Abstract: A miniature galvanic cell employing a cell housing comprising a beaded cup, wherein the bead is disposed at the vicinity of the open end of the cup, and a low profile can and gasket assembly are used so that effectively the majority of the cross-section thickness of the vertical portion of the cell is attributed to only the thickness of the wall of the cup so that maximum internal volume of the cell is reserved for the active components. A process for producing the novel housing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery having an array of rectangular cells with cylindrical ends housed in a rectangular battery container and a battery having a single rectangular electrochemical cell with a cylindrical end. Each cell has a rectangular section substantially housing the active cell materials and a cylindrical end with a round cover/seal assembly assembled thereto.

Abstract: The battery testing circuit of the present invention preferably includes a substrate, a display printed on the substrate for displaying a level of discharge of a battery, a display driver circuit coupled to the display and to the battery for receiving power from the battery to drive the display, and a battery discharge level sensing circuit coupled to the display and to the battery for sensing a discharge level of the battery and for supplying a display signal representing the sensed discharge level to the display. At least one of the circuits is printed on the substrate using processable conductive polymer materials as ink layers. Preferably, the battery discharge level sensing circuit component continuously senses the discharge level and the display continuously displays the discharge level. The display is preferably a field-responsive liquid crystal display made of either polymer liquid crystal or polymer dispersed liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display of the present invention includes a first electrode provided on a substrate, a first liquid crystal layer provided on and in contact with the first electrode, a second electrode provided on and in contact with the first liquid crystal layer, a second liquid crystal layer provided on and in contact with the second electrode, and a third electrode provided on and in contact with the second liquid crystal layer. The display may further include a third liquid crystal layer provided on and in contact with the third electrode, and a fourth electrode provided on and in contact with a third liquid crystal layer. By reducing the thickness of the liquid crystal layers relative to a conventional liquid crystal display, and by providing a plurality of liquid crystal layers, the voltage level required to cause the liquid crystal display to change visual states is substantially reduced without affecting the degree of visual change exhibited by the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Assembly of an electrochemical cell using a prismatic steel can having an enlarged circular opening at one end. The active materials of this cell including the cathode are disposed into the prismatic can through the circular opening, and the circular opening is subsequently reduced in size to a round reduced size opening. A round cover and seal assembly closes the opening of the cell.

Abstract: A process for reducing the surface of a metal oxide substrate, such as silver oxide, to form a layer of its metal, such as silver, on the metal oxide substrate by contacting the substrate with a plasma gas excited by a plasma generator.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a large anode-to-cathode interface area which achieves low current density to provide high cell efficiency. The electrochemical cell includes a can containing a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode has an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the interior walls of the can and further has a non-cylindrical cavity provided therein. The second electrode is disposed within the non-cylindrical cavity of the first electrode. The first and second electrodes provide an interface area that varies along the length of the cell. A separator is disposed between the first and second electrodes and a cover and seal assembly is assembled to an open top end of the can.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed that includes a cell housing and a spiral-wound electrode assembly including wound alternating layers of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. The electrochemical cell further includes a destruction control mechanism provided proximate an interior surface of the cell housing for piercing a portion of the separator layer to create an internal short circuit between outermost layers of the positive and negative electrodes of the spiral-wound electrode assembly when an excessive force is applied to the destruction control mechanism. The destruction control mechanism preferably includes burrs formed on the trailing end of the negative electrode that protrude toward the positive electrode so as to penetrate through the adjacent separator layer to create an internal short circuit when excessive force is applied to the burrs.

Abstract: A miniature galvanic cell employing a cup-insulating member-current collector assembly, preferably a plastic insulating member and low surface area current collector, to prevent or minimize the formation of gases, such as hydrogen, on the current collector member. A process for producing such a cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A miniature galvanic cell tube employing a cup-tube assembly, preferably a shrunk tube, in which the tube occupies a minimum volume so that the internal volume of the cell can be maximized to contain the acting components of this cell and a process for producing the galvanic cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a cell housing containing active components of the cell and having an inner cover and vent passage provided in the inner cover. A vent with a seal member is force-fitted within the vent passage. A current interrupt contact is provided on an outer cover and facing the seal member for providing electrical contact between the outer cover and a current path of the cell. Upon reaching a predetermined internal cell pressure, the seal member is forcibly released from the vent passage and, at the same time, forcibly engages the current interrupt contact to interrupt the flow of current from within the cell to the outer cover.

Abstract: A method of degreasing an anode cup used in a zero-mercury, zinc air electrochemical cell involves contacting the anode cup with an aqueous detersive system containing one or more surfactants and which is subjected to an ultrasonic field. After being immersed in the detersive system for a suitable period of time, the anode cups are rinsed, preferably in an ultrasonic field, and dried. The resulting anode cups have lower levels of impurities, and lower levels of oxygen atoms on the surface, which provide a more hydrophobic surface containing lower levels of water and hydroxyl groups. Zinc air cells prepared from the anode cups degreased in accordance with the method of this invention exhibit less hydrogen gassing and improved performance characteristics.

Abstract: A cathode for use in an electrochemical cell having an anode and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a manganese dioxide active material and a titanate additive which includes at least one of SrTiO.sub.3 or CoTiO.sub.3. The cathode of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in an electrochemical cell having a zinc anode and an alkaline electrolyte.