Abstract: A positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. This material comprises particles of positive electrode material including at least one electrochemically active hydroxide and a substantially continuous, uniform, encapsulant layer surrounding the particles of positive electrode material. The encapsulant layer is formed from a material which, upon oxidation during processing or during charging of the electrode, is convertible to a highly conductive form, and which, upon subsequent discharge of the electrode, does not revert to its previous form. Preferably, the electrochemically active hydroxide includes at least nickel hydroxide. The encapsulant layer is preferably formed from at least cobalt hydroxide or cobalt oxyhydroxide. This layer is formed on the particles of positive electrode material by precipitation from a cobalt salt solution, which can be a cobalt sulfate solution. Also disclosed are positive electrodes including the material and a precipitation method of forming the material.

Abstract: A solid state battery comprising a substrate; at least one multilayered electrochemical cell deposited onto the substrate, each layer of the multilayered electrochemical cell composing: a layer of negative electrode material capable of electrochemically adsorbing and desorbing ions during charge and discharge; a layer of positive electrode material capable of electrochemically desorbing and adsorbing ions during charge and discharge; and a layer of insulating/conducting material disposed between the layer of positive electrode material and the layer of negative electrode material, where the layer of insulating/conducting material is electrically insulating and capable of readily conducting or transporting ions from the layer positive electrode material to the layer of negative electrode material while the battery is charging and from the layer of negative electrode material to the layer of positive electrode material while the battery is discharging; and an electrically conductive layer deposited a top the la

Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen storage material comprising:(Base Alloy).sub.a M.sub.bwhere, Base Alloy is an alloy of Mg and Ni in a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1, preferably 1:1; M represents at least one modifier element chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Mo, W, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Sn, Th, Si, Zn, Li, Cd, Na, Pb, La, Mm, and Ca; b is greater than 0.5, preferably 2.5, atomic percent and less than 30 atomic percent; and a+b=100 atomic percent. Preferably, the at least one modifier is chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, and Cu and the total mass of the at least one modifier element is less than 25 atomic percent of the final composition. Most preferably, the total mass of said at least one modifier element is less than 20 atomic percent of the final composition.

Abstract: A current collection system for photovoltaic cells. The collection system includes at least one conductive wire; and a plurality of conductive fibers or filaments in contact with the conductive wire and in contact with the photovoltaic cell. The fibers or filaments collect current generated by the photovoltaic cell and conduct the current to the conductive wire, which wire in turn collects current form all of the plurality of fibers or filaments and conducts the current to the major bus bars and terminals.the major bus bars and terminals.

Abstract: A sealed battery case comprising: a case of formable metal; a lid for the case, the lid having an annular shroud defining the periphery of at least one opening; at least one terminal having a sealing lip at its circumference; where the terminal is crimp sealed into said annular shroud. Also described is a method of attaching a terminal in a lid opening of a battery case; the opening having an opening and an annular shroud surrounding the opening. The annular shroud is of an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the opening and extending outward from the lid, and the terminal has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening and a sealing lip around its circumference. The sealing lip has a diameter in between the diameter of the opening and the diameter of the shroud; the method comprising the steps of: placing a seal of an insulating material; around the sealing lip; inserting the terminal into the shroud; and crimping the shroud around the seal.

Abstract: A multi-chambered deposition apparatus for depositing solid-state, thin-film battery materials onto substrate material. The apparatus minimally includes at least three distinct evacuable deposition chambers, which are physically interconnected in series. The first deposition chamber is adapted to deposit a layer of battery electrode material having a first polarity onto the substrate. The second deposition chamber is adapted to deposit a layer of solid-state electrolyte material onto the layer of battery electrode material deposited in the first chamber. The third deposition chamber is adapted to deposit a layer of battery electrode material having an opposite polarity from that deposited in the first chamber onto the solid-state electrolyte. The deposition chambers are interconnected by gas gates such that the substrate material is allowed to proceed from one deposition chamber to the next, while maintaining gaseous segregation between the chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus for the simultaneous plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition of thin film material onto an elongated web of substrate material at a plurality of discrete spatially separated deposition zones. In order to accomplish said simultaneous deposition, the web of substrate material is operatively positioned so as to assume a serpentine path of travel through a reduced pressure enclosure. By using an elongated linear applicator as a source of microwave energy, a high rate of uniform deposition of said thin film material over a plurality of large areas of the web of substrate material can be simultaneously achieved without heating of said web above the melting point thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the web of substrate material is formed of a low temperature, microwave transmissive synthetic plastic resin and the thin film material deposited thereupon forms a barrier coating for preventing oxygen diffusion therethrough.

Abstract: A disordered electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy comprising:(Base Alloy).sub.a Co.sub.b Mn.sub.c Al.sub.d Fe.sub.e Mo.sub.fwhere said Base Alloy comprises 0.1 to 60 atomic percent Ti, 0.1 to 25 atomic percent Zr, 0.1 to 60 atomic percent V, 0.1 to 57 atomic percent Ni, and 0.1 to 56 atomic percent Cr; b is 0 to 7 atomic percent; c is 4.5 to 8.5 atomic percent; d is 0. to 3 atomic percent; e is 0 to 2.5 atomic percent; f is 0 to 6.5 atomic percent; and a+b+c+d+e+f=100 atomic percent.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an electrically operated, directly overwritable, multibit, single-cell memory element. The memory element includes a volume of memory material which defines the single cell memory element. The memory material is characterized by: (1) a large dynamic range of electrical resistance values; and (2) the ability to be set at one of a plurality of resistance values within said dynamic range in response to selected electrical input signals so as to provide said single cell with multibit storage capabilities. The memory element also includes a pair of spacedly disposed contacts for supplying the electrical input signal to set the memory material to a selected resistance value within the dynamic range. At least a filamentary portion of the single cell memory element being setable, by the selected electrical signal to any resistance value in said dynamic range, regardless of the previous resistance value of said material.

Abstract: A rechargeable aqueous electrolyte lithium-hydrogen ion battery. The electrodes of the lithium-hydrogen battery electrode are formed from materials which reversibly intercalate both lithium and hydrogen ions. These materials can be represented by the general formula Li.sub.x H.sub.y (HOST), wherein HOST represents intercalation host matrices for said electrodes into which guest Li and H ions can be inserted, and x and y are the intercalation stoichiometries of lithium and hydrogen, respectively. Preferably, the intercalation host matrices of the electrodes are chosen from the group consisting of NiO.sub.2, CoO.sub.2, Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4, MnO.sub.2, VO.sub.2, V.sub.2 O.sub.5, TiS.sub.2, MoS.sub.2, MoO.sub.2, WO.sub.3, graphite, and electrochemical hydrogen storage metal alloy materials. Particularly useful combinations of host matrices are Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 with VO.sub.2 or an electrochemical hydrogen storage metal alloy material and NiO.sub.

Abstract: A high capacity, long cycle life positive electrode for use in an alkaline rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising: a solid solution nickel hydroxide material having a multiphase structure that comprises at least one polycrystalline .gamma.-phase including a polycrystalline .gamma.-phase unit cell comprising spacedly disposed plates with at least one chemical modifier incorporated around the plates, the plates having a range of stable intersheet distances corresponding to a 2.sup.+ oxidation state and a 3.5.sup.+, or greater, oxidation state; and at least one compositional modifier incorporated into the solid solution nickel hydroxide material to promote the multiphase structure.

Abstract: A positive electrode for use in alkaline rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising: a material comprising a compositionally and structurally disordered multiphase nickel hydroxide host matrix which includes at least one modifier chosen from the group consisting of F, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ba, Ln, Se, Nd, Pr, Y, Co, Zn, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sc, Sn, Sb, Te, Bi, Ru, and Pb.

Abstract: A rechargeable hydrogen storage cell comprising: a negative electrode having the composition:(Ovonic Base Alloy).sub.a M.sub.bwhere Ovonic Base Alloy represents an Ovonic alloy that contains 0.1 to 60 atomic percent Ti, 0.1 to 25 atomic percent Zr, 0.1 to 60 atomic percent V, 0.1 to 57 atomic percent Ni, and 0.1 to 56 atomic percent Cr, as described above; a is at least 70 atomic percent; M represents at least one modifier chosen from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Al, Fe, W, La, Mo, Cu, Mg, Ca, Nb, Si, and Hf; b is 0 to 30 atomic percent; b>0; and a+b=100 atomic percent; a positive electrode; and a separator of electrolyte retentive nylon or wettable polypropylene.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately measuring pressure within a rechargeable cell, the apparatus comprising: a frame, the frame including at least one cavity adapted to releasably seat a rechargeable cell; a fixed brace defining a first end of the at least one cavity; a movable brace defining the end of the at least one cavity opposite from the fixed brace, the movable brace including a hollow needle, the hollow needle having a pointed end which is operatively directed toward one end of a rechargeable cell disposed in the cavity, and means for sealing a point where the hollow needle is inserted into a rechargeable cell; a pressure transducer operatively connected with the hollow needle; and means for controllably moving the movable brace relative to the fixed brace, whereby the hollow needle is adapted for insertion into and removal from a rechargeable cell disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: A disordered electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy and electrochemical cells having a negative electrode comprising this alloy, where the alloy has the composition(Base Alloy).sub.a Co.sub.b Mn.sub.c Al.sub.d Fe.sub.e La.sub.f Mo.sub.gwhere Base Alloy represents a disordered multicomponent alloy having at least one structure selected from the group consisting of: amorphous; microcrystalline; polycrystalline, lacking long-range compositional order with three or more phases of said polycrystalline structure; and any combination of these structures; b is 0 to 7.5 atomic percent; c is 0.1 to 8.5 atomic percent; d is 0 to 2.5 atomic percent; e is 0.1 to 6.5 atomic percent; f is 0 to 4.5 atomic percent; g is 0 to 6.5 atomic percent; b+c+d+e+f+g>0; and a+b+c+d+e+f+g=100 atomic percent.

Abstract: A resealable, ventable hydrogen impermeable cover assembly for sealing a rechargeable, metal hydride hydrogen storage alloy electrochemical cell. The cover assembly includes, inter alia, a multilayered vent septum comprising at least one layer of a substantially hydrogen impermeable, highly compressible material and at least one layer of a high durometer hardness material exhibiting low pressure hysteresis.

Abstract: A thin film, fluorinated, ceramic defect-oxide type superconducting material grown on a substrate such as sapphire or stainless steel. The superconducting material is characterized by basal plane alignment of the unit cells thereof even though the substrate does not possess a perovskite-type lattice structure. A laser ablation technique is used to evaporate material from a fluorinated pellet of target material to deposit the fluorinated superconducing material on the substrate, which is heated during the deposition process. The instant invention provides for a low pressure and relatively low temperature method of depositing a superconducting film which is characterized by (1) a minimal number of high angle grain boundaries typically associated with polycrystalline films, and (2) aligned a, b, and c axes of the unit cells thereof so as to provide for enhanced current carrying capacities.