Abstract: A method of producing an electrode alloy powder is disclosed, wherein, to provide an electrode alloy powder capable of yielding an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate discharge property, self-discharge property and cycle life, a first step of immersing a starting powder comprising a hydrogen storage alloy containing 20 to 70 wt % of Ni in an aqueous solution containing 30 to 80 wt % of sodium hydroxide at a temperature of 90° C. or higher and a second step of washing with water the powder which has been subjected to the first step are conducted.

Abstract: A lithium-containing composite nitride with an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal added thereto is used as the negative electrode active material, or used as surface layers of core particles of a lithium-containing composite nitride, to provide a negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with large capacity and high reliability improved in oxidation and decomposition resistance property and thus capacity recovery property after overdischarge.

Abstract: A lithium-containing composite nitride with an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal added thereto is used as the negative electrode active material, or used as surface layers of core particles of a lithium-containing composite nitride, to provide a negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with large capacity and high reliability improved in oxidation and decomposition resistance property and thus capacity recovery property after overdischarge.

Abstract: The present invention is a deterioration detecting method for an electrochemical device comprising electrodes and an ion conductor, wherein an electrochemical characteristic of the electrochemical device is detected, and an obtained value is then compared with a standard electrochemical characteristic of the electrochemical device to estimate the degree of deterioration of the electrochemical device. Further, the capacity of the device is found based on the detected degree of deterioration, and using this and the output of the device, a remaining capacity of the device is estimated. Accordingly, the degree of deterioration and the remaining capacity of an electrochemical device such as a secondary battery can be accurately detected.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode alloy powder is disclosed, wherein, to provide an electrode alloy powder capable of yielding an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate discharge property, self-discharge property and cycle life, a first step of immersing a starting powder comprising a hydrogen storage alloy containing 20 to 70 wt % of Ni in an aqueous solution containing 30 to 80 wt % of sodium hydroxide at a temperature of 90° C. or higher and a second step of washing with water the powder which has been subjected to the first step are conducted.