CELGARD, LLC

In one aspect, a device for absorbing a liquid is provided, the device comprising one or more layers of a polyolefin. The device may be configured as a microporous membrane comprising one or more layers of a polyolefin and can further be configured to absorb an oil while also allowing water to pass through or to absorb oil while repelling or not allowing water to pass through. The device may be configured as at least one of a sheet, a strip, a roll, pleated, embossed, ribbed, and patterned. The device may further be configured as a floor covering or mat.

The instant disclosure or invention is preferably directed to a polyimide coated membrane, separator membrane, or separator for a lithium battery such as a high energy or high voltage rechargeable lithium battery and the corresponding battery. The separator preferably includes a porous or microporous polyimide coating or layer on at least one side of a polymeric microporous layer, membrane or film. The polyimide coating or layer may include other polymers, additives, fillers, or the like. The polyimide coating may be adapted, for example, to provide oxidation resistance, to block dendrite growth, to add dimensional and/or mechanical stability, to reduce shrinkage, to add high temperature performance (HTMI function), to prevent electronic shorting at temperatures above 200 deg C., and/or the like. The microporous polymeric base layer may be adapted, at least, to hold liquid, gel, or polymer electrolyte, to conduct ions, and/or to block ionic flow between the anode and the cathode in the event of thermal runaway (shutdown function). The polyimide coated separator may be adapted, for example, to keep the electrodes apart at high temperatures, to provide oxidation resistance, to block dendrite growth, to add dimensional stability, to reduce shrinkage, to add high temperature performance (HTMI function), to prevent electronic shorting at temperatures above 200 deg C., to increase puncture strength, and/or to block ionic flow between the anode and the cathode in the event of thermal runaway (shutdown function). Although secondary lithium battery usage may be preferred, the instant polyimide coated membrane may be used in a battery, cell, primary battery, capacitor, fuel cell, textile, filter, and/or composite, and/or as a layer or component in other applications, devices, and/or the like.

In accordance with at least selected embodiments, aspects or objects, there are disclosed or provided new or improved pins adapted for use with high or higher COF polymer membranes or separator membranes (also known as sheets or films), polymer tension measuring, and/or related methods of use, of cell or battery manufacture, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, the new or improved pins are especially well suited for use with dry process polyolefin microporous membranes, separator membranes, or separators. In certain selected embodiments, the new or improved pins are especially well suited for use with dry process polyolefin microporous membranes, separator membranes, or separators in Z-fold or S-fold machines for the production of lithium ion pouch cells, lithium polymer pouch cells, lithium prismatic cells, and/or the like.

A multilayer membrane comprising at least two co-extruded layers where the two co-extruded layer contain different polymers and one of the two co-extruded layers contains an extrusion additive. Examples of useful extrusion additives may include a nucleating agent or a pore-forming particulate. A method for making the membrane is also disclosed. Using an extrusion additive when co-extruding two different polymers avoids some of the drawbacks associated with processes involving the co-extrusion of different polymers, particularly processes where a co-extruded non-porous precursor is later stretched to form pores. For example, the drawback of lower permeability, difficulty to make lower Gurley, and splittiness may be improved.

An improved battery separator and an energy cell comprising the improved battery separator are provided. The improved battery separator comprises a porous membrane having at least one of the following properties when wet with electrolyte: has no or low volume; has no or low mass; soaks as much liquid electrolyte as possible; blocks or removes any harmful substances in the electrolyte; never melts at any high temperature; does not react with the cathode or the anode under any conditions; has a mechanical strength equal to or greater than steel; is an electronic insulator under any conditions; and blocks metal dendrite growth.

An improved strength microporous membrane is described herein. The microporous membrane may be useful as a battery separator, separator membrane, base film, or membrane with a variety of uses thereof. The improved microporous membranes described herein may be dry process polyolefin membranes and may be used as battery separators or as a component of a composite or battery separator. The battery separators or composites may be used in energy storage devices including primary batteries, secondary batteries, fuel cells, capacitors, or super capacitors.

An improved microporous membrane is described herein. The microporous membrane may be useful as a battery separator, separator membrane, base film, or membrane with a variety of uses thereof. The improved microporous membranes described herein may be dry process polyolefin membranes and may be used as battery separators or as a component of a composite or battery separator. The battery separators or composites may be used in energy storage devices including primary batteries, secondary batteries, fuel cells, capacitors, or super capacitors.

The present invention is directed to improved, new or modified membranes, separator membranes, or separators, and/or related methods. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to improved, new or modified nonporous, porous, or microporous battery separator membranes or separators and/or related methods of manufacture and/or use of such membranes or separators. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to improved, new or modified nonporous, porous, or microporous battery separator membranes or separators for lithium ion batteries and/or related methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In accordance with at least selected particular embodiments, the present invention is directed to improved, new or modified nonporous, porous, or microporous battery separator membranes or separators for secondary or rechargeable lithium ion batteries and/or related methods of manufacture and/or use of such membranes or separators. In accordance with at least certain selected particular embodiments, the present invention is directed to nonporous, porous, or microporous coated porous or microporous battery separator membranes or separators for secondary lithium ion batteries and/or related methods of manufacture and/or use of such membranes or separators. In accordance with at least one embodiment, an improved, new or modified nonporous, porous, or microporous membrane, separator membrane or separator for a lithium ion battery includes a porous or microporous membrane coated with a ceramic coating or layer such as a layer of one or more particles and/or binders.

The instant disclosure or invention is preferably directed to a polyimide coated membrane, separator membrane, or separator for a lithium battery such as a high energy or high voltage rechargeable lithium battery and the corresponding battery. The separator preferably includes a porous or microporous polyimide coating or layer on at least one side of a polymeric microporous layer, membrane or film. The polyimide coating or layer may include other polymers, additives, fillers, or the like. The polyimide coating may be adapted, for example, to provide oxidation resistance, to block dendrite growth, to add dimensional and/or mechanical stability, to reduce shrinkage, to add high temperature performance (HTMI function), to prevent electronic shorting at temperatures above 200 deg C., and/or the like. The microporous polymeric base layer may be adapted, at least, to hold liquid, gel, or polymer electrolyte, to conduct ions, and/or to block ionic flow between the anode and the cathode in the event of thermal runaway (shutdown function). The polyimide coated separator may be adapted, for example, to keep the electrodes apart at high temperatures, to provide oxidation resistance, to block dendrite growth, to add dimensional stability, to reduce shrinkage, to add high temperature performance (HTMI function), to prevent electronic shorting at temperatures above 200 deg C., to increase puncture strength, and/or to block ionic flow between the anode and the cathode in the event of thermal runaway (shutdown function). Although secondary lithium battery usage may be preferred, the instant polyimide coated membrane may be used in a battery, cell, primary battery, capacitor, fuel cell, textile, filter, and/or composite, and/or as a layer or component in other applications, devices, and/or the like.

A porous membrane having a cross-linked ceramic coating on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The coated porous membrane may be used as a battery separator, particularly a battery separator for a lithium ion battery. The coating includes at least a cross-linker and a ceramic. The cross-linker may be a particulate polymeric binder cross-linker, a PEO (PEG) cross-linker, or a POSS cross-linker. The coated membrane exhibits improved properties that may be favorable for its use as a battery separator. For example, the coated porous membrane may exhibit improved shrinkage properties and high temperature resistance.