Crosslinked polyethylene films were prepared and stretched at different temperatures (below and above melting temperature). The stretching temperature exhibited pronounced effects on the structure and puncture resistance of the films. Combining the results of differential scanning calorimetry, 1D X‐ray diffraction, 2D X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope, it was demonstrated that the film stretched above T m has lower crystallinity, thinner lamellar, and larger crystal grain size than that stretched below but near T m. All the stretched films showed highly oriented lamellae in the bulk and arranged perpendicular to the stretching direction. The crystals of the film stretched below T m were arranged in highly aligned microfibrils with distinct interlamellar boundary and the crystals of the film stretched above T m were arranged in a progressively less orderly manner with increased interlamellar entanglement. Due to this structure difference, the puncture resistances of the films stretched above T m were much larger than that stretched below T m. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47542.

A novel system and method for removing heat from batteries, capacitors and other energy storage devices during high rate or multi-cycle operation has been proposed in this work. By modifying the exposed posts and inter-cell connecting bus-bars, heat transfer will be increased thus reducing the operating temperature of the battery. Because valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries generate higher levels of internal heat, and because they have a lower thermal mass and lower heat transfer properties, these modifications are particularly valuable for these types of batteries. This thermal management technology can be used to improve the operating life of large batteries such as VRLA stationary batteries used for UPS and standby power applications. In very high-power energy storage applications such as load-leveling, peak-shaving or spinning reserve, battery life may be increased to as much as two times by reducing the operating temperature ten degrees centigrade using these proposed concepts.