Abstract: Provided are sealed pouch-cell batteries that are alkaline batteries or non-aqueous proton-conducing batteries. A pouch cell includes a flexible housing such as is used for pouch cell construction where the housing is in the form of a pouch, a cathode comprising a cathode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an anode comprising an anode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an electrolyte that is optionally an alkaline or proton-conducting electrolyte, and wherein the pouch does not include or require a safety vent or other gas absorbing or releasing system. The batteries provided function contrary to the art recognized belief that such battery systems were impossible due to unacceptable gas production during cycling.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium battery comprising a body of carbon, such as graphitic carbon, having a layer of a Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance disposed upon its electrolyte contacting surface. Further disclosed is an anode comprising a body of carbon having an SEI layer formed thereupon by interaction of a layer of Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance with an electrolyte material during the initial charging of the battery.

Abstract: Provided are sealed pouch-cell batteries that are alkaline batteries or non-aqueous proton-conducing batteries. A pouch cell includes a flexible housing such as is used for pouch cell construction where the housing is in the form of a pouch, a cathode comprising a cathode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an anode comprising an anode active material suitable for use in an alkaline battery, an electrolyte that is optionally an alkaline or proton-conducting electrolyte, and wherein the pouch does not include or require a safety vent or other gas absorbing or releasing system as the anode active material and the cathode active material do not increase the internal atmospheric pressure any more than 2 psig during cycling. The batteries provided function contrary to the art recognized belief that such battery systems were impossible due to unacceptable gas production during cycling.

Abstract: Laves phase-related BCC metal hydride alloys historically have limited electrochemical capabilities. Provided are processes of activating these alloys to produce hydrogen storage materials with greater than 200 mAh/g capacities and commonly much greater than 300 mAh/g capacities. The processes include cooling the alloy during hydrogenation to reduced temperatures or by subjecting the materials to significantly increased hydrogen pressures. Temperatures in many embodiments do not exceed 300° C. By decreasing the temperature or increasing the hydrogen pressure the phase structure of the material is optimized to increase a synergistic effect between multiple phases in the resulting alloy thereby greatly improving the electrochemical capacities.

Abstract: Lithiated composite materials and methods of manufacture are provided that are capable of imparting excellent capacity and greatly improved cycle life in lithium-ion secondary cells. By supplementing a high nickel content lithium storage material with a transition metal oxide lithium storage material or a dopant at relatively low levels, the capacity of the high nickel content lithium storage materials is maintained while cycle life is dramatically improved. These characteristics are promoted by methods of producing the materials that intermix unlithiated precursor materials with a lithium source and sintering the materials together in a single sintering reaction. The resulting lithiated composite materials provide for the first time both high capacity and excellent cycle life to predominantly high nickel content electrodes.

Abstract: Lithiated composite materials and methods of manufacture are provided that are capable of imparting excellent capacity and greatly improved cycle life in lithium-ion secondary cells. By supplementing a high nickel content lithium storage material with a transition metal oxide lithium storage material or a dopant at relatively low levels, the capacity of the high nickel content lithium storage materials is maintained while cycle life is dramatically improved. These characteristics are promoted by methods of producing the materials that intermix unlithiated precursor materials with a lithium source and sintering the materials together in a single sintering reaction. The resulting lithiated composite materials provide for the first time both high capacity and excellent cycle life to predominantly high nickel content electrodes.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy material includes a primary phase having an ABx type structure and a secondary phase having a B2 structure that enhances the electrochemical properties of the alloy. The A component of the primary phase includes La and Ce, and the B component of the primary phase includes Ni, Co, Al, and Mn. The secondary phase may include Al, Mn, and Ni. Also disclosed are battery systems including the alloy material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a structurally and compositionally disordered electrochemically active alloy material as an anode active material with unexpected capacity against a nickel hydroxide based cathode active material. The disordered metal hydroxide alloy includes three or more transition metal elements and is formed in such a way so as to produce the necessary disorder in the overall system. When an anode active material includes nickel as a predominant, the resulting cells represent the first demonstration of a functional Ni/Ni cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium battery comprising a body of carbon, such as graphitic carbon, having a layer of a Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance disposed upon its electrolyte contacting surface. Further disclosed is an anode comprising a body of carbon having an SEI layer formed thereupon by interaction of a layer of Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance with an electrolyte material during the initial charging of the battery.

Abstract: An alkaline, rechargeable electrochemical cell includes a pasted electrode structure in which a composition comprising a paste matrix component includes cobalt in an amount greater than 6 weight percent ranging up to 14 weight percent. The matrix may also include a rare earth such as yttrium. The composition further includes particles of nickel hydroxide dispersed in the matrix, and these particles include cobalt levels ranging from greater than 8 atomic percent up to 15 atomic percent. Cells incorporating these materials have good charging efficiency at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The performance of an ABx type metal hydride alloy is improved by adding an element to the alloy which element is operative to enhance the surface area morphology of the alloy. The alloy may include surface regions of differing morphologies.

Abstract: A hybrid power cell is provided that combines a nickel-metal hydride battery, solid state hydrogen storage, and alkaline fuel cell technologies in a single cell operating within a targeted intermediate temperature range. A cell includes a cathode that is capable of using raw atmospheric air as an oxygen source and an anode that is capable of reversible electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage, where the anode and the cathode are highly functional at intermediate temperatures. The resulting hybrid power cell overcomes prior challenges of reliable high-capacity grid-tied energy storage necessary for greater renewable energy adoption.

Abstract: A structurally and compositionally disordered electrochemically active alloy material is provided with excellent capacity and cycle life, as well as superior high-rate dischargeability. The alloy employs a disordered A2B4+x(AB5) structure, wherein x is a number between 1 and 4. This crystal structure combined with a tailored amount of electrochemically active AB5 secondary phase material produces superior electrochemical properties.

Abstract: A multi-phase metal hydride alloy material which is capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing hydrogen includes a first main phase or group of phases having an ABx type crystalline structure and a second phase which has a concentration of a modifier element therein which is greater than the concentration of the modifier element in the first phase or group of phases. The modifier element functions to promote the formation of the second phase and may comprise a light rare earth element such as yttrium. The first phase or group of phases may incorporate one or more Laves phases such as a C14, C15, and/or C36 phase. Further disclosed are metal hydride batteries including the alloys.

Abstract: A hybrid power cell is provided that combines a nickel-metal hydride battery, solid state hydrogen storage, and alkaline fuel cell technologies in a single cell operating within a targeted intermediate temperature range. A cell includes a cathode that is capable of using raw atmospheric air as an oxygen source and an anode that is capable of reversible electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage, where the anode and the cathode are highly functional at intermediate temperatures. The resulting hybrid power cell overcomes prior challenges of reliable high-capacity grid-tied energy storage necessary for greater renewable energy adoption.

Abstract: A hybrid power cell is provided that combines a nickel-metal hydride battery, solid state hydrogen storage, and alkaline fuel cell technologies in a single cell operating within a targeted intermediate temperature range. A cell includes a cathode that is capable of using raw atmospheric air as an oxygen source and an anode that is capable of reversible electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage, where the anode and the cathode are highly functional at intermediate temperatures. The resulting hybrid power cell overcomes prior challenges of reliable high-capacity grid-tied energy storage necessary for greater renewable energy adoption.

Abstract: A solid state battery including at least one multilayered battery cell comprising: 1) a layer of negative electrode material; 2) a layer of positive electrode material; and 3) a layer of perovskite-type oxide material disposed between the layer of positive electrode material and the layer of negative electrode material, where said layer of perovskite-type oxide material is electrically insulating and capable of readily conducting or transporting protons.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy having the atomic formula AB4.75-5.25. Where A may comprise at least 85 atomic percent Nd and less than 15 atomic percent other rare earth elements and Mg and B may comprise Ni, Co, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn and Al. The atomic percentages of Mn and Al may be governed by the following formulas where Mn and Al are in atomic percent: 1) Mn+1.5 Al?6 atomic percent; and 2) Mn+Al?12 atomic percent. The total percent of Mn and Al may provide the alloy with a 20° C. plateau pressure of between 4 and 25 psi, preferably between 6 and 20 psi. The hydrogen storage alloy allows a nickel metal hydride battery into which it is incorporated to maintain a voltage of at least 1.2 V at a depth of discharge of 90%.

Abstract: A structurally and compositionally disordered electrochemically active alloy material is provided with excellent capacity and cycle life, as well as superior high-rate dischargeability. The alloy employs a disordered A2B4+x(AB5) structure, wherein x is a number between 1 and 4. This crystal structure combined with a tailored amount of electrochemically active AB5 secondary phase material produces superior electrochemical properties.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy material includes a primary phase having an ABx type structure and a secondary phase having a B2 structure that enhances the electrochemical properties of the alloy. The A component of the primary phase includes La and Ce, and the B component of the primary phase includes Ni, Co, Al, and Mn. The secondary phase may include Al, Mn, and Ni. Also disclosed are battery systems including the alloy material.