Hydrogen Storage Material Is Active Material Patents (Class 429/218.2)
  • Patent number: 8551655
    Abstract: Disclosed are a negative active material for a secondary lithium battery and a secondary lithium battery including the same. The negative active material for a secondary lithium battery includes an amorphous silicon-based compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. SiAxHy??Chemical Formula 1 In Chemical Formula 1, A is at least one element selected from C, N, or a combination thereof, 0<x, 0<y, and 0.1?x+y?1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumihito Ishida, Hee-Joong Kim, Hyun-Uk Jo, Deok-Hyun Kim, Jong-Ki Lee, Seok-Gyun Woo
  • Patent number: 8541135
    Abstract: The invention is an electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte within a cell housing having one or more ports for the passage of a gas to or from the catalytic electrode and a process for making the cell. The catalytic electrode includes a catalytic layer, containing a catalytic material, and a porous current collector, at least partially embedded in the catalytic layer. The current collector includes a substrate with an electrically conductive metal layer, in contact with the catalytic material on the side of the current collector facing the ports, and a coating including electrically conductive particles, in contact with the catalytic layer on the side facing the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Co, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne B. Bennett, Jingdong Guo
  • Publication number: 20130202964
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy wherein elution of Co, Mn, Al, and the like elements into an alkaline electrolyte is inhibited, an anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery employing the alloy, and a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery having the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SANTOKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Otsuki, Hiroki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8501349
    Abstract: An energy storage device (100) providing high storage densities via hydrogen storage. The device (100) includes a counter electrode (110), a storage electrode (130), and an ion conducting membrane (120) positioned between the counter electrode (110) and the storage electrode (130). The counter electrode (110) is formed of one or more materials with an affinity for hydrogen and includes an exchange matrix for elements/materials selected from the non-noble materials that have an affinity for hydrogen. The storage electrode (130) is loaded with hydrogen such as atomic or mono-hydrogen that is adsorbed by a hydrogen storage material such that the hydrogen (132, 134) may be stored with low chemical bonding. The hydrogen storage material is typically formed of a lightweight material such as carbon or boron with a network of passage-ways or intercalants for storing and conducting mono-hydrogen, protons, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Lin Jay Simpson
  • Patent number: 8481210
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ishida, Yoshifumi Magari, Shigekazu Yasuoka
  • Patent number: 8475958
    Abstract: A nickel hydrogen storage battery is provided which includes an electrode assembly formed by winding spirally a strip-like negative electrode (4) and a strip-like positive electrode with a separator interposed therebetween, the strip-like negative electrode (4) having a mixture layer containing a hydrogen storage alloy disposed on a core material. The electrode assembly is contained in a bottomed cylindrical container such that the negative electrode (4) forms the outermost peripheral portion. A portion corresponding to an outermost peripheral portion (5) of the negative electrode is a thin portion, and the thin portion is bent in advance in the winding direction of the electrode assembly to form an arc shape. In this manner, when the spirally wound electrode assembly is configured, the outermost peripheral portion of the negative electrode is prevented from peeling from the electrode assembly, and thus the insertability into the bottomed cylindrical container is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Okawa, Tsuneyoshi Murakami, Kenichi Aoki, Hiroyuki Usui, Kimihiro Imamura
  • Publication number: 20130157132
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy is provided which has an extremely low Co content, and can maintain the drain (power) performance (especially pulse discharge characteristics), activity (degree of activity), and life performance at high levels. The hydrogen storage alloy is manufactured by weighing and mixing every material for the hydrogen storage alloy so as to provide an alloy composition represented by the general formula MmNiaMnbAlcCod or MmNiaMnbAlcCodFee, and controlling the manufacturing method and manufacturing conditions so that both the a-axis length and the c-axis length of the crystal lattice are in a predetermined range. Although it is sufficient if the a-axis length of the crystal lattice is 499 pm or more and the c-axis length is 405 pm or more, by further specifying the a-axis length and c-axis length depending on the values of ABx, a hydrogen storage alloy having high durability can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUI MINING & SMELTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MITSUI MINING & SMELTING CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130136983
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen absorbing alloy particles including a matrix phase and a plurality of segregation phases, the matrix phase including an alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure, the alloy including nickel (Ni) and 1 to 5 mass % of cobalt (Co); and the segregation phases including a magnetic material mainly composed of Ni and having an average particle diameter of 1 to 5 nm. A content of the segregation phases is preferably 0.05 to 0.5 mass %. Also, each of the segregation phases is preferably formed of a cluster of minute particles of the magnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyoko Nakatsuji, Susumu Kikuyama, Masumi Katsumoto, Yoshitaka Dansui
  • Publication number: 20130108924
    Abstract: An anode material for use in a metal secondary battery contains MgH2, and a metal catalyst which is in contact with the MgH2 and improves the reversibility of a conversion reaction. The metal secondary battery includes a cathode active material layer, an anode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer that is formed between the cathode active material layer and the anode active material layer, and the anode active material layer contains the anode material. A method for the production of an anode material for use in a metal secondary battery includes a contacting step of contacting MgH2 with a metal catalyst which improves the reversibility of a conversion reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Nakayama, Tomoya Matsunaga, Kunihiro Nobuhara, Makio Kon
  • Patent number: 8409753
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery in which an actual reaction area is not reduced after increasing a reaction area is provided. A hydrogen storage alloy negative electrode 11 of an alkaline storage battery 10 of the present invention is formed in a strip form including a long axis and a short axis, in which the ratio (A/B) of a length A (cm) of the long axis to a length B (cm) of the short axis is 20 or more and 30 or less (20?A/B?30), and the ratio (X/Y) of an electrolyte volume X (g) retained in the hydrogen storage alloy negative electrode 11 to an electrolyte volume Y (g) retained in a separator 13 is 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less (0.8?X/Y?1.1). With this arrangement, an alkaline storage battery with high output characteristics and long-term durability performance is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Yoshida, Yoshinobu Katayama, Kazuaki Tamura, Teruhito Nagae
  • Patent number: 8389159
    Abstract: A nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery has a closed-end tubular container containing a spiral-shaped electrode assembly formed by winding a negative a positive electrode with a separator interposed therebetween such that the outermost periphery of the assembly is the negative electrode which is formed by disposing on a conductive substrate a mixture layer containing a hydrogen-absorption alloy. The positive electrode employs nickel hydroxide as an active material. In the nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery, the surface roughness of the outermost peripheral portion of the mixture layer of the negative electrode which contacts an inner side wall of the closed-end tubular container is 3.5 ?M or more in terms of ten-point average roughness and is larger than the surface roughness of the other portion of the mixture layer. The reduction of oxygen gas during rapid charging is thereby facilitated without lowering the design capacity of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Okawa, Tsuneyoshi Murakami, Kenichi Aoki, Hiroyuki Usui
  • Patent number: 8377374
    Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy, which is used as a negative electrode material of nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries for hybrid electric vehicles, and particularly for batteries to drive electric motors of hybrid electric vehicles, is an AB5-type alloy having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and the general formula RNiaCobAlcMnd (R: mixture of rare earth metals), wherein 4.15?a?4.4, 0.15?b?0.35, 1?c/d?1.7, 5.25?a+b+c+d?5.45.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Chuo Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Kojima, Hiroyuki Ikeda, Satoru Furukawa, Kazutaka Sugiyama, Nobuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8357465
    Abstract: A button cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator arranged in a housing comprising a cell cup and a cell lid insulated from one another by a seal, wherein the negative electrode is tablet-shaped pressed body having a self-supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Varta Microbattery GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Pytlik, Arno Perner, Martin Krebs, Dejan Ilic
  • Patent number: 8343659
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing a phase of a Gd2Co7 type crystal structure, wherein the phase exists at a ratio of 10 weight % or higher in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy and yttrium is contained at a ratio of 2 mol % or more and 10 mol % or less in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: GS Yuasa International Ltd., National Insitute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ozaki, Tetsuo Sakai, Manabu Kanemoto, Tadashi Kakeya, Minoru Kuzuhara, Masaharu Watada
  • Patent number: 8343660
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen storage alloy which is characterized in that two or more crystal phases having different crystal structures are layered in a c-axis direction of the crystal structures. The hydrogen storage alloy is further characterized in that a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of a lattice constant a in the crystal structures of the laminated two or more crystal phases is 0.03 ? or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: GS Yuasa International Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tadashi Kakeya, Manabu Kanemoto, Minoru Kuzuhara, Tetsuya Ozaki, Masaharu Watada, Tetsuo Sakai
  • Publication number: 20120308890
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium ion rechargeable battery less suffering from swelling even when stored at high temperatures. Disclosed are a cathode active material, a cathode for a lithium ion rechargeable battery using the cathode active material, and a lithium ion rechargeable battery using the cathode. The cathode active material includes particles, each of the particles including a cathode material capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, and a film formed on at least part of surfaces of the particles. The film includes a compound represented by Chemical Formula (1). Examples of the compound represented by Chemical Formula (1) include lithium squarate and dilithium squarate. Preferably, the lithium ion rechargeable battery is a prismatic battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Yuki OKUDA, Norio IWAYASU, Hidetoshi HONBOU
  • Patent number: 8318349
    Abstract: A negative electrode active material for a nickel-metal hydride battery of the present invention includes a hydrogen storage alloy, the hydrogen storage alloy containing La, Mg, Ni, Co, Al, and element M. The molar ratio y of Ni to the total of La and Mg is 2?y?3, the molar ratio z of Co to the total of La and Mg is 0.25?z?0.75, the molar ratio ? of Al to the total of La and Mg is 0.01???0.05, and the molar ratio x of Mg to the total of La and Mg is 0.01?x?0.5. Element M represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Y and Sn, and the content of element M in the hydrogen storage alloy is 0.4 wt % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohyama, Kyoko Nakatsuji, Yoshitaka Dansui
  • Patent number: 8293419
    Abstract: In a method for preparing a hydrogen absorbing electrode, a hydrogen absorbing alloy which contains a rare earth element as an alloy constituent and a transition metal element is immersed in an aqueous alkaline solution so that the saturation mass susceptibility is 1.0 to 6.5 emu/g of the hydrogen absorbing alloy. The hydrogen absorbing alloy is mixed through the immersing step with an oxide or hydroxide of a rare earth element wherein the oxide or hydroxide has as a main component at least one element selected from the group consisting of Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. Then, a mixture of the hydrogen absorbing alloy and the oxide or hydroxide of the rare earth element is applied to form a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Bandou, Kouichi Sakamoto, Hiroaki Mori, Kazuya Okabe, Shuichi Izuchi
  • Patent number: 8257862
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alkaline storage battery comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator and an alkaline electrolyte solution in a package can. The negative electrode contains a hydrogen storage alloy represented by the following general formula: Ln1-xMgx(Ni1-yTy)z (wherein Ln represents at least one element selected from lanthanoid elements, Ca, Sr, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr and Hf; T represents at least one element selected from V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, In, Cu, Si, P and B; and 0<x?1, 0?y?0.5 and 2.5?z?4.5) as a negative electrode active material. In this alkaline storage battery, the hydrogen equilibrium pressure (P) is regulated to satisfy 0.02 MPa?P?0.11 MPa when the hydrogen amount stored in the hydrogen storage alloy (H/M (atomic ratio)) at 40° C. is 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Katayama, Shuhei Yoshida, Hiromasa Sugii, Yasuyuki Harada, Yoshihiro Masuda, Makoto Ochi, Masao Takee
  • Patent number: 8232003
    Abstract: A storage battery is provided comprising a positive electrode of lead, a negative electrode of palladium, and an electrolyte consisting of an aqueous solution of at least one sulfate salt. Upon charging, lead is converted to lead dioxide and atomic hydrogen is absorbed by the palladium. During discharge, lead dioxide is reduced to the plumbous state and hydrogen is oxidized to hydrogen ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: John E. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 8202650
    Abstract: A negative electrode material for a nickel-metal hydride battery containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy represented by a general formula: Mm1-aT1aNixAlyMnzCobT2c, in which: Mm is at least one of light rare earth elements; T1 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; T2 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sn, Cu and Fe; and 0.015?a?0.5, 2.5?x?4.5, 0.05?y+z?2, 0?b?0.6, 0?c?0.6 and 5.6?x+y+z+b+c?6 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohyama, Kyoko Nakatsuji, Susumu Kikuyama, Yoshitaka Dansui
  • Publication number: 20120126752
    Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride (hydrogen) hybrid storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a combination negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy electrode and a reversible hydrogen electrode, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a substantially non-porous ion conducting material wherein the alkali conducted is Na, K, or Li. A method of charging and discharging such a hybrid battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Howard Gordon, Sai Bhavaraja
  • Publication number: 20120122017
    Abstract: A power source and hydride reactor is provided that powers a power system comprising (i) a reaction cell for the catalysis of atomic hydrogen to form hydrinos, (ii) a chemical fuel mixture comprising at least two components chosen from: a source of catalyst or catalyst; a source of atomic hydrogen or atomic hydrogen; reactants to form the source of catalyst or catalyst and a source of atomic hydrogen or atomic hydrogen; one or more reactants to initiate the catalysis of atomic hydrogen; and a support to enable the catalysis, (iii) thermal systems for reversing an exchange reaction to thermally regenerate the fuel from the reaction products, (iv) a heat sink that accepts the heat from the power-producing reactions, and (v) a power conversion system. In an embodiment, the catalysis reaction is activated or initiated and propagated by one or more other chemical reactions such as a hydride-halide exchange reaction between a metal of the catalyst and another metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Randell L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20120100428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to particles, which are suited as electrode material for the negative electrode of a battery functioning according to the principle of nickel-metal hydride batteries. In order to increase the power density of such batteries, it is desirable to use relatively small particles for the electrode material. However, said particles are sensitive to air and frequently highly flammable. The invention therefore proposes to provide said particles with a coating made of an organically modified (hetero) silicic acid polycondensate. In the presence of the KOH electrolyte solution, said coating converts during operation into a gel electrolyte, which not only does not impede the passage of the ions necessary for the activity of the battery, but even facilitates it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foederung der angewand ten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Michael Popall, Birke-Elisabeth Olsowski, Sebastien Cochet
  • Patent number: 8159192
    Abstract: A method for charging a nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Howard Gordon, Sai Bhavaraju, John Joseph Watkins
  • Patent number: 8153308
    Abstract: An electrode includes a hydrogen storage material wherein the electrode has a discharge capacity of greater than about 200 mHh/g. The electrode may include an electrically conductive substrate; and a material capable of storing hydrogen on a surface thereof supported by the substrate. The hydrogen storage material is formed by contacting a powder composition with a first solution prior to electrode fabrication and by contacting the hydrogen storage material to a second solution subsequent to electrode fabrication; and the first solution comprises a first reducing agent and a first alkaline base, and the second solution comprises a second reducing agent and a second alkaline base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Qunjian Huang, Chang Wei, Tao Wang, Hai Yang
  • Patent number: 8137839
    Abstract: An electrode alloy powder includes a hydrogen storage alloy and magnetic material clusters. The hydrogen storage alloy contains 20 to 70 wt % of Ni. The magnetic material clusters contain metal nickel, and have an average cluster size of 8 to 10 nm. A method for producing the electrode alloy powder includes an activation step of allowing a raw material powder including a hydrogen storage alloy to be in contact with an aqueous solution containing A wt % of sodium hydroxide and held at 100° C. or greater for B minutes. A and B satisfy 2410?A×B?2800.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohyama, Kyoko Nakatsuji, Yoshitaka Dansui, Shinichi Orimo, Yuko Nakamori, Hai-Wen Li, Kazutaka Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8124281
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy used in a hydrogen storage alloy electrode 11 has a crystalline structure having a mixed phase made up of at least an A2B7 type structure and an A5B19 type structure, and a surface layer of hydrogen storage alloy particles is so formed as to have a nickel content ratio greater than that of a bulk. The ratio (X/Y) of the nickel content ratio X (% by mass) of the surface layer to the nickel content ratio Y (% by mass) of the bulk is greater than 1.0 but no more than 1.2 (1.0<X/Y?1.2). The gradient between the content ratio of the nickel in the surface layer of the hydrogen storage alloy particles and the content ratio of the nickel in the bulk is alleviated and a hydrogen storage alloy electrode with high output characteristics is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Yoshida, Kazuaki Tamura, Yoshinobu Katayama, Teruhito Nagae, Masao Takee
  • Patent number: 8119284
    Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride battery that reduces the amount of cobalt and improves battery durability. The battery includes a negative electrode formed from an AB5 hydrogen-absorbing alloy. The alloy includes an A element composed of Misch metal and a B element mainly composed of nickel. The nickel in the B element is partially replaced by at least one further element including cobalt. The alloy is formed to satisfy at least the conditions of a mol ratio of the B element relative to the A element being 5.25 or greater, the amount of cobalt for 1 mol of the A element being 0.15 mol to 0.25 mol, and the alloy having a half-width ratio, which indicates the ratio of a peak half-width of a (002) plane relative to a peak half-width of a (200) plane, of 1.3 to 1.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ito, Hiroyuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8105715
    Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy is provided that is represented by the general formula Ln1-xMgxNiyAz, where: Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Zr, Ti, and rare-earth elements including Y; A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, V, Cr, Nb, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, P, and B; and x, y, and z satisfy the following conditions 0.05?x?0.25, 0<z?1.5, and 2.8?y+z?4.0, wherein Ln contains 20 mole % or more of Sm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ishida, Yoshifumi Magari, Shigekazu Yasuoka
  • Patent number: 8101121
    Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy represented by the formula Ln1?xMgxNiy?aAla (where Ln is at least one element selected from rare earth elements, 0.05?x<0.20, 2.8?y?3.9 and 0.10?a?0.25) which is used for an alkaline storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yasuoka, Jun Ishida, Tetsuyuki Murata, Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120009473
    Abstract: Disclosed are a negative active material for a secondary lithium battery and a secondary lithium battery including the same. The negative active material for a secondary lithium battery includes an amorphous silicon-based compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. SiAxHy??Chemical Formula 1 In Chemical Formula 1, A is at least one element selected from C, N, or a combination thereof, 0<x, 0<y, and 0.1?x+y?1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumihito ISHIDA, Hee-Joong Kim, Hyun-Uk Jo, Deok-Hyun Kim, Jong-Ki Lee, Seok-Gyun Woo
  • Publication number: 20120003547
    Abstract: An electrode comprising a cast-film architecture wherein a silicon-based polymer precursor is cast on to a current collector directly from the liquid, and processed in-situ to create a high performance anode for lithium ion batteries. In this in-situ process the liquid polymer is cross-linked and pyrolyzed to create a cast-film-anode architecture. The cast-film architecture is distinctly different from the conventional powder-based ex-situ process whereby the polymer precursor is made into powders by a ex-situ process; with these powders being then combined with conducting agents and binders to create a paste which is screen printed on a current collector to produce electrode with a powder-anode architecture. The cast-film architecture obviates the need for conducting agents and binders, simplifying the production process for the anode, without a loss in performance. The energy capacity per unit volume of the anode material is two to ten times greater for the cast architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Rishi Raj
  • Patent number: 8071064
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations yield results consistent with the observed compound SiLi2Mg and provide likelihood of the availability of IrLi2Mg and RhLi2Mg. Similar calculations provide likelihood of the availability of YLi2MgHn, ZrLi2MgHn, NbLi2MgHn, MoLi2MgHn, TcLi2MgHn, RuLi2MgHn, RhLi2MgHn, LaLi2MgHn, Ce4+Li2MgHn, Ce3+Li2MgHn, PrLi2MgHn, NdLi2MgHn, PmLi2MgHn, SmLi2MgHn, EuLi2MgHn, GdLi2MgHn, TbLi2MgHn, DyLi2MgHn, HoLi2MgHn, ErLi2MgHn, TmLi2MgHn, YbLi2MgHn, LuLi2MgHn, HfLi2MgHn, TaLi2MgHn, ReLi2MgHn, OsLi2MgHn, and IrLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jan F. Herbst, Martin S. Meyer, James R. Salvador
  • Patent number: 8053111
    Abstract: A biplate assembly may include a biplate, a negative electrode and a positive electrode. A method for manufacturing the biplate assembly may involve selecting the size of the biplate and arranging the positive electrode, which is formed by a compressed first powder, to a first side of the biplate. The first powder contains positive active material. The method may also involve arranging the negative electrode, which is formed by a compressed second powder, to a carrier arranged within the biplate assembly. The second powder contains negative active material. The carrier may be a side opposite to the first side of the biplate. The biplate assembly may be implemented in a bipolar battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nilar International AB
    Inventors: Neil H. Puester, Lars Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 8053114
    Abstract: Low temperature discharge capability and high rate discharge capability are improved in an alkaline storage battery that uses as its negative electrode a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode employing hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles containing at least nickel and a rare-earth element. An alkaline storage battery uses as the negative electrode a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode employing hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles containing at least nickel and a rare-earth element. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles have a surface layer and an interior portion, the surface layer having a nickel content greater than that of the interior portion, and nickel particles having a particle size within a range of from 10 nm to 50 nm are present in the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Magari, Jun Ishida, Shigekazu Yasuoka
  • Publication number: 20110269009
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a battery which has a simple structure with good durability and can continue a cell reaction smoothly. Two vessels are connected with a hydrophobic ion-permeable separator 21 interposed therebetween. An electrolytic solution comprising an anode active material is filled in an anode vessel 22, and an electrolytic solution comprising a cathode active material is filled in a cathode vessel 23. An electrically conductive anode current collector 26 is in contact with the anode powdered active material in the anode vessel 22, and an electrically conductive cathode current collector 27 is in contact with the cathode powdered active material in the cathode vessel 23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Tsutsumi, Kazuya Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20110236753
    Abstract: A secondary battery to be provided includes an electrode including silicon or a silicon compound, and the electrode includes, for example, a current collector formed using metal and a silicon film as an active material provided over the current collector. The hydrogen concentration in the silicon film of the electrode may be higher than or equal to 1.0×1018 cm?3 and lower than or equal to 1.0×1021 cm?3. Such a silicon film is formed over a current collector by a plasma CVD method or the like for example, and hydrogen is contained as little as possible in the silicon film, which is preferable. In order to contain hydrogen as little as possible in the silicon film, the silicon film may be formed over the current collector under a high temperature environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutaka KURIKI, Tamae MORIWAKA
  • Patent number: 8026001
    Abstract: A lithium hydride activation method includes: a nitrification treatment process of reacting lithium hydride with a nitride and therefore forming a chemical compound layer stable to the nitride, on a surface of the lithium hydride; and a particle size reduction process of reducing a particle size of the lithium hydride provided with the chemical compound layer by a mechanical pulverization treatment after the nitrification treatment process is performed. A hydrogen generation method includes generating hydrogen by reacting ammonia with the lithium hydride activated by the activation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hiroshima University
    Inventors: Kyoichi Tange, Yoshitsugu Kojima, Takayuki Ichikawa, Chie Oomatsu, Satoshi Hino
  • Patent number: 8021606
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy containing a phase of a chemical composition defined by a general formula A5·xB1+xC24: wherein in the general formula A5·xB1+xC24, A denotes one or more element(s) selected from rare earth elements; B denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; C denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Si, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, and Hf; and x denotes a numeral in a range from ?0.1 to 0.8: and the phase has a crystal structure belonging to a space group of R-3m and having a length ratio of the c-axis to the a-axis of the lattice constant in a range of 11.5 to 12.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: GS Yuasa International Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ozaki, Tetsuo Sakai, Manabu Kanemoto, Minoru Kuzuhara, Tadashi Kakeya, Masaharu Watada
  • Patent number: 8012621
    Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Howard Gordon, Sai Bhavaraju
  • Publication number: 20110171527
    Abstract: An energy storage device (100) providing high storage densities via hydrogen storage. The device (100) includes a counter electrode (110), a storage electrode (130), and an ion conducting membrane (120) positioned between the counter electrode (110) and the storage electrode (130). The counter electrode (110) is formed of one or more materials with an affinity for hydrogen and includes an exchange matrix for elements/materials selected from the non-noble materials that have an affinity for hydrogen. The storage electrode (130) is loaded with hydrogen such as atomic or mono-hydrogen that is adsorbed by a hydrogen storage material such that the hydrogen (132, 134) may be stored with low chemical bonding. The hydrogen storage material is typically formed of a lightweight material such as carbon or boron with a network of passage-ways or intercalants for storing and conducting mono-hydrogen, protons, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Alliance for Substainable Energy LLC
    Inventor: Lin Jay Simpson
  • Publication number: 20110165460
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery has a positive electrode (1) containing a positive electrode active material having particles of lithium cobalt oxide, a negative electrode (2) containing a negative electrode active material having silicon particles, a separator interposed between the positive electrode (1) and the negative electrode (2), and a non-aqueous electrolyte. Particles of erbium hydroxide or erbium oxyhydroxide are adhered to a surface of the lithium cobalt oxide particles in a dispersed form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daizo Jito, Takeshi Ogasawara, Atsushi Fukui
  • Patent number: 7968071
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations provide the likelihood of the availability of AlLi2MgHn, ScLi2MgHn, TiLi2MgHn, VLi2MgHn, CrLi2MgHn, MnLi2MgHn, FeLi2MgHn, CoLi2MgHn, NiLi2MgHn, CuLi2MgHn, ZnLi2MgHn, GaLi2MgHn, GeLi2MgHn, PdLi2MgHn, AgLi2MgHn, CdLi2MgHn, InLi2MgHn, SnLi2MgHn, SbLi2MgHn, PtLi2MgHn, AuLi2MgHn, HgLi2MgHn, TlLi2MgHn, PbLi2MgHn, and BiLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jan F. Herbst
  • Publication number: 20110143202
    Abstract: A monolithic three-dimensional electrochemical energy storage system is provided on an aerogel or nanotube scaffold. An anode, separator, cathode, and cathodic current collector are deposited on the aerogel or nanotube scaffold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph C. Farmer, Michael Stadermann
  • Patent number: 7943255
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorption alloy electrode which comprises particles of a hydrogen-absorption alloy that comprises a rare earth element, Ni, Co and Al. The method comprises subjecting the hydrogen-absorption alloy particles to an alkaline treatment in a 10 to 50 weight % NaOH solution at 60 to 140° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours such that on the surface of the particles (amount of Al on surface/amount of Al in alloy)<(amount of Co on surface/amount of Co in alloy).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kojiro Ito, Shinichiro Ito, Hajime Seri, Shinichi Yuasa, Munehisa Ikoma
  • Patent number: 7897129
    Abstract: The present invention discloses new methods for synthesizing ammonia borane (NH3BH3, or AB). Ammonium borohydride (NH4BH4) is formed from the reaction of borohydride salts and ammonium salts in liquid ammonia. Ammonium borohydride is decomposed in an ether-based solvent that yields AB at a near quantitative yield. The AB product shows promise as a chemical hydrogen storage material for fuel cell powered applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: S. Thomas Autrey, David J. Heldebrant, John C. Linehan, Abhijeet J. Karkamkar, Feng Zheng
  • Publication number: 20110043038
    Abstract: To present an electric railway power-supply system not requiring vast area for installation, excellent in rapid charge-discharge characteristic, and low in manufacturing cost. At a substation 9 for electric railway having a transformer 3 for receiving power from an alternating-current power line 2, a rectifying device 4 connected to the transformer 3, and a feeder line 5 connected to the rectifying device 4, a nickel hydrogen battery 8 is provided as a direct-current supply facility, and the nickel hydrogen battery 8 is directly coupled to the feeder line 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Kazuo Tsutsumi, Takahiro Matsumura, Chiyoharu Tonda, Kazuya Nishimura, Fumiya Goto
  • Patent number: 7892678
    Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy powder includes an intermetallic compound having an AB5 type crystal structure and containing La for an A site element and Ni for a B site element. The powder contains La by 20 wt % or more and metallic Ni by from 2.0 wt % to 10 wt %, and acicular or grain shape precipitates containing La(OH)3 are deposited on a surface thereof. The powder has an intensity ratio P2/P1 satisfying a relation: P2/P1?0.02, where P1 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2?=42.5 deg and showing (111) face of LaNi5 and P2 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2?=15.8 deg and showing (100) face of La(OH)3 in the X-ray diffractometry using CuK? rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ito, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Shinichi Yuasa
  • Patent number: 7887944
    Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in a galvanic cell is provided. The galvanic cell may include a first electrode, a gel polymer adhesive electrolyte in contact with the first electrode, a polymer tri-phase electrolyte layer, a separator coupled between the gel polymer adhesive electrolyte and the polymer tri-phase electrolyte layer, and a second electrode in contact with the polymer tri-phase electrolyte. A method of making and using an electrode assembly for use in a galvanic cell is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hai Yang, Tao Wang, Chang Wei