Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprises positive and negative electrode plates, each comprising a current collector and a material mixture layer carried on each face thereof. A total thickness of the positive electrode material mixture layers on both faces of the current collector is 40 ?m to 100 ?m. The positive electrode plate has an electrode area of 520 cm2 to 800 cm2 per battery capacity of 1 Ah. The negative electrode material mixture layer comprises a graphitizable carbon material. A wide-range X-ray diffraction pattern of the graphitizable carbon material has a peak PX (101) attributed to a (101) crystal face at about 2?=44 degrees, and a peak PX (100) attributed to a (100) crystal face at about 2?=42 degrees. A ratio of an intensity IX (101) of PX (101) to an intensity IX (100) of PX(100) satisfies: 0<IX (101)/IX (100)<1.

Abstract: 100 parts by weight of a carbon material having irreversible capacity and 20 to 150 parts by weight of a lithium-containing complex nitride represented by the general formula Li3-XMXN wherein M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Mn and Cu, and wherein 0.2?X?0.8, are included in a negative electrode thereby to compensate for the irreversible capacity of the carbon material by the above-described nitride. This enables the maximum utilization of large capacity possessed by an amorphous carbon or low crystalline carbon, thereby making it possible to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having high capacity and excellent cycle reversibility.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprises positive and negative electrode plates, each comprising a current collector and a material mixture layer carried on each face thereof. A total thickness of the positive electrode material mixture layers on both faces of the current collector is 40 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m. The positive electrode plate has an electrode area of 520 cm2 to 800 cm2 per battery capacity of 1 Ah. The negative electrode material mixture layer comprises a graphitizable carbon material. A wide-range X-ray diffraction pattern of the graphitizable carbon material has a peak PX (101) attributed to a (101) crystal face at about 2&thgr;=44 degrees, and a peak PX (100) attributed to a (100) crystal face at about 2&thgr;=42 degrees. A ratio of an intensity IX (101) of PX (101) to an intensity IX (100) of PX(100) satisfies: 0<IX (101)/IX (100)<1.

Abstract: 100 parts by weight of a carbon material having irreversible capacity and 20 to 150 parts by weight of a lithium-containing complex nitride represented by the general formula Li3-XMXN wherein M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Mn and Cu, and wherein 0.2≦X≦0.8, are included in a negative electrode thereby to compensate for the irreversible capacity of the carbon material by the above-described nitride. This enables the maximum utilization of large capacity possessed by an amorphous carbon or low crystalline carbon, thereby making it possible to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having high capacity and excellent cycle reversibility.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using lithium containing composite oxide, which intercalates and de-intercalates lithium, for a positive electrode; and lithium containing composite nitride and a compound having a large irreversible capacity for a negative electrode. Metal oxide is used as a material for the negative electrode, and lithium containing composite nitride represented by the general formula of Li3−xMxN (M is a transition metal, 0.2<x≦0.8) is also contained in the negative electrode. Lithium containing composite nitride containing cobalt as its transition metal M is further preferable because it has high capacity and good reversibility. For the positive electrode of the secondary battery, lithium containing composite oxide such as lithium cobaltate, lithium nickelate, their composite compound, and lithium manganate (LiMn2O4) may be used.

Abstract: A method for producing a cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which comprises the step of heating a mixture of .beta.-Ni(OH).sub.2 and a lithium salt in the presence of oxygen at a temperature ranging from 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. to obtain LiNiO.sub.2.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing lithium containing oxides represented by a formula LiNi.sub.x Co.sub.(1-x) O.sub.2, or a formula LiNi.sub.x Mn.sub.(1-x) O.sub.2, having almost single phase, through completely replacing a part of the Ni with Co or Mn. The single phase structure has the advantage that Li mobility in the crystal is high, the positive active materials having almost single phase show a large capacity and excellent cycle characteristics. According to the method, the positive active materials of lithium containing oxides are prepared by burning lithium compounds and composite hydroxides comprising Ni and Co, or Ni and Mn. The composite hydroxides are obtained through co-precipitation of nickel and cobalt hydroxides, or nickel and manganese hydroxides by adding caustic alkali aqueous solutions to mixed solutions containing nickel and cobalt salts or nickel and manganese salts.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell disclosed comprises a positive electrode sheet with a lithium-containing metal oxide as major positive electrode active material, a negative electrode sheet with graphitic particles as major negative electrode coating agent, a separator and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the negative electrode sheet is produced by mixing the major graphitic particles, a binder and the like to produce a paste, coating the paste on both sides of a collector, pressing the coated collector, the coating layer having a porosity of 25% to 40%, and the graphitic particles have an average particle size of 3 .mu.m to 25 .mu.m which are produced by heat-treating a pitch in the molten state to produce carbonaceous mesophase particles, extracting the mesophase particles, carbonizing the mesophase particles and then heat-treating the carbonized particles through graphitization at 2500.degree. C. to 2900.degree. C. and which have a lattice plane spacing (d002) of 3.36 .ANG. to 3.39 .ANG.

Abstract: A rechargeable negative electrode for an electrochemical apparatus using nonaqueous electrolytes, said electrode comprising an alloy comprising (1) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Sn, Pn, In and Bi and (2) Zn or Zn and Cd, as well as a rechargeable electrochemical apparatus comprising a combination of said negative electrode with a positive electrode having reversibility in charging and discharging. The above-mentioned negative electrode reversibly absorbs and desorbs alkali metal ions, as the result of charge and discharge, in nonaqueous electrolyte containing alkali metal ions. It undergoes no pulverization even after repeated charge and discharge, and maintains its shape stably, so that it has a long charge-and-discharge cycle life. Further, since it can absorb a large quantity of alkali metal per unit volume, it is of high energy density.

Abstract: A plastic watchband made of individual links, having greater variety in design and secureness of fit is provided. The plastic watch band is joined of a plurality of separate links, each link having an engagement projection on one platform for engaging an enjoining link through an engagement opening on another platform of an adjacent link. A flexible intermediate member is provided between the platforms. The intermediate region is angled relative to the platforms so that the engagement opening is offset relative to the engagement projection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rechargeable negative electrode for an electrochemical apparatus using nonaqueous electrolyte, said electrode comprising an alloy comprising Cd and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Sn, Pb, In and Bi, as well as to a rechargeable electrochemical apparatus comprising a combination of said negative electrode with a positive electrode having reversibility in charge and discharge.The above-mentioned negative electrode reversibly absorbs and desorbs alkali metal ions, as the result of charge and discharge, in nonaqueous electrolyte containing alkali metal ions. It undergoes no pulverization even after repeated charge and discharge and maintains its shape stably, so that it has a long chargeand-discharge life. Further, since it can absorb a large quantity of alkali metal per unit volume, it is of high energy density.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical device composed of a negative electrode (4) which comprises an alkali metal as an active material, a non-aqueous electrolyte (6), and a positive electrode (1). The positive electrode (1) is composed of an oxide of chromium and vanadium represented by the general formula:Cr.sub.x V.sub.2(1-x) O.sub.5-(2+y)x(wherein 0.2.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.9, 0.1.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1.0). The rechargeable electrochemical device offers a high discharge voltage, a large discharge capacity, linear discharge voltage, and the capacity to withstand over-charging.

Abstract: An alloy capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium ions in a non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium ions on charging and discharging has excellent applicability to anode for rechargeable electrochemical devices. However, such alloy, when absorbed with lithium, loses its flexibility, so that when it is incorporated in a device in a charged state, it is subject to trouble such as cracking and can not display its properties. This invention adopts a method in which anode alloy is combined with lithium by connecting them so as to be electronically conductive to each other and this combination is fitted into the device, and then the electrolyte is supplied into the device to have lithium absorbed in anode alloy in the device. According to this method, cracking of cathode can be prevented.