Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enhance the electrical conductivity between active electrode materials, enhance the electrical conductivity between an active electrode material and an electrical conduction assistant agent, and enhance the conductivity between the active electrode material and a current collecting material. This invention is related in principle to a conductor-mixed active electrode material which is processed by stirring and mixing an active electrode material and a conductive material together with hard balls, an electrode structure utilizing this conductor-mixed active electrode material, a rechargeable battery, and a method of fabricating the conductor-mixed active electrode material.

Abstract: A method of balancing a state of charge (SOC) of a plurality of cells connected in series, including identifying an undercharged cell from the plurality of cells to charge, electrically connecting a positive side of the undercharged cell to a positive bus, electrically connecting a negative side of the undercharged cell to a negative bus, electrically connecting an inductor to a voltage source during a first time period; electrically disconnecting the inductor from the voltage source in response to an elapse of the first time period, and maintaining the disconnection of the inductor from the plurality of cells for a second time period corresponding generally to the time for the inductor to discharge energy to the undercharged cell.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of the present invention is used for the high-rate deposition of materials, such as carbon, silicon, metals, metal oxides, and the like, onto a metal substrate defined by a metal tape. The particles of the material are mixed with fluid and are injected against the metal tape at high pressure and high velocity. The particles of the material form a current collection surface of the metal tape. The metal tape is used as cathode or anode combined with a separator to form a fuel cell of a secondary battery, metal-ceramic membranes, film composite metal-ceramic materials for electronic devices.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of the present invention is used for the high-rate deposition of materials, such as carbon, silicon, metals, metal oxides, and the like, onto a metal substrate defined by a metal tape. The particles of the material are mixed with fluid and are injected against the metal tape at a high pressure and high velocity. The particles of the material form a current collection surface of the metal tape. The metal tape is used as cathode or anode combined with a separator to form a fuel cell of a secondary battery, metal-ceramic membranes, film composite metal-ceramic materials for electronic devices.

Abstract: An electrode, e.g. a negative electrode, for a lithium-ion battery cell is made from a carbonaceous material, such as a carbon paper, which is lithiated by direct contact with a piece of lithium metal in an atmosphere comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. A method of making the electrode comprises the step of contacting tightly the carbonaceous material with the piece of lithium metal in the atmosphere. The method further comprises the step of storing the carbonaceous material and the piece of lithium metal in the atmosphere, and optionally, in an electrolyte, for a period of time sufficient to completely lithiate the carbonaceous material. A lithium-ion battery cell comprises the negative electrode, a positive electrode comprising oxides of a transition metal, and a non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying a surface of a lithium electrode, e.g. a negative lithium electrode, for a battery cell. The method comprises the step of applying a thin layer of a carbonaceous material onto the surface of the lithium electrode. The method further comprises the step of applying a pressure to the thin layer and to the surface to promote tight contact between the surface and the thin layer. The method further comprises the step of storing the thin layer and the lithium electrode in an atmosphere comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) gas for a period of time sufficient to significantly lithiate carbon of the carbonaceous material into an intercalation compound having the formula LixC6. A battery cell, e.g. a secondary (rechargeable) battery cell, comprises the lithium electrode made by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving gas or gases in liquid fuel to improve combustion of the liquid fuel when injected into a combustion chamber is provided. A gas-charger unit is provided to dissolve the gas into liquid fuel at a first pressure. The pressure of the fuel/gas solution is raised to a second pressure before injection of the atomized fuel into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a high pressure gas or gasses is/are introduced into the gas charger at a crosscurrent to the liquid fuel. In another embodiment, a gas charger for dissolving gas into a liquid fuel is provided including a plurality of highly porous baffles to increase the contact surfaces between the gas and the liquid.

Abstract: A recirculating reagent fuel-cell includes an ion-exchange membrane interposed between an anode and cathode anode to form a membrane/electrode assembly (MEA), the MEA interposed between a fuel gas diffusion layer and an oxidant gas diffusion layer. An oxidant and fuel flow network are provided having an input portion for supplying reagent and an output portion for removing reagent after electrochemical reaction. At least one of the oxidant flow network and fuel flow network includes a recirculation loop, the recirculation loop feeding back a portion of the fuel or oxidant after electrochemical reaction to their respective input portion. The fuel flow network can include a water vapor condenser to extract water from the cathodes in proportion to the external load on the fuel cell stack and the fuel flow network can include an evaporator, where water is fed to the evaporator in the fuel loop from the condenser in the oxidant feed loop.