Abstract: This application proposes the use of rechargeable and replaceable zinc cartridges to expand cycle life and lifetime of nickel-zinc and silver-zinc batteries. Two types of possible battery cell assemblies are demonstrated: a battery that includes face-to-back arrangement of cells, and side-by-side linked flat batteries that can be used as wall mounted batteries. An improved composition of the replaceable zinc electrode is suggested.

Abstract: The three electrode zinc-air cell with replaceable and rechargeable zinc anode has been improved to increase battery performance. The electroactive composition of the replaceable zinc anode includes expanded graphite and a conjugated polymer, and the sizes of zinc particles are in the range 30nm-5000nm. The current collector of the zinc anode includes alloys of lead, bismuth or indium. The replaceable zinc cartridge can be used with a metal-air battery to produce electricity, and a hydrogen-on-demand system to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: This invention proposes metal complexes of polyphenylenediamines as the precursors of carbonized materials used as the air electrode catalysts. Method of production includes mixing phenylenediamine monomer with a catalyst carrier in a solvent, and adding an oxidant with metal salt to produce a metal complex of polyphenylenediamine. After drying the precursor is heat treated in the temperature range 400 C.°-1000 C.° in nitrogen. Then the catalyst is leached and heat treated once again. In a modified procedure the heat treatment is carried out in air while leaching and subsequent thermal treatment are eliminated. The catalyst has demonstrated high performance and stability as the component of the air electrode of a metal-air battery.

Abstract: The electrochemical regeneration of a replaceable metal electrode of a metal-air battery takes place in a supplementary electrochemical cell with a chemical agent oxidized on the counter electrode. The decrease of the regeneration voltage at the supplementary electrochemical cell results in the growth of the regeneration efficiency. The creation of a commercial product during chemical agent oxidation on the counter electrode decreases the overall cost of the regeneration. Possible chemical agents for regeneration include salts, metal complexes, monomers, conjugated organic molecules, oligomers or polymers.