Alkaline Patents (Class 429/206)
  • Publication number: 20110171524
    Abstract: An alkaline battery of this invention includes: a negative electrode including a negative electrode mixture that contains a zinc alloy as an active material, the zinc alloy containing at least aluminum; an alkaline electrolyte; and a positive electrode. The alkaline electrolyte includes an aqueous KOH solution and LiOH and an aluminum compound that are dissolved in the aqueous KOH solution. The alkaline battery has excellent high-rate discharge characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harunari SHIMAMURA, Koshi Takamura, Nobuharu Koshiba
  • Patent number: 7976982
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery includes, as main constituent elements, a positive electrode having nickel hydroxide as an active material, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte made of an aqueous alkali solution, and a foamed three-dimensional porous substrate composed of nickel as a main component is used as a core substrate of the positive electrode, and the weight ratio of this core substrate in the positive electrode is set to 30% to 50%, thereby allowing both electron conductivity and ion conductivity of the positive electrode, with long life and high output even under severe conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakamura, Yoshitaka Dansui
  • Publication number: 20110165471
    Abstract: Provided is an anode for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode active layer has a first layer comprising lithium metal and a multi-layer structure comprising single ion conducting layers and polymer layers in contact with the first layer comprising lithium metal or in contact with an intermediate protective layer, such as a temporary protective metal layer, on the surface of the lithium-containing first layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an anode active layer formed by the in-situ deposition of lithium vapor and a reactive gas. The anodes of the current invention are particularly useful in electrochemical cells comprising sulfur-containing cathode active materials, such as elemental sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Terje A. Skotheim, Christopher J. Sheehan, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, John D. Affinito
  • Patent number: 7972723
    Abstract: A flat alkaline primary battery is provided. The annular end portion of the negative electrode can is engaged with the annular end portion of the positive electrode can so that the positive electrode can and the negative electrode can are connected via a gasket to create an enclosed space inside the cans. The enclosed space accommodates a separator, a positive electrode mixture having a positive electrode active material as a main component, and a negative electrode mixture having a negative electrode active material as a main component. The enclosed space is filled with an alkaline electrolyte. The positive electrode active material is oxy nickel hydroxide. The negative electrode active material is a zinc or zinc alloy powder. The mass of the oxy nickel hydroxide is between 3.9 and 4.4, times, inclusive, of the mass of the zinc or the zinc alloy. Alternatively, the mass of the oxy nickel hydroxide is between 3.3 times, inclusive, the mass of the zinc or the zinc alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Norishige Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20110159360
    Abstract: The object is to stabilize the dispersion of a conductive additive in a composition for a battery without deteriorating the conducting property of the conductive additive, and to thereby improve the battery performance of a battery produced by using the composition. Disclosed is a composition for a battery, which comprises: at least one dispersing agent selected from an organic dye derivative having a basic functional group, an anthraquinone derivative having a basic functional group, an acridone derivative having a basic functional group and a triazine derivative having a basic functional group; a carbon material as a conductive additive; and optionally an acid, a solvent, a binder, and a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Naohisa Hirota, Tadashi Itabashi, Shinichiro Maki
  • Publication number: 20110151320
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery has a negative electrode using a hydrogen-absorbing alloy represented by a general formula Ln1-xMgxNiyAz wherein Ln is at least one element selected from rare-earth elements including Y, Ca, Zr, and Ti, A is at least one element selected from Co, Fe, Mn, V, Cr, Nb, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, P and B, and 0.15?x?0.30, 0<z?1.5, and 2.8?y+z?4.0 are satisfied. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy has a hexagonal system crystal structure or a rhombohedral system crystal structure as its main phase and has a subphase of line which average number of not less than 50 nm in thickness existing in the range of 10 ?m×10 ?m in the cross section of the main phase is 3 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Ishida, Yoshifumi Magari, Shigekazu Yasuoka
  • Publication number: 20110143220
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte solution comprising at least one solvent as component A, at least one electrolyte as component B and from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the total electrolyte solution, of at least one heteroaromatic compound of the general formula (I) as component C, the use of such a compound in electrolyte solutions, the use of such an electrolyte solution in an electrochemical cell or for metal plating, and also electrochemical cells comprising a corresponding electrolyte solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Xiao STEIMLE, Itamar Michael Malkowsky, Klaus Leitner
  • Publication number: 20110123859
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved electrochemical devices formed from a cathode, an anode, and a liquid electrolyte formulated from at least one polymer and at least one alkaline agent. The polymer is electrically conductive and mixes with the alkaline agent to form a substantially uniform mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ZPower, Inc.
    Inventors: Biying Huang, Hieu Duong, Monica Meckfessel Jones, George Adamson, Donald Sadoway
  • Patent number: 7947393
    Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell capable of providing optimum run times at both high drain rates and low drain rates is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cell's gelled anode incorporates a limited quantity of zinc powder having specific physical characteristics that enable it to discharge efficiently over a wide range of electrical discharge conditions. The anode may also include an electrolyte that is selected to improve the zinc's discharge efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William James Moore, Jianjun Wu
  • Patent number: 7947391
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery is provided such that the positive electrode comprises lead dioxide, the negative electrode zinc, iron, lead or cadmium, and the electrolyte is alkaline. Upon discharge, the lead dioxide is reduced to lead oxide, the metal is oxidized to an oxide, and the electrolyte remains unchanged. The reactions are reversed when the battery is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: John E. Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20110117429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a galvanic cell, which chemically stores energy and supplies electric energy. The galvanic cell comprises at least two electrodes (32, 34) and conductors (31, 35), associated with said electrodes. The cross-sections of the conductors are dimensioned such, that the electric resistance of the conductors and the electric power losses thus created, are approximately equal. The use of such conductors is described with respect to rechargeable galvanic cells, the electrolyte of which comprises lithium ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Jurgen Hofmann, Magnus Mickel, Gunter Eichinger
  • Publication number: 20110111286
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing magnesium ions which shows excellent electrochemical characteristics and which can be manufactured in a general manufacturing environment such as a dry room, and an electrochemical device using the same are provided. A Mg battery has a positive-electrode can 1, a positive-electrode pellet 2 made of a positive-electrode active material or the like, a positive electrode 11 composed of a metallic net supporting body 3, a negative-electrode cup 4, a negative electrode 12 made of a negative-electrode active material 5, and a separator 6 impregnated with an electrolytic solution 7 and disposed between the positive-electrode pellet and the negative-electrode active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Yamamoto, Yuri Nakayama, Yui Senda
  • Publication number: 20110111287
    Abstract: Cathodes for use in open electrochemical cells, open electrochemical cells, and devices comprising the cathodes and open electrochemical cells are disclosed. The open electrochemical cells generally comprise a cathode, an electrolyte, and an anode. One example cathode comprises: (i) a catalyst; (ii) an electronic conductor; and (iii) a hydrophobic gas permeable binder. The open electrochemical cells may function as metal-air batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jay R. Sayre, Megan Sesslar Moore, Vince D. McGinniss
  • Publication number: 20110095720
    Abstract: A micro electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) device INCLUDES a MEMS substrate and at least one MEMS structure on the MEMS substrate. In addition, there is at least one battery cell on the MEMS substrate coupled to the at least one MEMS structure. The at least one battery cell includes a support fin extending vertically upward from the MEMS substrate and a first electrode layer on the support fin. In addition, there is an electrolyte layer on the cathode layer, and a second electrode layer on the electrolyte layer. The support fin may have a height greater than a width. The first electrode layer may have a processing temperature associated therewith that exceeds a stability temperature associated with the second electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Wayne Shacklette, Louis Joseph Rendek, JR., David M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110097627
    Abstract: The present invention is a negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, comprising at least: particles wherein silicon nanoparticles are dispersed in silicon oxide (silicon oxide particles); and a metal oxide coating formed on a surface of the silicon oxide particles. As a result, there is provided a negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries that enables the production of a negative electrode suitable for lithium-ion secondary batteries and the like that provides improved safety and cycle performance over conventional negative electrode materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichiro WATANABE, Tetsuo NAKANISHI, Kazuyuki TANIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110086266
    Abstract: An aqueous secondary battery 10 according to the present invention includes a positive electrode containing a NASICON-type positive-electrode active material that can insert and extract sodium as a positive-electrode active material 12, a negative electrode containing a negative-electrode active material 17 that can insert and extract sodium, and an electrolyte solution 20 disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the electrolyte solution 20 being an aqueous solution in which sodium is dissolved. The NASICON-type positive-electrode active material is, for example, Na3V2(PO4)3, and the electrolyte solution 20 is an aqueous solution in which sodium is dissolved. The negative-electrode active material 17 is preferably a NASICON-type negative-electrode active material (for example, LiTi2(PO4)3 or NaTi2(PO4)3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventor: Hiroki KONDO
  • Publication number: 20110086267
    Abstract: A polymer having a structure represented by the following general formula (1), wherein in general formula (1), Ph is a phenyl group; X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a selenium atom or a tellurium atom; and R1 and R1 each independently contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a chained saturated hydrocarbon group, a chained unsaturated hydrocarbon group, a cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group, a cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group, a phenyl group, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, an amino group, a nitro group and a nitroso group. The chained saturated hydrocarbon group, the chained unsaturated hydrocarbon group, the cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group and the cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group each contain at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom and a silicon atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Takakazu Yamamoto, Hiroki Fukumoto, Takahisa Shimizu, Tomoaki Yanagida, Yu Ohtsuka, Nobuhiko Hojo
  • Patent number: 7923146
    Abstract: A battery comprising electrode terminals 12a, 32a of a steel plate having a nickel bright-plating. The surface of the steel plate is dull finished and the concentration of sulfur and sulfur compound in the nickel bright-plating is at 0.02% or less by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: FDK Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamazaki, Yuji Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 7914920
    Abstract: A battery includes a separator with a trapping layer that traps dissolved metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Jonathan M. Boulton, Cahit Eylem, Ou Mao
  • Publication number: 20110070487
    Abstract: An oxygen reduction electrode, e.g., an air cathode, comprising manganese oxides having octahedral molecular sieve structures as active catalyst materials and use of such an electrode as a component of a metal-air cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.
    Inventors: Akshaya Kumar Padhi, Denis D. Carpenter, Jeffrey A. Poirier
  • Publication number: 20110053001
    Abstract: Amorphous lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) is formed as an ionically-conductive electrolyte medium. The LLZO comprises by percentage of total number of atoms from about 0.1% to about 50% lithium, from about 0.1% to about 25% lanthanum, from about 0.1% to about 25% zirconium, from about 30% to about 70% oxygen and from 0.0% to about 25% carbon. At least one layer of amorphous LLZO may be formed through a sol-gel process wherein quantities of lanthanum methoxyethoxide, lithium butoxide and zirconium butoxide are dissolved in an alcohol-based solvent to form a mixture which is dispensed into a substantially planar configuration, transitioned through a gel phase, dried and cured to a substantially dry phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: EXCELLATRON SOLID STATE LLC
    Inventors: Davorin Babic, Stanley Jones
  • Publication number: 20110052981
    Abstract: Lithium rich and manganese rich lithium metal oxides are described that provide for excellent performance in lithium-based batteries. The specific compositions can be engineered within a specified range of compositions to provide desired performance characteristics. Selected compositions can provide high values of specific capacity with a reasonably high average voltage. Compositions of particular interest can be represented by the formula, xLi2MnO3.(1?x)LiNiu+?Mnu??CowAyO2. The compositions undergo significant first cycle irreversible changes, but the compositions cycle stably after the first cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Herman A. Lopez, Subramanian Venkatachalam, Deepak Kumaar Kandasamy Karthikeyan, Sujeet Kumar
  • Publication number: 20110052998
    Abstract: The invention is directed in a first aspect to a sulfur-carbon composite material comprising: (i) a bimodal porous carbon component containing therein a first mode of pores which are mesopores, and a second mode of pores which are micropores; and (ii) elemental sulfur contained in at least a portion of said micropores. The invention is also directed to the aforesaid sulfur-carbon composite as a layer on a current collector material; a lithium ion battery containing the sulfur-carbon composite in a cathode therein; as well as a method for preparing the sulfur-composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Chengdu Liang, Nancy J. Dudney, Jane Y. Howe
  • Publication number: 20110039148
    Abstract: A battery is described. The battery includes an anode, a cathode, a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The anode further includes manganese.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Yichun Wang, James Joseph Cervera, Tatjana Mezini, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Fan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110020701
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an electrode includes a body of material formed in substantial part of carbon, the body having an exterior surface and an interior located within the exterior surface, and a plurality cavities located in the interior of the body. Each of the cavities is in communication with the exterior of the body and has an interior surface. The cavities can each be sized to accommodate a battery separator located therein and substantially covering the interior surface of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CARBON MICRO BATTERY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Park, Alexander Gorkovenko, Rabih Zaouk, William Schank
  • Publication number: 20110020702
    Abstract: The present invention relates to iron-doped vanadium(V) oxides of formula FeyV2O5, a process for their preparation and their uses as positive electrodes, especially in microbatteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Brigitte Pecquenard, Alain Levasseur, Astrid Gies
  • Publication number: 20110020713
    Abstract: A variety of methods and apparatus are implemented in connection with a battery. According to one such arrangement, an apparatus is provided for use in a battery in which ions are moved. The apparatus comprises a substrate and a plurality of growth-rooted nanowires. The growth-rooted nanowires extend from the substrate to interact with the ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Yi Cui, Candace K. Chan
  • Patent number: 7875390
    Abstract: The storage characteristics of an alkaline battery are improved by suppressing the production of hydrogen gas during storage. The alkaline battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a conductive member in contact with the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a zinc-containing negative electrode active material and an alkaline electrolyte, and the alkaline electrolyte includes a potassium hydroxide aqueous solution. The negative electrode active material, the alkaline electrolyte, and a contact surface of the conductive member with the negative electrode include the same metal element M, and the metal element M is a metal element other than zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koshi Takamura, Harunari Shimamura
  • Patent number: 7875386
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy converter cell, consisting of a negative metal electrode, preferably a tin electrode, a positive electrode consisting of graphite and an electrolyte that is positioned between the electrodes and is in contact with the latter, the electrolyte containing in the charged state a manganate(IV) salt that is dissolved in water and an alkali hydroxide. The energy converter cell forms a galvanic element, which can be discharged by delivering electrical energy to an ohmic consumer resistor that is connected to the electrodes and can be charged by a supply of thermal energy. In addition, supplied electrical energy can be electrochemically stored in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Werner Henze
  • Publication number: 20110014503
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells having molten electrodes comprising an alkaline earth metal provide receipt and delivery of power by transporting atoms of the alkaline earth metal between electrode environments of disparate the alkaline earth metal chemical potentials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: David Bradwell, Donald R. Sadoway
  • Publication number: 20110006738
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrochemical cells, and more specifically, to additives for electrochemical cells which may enhance the performance of the cell. In some cases, the additive may advantageously reduce or prevent formation of impurities and/or depletion of active components of the cell during operation, to increase the efficiency and/or lifetime of the cell. The incorporation of certain additives within the electrolyte of the cell may improve the cycling lifetime and/or performance of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Igor Kovalev
  • Patent number: 7867653
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery system according to an aspect of the present invention, with which a partial charging-discharging is performed, includes an alkaline storage battery 10 including an electrode group having a nickel positive electrode 11, a hydrogen storage alloy negative electrode 12, a separator 13; an alkaline electrolyte; and an outer can 14 accommodating the electrode group and the alkaline electrolyte, and further includes a partial charge-discharge control unit for controlling charging-discharging of the battery 10. In addition, zinc (Zn) is added to nickel hydroxide that is a main positive electrode active material in the nickel positive electrode 11 with an addition amount of 5% by mass or less with respect to the mass of nickel in the positive electrode active material. The concentration of the alkaline electrolyte is 6.5 mol/L or less and the content of lithium in the alkaline electrolyte is 0.3 mol/L or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ochi, Atsutoshi Ako, Yasuyuki Harada, Kazuhiro Kitaoka, Masao Takee
  • Publication number: 20110003200
    Abstract: A lithium transition metal based compound powder for a lithium secondary battery positive electrode material, characterized by including a lithium transition metal based compound, which has a function of enabling insertion and elimination of lithium ions, as a primary component and being produced by conducting firing after at least one type of compound (hereafter referred to as “Additive 1”) containing at least one type of element (hereafter referred to as “Additive element 1”) selected from B and Bi and at least one type of compound (hereafter referred to as “Additive 2”) containing at least one type of element (hereafter referred to as “Additive element 2”) selected from Mo and W are added in combination to a raw material of the primary component at a ratio of a total of Additive 1 and Additive 2 to a total amount of moles of transition metal elements in the raw material of the primary component of 0.01 percent by mole or more, and less than 2 percent by mole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Shizuka, Kenji Okahara, Kazuhiro Kikuchi, Kaoru Terada
  • Publication number: 20100330411
    Abstract: Provided is a thin film battery, including: a base substrate; a cathode current collector pattern and an anode current collector pattern being formed on the base substrate and being electrically separate from each other; a cathode terminal and an anode terminal being directly bonded with the cathode current collector pattern and the anode current collector pattern; a cathode and an anode being disposed on the cathode current collector pattern and the anode current collector pattern; and an electrolyte layer being disposed between the cathode and the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Sang Cheol NAM, Ho Young Park, Young Chang Lim, Ki Chang Lee, Young Kyun Jung
  • Publication number: 20100323249
    Abstract: Provided are an air electrode having a structure in which an anion exchange membrane and an air electrode catalyst layer are laminated and the anion exchange membrane is disposed in contact with an aqueous alkaline solution; and a metal-air battery, an alkaline fuel cell, and a water electrolysis device each having the air electrode. The air electrode of the present invention can reduce or solve various conventional problems of an air electrode in a metal-air battery, fuel cell, and the like, which use an aqueous alkaline solution as an electrolyte, and can maintain high performance for a long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Naoko Fujiwara, Kazuaki Yasuda, Tsutomu Ioroi
  • Publication number: 20100310917
    Abstract: Ternary or quaternary electrolyte material for use in thermal batteries that is substantially free of binders is disclosed. Composites of electrodes and electrolytes that contain the electrolyte material and batteries that contain the electrolyte material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: EaglePicher Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Swift, Charles Lamb
  • Patent number: 7838156
    Abstract: A thickener for use in an alkaline battery provides a gel viscosity ratio (N1h/N12h) of 0.7 to 1.3, the gel viscosity ratio (N1h/N12h) being a ratio of a viscosity (N1h) of a gel after being left to stand for one hour to a viscosity (N12h) of the gel after being left to stand for twelve hours (where the gel viscosity is a viscosity of a gel composed of 2.0 parts by weight of the thickener, 200 parts by weight of zinc powder, and 100 parts by weight of 37 wt % aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, measured at 40° C. according to JIS K7117-1: 1999). An alkaline battery having a negative electrode gel in which the thickener of the present invention is used is provided. The alkaline battery exhibits improved long-term retention of discharge characteristics (discharge amount and discharge time), and improved impact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Ohtani, Takeaki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100285354
    Abstract: CNT encapsulated carbon nanofibers (CNFs @ CNTs) having a one-dimensional structure are provided by selective assembling CNFs inside the channel of CNTs via impregnation of catalyst inside CNTs and subsequent chemical vapour deposition of hydrocarbon. The new structure is used as material for energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Dangsheng Su, Jian Zhang, Robert Schloegl, Joachim Maier
  • Patent number: 7820329
    Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell and defining a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises preferably two separate plastic frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Boulton, Stuart M. Davis, Charles E. O'Brien, Thomas C. Richards
  • Patent number: 7816030
    Abstract: Electrodes and electrolytes for nickel-zinc secondary battery cells possess compositions that limit dendrite formation and other forms of material redistribution in the zinc electrode. In addition, the electrolytes may possess one or more of the following characteristics: good performance at low temperatures, long cycle life, low impedance and suitability for high rate applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Powergenix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Phillips, Samaresh Mohanta
  • Publication number: 20100261052
    Abstract: An electrode including a conductive metal support and a paste including an electrochemically-active material and a binder. The binder includes a compound of silane type, and a polymer having at least one acrylic monomer, and representing at least approximately 0.15% of the weight of said paste. The use of this binder improves the calendar or cycle life of the battery at a temperature greater than or equal to 25° C., preferably at a temperature greater than or equal to 40° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Patrick Bernard, Lionel Goubault, Nicolas Leroy
  • Patent number: 7807297
    Abstract: Alkaline batteries are provided, including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode porosity is selected to optimize performance characteristics of the battery. In one aspect, an alkaline cell is provided that includes (a) an anode, (b) a cathode, comprising a cathode active material, wherein the cathode has a porosity of from about 25% to about 30%, and (c) a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David L. Anglin, Alexander B. Shelekhin, Robert Yoppolo
  • Publication number: 20100248024
    Abstract: In the alkaline storage battery system, zinc (Zn) is added to a nickel positive electrode 11 with an addition amount of 8% by mass or less with respect to the mass of nickel. A hydrogen storage alloy of a negative electrode 12 has an A5B19 type crystal structure, with a stoichiometric ratio (B/A) representing the molar ratio of component B to component A ranging from 3.6 to 3.9, inclusive, and is represented by a general formula of Ln1-xMgxNiy-aMa (where Ln is an element selected from rare earth elements including Y, and M is at least one kind of element selected from Al, Co, Mn, and Zn) in which the content of the element M is 1.0% by mass or less. An electrolyte has a concentration of 6.5 mol/L or less and contains Li of 0.3 mol/L or more, and the alkaline storage battery system is arranged to control partial charging-discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Sugii, Makoto Ochi, Shuhei Yoshida, Atsutoshi Ako, Yasuyuki Harada, Kazuhiro Kitaoka, Masao Takee
  • Publication number: 20100233533
    Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells having extended service life and acceptable gassing and corrosion properties are disclosed. An amphoteric surfactant can be incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant or a sulfonic acid type organic surfactant or both. Zinc particles having a defined distribution of particle sizes can also be incorporated into a zinc anode. The electrolyte included, in the anode mixture can have a reduced hydroxide concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ernest Ndzebet, Mario Destephen, William C. Bushong, M. Edgar Armacanqui, Andrew J. Roszkowski, Viet H. Vu
  • Patent number: 7790306
    Abstract: A negative electrode plate of a nickel hydrogen storage battery includes a nonaqueous polymer binder and has an effective surface area per unit capacity of 70 cm2/Ah or more. The density of the first and second separators between positive and negative electrode plates ranges from 450 kg/m3 to 600 kg/m3. The nonwoven fabrics of the separators are formed by combining microfibers and compound fibers through melting portions of the compound fibers. The fibers have a virtually circular cross-section. The microfibers and the compound fibers have a diameter ranging from 1 ?m to less than 5 ?m and a diameter ranging from 5 ?m to 15 ?m, respectively. The proportion of the microfibers to whole fibers ranges from 10 percent by mass to 20 percent by mass. At least one of the nonwoven fabrics of the separators is subjected to sulfonation treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Harada, Makoto Ochi, Toshihiro Sakatani, Kei Ikoma, Masao Takee
  • Publication number: 20100216018
    Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy is represented by the general formula Ln1-xMgxNiy-a-bAlaMb (where Ln is at least one element selected from the rare-earth elements, Zr, Ti, and Y, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Ga, Zn, Sn, In, Cu, Si, P, B, and Zr, 0.05?x?0.35, 0.05?a?0.30, 0?b?0.5, and 2.5?y<3.3). The Ln in the general formula includes Sm as its main component, and the hydrogen-absorbing alloy has an electrochemical capacity of 300 mAh/g or greater. An alkaline storage battery containing a negative electrode containing the hydrogen absorbing alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yasuoka, Yoshifumi Magari, Tadayoshi Tanaka, Masaru Kihara, Takahiro Endo, Akira Saguchi
  • Publication number: 20100209778
    Abstract: Composition for the manufacture of composite electrodes usable in electrochemical devices and comprising at least: (i) one lithium insertion material; (ii) one electronic conducting material; (iii) one amino-functional cationic polyelectrolyte; (iv) water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA rECHERCHE SEINTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Severine Jouanneau-Si Larbi, Willy Porcher, Bernard Lestriez, Dominique Guyomard
  • Publication number: 20100203382
    Abstract: An alkaline battery includes: a positive electrode 3 including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode 6 including a negative electrode active material; a separator 4; and an alkaline electrolyte. The negative electrode active material includes zinc alloy powder containing calcium and bismuth. The zinc alloy powder contains from 10% to 60%, both inclusive, by weight, of calcium with respect to bismuth, from 0.004% to 0.02%, both inclusive, by weight, of bismuth, and at least 11%, by weight, of particles with particle sizes of 75 ?m or less. With this configuration, high-power pulse discharge performance of the alkaline battery can be sufficiently enhanced without problems such as a rapid temperature rise in a short circuit and leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Fumio Kato, Harunari Shimamura, Jun Nunome, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Patent number: 7771872
    Abstract: Alkaline battery silver oxide powder when soaked in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 24 hours experiences dissolution of Ag into the solution of 40 mg/L. Alkaline battery silver oxide powder exhibits substantially no Ag peak by X-ray diffraction even after soaking in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 72 hours. This powder has a crystallite size calculated from the half value breadth of the (111) plane peak by powder X-ray diffraction of greater than 250 Angstrom and equal to or less than 1000 Angstrom, particle diameter such that the average diameter of secondary particles is equal to or greater than 1 ?m and equal to or less than 500 ?m and that of primary particles forming the secondary particles is equal to or greater than 0.1 ?m and equal to or less than 10.0 ?m, and specific surface area of 5 m2/g or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dowa Electronics Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Tanoue, Yoshiyuki Shoji
  • Patent number: 7767336
    Abstract: There is provided an alkaline battery produced by sealing in an outer package body: a positive mixture containing at least one selected from manganese dioxide and a nickel oxide, a conducting agent, and an alkaline electrolytic solution (A) containing potassium hydroxide; a separator; and a negative mixture containing zinc alloy powder, a gelling agent, and an alkaline electrolytic solution (B) containing potassium hydroxide where a concentration of potassium hydroxide of the alkaline electrolytic solution (A) is 45 wt % or more, and a concentration of potassium hydroxide of the alkaline electrolytic solution (B) is 35 wt % or less. Because of this, an alkaline battery can be provided, which has desirable load characteristics, prevents the generation of gas, prevents a decrease in a storage property due to the reaction with an electrolytic solution, and has heat generation behavior suppressed at a time of occurrence of a short-circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Ito, Minajuro Ushijima, Shinichi Iwamoto, Tetsuo Izu