Abstract: A method for forming a connection such as an electrical connection, to a fibre material electrode element comprises moving a length of the fibre material relative to a pressure injection stage and pressure impregnating by a series of pressure injection pulses a lug material into a lug zone part of the fibre material to surround and/or penetrate fibres of the fibre material and form a lug strip in the lug zone. The fibre material may be a carbon fibre material and the lug material a metal such as Pb or a Pb alloy. Apparatus for forming an electrical connection to a fibre material electrode element is also disclosed.

Abstract: Lead-acid batteries with low water consumption and hydrogen gassing, comprise electrodes of a carbon fibre material having a surface area of less than 50 m2/g. The carbon fibre material may also comprise non-carbon functional groups less than 22% by mass in the bulk fibre, and at least 78% carbon by mass in the bulk fibre. The carbon fibre material may be heated to a temperature of at least 1000° C. and cooled in an inert atmosphere to prevent non-carbon functional groups reforming on the carbonised carbon fibre material. The batteries are suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: A method for impregnating an active paste into a fibre material in the manufacture of an electrode of a lead acid battery or cell, comprises moving a fibre material through a confined pasting zone also containing a Pb-based paste, while vibrating and maintaining a pressure on the paste, to continuously impregnate the paste into the fibre material. A paste impregnating machine is also disclosed, with a fibre material feed system, and which may use a lug along the fibre material to draw the fibre material through the paste application stage.

Abstract: Batteries comprise a carbon fibre electrode construction of the invention and have improved DCA and/or CCA, and/or may maintain DCA with an increasing number of charge-discharge cycles, and thus may be particularly suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: A method for forming a connection such as an electrical connection, to a fibre material electrode element comprises moving a length of the fibre material relative to a pressure injection stage and pressure impregnating by a series of pressure injection pulses a lug material into a lug zone part of the fibre material to surround and/or penetrate fibres of the fibre material and form a lug strip in the lug zone. The fibre material may be a carbon fibre material and the lug material a metal such as Pb or a Pb alloy. Apparatus for forming an electrical connection to a fibre material electrode element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a connection such as an electrical connection, to a fiber material electrode element comprises moving a length of the fiber material relative to a pressure injection stage and pressure impregnating by a series of pressure injection pulses a lug material into a lug zone part of the fiber material to surround and/or penetrate fibers of the fiber material and form a lug strip in the lug zone. The fiber material may be a carbon fiber material and the lug material a metal such as Pb or a Pb alloy. Apparatus for forming an electrical connection to a fiber material electrode element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrical connection to a microscale electrically conductive fibre material electrode element, such as a carbon fibre electrode element of a Pb-acid battery, comprises pressure impregnating into the fibre material an electrically conductive lug material, such as molten Pb metal, to surround and/or penetrate fibres and form an electrical connection to the fibre material and provide a lug for external connection of the electrode element. Other methods of forming a lug for external connection are also disclosed.

Abstract: Lead-acid batteries with low water consumption and hydrogen gassing, comprise electrodes of a carbon fibre material having a surface area of less than 50 m2/g. The carbon fibre material may also comprise non-carbon functional groups less than 22% by mass in the bulk fibre, and at least 78% carbon by mass in the bulk fibre. The carbon fibre material may be heated to a temperature of at least 1000° C. and cooled in an inert atmosphere to prevent non-carbon functional groups reforming on the carbonised carbon fibre material. The batteries are suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: A method for impregnating an active paste into a fibre material in the manufacture of an electrode of a lead acid battery or cell, comprises moving a fibre material through a confined pasting zone also containing a Pb-based paste, while vibrating and maintaining a pressure on the paste, to continuously impregnate the paste into the fibre material. A paste impregnating machine is also disclosed, with a fibre material feed system, and which may use a lug along the fibre material to draw the fibre material through the paste application stage.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrical connection to a microscale electrically conductive fiber material electrode element, such as a carbon fiber electrode element of a Pb-acid battery, comprises pressure impregnating into the fiber material an electrically conductive lug material, such as molten Pb metal, to surround and/or penetrate fibers and form an electrical connection to the fiber material and provide a lug for external connection of the electrode element. Other methods of forming a lug for external connection are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a connection such as an electrical connection, to a fibre material electrode element comprises moving a length of the fibre material relative to a pressure injection stage and pressure impregnating by a series of pressure injection pulses a lug material into a lug zone part of the fibre material to surround and/or penetrate fibres of the fibre material and form a lug strip in the lug zone. The fibre material may be a carbon fibre material and the lug material a metal such as Pb or a Pb alloy. Apparatus for forming an electrical connection to a fibre material electrode element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery or cell comprises electrode(s) of with current collector(s) of a fibrous material with an average interfiber spacing of less than 50 microns. The current collector material may be a carbon fiber material which has been thermally treated by electric arc discharge. The fibrous current collector material may comprise an impregnated paste comprising a mixture of lead sulphate particles and dilute sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Batteries comprise a carbon fibre electrode construction of the invention and have improved DCA and/or CCA, and/or may maintain DCA with an increasing number of charge-discharge cycles, and thus may be particularly suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: Batteries comprise a carbon fiber electrode construction of the invention and have improved DCA and/or CCA, and/or may maintain DCA with an increasing number of charge-discharge cycles, and thus may be particularly suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrical connection to a microscale electrically conductive fibre material electrode element, such as a carbon fibre electrode element of a Pb-acid battery, comprises pressure impregnating into the fibre material an electrically conductive lug material, such as molten Pb metal, to surround and/or penetrate fibres and form an electrical connection to the fibre material and provide a lug for external connection of the electrode element. Other methods of forming a lug for external connection are also disclosed.

Abstract: Batteries comprise a carbon fibre electrode construction of the invention and have improved DCA and/or CCA, and/or may maintain DCA with an increasing number of charge-discharge cycles, and thus may be particularly suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery or cell comprises electrode(s) of with current collector(s) of a fibrous material with an average interfibre spacing of less than 50 microns. The current collector material may be a carbon fibre material which has been thermally treated by electric arc discharge. The fibrous current collector material may comprise an impregnated paste comprising a mixture of lead sulphate particles and dilute sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material, such as a tape or belt of carbon fibres, includes within a reaction chamber causing relative movement between a carbon-containing substrate and an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate to heat the substrate to a substrate surface temperature effective to activate the carbon-containing substrate and above about 3750K. The activated material has high adsorbency, and increased capacitance and conductivity.

Abstract: Production of nanotubes of carbon or of other inorganic material by moving a carbon-containing substrate, such as a tape or belt of carbon fibers, within a reaction chamber either though an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate, to cause the nanotubes to form on the substrate. The method enables the continuous or semi-continuous production of nanotubes. Preferably, the process is carried out at atmospheric pressure and nanotubes of high purity are produced.

Abstract: Production of nanotubes of carbon or of other inorganic material by moving a carbon-containing substrate, such as a tape or belt of carbon fibres, within a reaction chamber either though an electric arc in a gap between two electrodes or adjacent an electrode so that an electric arc exists between the electrode and the substrate, to cause the nanotubes to form on the substrate. The method enables the continuous or semi-continuous production of nanotubes. Preferably, the process is carried out at atmospheric pressure and nanotubes of high purity are produced.