(19)

(11)

EP 0 996 988 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/18 (21) Application number: 98921601.5 (22) Date of filing: 13.05.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01M 8/02, H01M 8/10, H01M 8/24, H01M 4/64, H01M 4/80 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9801/369 (87) International publication number: WO 9852/241 (19.11.1998 Gazette 1998/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 13.05.1997 GB 9709541 02.10.1997 GB 9720822 (71) Applicant: LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY INNOVATIONS LIMITED Loughborough,Leicestershire LE11 3TU (GB)	(72) Inventor: MITCHELL, Philip, John Leicestershire LE11 3SF (GB) (74) Representative: McNeight, David Leslie et al McNeight & LawrenceRegent HouseHeaton Lane StockportCheshire SK4 1BS StockportCheshire SK4 1BS (GB)