Abstract: Methods for producing hydrogen gas from organic substances. According to the methods, hydrogen is produced from an electrochemical reaction of an organic substance with water or a base. The instant methods permit the production of hydrogen at lower operating voltages or lower operating temperatures relative to water electrolysis. Operable organic substances include alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen gas is produced from an electrochemical reaction of methanol in the presence of a base such as NaOH or KOH.

Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.

Abstract: An inexpensive, highly catalytic material preferably formed by a leaching process. The catalyst comprises a finely divided metal particulate and a support. The active material may be a nickel and/or nickel nickel alloy particulate having a particle size less than about 100 Angstroms. The support may be one or more metal oxides.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle drive system comprising a combustion engine, an electric motor and at least one nickel metal hydride battery module forming a power source for providing electric power to the electric motor, the at least one nickel metal battery module having a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375?15E where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.

Abstract: An active electrode composition comprising an active electrode material and a binder where the binder comprises a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a pectin or a molasses. Preferably, the active electrode material is nickel hydroxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for making hydrogen storage powder by hydride comminution which includes a hydride reactor with at least one chamber for tumbling powder. An apparatus for making hydrogen storage powder by hydride comminution which includes a hydride reactor having multiple chambers linked to one another, wherein at least one chamber is for heating and at least one chamber is for cooling.

Abstract: A very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system which includes a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine, a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit, an electric motor, high specific power, high energy density nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and preferably a regenerative braking system. The nickel-metal hydride battery module preferably has a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375−15E, where P is greater than 600 watts/kilogram, where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having electrodes that are arranged in a zigzag configuration with folds and creases. Additional electrodes may be inserted within the folds of the zigzag configuration. Preferably, the electrochemical cell is a prismatic cell.

Abstract: A modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy. The electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy includes an oxide surface having metallic particles dispersed therein, wherein the particles are from 10-40 Angstroms in size.

Abstract: A multi-cell monoblock battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a battery case. The battery case includes one or more cell partitions which divide the interior of the case into a plurality of cell compartments that house the electrochemical cells. Preferably, one or more coolant channels are integrally formed with at least one of the cell partitions. The coolant channels may have inlets and outlets disposed in the walls of the battery case so as to provide a cross-flow cooling design.

Abstract: A slurry loading apparatus for automatically loading a slurry into a substrate. The apparatus includes a pasting head. The pasting head includes a cavity that fills with slurry creating a pressure that forces the slurry onto the surface of the substrate and into the voids of the substrate. The slurry loading apparatus may include a feedback control loop that controls the rate in which slurry is delivered to the pasting head.

Abstract: An active composition for an electrode of an electrochemical device. The active composition comprises an active electrode material, a carbon material, and a binder where the binder comprises an elastomeric polymer. Preferably, the active electrode material is nickel hydroxide, the carbon material is graphite and the elastomeric polymer is styrene-butadiene.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen gas from hydrocarbon and oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds. The process includes combining a hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon compound with a base to form a mixture that undergoes a reaction to produce hydrogen gas. The reaction mixture optionally includes water and/or a catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen production occurs from methanol in the liquid phase without the production of environment harmful by-product gases.

Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the electrode where each current cycle includes a forward pulse effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse pulse effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage battery with improved cycle life and a method for making the same. The battery has a negative electrode with an electrochemically active negative material and a negative electrode capacity and a positive electrode electrochemically coupled with the negative electrode, the positive electrode having a positive electrode capacity and an electrochemically active positive material with a precharge. Also described herein is a positive electrode material for a hydrogen storage battery and a method for making the same. The positive electrode material includes a preoxidized positive active material which is partially non-oxidized. The preoxidized material may be used to provide a precharge to the positive electrode.

Abstract: A method of activating a metal hydride electrode of an alkaline fuel cell. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the anode where each current cycle includes a forward current effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse current effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

Abstract: A method for making a composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material comprises a particle of positive electrode material and a nucleating particle at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.

Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy or a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method includes the step of contacting the hydrogen storage alloy or hydrogen storage alloy electrode with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide where the concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide is at least about 40 weight percent. The method produces a hydrogen storage alloy and hydrogen storage alloy electrode with increased surface area.

Abstract: A very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system which includes a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine, a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit, an electric motor, high specific power, high energy density nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and preferably a regenerative braking system. The nickel-metal hydride battery module preferably has a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375−15E, where P is greater than 600 Watts/kilogram, where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle drive system comprising a combustion engine, an electric motor and at least one nickel-metal hydride battery module forming a power source for providing electric power to the electric motor, the at least one nickel-metal hydride battery module having a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375−15E where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.