Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first cell, a second cell and a barrier isolating a fluid in the first cell from the second cell in which the barrier, in response to an activation signal, changes to a second state to allow the fluid to pass into the second cell and activate the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in situ formation of a single-layered electrochemical cell comprising a full tri-layer battery structure containing a discrete positive electrode, solid state electrolyte, and negative electrode from self-assembled nanocomposites. The single layered cell makes it possible to fabricate cells in three dimensions resulting in a very high energy density power source within very small and/or complex dimensions.

Abstract: Safe and economical electrochemically active nanocomposites based on metal fluoride compounds useful in rechargeable battery cell electrodes. When incorporated as the active electrode material in lithium battery cell systems, the nanocomposites enable high, stable specific capacities.

Abstract: Rechargeable electrochemical cells, such as lithium batteries and asymmetric hybrid battery/supercapacitor systems, exhibiting exceptional specific capacity levels and stability over extended high-rate recharge cycling comprise nanostructure zero strain Li4Ti5O12 intercalation electrode material synthesized in a short duration process of annealing mixed TiO2 and Li-source precursor compounds at about 800° C. for a time of about 15–30 min which is not substantially longer than that required to effect maximum available reaction between the precursors, thereby substantially eliminating the growth of synthesized Li4Ti5O12 particles beyond nanostructure size. The process reduces by order of magnitude the time and energy required for synthesis of the active electrode material and fabrication of utilizing cell devices, and provides such nanostructure material which enables repeated, high-rate recharge cycling without loss of cell capacity or efficiency.

Abstract: Safe and economical electrochemically active nanocomposites based on metal fluoride compounds useful in rechargeable battery cell electrodes. When incorporated as the active electrode material in lithium battery cell systems, the nanocomposites enable high, stable specific capacities.

Abstract: A safe and economical electrochemically active material useful in rechargeable battery cell electrode compositions comprises a nanostructure amalgam of a transition metal fluoride and carbon. The nanoamalgam may be prepared by subjecting a precursor mixture of a transition metal fluoride, such as FeF3, and carbon to extreme, high energy impact comminution milling which results in the conversion of the mixture to a unique and distinct nanostructure material. When incorporated as active electrode material in lithium battery cell fabrications, the nanoamalgam enables the attainment of stable specific discharge capacities in the range of 250 to 500 mAh/g.

Abstract: A high capacity rechargeable lithium battery cell comprising a positive electrode member, a negative electrode member, and an interposed separator member providing an electrolyte includes an active electrode material comprising a crystalline nitride of a metal which be lithium-alloying, such Zn, or non-alloying, such as Cu. The metal nitride electrode materials effectively replace carbonaceous negative electrode materials in Li-ion cells, providing significantly improved stable gravimetric capacity ranging to about 450 mAh/g and volumetric capacity ranging to more than five-fold that of graphite.

Abstract: Supercapacitor cell electrode (13, 17) and separator (15) elements are fabricated from activated carbon fabric and membranes of microporous fibrillar ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and are laminated with electrically conductive current collector elements (11, 19) to form a flexible, unitary supercapacitor structure (10). The micro-fibrillar laminar structure of the separator membrane material enables direct application of cell lamination temperatures without resulting collapse of separator microporosity and attendant loss of essential electrolyte retention and ionic conductivity. The superior functional materials enable the fabrication of flexible, self-supporting cell structures which yield improved specific energy capacity and increased voltage output for utilization demands.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery cell (10) having high operating voltage and significantly increased specific capacity comprises a positive electrode member (13), a negative electrode member (17), and an interposed separator member (15) containing an electrolyte comprising a solution of a polyvalent aluminum cation solute in a non-aqueous solvent. The positive electrode member comprises an active material which reversibly takes up and releases the reactive polyvalent cation species during operation of the cell while the active material of the negative electrode contemporaneously reversibly releases into and takes up from the electrolyte solvent a monovalent cation species. Preferred cation species are those of aluminum, such as Al3+, and alkali metals, such as Li+.

Abstract: A high capacity rechargeable lithium battery cell comprising a positive electrode member, a negative electrode member, and an interposed separator member providing an electrolyte includes an active electrode material comprising a crystalline nitride of a metal which be lithium-alloying, such Zn, or non-alloying, such as Cu. The metal nitride electrode materials effectively replace carbonaceous negative electrode materials in Li-ion cells, providing significantly improved stable gravimetric capacity ranging to about 450 mAh/g and volumetric capacity ranging to more than five-fold that of graphite.

Abstract: A high capacity rechargeable lithium battery cell comprising a positive electrode member, a negative electrode member, and an interposed separator member providing an electrolyte comprises a negative active electrode material consisting essentially of germanium nitride. The germanium nitride electrode material effectively replaces carbonaceous negative electrode materials, providing significantly improved stable gravimetric capacity of about 450 mAh/g and volumetric capacity exceeding that of graphite by more than an order of magnitude.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell structure capable of providing high voltage operation comprises a plurality of electrode and separator member assemblies comprising individual cells disposed in electrical series circuit arrangement with interposed electrically conductive divider members and sealed within an enveloping casing. Each divider member engages the casing to form sealed compartments for the individual electrochemical cell assemblies in order to prevent migration of electrolyte which might otherwise result in deleterious ionic shorting between electrodes of opposite charge and comprising separate component cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to secondary lithium batteries which include inorganic compound for the negative electrode and a cathode compound for the positive electrode which comprises Li2Mn2−xMexO4−zFz wherein 0≦X≦0.5 and can be optimized to match the irreversible capacity loss associated with a chosen inorganic negative electrode; 0≦Z≦0.5; and Me is selected from the group consisting of Al, Cr, Zn, Co, Ni, Li, Mg, Fe, Cu, Ti, Si or combinations thereof. In addition, the present invention relates to rechargeable plastic lithium ion batteries having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator element arranged between the electrodes, wherein the positive electrode includes an intercalation compound of Li2Mn2−xMexO4−zFz as set forth above and the negative electrode includes an active inorganic compound.

Abstract: Rechargeable electrochemical cells, such as lithium batteries and asymmetric hybrid battery/supercapacitor systems, exhibiting exceptional specific capacity levels and stability over extended high-rate recharge cycling comprise nanostructure zero strain Li4Ti5O12 intercalation electrode material synthesized in a short duration process of annealing mixed TiO2 and Li-source precursor compounds at about 800° C. for a time of about 15-30 min which is not substantially longer than that required to effect maximum available reaction between the precursors, thereby substantially eliminating the growth of synthesized Li4Ti5O12 particles beyond nanostructure size. The process reduces by order of magnitude the time and energy required for synthesis of the active electrode material and fabrication of utilizing cell devices, and provides such nanostructure material which enables repeated, high-rate recharge cycling without loss of cell capacity or efficiency.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery cell (10) having high operating voltage and significantly increased specific capacity comprises a positive electrode member (13), a negative electrode member (17), and an interposed separator member (15) containing an electrolyte comprising a solution of a polyvalent aluminum cation solute in a non-aqueous solvent. The positive electrode member comprises an active material which reversibly takes up and releases the reactive polyvalent cation species during operation of the cell while the active material of the negative electrode contemporaneously reversibly releases into and takes up from the electrolyte solvent a monovalent cation species. Preferred cation species are those of aluminum, such as Al3+, and alkali metals, such as Li+.

Abstract: A rechargeable yttrium-ion battery cell comprising a source of yttrium ions, an electrolyte providing ion mobility, and an electrode material capable of reversibly accepting and yielding yttrium ions exhibits substantially increased specific capacity due to the activity of multivalent yttrium ions.

Abstract: A rechargeable hybrid battery/supercapacitor electrical storage system capable of providing high energy and high power densities comprises an intercalation electrode (17) and a capacitor electrode (13) combined with a separator (15) and electrically-conductive current collector elements (11, 19) to form a unitary cell structure (10). An electrolyte solution of a dissociable salt absorbed into the porous structure of the separator (15) provides complementary ion species which respectively reversibly intercalate into the one electrode (17) and capacitively adsorb at the surface of the other electrode (13) upon the application of charging current. The high density stored electrical energy may be recovered at high power over extended periods upon demand of a utilizing device and may be rapidly restored to stable capacity through numerous charging cycles.

Abstract: Supercapacitor cell electrode (13, 17) and separator (15) elements are fabricated from activated carbon fabric and membranes of microporous fibrillar ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and are laminated with electrically conductive current collector elements (11, 19) to form a flexible, unitary supercapacitor structure (10). The micro-fibrillar laminar structure of the separator membrane material enables direct application of cell lamination temperatures without resulting collapse of separator microporosity and attendant loss of essential electrolyte retention and ionic conductivity. The superior functional materials enable the fabrication of flexible, self-supporting cell structures which yield improved specific energy capacity and increased voltage output for utilization demands.

Abstract: Supercapacitor cell electrode and separator elements formulated as membranes of plasticized polymers matrix compositions are laminated with electrically conductive current collector elements to form flexible, unitary supercapacitor structures. The matrix plasticizer component is extracted from the laminate with polymer-inert solvent and replaced with electrolyte solution to activate the supercapacitor. Various arrangements of cell structure elements provide parallel and series cell structures which yield improved specific energy capacity and increased voltage output for utilization demands. The supercapacitor elements may also be laminated with similar polymeric rechargeable battery cell structures to provide hybrid devices capable of delivering both high energy and high power as needed in electronic systems.

Abstract: Supercapacitor cell electrode and separator elements formulated as membranes of plasticized polymeric matrix compositions are laminated with electrically conductive current collector elements to form flexible, unitary supercapacitor structures. The matrix plasticizer component is extracted from the laminate with polymer-inert solvent and replaced with electrolyte solution to activate the supercapacitor. Various arrangements of cell structure elements provide parallel and series cell structures which yield improved specific energy capacity and increased voltage output for utilization demands. The supercapacitor elements may also be laminated with similar polymeric rechargeable battery cell structures to provide hybrid devices capable of delivering both high energy and high power as needed in electronic systems.