Abstract: A battery that generates a gas during charge or discharge contains a two-stage vent system including a rigid case permeable to the gas such as ethyl celluose which is permeable to hydrogen gas disposed in an expandable envelope impermeable to the gas such as metallized plastic film. The gas permeates the walls of the case and expands the envelope. The gas is vented from the envelope through a porous plug such as microporous polyethylene sealed into the film.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of making metallic fibers and electrodes. The metallic fibers are manufactured by milling a stock piece of material, preferably with a computer number controlled (CNC) milling machine. According to one embodiment, the length of the fibers is determined by the width of the stock material and stock material may be stacked so as to produce a number of fibers. According to another embodiment, the cutting tool comprises chip breakers which determine the length of the fibers. Zinc fibers made according to the present invention may be used to manufacture battery electrodes by compressing the fibers into the desired shape and porosity.

Abstract: An anode comprises one or more sheets of expanded zinc mesh. The thickness and mesh size of the expanded zinc mesh may vary. A single sheet of zinc mesh may be coiled, forming continuous electrical contact with itself. Alternatively, a single sheet of zinc mesh may be folded into layers, each layer in electrical contact with its adjacent layers. A third alternative is the use of two or more sheets of zinc mesh, layered on top of each other so that each layer is in electrical contact with adjacent layers. These zinc mesh anodes are combined with a casing, a cathode, an electrolyte solution, and a separator between the cathode and anode to manufacture electrochemical cells.

Abstract: An anode paste material for use in zinc-based batteries that is designed to reduce zinc ion diffusion and resultant electrode shape change as well as zinc dendrite formation while optionally allowing for hydrogen permeability through the matrix comprising a regenerated cellulose film containing domains of hydrogen permeable polymer, particles of zinc and zinc oxide surrounded by hydrocarbon beads.

Abstract: A bullet, bullet jacket, and method of making the bullet and bullet jacket. The bullet jacket comprises a predominantly copper outer shell and a predominantly zinc lining. The bullet comprises the bullet jacket and a bullet core. The bullet jacket is made by forming a predominantly copper sheet and a predominantly zinc sheet. The two sheets are then adhered to one another by cladding or roll bonding, and shaped such that they can fully encase a bullet core. The bullet is then made by using conventional means to seat and enclose the bullet core within the bullet jacket of the present invention.

Abstract: A battery separator containing cellulose and an insoluble inorganic salt of copper ions when placed in a zinc-based battery, minimizes zinc dendrite formation to extend battery cycle life.

Abstract: A battery separator for use in a zinc-based battery containing sulfide ions is employed to minimize copper ion diffusion into the electrodes by placing a regenerated cellulose separator next to the copper-containing layer containing low solubility sulfide salts and precipitating the copper ions.

Abstract: A battery charging method and system, the battery charging method comprising: charging at least one battery at a first voltage for a first time duration; charging the batteries at a second voltage for a second time duration; determining state of charge of the batteries at the end of the second time duration; if the batteries are not substantially fully charged at the end of the second time duration, the total charging time is evaluated to determine if the batteries have been charged for a time duration greater than or equal to a third time duration, and if the total charging time has not exceeded or is not equal to the third time duration, charging the batteries at the first voltage for the first time duration and charging the batteries at the second voltage for the second time duration is repeated; if the batteries are substantially fully charged at the end of the second time duration, battery charging is ceased; or if the total charging time has exceeded or is equal to the third time duration at the end of

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising one or more zinc ionophores for protecting tissue from the harmful effects of apoptosis in patients in need thereof. Concentrations of zinc-pyrithione and diethyldithiocarbamate in the picomolar to nanomolar range have a strong protective effect against apoptosis.

Abstract: A battery case for a battery containing swellable cellulose separators including case members having opposed undulating mating surfaces and a rim and groove sized to space the surfaces a predetermined distance apart to form a gripping channel such that the outer portion of a stack of dry separators occupies at least 80% but no more than 98% of said channel. On injecting liquid electrolyte into the case, the separators swell and are securely gripped by said undulations and mating surface.

Abstract: A bullet, bullet jacket, and method of making the bullet and bullet jacket. The bullet jacket comprises a predominantly copper outer shell and a predominantly zinc lining. The bullet comprises the bullet jacket and a bullet core. The bullet jacket is made by forming a predominantly copper sheet and a predominantly zinc sheet. The two sheets are then adhered to one another by cladding or roll bonding, and shaped such that they can fully encase a bullet core. The bullet is then made by using conventional means to seat and enclose the bullet core within the bullet jacket of the present invention.

Abstract: A bullet, bullet jacket, and method of making the bullet and bullet jacket. The bullet jacket comprises a predominantly copper outer shell and a predominantly zinc lining. The bullet comprises the bullet jacket and a bullet core. The bullet jacket is made by forming a predominantly copper sheet and a predominantly zinc sheet. The two sheets are then adhered to one another by cladding or roll bonding, and shaped such that they can fully encase a bullet core. The bullet is then made by using conventional means to seat and enclose the bullet core within the bullet jacket of the present invention.

Abstract: A cathode plate particularly adapted for zinc and copper electro-winning and refining includes a panel of aluminum having a top and two opposed side edges, a sloped plastic shield along the top and plastic ribbons along the side. A head bar with two hooks is welded on the top of the plate. The top plastic molding and the side edge ribbons are manufactured simultaneously by a specially devised injection machine. When the cathode plates are immersed into the electrolyte, the top plastic shield keeps the zinc deposit level uniform and prevents the top portion and the liquid contact area of cathode plates from corrosion by acid mist generated during electrochemical reactions. The sloped lower part of top plastic shield facilitates inserting a stripping knife between the zinc deposit and the cathode plate.

Abstract: A battery charging method and system, the battery charging method comprising: charging at least one battery at a first voltage for a first time duration; determining state of charge of the batteries at the end of the first time duration; if the batteries are substantially fully charged at the end of the first time duration, charging the batteries at the first voltage for a second time duration, and charging the batteries at a second voltage for a third duration of time; if the batteries are substantially fully depleted at the end of the first time duration, charging the batteries at the first voltage for an alternate second time duration, and charging the batteries at the second voltage for an alternate third duration of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising one or more zinc ionophores for blocking apoptosis in patients in need thereof. Concentrations of zinc-pyrithione and diethyldithiocarbamate in the picomolar to nanomolar range have a strong protective effect against apoptosis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a third electrode for use in a metal-air tricell comprising a support structure coated with a layer of a lanthanum nickel compound and at least one metal mixture, wherein the mixture is adhered to the support structure without the use of an adhesive. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a metal-air tricell comprising: an air electrode; a metal electrode; and a third electrode, wherein the third electrode comprises a support structure coated with a mixture of a lanthanum nickel compound and at least one metal, wherein the mixture is adhered to the support structure without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: A composite metal laminate coin planchet comprises commercially pure aluminum cladding layers metallurgically bonded to a zinc alloy core. The zinc alloy core may contain a hardening agent, such as copper or titanium, used to increase the hardness of the alloy above that of pure zinc. Trace amounts of other elements may also be present in the zinc alloy core or in the commercially pure aluminum cladding layers which do not affect their pertinent properties. The coin planchet is produced by a process comprising providing a strip or sheet of a zinc alloy core and creating a strip or sheet of composite material by metallurgically bonding commercially pure aluminum cladding layers to the zinc alloy. The coin planchets are then removed from the strip or sheet of composite material, and the remaining composite material is heated above its melting point to produce a zinc-aluminum alloy useful in die-casting.

Abstract: A process for non-continuous galvanization of a metal object with a Zn—Al alloy including the steps of pre-coating the object with a metallic layer of sufficient thickness to protect the object from oxidation and yet sufficiently thin to permit the pre-coating to substantially completely react with or dissolve in the molten Zn—Al bath, subjecting the precoated object to a surface activation treatment by immersing it in hydrochloric acid and thereafter allowing the surface to dry with a protective coating of a chloride salt, and thereafter immersing the object in the Zn—Al bath.

Abstract: A device for removing dross from the surface of the molten metal and for extracting usable elemental metal from the dross. The device comprises a container in which the dross is collected, a means for lifting the container out of the molten bath of metal and an agitating means for chopping the dross to separate the elemental metal from the particles of metal oxides contained in the dross. Preferably, the container has perforations therein such that the elemental metal may drain through the perforations and back into the molten bath. The remaining dross is then dumped in a recycle bin by the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast charging of batteries such as lead acid batteries is provided. A repeatedly pulsed current is applied to the battery to enable a determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage to be reached where the determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage is below that at which unacceptable gassing will occur. The determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage is above that of a known average resistance free pulsed voltage for the battery type. When the determined maximum pulsed voltage is reached the pulsed current is continued to be applied to maintain the resistance free maximum pulsed voltage at approximately the determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage by at least one of: (I) reducing the amplitude of the pulsed charging current, (II) increasing the OFF-time of pulses of the pulsed charging current, (III) decreasing the ON-time of pulses of the pulsed charging current, (IV) a combination of any two or more of (I), (II) or (III).