; 6,715,845; 6,799,649; 6,866,107 and 6,915,878; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20040183272 and 20050034553, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. It will be recognized, however, that these self-balancing devices have largely been developed for use in transporting human beings and generally take the form of wheeled chairs. As such, there are numerous aspects of these devices which generally limit their application to human transport, and which substantially reduce the effectiveness of these devices for transporting equipment and other inanimate payloads.
One significant example of such an aspect relates to the ability of a human being to mount and dismount these known devices. That is, these self-balancing devices have been developed to remained generally upright under essentially all operational conditions. Accordingly, the human user typically mounts and dismounts (alone or with assistance) such a self-balancing device while the same is in a generally upright orientation. In some cases, the self-balancing device may be angled forward slightly to assist the user. However, tilting such a self-balancing transporter beyond a certain maximum angle can undesirably result in a cantilevered load condition that is outside the capability of the self-balancing transporter to correct. Issues related to such conditions, and devices for preventing the occurrence of such conditions or mitigating the effects thereof are disclosed in the. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,062,600; 6,386,576; and 6,547,026. As such, a generally upright orientation is normally maintained. As a result, such self-balancing devices are not well-suited for transferring (e.g., loading and/or unloading) relatively large and/or heavy objects, such as office equipment, for example, on to and off of the self-balancing devices.


According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory includes a magnetoresistive effect element provided in a memory cell, the magnetoresistive effect element including a multilayer structure including a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic layer between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, a first electrode provided on an upper portion of the multilayer structure and including a first material, and a first film provided on a side surface of the first electrode and including a second material which is different from the first material of the first electrode.

In recent years, a spin transfer torque-type magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) has been proposed as one of semiconductor memories. In the MRAM, a magnetoresistive effect element is included in a memory cell. The magnetoresistive effect element includes two magnetic layers (ferromagnetic layers) and a nonmagnetic layer which is provided between the two magnetic layers. Depending on the magnetization states of the two magnetic layers of the magnetoresistive effect element, that is, depending on whether the spin directions of the two magnetic layers are parallel or antiparallel, "1" or "0" information is stored in the memory cell.

Magnetic memory and manufacturing method thereof


The present invention relates to methods of quantifying nucleic acids and in particular to an improved universal method of quantifying nucleic acids for gene expression studies without the need for normalising data to a housekeeping gene or to a synthetic gene of interest.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
PCR technologies for quantification of gene expression have improved through the development of rapid thermocylers and the introduction of fluorescence monitoring of amplified products after each cycle (real-time PCR). Quantification of gene expression occurs through the use of dyes, particularly fluorescent dyes, and the detection of increasing fluorescence during the exponential phase of PCR amplification proportional to the amount of nucleic acids in the sample at the beginning of the reaction. Quantification is based on the threshold cycle, i.e. the first cycle with detectable fluorescence, and can be performed in absolute manner with external standards (usually a synthetic gene) or in relative manner with a comparative normalizing reference gene serving as an internal calibrator (i.e. housekeeping gene). Control genes or housekeeping genes are used to normalise mRNA levels between different samples.
It is critical that the selected reference gene does not fluctuate since even marginal variations in gene expression will alter the relative quantification profile of the target gene. Pipetting and dilution errors also alter the level of amplification and thus alter the quantification profile.
Genes such as glyceraldehyde -3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), porphobilinogen desaminase (PBGD), beta 2-microglobin or beta-actin are often used as internal calibrators in real-time PCR. However, the aforementioned genes have been shown to move in response to experimental conditions or treatments. Genes that are abundantly expressed, such as 18S, are also not ideal reference genes as PCR conditions need to be restricted so as not to swamp the reaction.
Thus, suitable housekeeping genes should be adequately expressed in the tissue of interest, and most importantly, show minimal variability in expression between the samples and under the experimental conditions or treatments used.
Many of these control genes however can show unacceptable variability in expression. It has been shown that the expression level of such genes may vary among tissues or cells and may change under certain circumstances i.e. different treatments. Thus it is crucial to validate housekeeping genes in any new experimental system. It is often a time consuming and difficult task to find a housekeeping gene or reference gene that is suitable for use in a specific experimental system. In some situations this may not be possible.
The use of external standards (i.e. a synthetic sequence) in gene expression studies generally requires that the gene of interest be cloned to provide the synthetic reference gene. In this method, known amounts of the synthetic reference gene sequence are serially diluted then subjected to amplification to produce a standard curve. Production of the cloned sequence for this method is generally a time consuming, labour intensive task and dilution errors are amplified exponentially which can lead to inaccurate assessment of nucleic acid levels. Stability and preservation of highly diluted cloned sequences can also cause difficulties.
Thus, there remains a need for a quick and efficient universal method of quantifying nucleic acids, that is applicable to any experimental situation or treatment condition, that does not require the use of a housekeeping gene or a synthetic gene of interest to normalise data.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.


Methods, systems, and compositions for the liquid-phase deposition (LPD) of thin films. The thin films can be coated onto the surface of porous components of electrochemical devices, such as battery electrodes. Embodiments of the present disclosure achieve a faster, safer, and more cost-effective means for forming uniform, conformal layers on non-planar microstructures than known methods. In one aspect, the methods and systems involve exposing the component to be coated to different liquid reagents in sequential processing steps, with optional intervening rinsing and drying steps. Processing may occur in a single reaction chamber or multiple reaction chambers.

Traditional vapor phase atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques rely on the evaporation of metalorganic precursors in an evacuated chamber. Substrates placed within this chamber are exposed to the impinging flux of metalorganic vapor. Substrate surfaces, which are often hydroxyl-terminated, react with impinging vapor to produce precisely one self-limiting, surface-saturating monolayer of adsorbed metalorganic. In one instance, metalorganic adsorption, followed by purge of excess metalorganic using vacuum and inert gas, followed by exposure of substrate surface to an oxidizer (such as H2O, O2 or O3) results in the formation of precisely one monolayer of metal oxide.
ALD is particularly well-suited for generating conformal coatings with precise thicknesses on substrates possessing a porous microstructure. One example of such a substrate is a lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrode. State-of-the-art LIB electrodes are typically fabricated by coating slurries of anode or cathode particles mixed with binder and conductive additive onto foil current collectors. The open space remaining between particles after coating generates porosity throughout the thickness of electrode films. Substrates possessing this kind of morphology often cannot be adequately coated by other physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes (such as sputtering) because of "line-of-sight" limitations. Typically, deposition cycles in such techniques allow for little surface mobility of adsorbed atoms before reaction to complete product. As a result, only regions of substrate that are directly exposed to impinging flux of atoms are adequately coated. To conformally and uniformly coat all surfaces within a porous morphology, a deposition technique akin to ALD is required, where substantial time is allowed for surface mobility of adsorbed atoms prior to reaction. ALD coatings on lithium-ion battery electrodes have been demonstrated to reduce deleterious side reactions typically associated with capacity fade such as solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) formation. However, numerous manufacturing limitations of traditional ALD processes present a need for a more manufacturable process that achieves similar film quality, uniformity and conformality.
While metalorganic reagents (i.e., precursors) used in ALD of oxides such as Al2O3 and ZnO (trimethylaluminum (TMA) and diethylzinc (DEZ), respectively) evaporate at relatively low temperatures (<100° C.) and at modest base vacuum pressures (>1 Torr), most metalorganic precursors require temperatures greater than 100° C. (and many greater than 200° C.) to yield a substantial vapor pressure. The key drawback to high precursor boiling point is that the substrate temperature must also be maintained above the precursor boiling point to prevent condensation of precursor on substrate surfaces. Precursor condensation results in loss of monolayer-by-monolayer growth control, which in turn results in unpredictable final film thickness. Substrates in an evacuated ALD chamber also often need to be heated radiatively (as with suspended roll-to-roll foil substrates), due to the lack of a heat transfer medium. Radiative heating is inefficient for reflective foil substrates such as those used in battery electrodes. High substrate temperatures (>200° C.) are also impractical for battery electrodes because polymer binders (such as PVDF) used in electrode coating degrade at such temperatures. Residual gases trapped within layers of roll-to-roll substrates also lengthen pump down time in traditional ALD chambers, and the loss of unused precursor through continuous purge and evacuation result in poor materials utilization in traditional ALD processes. The pyrophoric nature of the gaseous metalorganic precursors typically used in traditional ALD processes also requires the incorporation of costly safety infrastructure.
In U.S. PGPUB 2016/0351973, vapor phase ALD and derivative deposition technologies were disclosed to reduce SEI formation by directly coating battery electrode constituent powders with various encapsulating coatings prior to slurry formation. Such a technology avoids certain limitations of ALD coating of formed electrodes such as substrate temperature. However, a key shortcoming of this technology is that the passivating layers formed in this manner introduce substantial electrode internal resistance. Internal resistance can greatly limit battery power output due to voltage drop. In order for an encapsulating, passivating layer to function well as an inhibitor to deleterious side reactions, it must inhibit electron transfer between electrode and electrolyte. Wide band-gap insulating materials, as indicated in the '973 application, are good candidates for such an application. Unfortunately, when applied to individual electrode powder particles, they will also impede particle-to-particle electron transfer, which will result in internal resistance. The only way to circumvent the issue of internal resistance while maintaining the benefit of a passivating layer between electrode and electrolyte is to deposit the passivating layer on a pre-formed battery electrode.
High quality, conformal thin films of oxides and chalcogenides have been deposited for decades by techniques other than ALD, such as chemical bath deposition (CBD), successive-ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) and layer-by-layer sol-gel. In the CBD technique, (typically) aqueous solutions of complexed metal precursors are mixed with chalcogenide or oxide ion sources. Temperatures for these processes are usually modest, well below decomposition temperatures for battery electrode materials, binders or separators. CBD is best known for being used for depositing high quality CdS or ZnS as the n-type j unction partner on CdTe or CIGS thin film solar cells. This technique has been used for years to set world record efficiencies for these types of solar cells. They have yielded high open-circuit voltages, high diode ideality and high shunt resistance, indicating excellent film quality and conformality. CBD processes have also been commercialized into high-volume thin film solar cell production lines.
A useful variation of the CBD technique is SILAR. In this instance, substrates are alternately exposed to cationic and anionic reactant solutions, with rinse steps in between. While this technique results in slower film growth, a benefit of the technique is the elimination of homogenous nucleation (precipitation) from intermixing of the two reactants, which dramatically improves materials utilization. Considering the fact that the tunneling limit of a good dielectric is on the order of 1-2 nm, SILAR techniques are feasible for deposition of passivation layers on battery electrode surfaces. Thickness control in SILAR processes is also better than in CBD processes; thickness control of a passivation layer on battery electrodes, for instance, is critical to prevent unwanted barriers to lithium diffusion while maintaining an electron tunneling barrier.
Solution-based techniques also exist that demonstrate layer by layer sol-gel coating using the same kinds of metal organics used in vapor phase ALD. For instance, an Al2O3 monolayer can be grown by immersion of a substrate in a solution of an appropriate aluminum alkoxide. The adsorption of the metalorganic precursor, followed by an oxidizing step such as hydrolysis, can yield one monolayer of oxide. These steps are repeated with rinse steps in between to yield monolayer-by-monolayer coatings. The metal alkoxide precursors are typically soluble to very high molarities in standard organic solvents like 2-propanol. In recent years, high quality Al2O3, SiO2 and ZrO2 recombination blocking layers were all grown on TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells using this technique.
U.S. PGPUB 2016/0090652 presents a liquid phase ALD method akin to that described above, wherein discrete wafer substrates are consecutively exposed to a solution of metalorganic precursor, a rinse solvent to remove excess metalorganic, an oxidizing solution and another rinse. These four steps are repeated to yield any desired thickness of film. The wafer is attached to a spin-coating apparatus; immediately after each step the wafer is spun to remove excess fluid. While this technique may work well for substrates similar to wafers, the process cannot be used to coat continuous substrates such as rolls of foil.
Therefore, a need exists for an alternative deposition method to ALD and other conventional methods that is faster, more efficient, safer, and more cost-effective for yielding conformal coatings on the surface of battery electrodes. To-date, solution deposition equipment that deposits conformally grown thin films on rolls of battery electrodes at commercial scale has not yet been demonstrated. Examples of key difficulties that have yet to be solved include homogeneous nucleation during film growth, cross-contamination of precursor solutions and uniformity of film thickness at all locations in the film SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides liquid-phase deposition methods, systems, and compositions for generating a thin-film coating. The thin films described herein are particularly useful for coating the surfaces of porous components used in electrochemical devices, such as battery electrodes or battery separator membranes. The methods and systems of the present disclosure promote precise control of thickness and conformality of desired films by allowing reagents to adsorb and move across substrate surfaces as in ALD, albeit through a liquid-phase delivery instead of vapor-phase. Liquid-phase delivery of reagents takes advantage of the energy of solvation to mobilize reagents instead of relying on high-temperature thermal evaporation.
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a method for coating a thin film onto a surface of a battery electrode, comprising:                (a) providing a battery electrode onto a conveyance apparatus;        (b) transferring, by the conveyance apparatus, the battery electrode to a first reaction chamber comprising at least a first liquid solution comprising a first reagent;        (c) exposing, by the conveyance apparatus, the battery electrode to the first liquid solution to produce a partially coated battery electrode having a layer comprising an adsorbed first reagent on the surface of the battery electrode;        (d) transferring, by the conveyance apparatus, the partially coated battery electrode to a second reaction chamber comprising a second liquid solution comprising at least a second reagent, and        (e) exposing, by the conveyance apparatus, the partially coated battery electrode to the second liquid solution, wherein the at least second reagent reacts with the first adsorbed reagent of the partially coated battery electrode to produce a fully coated battery electrode comprising a monolayer of thin film coated onto the surface of the fully coated battery electrode, the monolayer of thin film comprising a compound generated from the reaction of the second reagent and the absorbed first reagent.
In certain embodiments, the monolayer of thin film has a thickness from about 0.5 nm tCo 100 μm. In some embodiments, the monolayer of thin film may be composed of grains having a size 0.5 nm to 100 μm. In other embodiments, the monolayer of thin film may be crystalline or amorphous.
In certain embodiments, the battery electrode has a thickness of 100 nm to 1,000 μm. In other embodiments, the battery electrode to be coated has pores ranging in size of 0.1 nm to 100 μm. In some embodiments, the battery electrode to be coated has a film porosity of 1-99%. In some embodiments, the battery electrode is composed of graphite, Si, Sn, a Si-graphite composite, a Sn-graphite or lithium metal. In other embodiments, the battery electrode is composed of LiNixMnyCozO2, LiNixCoyAlzO2, LiMnxNiyOz, LiMnO2, LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, LiNiPO4, LiCoPO4, LiV2O5, sulfur or LiCoO2 where x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients.
In certain embodiments, the conveyance apparatus may be a roll-to-roll deposition system. In some embodiments, the conveyance apparatus comprises a series of rollers for guiding the battery electrode and partially coated battery electrode to the first and second reaction chambers, respectively.
In certain embodiments, the battery electrode is exposed, either partially or fully, to the first liquid solution by a process selected from the group consisting of submerging, spraying, slot die coating, and gravure roller coating. In other embodiments, the partially coated battery electrode is exposed, either partially or fully, to the second liquid solution by a process selected from the group consisting of submerging, spraying, slot die coating, and gravure roller coating. In some embodiment, the first and second liquid solutions are non-ionic.
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises rinsing the partially coated battery electrode with a first rinsing solution comprising a first solvent to produce a saturated first layer on the partially coated battery electrode and a first residual solution comprising the first solvent and unreacted first reagent. In some embodiments, the method further comprises passing the first residual solution to a first filtration step to separate unreacted first reagent from the first solvent.
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises rinsing the fully coated battery electrode with a second rinsing solution comprising a second solvent to produce a saturated monolayer of thin film on the fully coated battery electrode and a second residual solution comprising the second solvent and unreacted second reagent. In some embodiments, the method further comprises passing the second residual rinsing solution to a second filtration step to separate the unreacted second reagent from the second solvent. In other embodiments, the method further comprises recycling recovered unreacted first or second reagent back to the first or second liquid solutions, respectively, and recycling recovered first or second solvent back to the first or second rinsing solutions, respectively.
In certain embodiments, the filtration steps are carried out using membrane separation, chemical precipitation, ion-exchange, electrochemical removal, physical adsorption, flow filtration chromatography, or a combination of these.
In certain embodiments, the first liquid solution comprises more than one reagent. In some embodiments, the second liquid solution comprises more than one reagent. In some embodiments, the first and second reagents are metalorganic precursors. In other embodiments, the first and second reagents are cationic or anionic.
In certain embodiments, the first and second liquid solutions further comprise an organic solvent, water, or a mixture of both.
In certain embodiments, the thin film comprises a compound selected from one of the following groups:                (a) binary oxides of type AxOy where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (b) ternary oxides of type AxByOz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (c) quaternary oxides of type AwBxCyOz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (d) binary halides of type AxBy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, B is a halogen and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (e) ternary halides of type AxByCz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, C is a halogen and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (f) quaternary halides of type AwBxCyDz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, D is a halogen and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (g) binary nitrides of type AxNy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (h) ternary nitrides of type AxByNz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (i) quaternary nitrides of type AwBxCyNz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (j) binary chalcogenides of type AxBy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, B is a chalcogen and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (k) ternary chalcogenides of type AxByCz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, C is a chalcogen and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (l) quaternary chalcogenides of type AwBxCyDz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, D is a chalcogen and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (m) binary carbides of type AxCy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (n) binary oxyhalides of type AxByOz, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, B is a halogen and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (o) binary arsenides of type AxAsy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (p) ternary arsenides of type AxByAsz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (q) quaternary arsenides of type AwBxCyAsz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (r) binary phosphates of type Ax(PO4), where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (s) ternary phosphates of type AxBy(PO4)z, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients; and        (t) quaternary phosphates of type AwBxCy(PO4)z, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients.
In certain embodiments, the compound generated is Al2O3, CdS, or TiN.
In certain embodiments, the battery electrode comprises a substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate is in the form of a foil, sheet, or film. In other embodiments, the substrate is in the form of a wafer or piece of glass. In some embodiments, the substrate is made up of an organic material selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyester, or polyethylene napthalate (PEN). In further embodiments, the substrate is made up of a metal, such as copper, aluminum, or stainless steel.
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a liquid phase deposition method for coating a thin film onto a surface of a battery electrode, comprising:                (a) providing a battery electrode into a reaction chamber;        (b) exposing the battery electrode to a first liquid solution comprising a first reagent to produce a partially coated battery electrode having a layer comprising an adsorbed first reagent on the surface of the battery electrode; and        (c) exposing the partially coated battery electrode to a second liquid solution comprising a second reagent, wherein the at least second reagent reacts with the first adsorbed reagent of the partially coated battery electrode to produce a fully coated battery electrode comprising a monolayer of thin film coated onto the surface of the fully coated battery electrode, the monolayer of thin film comprising a compound generated from the reaction of the second reagent and the absorbed first reagent.
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises rinsing the partially coated battery electrode with a first rinsing solution comprising a first solvent to produce a saturated first layer on the partially coated battery electrode and a first residual solution comprising the first solvent and unreacted first reagent; and rinsing the fully coated battery electrode with a second rinsing solution comprising a second solvent to produce a saturated monolayer of thin film on the fully coated battery electrode and a second residual solution comprising the second solvent and unreacted second reagent.
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises passing the first residual solution to a first filtration step to separate unreacted first reagent from the first solvent; and passing the second residual rinsing solution to a second filtration step to separate the unreacted second reagent from the second solvent.
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises recycling recovered unreacted first or second reagent back to the first or second liquid solutions, respectively; and recycling recovered first or second solvent back to the first or second rinsing solutions, respectively.
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a system for coating a thin film onto a battery electrode, comprising:                a conveyance apparatus for conveying the battery electrode to:        (a) a first reaction chamber where the battery electrode is exposed to a first liquid solution comprising at least a first reagent to produce a layer comprising an adsorbed first reagent on the battery electrode; and        (b) a second reaction chamber where the battery electrode having a layer comprising an adsorbed first reagent is exposed to a second liquid solution comprising at least a second reagent, wherein the at least second reagent reacts with the first adsorbed reagent to produce the thin film on the surface of the electrode.
In certain embodiments, the conveyance apparatus comprises a series of rollers for guiding the electrode to the first and second reaction chambers. In some embodiments, the first and second reaction chambers are in the form of a tank, tray, or bath. In some embodiments, the first and second reaction chambers include a sensor for determining the amount of first or second liquid solution that is in the respective reaction chamber. In some embodiments, the first and second reaction chambers comprise a valve for regulating the amount of first or second liquid solution in their respective reaction chambers, said valve controlled by the sensor in each reaction chamber.
In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a first rinsing chamber located between the first and second reaction chambers, the first rinsing chamber containing a first rinsing solution comprising a first solvent for rinsing the battery electrode conveyed to the first rinsing chamber by the conveyance apparatus to thereby produce a saturated first layer on the battery electrode and a first residual solution comprising the first solvent and unreacted first reagent. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a first filtration apparatus for separating the unreacted first reagent from the first solvent in the first rinsing solution.
In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a second rinsing chamber located after the second reaction chamber, the second rinsing chamber containing a second rinsing solution comprising a second solvent for rinsing the battery electrode conveyed to the second rinsing chamber by the conveyance apparatus to produce the thin film coated on the surface of the battery electrode. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a second filtration apparatus for separating the unreacted second reagent from the second solvent in the second rinsing solution.
In certain embodiments, the first filtration apparatus and the second filtration apparatus are selected from one of the following: a separation membrane, a filtration column, or a chromatographic column, a chemical or electrochemical separation tank, an adsorption column, or a combination of these.
In certain embodiments, the compound generated by the reaction of the absorbed first reagent and the second reagent is selected from one of the following:                (a) binary oxides of type AxOy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (b) ternary oxides of type AxByOz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (c) quaternary oxides of type AwBxCyOz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (d) binary halides of type AxBy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, B is a halogen and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (e) ternary halides of type AxByCz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, C is a halogen and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (f) quaternary halides of type AwBxCyDz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, D is a halogen and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (g) binary nitrides of type AxNy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (h) ternary nitrides of type AxByNz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (i) quaternary nitrides of type AwBxCyNz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (j) binary chalcogenides of type AxBy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, B is a chalcogen and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (k) ternary chalcogenides of type AxByCz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, C is a chalcogen and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (l) quaternary chalcogenides of type AwBxCyDz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, D is a chalcogen and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (m) binary carbides of type AxCy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (n) binary oxyhalides of type AxByOz, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid, B is a halogen and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (o) binary arsenides of type AxAsy, where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y is a stoichiometric coefficient;        (p) ternary arsenides of type AxByAsz, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (q) quaternary arsenides of type AwBxCyAsz, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients;        (r) binary phosphates of type Ax(PO4), where A is an alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x and y are stoichiometric coefficients;        (s) ternary phosphates of type AxBy(PO4)z, where A and B are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients; and        (t) quaternary phosphates of type AxBxCy(PO4)z, where A, B and C are any combination of alkali metal, alkali-earth metal, transition metal, semimetal or metalloid and w, x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients.
In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a motor. The motor is mechanically linked to different components of the system, for example, rollers, to provide a means for conveying or driving the electrode through the system. In some embodiments, the system comprises a computer. The computer may be operably connected or otherwise in communication with the motor and/or other devices of the system as a means for controlling the operation and function of the conveyance apparatus and/or other system components.
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a battery electrode, comprising a porous microstructure coated with a monolayer of thin film, wherein the thin film has a thickness from 0.5 nm to 100 μm. In some embodiments, the battery electrode of claim 46, wherein the battery electrode has a thickness of 100 nm to 1,000 Mm. In some embodiments, the battery electrode comprises pores ranging in a size of 0.1 nm to 100 μm. In some embodiments, the battery electrode has a film porosity of 1-99%. In some embodiments, the porous microstructure is composed of graphite, Si, Sn, a Si-graphite composite, a Sn-graphite composite, or lithium metal. In other embodiments, the porous microstructure is composed of LiNixMnyCozO2, LiNixCoyAlzO2, LiMnxNiyOz, LiMnO2, LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, LiNiPO4, LiCoPO4, LiV2O5 sulfur or LiCoO2 where x, y and z are stoichiometric coefficients.
In certain embodiments, the thin film comprises a compound produced by a reaction of a first reagent and a second reagent, wherein the reaction occurs on a surface of an electrode that is fully or partially submerged in a solution comprising said first and second reagents, whereby said reaction precipitates the compound onto the surface of the electrode. In some embodiments, the compound comprises a metal oxide. In other embodiments, the compound comprises a transition metal dichalcogenide.
In certain embodiments, the battery electrode further comprises a substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate is in the form of a foil, sheet, or film. In some embodiments, the substrate of the battery electrode is made up of an organic material selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyester, or polyethylene napthalate (PEN). In other embodiments, the substrate is made up of a metal, such as copper, aluminum, or stainless steel.
In certain embodiments, the method comprises producing a plurality of unique thin films. In some embodiments, each thin film of the plurality comprises different compounds. In further embodiments, the thin films may be grown on top of one another as a stack on the surface of the battery electrode.
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a method for coating a thin film onto a surface of a battery electrode, comprising:                (a) providing a battery electrode onto a conveyance apparatus;        (b) transferring, by the conveyance apparatus, the battery electrode to a reaction chamber comprising a liquid solution comprising at least two different reagents, and        (c) exposing, by the conveyance apparatus, the battery electrode to the liquid solution, wherein the at least two different reagents react to produce a fully coated battery electrode comprising a monolayer of thin film on the surface of the fully coated battery electrode, the monolayer of thin film comprising a compound generated from the reaction of the at least two different reagents.

Methods, systems, and compositions for the liquid-phase deposition of thin films onto the surface of battery electrodes


An antenna device with high component-density but enhanced means of dissipating working heat includes a metal substrate of a wireless device, a coupler, a filter, a conductive layer, and an antenna element. The coupler is disposed on one side of the metal substrate, the metal substrate serving as a heat sink. The filter is disposed on the coupler. The conductive layer covers the coupler and is electrically connected to the filter and ground. The antenna element is disposed on the other side of the metal substrate relative to the coupler, passes through the metal substrate and is electrically connected to the coupler and the filter. A method for manufacturing the antenna device is also disclosed.

5G communication systems are implemented in a high frequency (millimeter wave) band, such as the 60 GHz band, in order to achieve higher data rates. In order to provide small size, low cost, light weight and avoid unnecessary power loss, the antenna integrates numerous active modules inside the antenna to realize the functions of a part of the base station, especially the power amplifier module. However, with such a large-scale and high-density design, the heat dissipation is poor.

Antenna device and method for manufacturing antenna device