Abstract: A sealed battery includes a battery case with a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening; an electrode body housed in the battery case; an electrolyte solution; and a sealing member that closes the opening of the battery case. The sealing member is formed by stacking a terminal cap, a bottom plate electrically connecting the terminal cap and an electrode of one polarity of the electrode body, and a valve body interposed between the terminal cap and the bottom plate. The valve body has a surface covered with a resin material, and an end surface that is an outer edge of the valve body is covered with a protective layer containing a compound A having corrosion resistance to the electrolyte solution.

Abstract: A lithium primary cell includes an electrode group and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The electrode group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound with the separator interposed therebetween. In the electrode group, an area where the positive electrode and the negative electrode face each other is 250 cm2 or more and 350 cm2 or less. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode mixture including manganese dioxide and a boron compound. The negative electrode includes lithium metal or a lithium alloy. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution includes ethylene carbonate. A content of the boron compound in the positive electrode is 0.5 parts by mass or more and 2 parts by mass or less in terms of boron with respect to 100 parts by mass of the positive electrode mixture.

Abstract: A punch press includes plural dies and plural punches, and punches a work by a punch and a die that are set at a work position. The punch press includes a lifter for lifting the die to be set at the work position up to a path line of the work, a die-support member movably provided on a die-side of the lifter, and a die supporter provided on the die-support member for supporting the die set at the work position in a state where the die has been selectively lifted up to the path line by the lifter. According to the punch press, contacts between a work and dies while conveying the work can be prevented.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode alloy powder that is useful to obtain a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a high battery capacity and a reduced self-discharge. The alloy powder is: a mixture including particles of a first hydrogen storage alloy having an AB5-type crystal structure, and particles of at least one second hydrogen storage alloy selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen storage alloy a having an AB2-type crystal structure and a hydrogen storage alloy b having an AB3-type crystal structure, wherein an amount of the first hydrogen storage alloy included in the mixture is greater than 50 mass %.

Abstract: A positive electrode for alkaline storage batteries that enables to improve the active material utilization rate, while suppressing the self-discharge. The positive electrode for alkaline storage batteries includes a support having conductivity, and a positive electrode active material adhering to the support. The positive electrode active material includes particles of a nickel oxide. The particles of the nickel oxide include a first particle group having a particle diameter of 20 ?m or more, and a second particle group having a particle diameter of less than 20 ?m. The first particle group includes a first component with cracks, and a second component without cracks. The proportion of the first particle group in the particles of the nickel oxide is 15 vol % or more, and the proportion by number of the first component in the first particle group is 15% or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alloy powder for electrodes for nickel-metal hydride storage batteries having a high battery capacity and being excellent in life characteristics and high-temperature storage characteristics. The alloy powder includes a hydrogen storage alloy containing elements L, M, Ni, Co, and E. L includes La as an essential component. L includes no Nd, or when including Nd, the percentage of Nd in L is less than 5 mass %. The percentage of La in the hydrogen storage alloy is 23 mass % or less. M is Mg, Ca, Sr and/or Ba. A molar ratio ? to a total of L and M is 0.045???0.133. A molar ratio x of Ni to the total of L and M is 3.5?x?4.32, and a molar ratio y of Co is 0.13?y?0.5. The molar ratios x and y, and a molar ratio z of E to the total of L and M satisfy 4.78?x+y+z<5.03.

Abstract: Provided is an alloy powder for an electrode which enables an alkaline storage battery to have both excellent discharge characteristics and excellent life characteristics. The alloy powder includes a hydrogen storage alloy including an element L, Mg, Ni, Al, and an element Ma. The element L is at least one selected from the group consisting of group 3 elements and group 4 elements of the periodic table (excluding Y). The element Ma is at least two selected from the group consisting of Ge, Y, and Sn. A molar proportion x of Mg in a total of the element L and Mg is 0.008?x?0.54. A molar proportion y of Ni, a molar proportion ? of Al, and a molar proportion ? of the element Ma, per the foregoing total is 1.6?y?4, 0.008???0.32, and 0.01???0.12, respectively.

Abstract: Alloy powder for electrodes that includes particles of a hydrogen-absorbing alloy having an AB2 type crystal structure. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy includes first elements that are located in an A site in the crystal structure and include Zr, and second elements that are located in a B site and include Ni and. Mn. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy includes a plurality of alloy phases having different Zr concentrations. In each of the alloy phases, the percentage of Zr in the first elements exceeds 70 atom %.

Abstract: There is provided a nickel-metal hydride storage battery with suppression of rise in internal pressure, allowing suppression of alkaline electrolyte leakage even when two or more of the batteries are used. The battery includes: positive and negative electrodes; a separator interposed therebetween; and an alkaline electrolyte. The negative electrode includes: a material mixture layer including hydrogen storage alloy powder capable of electrochemically absorbing and releasing hydrogen; and a water-repellent layer including a first polymer including tetrafluoroethylene as monomer units, formed on the material mixture layer. The separator includes: a primary layer having a non-woven fabric structure of fibers; and a composite layer formed on the primary layer and being in contact with the water-repellent layer. The composite layer includes: fibers in continuity with the non-woven fabric structure; and a second polymer including tetrafluoroethylene as monomer units.

Abstract: Alloy powder for electrodes includes first hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles having a spherical core portion, and non-spherical second hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles. The average particle diameter of the first hydrogen-absorbing alloy is 50 ?m or less. The content of the first hydrogen-absorbing alloy is less than 30 vol %.

Abstract: An alkaline storage battery includes: a cylindrical case having a side wall including an opening end portion and a bottom; a sealing plate; a gasket interposed between the sealing plate and the opening end portion; and a sealant between the gasket and the opening end portion. The side wall has an annular groove opened at an outer surface thereof, and an inwardly curl portion at the opening end portion. In at least part of the groove, the minimum width L1 is within 0.2 mm. The sealant includes a polyamide resin formed such that when two test-plate materials are bonded together at bonding faces facing each other via a bonding portion of the sealant, and moved in parallel with the bonding faces and in opposite directions to have a relative displacement within 0.5 to 5 mm, a stress at least 0.02 N/mm2 is applied to the bonding portion.

Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy is provided in which an X-ray diffraction image generated by CuK? rays has at least one peak selected from (1) peak Psp1 at 2?=32.25±0.15°, (2) peak Psp2 at 2?=33.55±0.15°, and (3) peak Psp3 at 2?=37.27±0.15°.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode alloy powder that is useful to obtain a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a high battery capacity and a reduced self-discharge. The alloy powder is: a mixture including particles of a first hydrogen storage alloy having an AB5-type crystal structure, and particles of at least one second hydrogen storage alloy selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen storage alloy a having an AB2-type crystal structure and a hydrogen storage alloy b having an AB3-type crystal structure, wherein an amount of the first hydrogen storage alloy included in the mixture is greater than 50 mass %.

Abstract: A positive electrode for alkaline storage batteries that enables to improve the active material utilization rate, while suppressing the self-discharge. The positive electrode for alkaline storage batteries includes a support having conductivity, and a positive electrode active material adhering to the support. The positive electrode active material includes particles of a nickel oxide. The particles of the nickel oxide include a first particle group having a particle diameter of 20 ?m or more, and a second particle group having a particle diameter of less than 20 ?m. The first particle group includes a first component with cracks, and a second component without cracks. The proportion of the first particle group in the particles of the nickel oxide is 15 vol % or more, and the proportion by number of the first component in the first particle group is 15% or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical device which includes: optical components configured to be electrically actuated such that light transmission states are variable; a driver circuit for the optical components; a power source unit for driving the optical components; rims for supporting the optical components; temples having front and rear ends and connected at the front ends to the rims; and earpieces formed at the rear ends of the temples. The power source unit includes a secondary battery, and a charge/discharge circuit for controlling charge and discharge of the secondary battery. The secondary battery is provided near the rear end of the temple or in the earpiece.

Abstract: In an alkaline battery in which a positive electrode 2 containing manganese dioxide, a negative electrode 3, and a separator 4 interposed therebetween are housed in a closed-end cylindrical battery case 1 whose opening is sealed with a gasket 5, a half-width of a 110 plane peak of the manganese dioxide measured by a powder X-ray diffraction analysis is in the range of 1.80-2.40 degrees, and anatase titanium dioxide is contained in the positive electrode such that a ratio of anatase titanium dioxide to the positive electrode is in the range of 0.10-1.50 mass %.

Abstract: A lithium primary battery includes a positive electrode 1 using iron sulfide as a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode 2 using a lithium alloy as a negative electrode active material, an electrode group 4 formed by winding the positive and negative electrodes 1, 2 with a separator 3 being interposed therebetween, and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The lithium alloy contains at least one of magnesium or tin in a range of 0.02-0.2 mol %.

Abstract: In an alkaline battery, a positive electrode 2 containing manganese dioxide, a negative electrode 3, and a separator 4 interposed therebetween are housed in a closed-end cylindrical battery case 1 whose opening 1b is sealed with a gasket. The positive electrode contains graphite in such a manner that a ratio of graphite to the positive electrode is in the range of 2.5-4.3 mass %. A half-width of a 110 plane of the manganese dioxide measured by a powder X-ray diffraction analysis is in the range of 2.00-2.40 degrees.

Abstract: There is provided a nickel-metal hydride storage battery with suppression of rise in internal pressure, allowing suppression of alkaline electrolyte leakage even when two or more of the batteries are used. The battery includes: positive and negative electrodes; a separator interposed therebetween; and an alkaline electrolyte. The negative electrode includes: a material mixture layer including hydrogen storage alloy powder capable of electrochemically absorbing and releasing hydrogen; and a water-repellent layer including a first polymer including tetrafluoroethylene as monomer units, formed on the material mixture layer. The separator includes: a primary layer having a non-woven fabric structure of fibers; and a composite layer formed on the primary layer and being in contact with the water-repellent layer. The composite layer includes: fibers in continuity with the non-woven fabric structure; and a second polymer including tetrafluoroethylene as monomer units.

Abstract: A mill includes a grinding chamber, a rotating shaft located in the grinding chamber, a rotating body structured to have a rotary member fixed to the rotating shaft, a casing provided to form an outer shell of the grinding chamber, an inlet arranged to supply a solid-gas two-phase flow K containing particles and a gas to the grinding chamber, and an outlet arranged to discharge the solid-gas two-phase flow K? from the grinding chamber. A cylindrical frame member having an inner peripheral surface formed in a corrugated shape is located in the casing. The solid-gas two-phase flow K supplied via the inlet into the grinding chamber is circled in the grinding chamber, while being accelerated by the rotating body.