(19)

(11)

EP 1 504 480 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 02.12.2004 (43) Date of publication: 09.02.2005 Bulletin 2005/06 (21) Application number: 01973696.6 (22) Date of filing: 06.09.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01M 8/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US2001/042031 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/027815 (04.04.2002 Gazette 2002/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (30) Priority: 26.09.2000 US 669344 09.11.2000 US 711197 19.12.2000 US 740423 (71) Applicant: The Texas A&M University System College Station, TX 77843-3369 (US)	(72) Inventor: KING, George, R. The Woodlands, TX 77380 (US) (74) Representative: Lawrence, John et al Barker Brettell,138 Hagley Road,Edgbaston Birmingham B16 9PW Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)