Abstract: The battery cell holder securely holds a plurality of electrical cells in a battery pack. The battery cell holder comprises at least two separate types of layers that are bound to each other to form opposing faces. The first layer is made of a material that absorbs aqueous solutions, particularly liquid electrolyte solutions used in metal-air cells, and preferably contacts an outward facing portion of each battery cell in the battery pack. This material acts to limit the spread of leaking electrolyte solution so that the electrolyte solution cannot spread to other cells and cause electrical short circuits between the cells in the battery pack. The second layer is made of a material that is light, flexible, inexpensive, electrically non-conductive and impermeable to liquids. The latter prevents seepage of absorbed electrolyte from the casing. The holder may be made of inexpensive materials and avoid a need for complete encapsulation of the cells.

Abstract: A method of producing a mercury-free corrosion resistant dendritic zinc alloy powder is provided. According to the method an electrolytic cell is prepared that contains an aqueous alkaline electrolyte with a preselected concentration of dissolved zinc cations and optionally the cations of one or more soluble inhibitor metals. The cell also contains a non-zinc adherent cathode, a first anode, and a second anode. The second anode comprises an inhibitor metal, the salts of which are only sparingly soluble in the alkaline electrolyte. For example, the second anode may comprise a minor anode of indium or bismuth interposed between the first or major anode and the cathode. A first voltage between the first anode and cathode is then applied to establish a desired cathode current density and the deposition of dendritic zinc and optional soluble inhibitor metals on the cathode.

Abstract: The invention provides enhanced performance zinc for use in the negative element of zinc batteries and cells, comprising a mixture of thermally generated zinc particles and particles of electrochemically produced zinc, said particles of electrochemically produced zinc being present in a parts by weight ratio of at least 1:500 relative to said thermally generated zinc.