University of California

The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Thomas J Richardson

Saurabh R Tavildar

Robert Kostecki

Simon Lux

John M Krochta

Guoying Chen

Ulrike Boesenberg

Elad Pollak

Esdras Sundfeld

Rafael Jimenez-Flores

Philip N Ross

Junyi Li

Rajiv Laroia

This invention relates to low-cost, electroactive-polymer incorporated fine-fiber composite membranes for use as overcharge and/or overdischarge protection separators in non-aqueous electrochemical cells and the methods for making such membranes.

High-rate overcharge-protection separators for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and the method of making the same

A lithium (Li) ion battery comprising a cathode, a separator, an organic electrolyte, an anode, and a carbon black conductive additive, wherein the carbon black has been heated treated in a COgas environment at a temperature range of between 875-925 degrees Celsius for a time range of between 50 to 70 minutes to oxidize the carbon black and reduce an electrochemical reactivity of the carbon black towards the organic electrolyte.

Modified carbon black materials for lithium-ion batteries

A metal-ceramic composite ('cermet') has been produced by a chemical reaction between a lithium compound and another metal. The cermet has advantageous physical properties, high surface area relative to lithium metal or its alloys, and is easily formed into a desired shape. An example is the formation of a lithium-magnesium nitride cermet by reaction of lithium nitride with magnesium. The reaction results in magnesium nitride grains coated with a layer of lithium. The nitride is inert when used in a battery. It supports the metal in a high surface area form, while stabilizing the electrode with respect to dendrite formation. By using an excess of magnesium metal in the reaction process, a cermet of magnesium nitride is produced, coated with a lithium-magnesium alloy of any desired composition. This alloy inhibits dendrite formation by causing lithium deposited on its surface to diffuse under a chemical potential into the bulk of the alloy.

Solid solution lithium alloy cermet anodes

Electrochromic devices having as an active electrode materials comprising Sb, Bi, Si, Ge, Sn, Te, N, P, As, Ga, In, Al, C, Pb, I and chalcogenides are disclosed. The addition of other metals, i.e. Ag and Cu to the active electrode further enhances performance.

Electrochromic devices based on lithium insertion

Thin films of transition metal compositions formed with magnesium that are metals, alloys, hydrides or mixtures of alloys, metals and/or hydrides exhibit reversible color changes on application of electric current or hydrogen. Thin films of these materials are suitable for optical switching elements, thin film displays, sun roofs, rear-view mirrors and architectural glass.

Electrochromic materials, devices and process of making

A class of organic redox shuttle additives is described, preferably comprising nitrogen-containing aromatics compounds, which can be used in a high temperature (85.degree. C. or higher) electrochemical storage cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte to provide overcharge protection to the cell. The organic redox additives or shuttles are characterized by a high diffusion coefficient of at least 2.1.times.10.sup.-8 cm.sup.2 /second and a high onset potential of 2.5 volts or higher. Examples of such organic redox shuttle additives include an alkali metal salt of 1,2,4-triazole, an alkali metal salt of imidazole, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene, and a dialkali metal salt of 3-4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione.

Solid polymer electrolyte electrochemical storage cell containing a

The present invention relates to a process for the removal of cholesterol from a processed food or unprocessed food (dairy) product, which process comprises: (a) obtaining a processed or unprocessed food product containing cholesterol; (b) contacting the food product at a temperature of between about 35.degree. and 80.degree. C. with an amount of saponin effective to bind up to about 90% or more of the cholesterol present in the dairy product; (c) contacting at a temperature of between about 35.degree. and 80.degree. C. the product of (b) with an effective amount of diatomaceous earth; d) separating the insoluble diatomaceous earth containing the cholesterol:saponin complex by decanting, filtration, or centrifugation; and (e) recovering the food product having a reduced content of cholesterol. Preferably, after contacting a food (dairy) product such as butter or butteroil with an aqueous saponin solution at elevated temperature, the aqueous phase containing the cholesterol-saponin complex is removed by centrifugation or decanting and the resulting fat phase is washed with water. No adsorbent is used. The process is without adsorbent particularly useful wherein the food product is a dairy product selected from raw cream, pasteurized cream, butter, butteroil or anhydrous fat. The dairy product having a lowered cholesterol level is useful as a food to reduce cholesterol intake in human beings.

Aqueous process to remove cholesterol from food products

The present invention relates to a process for the removal of cholesterol from a processed or un processed dairy product, which process comprises: (a) obtaining a processed or unprocessed dairy product containing cholesterol (b) contacting the dairy product at a temperature of between about 35.degree. and 80.degree. C. with an amount of saponin effective to bind up to about 90% of the cholesterol present in the dairy product; (c) contacting a temperature of between about 35.degree. and 80.degree. C. the cholesterol:saponin with an effective amount of diatomaceous earth; (d) separating the insoluble cholesterol: saponin/diatomaceous earth by filtration or centrifugation; and (e) recovering the dairy product having a reduced content of cholesterol. The process particularly useful wherein the dairy product is selected form raw milk, pasteurized milk, raw cream, pasteurized cream, butteroil or anhydrous fat. The dairy product having a lowered cholesterol level is useful as a food to restrict cholesterol intake in a human being.

Process to remove cholesterol from dairy products

The present invention relates to an improved method for the modification of a food for a ruminant mammal such that the mammal will produce a modified milk fat or meat fat which method comprises:

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Oakland, CA, United States of America

Thomas J Richardson