Abstract: A method for making a composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material includes a particle of positive electrode material and a conductive material at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.

Abstract: A method for combining a first metal with a second metal where the melting point of the second metal is higher than the melting point of the first metal. The first and second metals are melted in separate crucibles. The second molten metal is introduced onto or into the first molten metal. Also described is a two-zone furnace for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle drive system comprising a combustion engine, an electric motor and at least one nickel metal hydride battery module forming a power source for providing electric power to the electric motor, the at least one nickel metal battery module having a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,420−16E where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.

Abstract: A magnesium based hydrogen storage alloy powder which is useful as a hydrogen supply material for powering internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. The alloy contains greater than about 85 atomic percent magnesium, about 2-8 atomic percent nickel, about 0.5-5 atomic percent aluminum and about 2-7 atomic percent rare earth metals or mixtures of rare earth metals. The rare earth elements may be Misch metal and may predominantly contain Ce and/or La. The alloy may also contain about 0.5-5 atomic percent silicon. The alloys can be modified to store more than 4 wt. % hydrogen, with a reduced hydride bond strength (i.e. about 64 kJ/mole) which allows for economic recovery of the stored hydrogen. Also, they have a plateau pressure about two times greater than pure Mg and comparable bond energies and plateau pressures to Mg2Ni alloys, while reducing the amount of incorporated nickel by 25-30 atomic %. Also, the storage capacity of the alloy is significantly greater than the 3.6 wt. % of Mg2Ni material.

Abstract: A hydrogen cooled hydrogen storage unit which employs excess hydrogen flow through flow channels between hydrogen storage alloy plates in order to provide convective cooling of the plates. The unit provides for high packing density of the storage materials and ease of expansion of storage capacity by merely adding more storage material plates. Since the hydrogen flows transversely between the plates and does not flow along the entire length of the stack, the cooling flow path of the hydrogen is short, and the temperature differential between any point of the stack and the hydrogen coolant is maximized, which maximizes the cooling efficiency of the unit.

Abstract: A memory system comprising memory cells and reference cells each including a programmable resistance element. The resistance state of a memory cell is determined by comparing a sense signal developed by the memory cell with a reference signal developed by one or more of the reference cells. The programmable resistance elements may comprise a phase-change material.

Abstract: A complete infrastructure system for the generation, storage, transportation, and delivery of hydrogen which makes a hydrogen ecosystem possible. The infrastructure system utilizes high capacity, low cost, light weight thermal hydrogen storage alloy materials having fast kinetics. Also, a novel hydrogen storage bed design which includes a support/heat-transfer component which is made from a highly porous, high thermal conductivity, solid material such as a high thermal conductivity graphitic foam. Finally a material including at least one particle having atomically engineered local chemical and electronic environments, characterized in that the local environments providing bulk nucleation.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas cooled hydrogen storage element which includes a hydrogen storage alloy material in which hydrogen flow channels are provided. The flow channels provide pathways through the hydrogen storage material to allow for high speed hydrogen gas flow. A portion of the high speed hydrogen flow is stored within the storage material which releases its heat of hydride formation. The remainder of the hydrogen flows through the hydrogen storage material at a sufficient mass flow rate to remove the heat of hydride formation.

Abstract: A modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: A multiple cell monoblock battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a plastic or metal case and each of the cells includes an enclosure providing for gas to exit while preventing electrolyte to exit the enclosure. A novel integral system of flow channels allows liquid coolant to flow between adjacent cells. Other special features, such as cell interconnections are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming polycrystalline particles by gas phase condensation employing arc plasma evaporation. The disclosed method and apparatus may be employed to form polycrystalline particles from high-melting temperature, low evaporation pressure materials such as transition metals. Arc discharge is sustained by the evaporated species, therefore, there is no need for a plasma sustaining gas. Evaporation may be sustained from either the cathode or anode. A reaction gas may be provided to form products with the evaporated species.

Abstract: High capacity, long cycle life positive electrode modified nickel hydroxide material for use in an alkaline rechargeable electrochemical cell at least one modifier and has modified activation energy, chemical potential and electrical conductivity. Particle size, particle size distribution, electrical conductivity have been controlled by introducing modifier elements throughout the bulk of the active material and by controlling process parameters.

Abstract: An active composition for the electrode of an alkaline electrochemical cell. The active composition comprises an active electrode material and an additive material selected from the group consisting of a Raney alloy, and a Raney catalyst. The active composition may be used to form metal hydride electrodes.

Abstract: Reversible hydrogen storage alloys and methods and electrodes formed therefrom for nickel metal hydride batteries, in which the alloys are quenched from a melt at cooling rates selected to provide a high degree of disorder with an optimum local environment.

Abstract: A microwave apparatus for sustaining a substantially uniform plasma over a relatively large area. The microwave apparatus comprises a vacuum vessel for sustaining the plasma in a plasma region thereof. The apparatus further comprises a nonevanescent microwave applicator having means for controlling the cutoff frequency thereof. The microwave applicator may comprise a waveguide and a volume of dielectric material disposed within the waveguide. Alternately, the microwave applicator may comprise ridge waveguide.

Abstract: Hydrogen propelled vehicles and fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy materials which for the first time make it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. These exceptional alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of well over 6 weight % coupled with extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy powder absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 2 minutes at 300° C.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the vacuum deposition of at least two different layers of thin film material onto a substrate by two different vacuum deposition processes. Also disclosed is a novel linear applicator for using microwave enhanced CVD to uniformly deposit a thin film of material over an elongated substrate.

Abstract: An active composition for an electrode of an electrochemical cell. The active composition comprises an electrode material, and a nonfibrillating polymeric binder. The polymeric binder may comprise a fluoradditive. Also disclosed in an electrode and an electrochemical cell comprising the active composition.

Abstract: An active material mixture for use in a paste for fabricating positive electrodes, comprising a nickel hydroxide material, and an additive material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a rare earth mineral, and a rare earth concentrate. A nickel positive electrode and an alkaline electrochemical cell using this active material mixture.

Abstract: An electrically operated, directly overwritable, multibit, single-cell chalcogenide memory element with multibit storage capabilities and having at least one contact for supplying electrical input signals to set the memory element to a selected resistance value, the second contact tapering to a peak adjacent to the memory element. In this manner the tapered contact helps define the size and position of a conduction path through the memory element.