Abstract: Provided is a novel lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode including a compound capable of occluding and discharging lithium, a negative electrode composed mainly of a carbon material which includes a graphite as an only or as a principal component, a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an electrolyte solution of an electrolyte solute dissolved in a solvent including at least one specific cyclic compound.The lithium secondary battery has a large capacity, small self-discharge rate and excellent cycle characteristics and high charge-discharge efficiency.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell including an anode and cathode assembly with the anode connected electrically to a conductive cell casing and an insulated cathode conductor extending through a lid at an end of the casing and connected to a cathode lead near the lid and with a first insulating component for insulating the casing from cell components therein and extending along and within the casing from a closed end thereof toward the lid, and which is characterized by a second insulating component for insulating the lid from components in the casing and extending along within the lid and toward the first insulating bag so as to prevent a short circuit between the lid or casing and the cathode assembly caused by formation of lithium clusters in the region between the lid or casing and the cathode connector.

Abstract: A treating fluid is in contact with a negative electrode containing lithium of a lithium cell under a first condition to react a surface portion of the negative electrode, and a treating fluid is in contact with lithium existing inside an article formed on the surface of the above-described negative electrode under a second condition. The cells can be effectively treated under safety condition to collect either the valuable substances, or the cell constructive components.

Abstract: At step S21, a residual amount judging section of abattery residual amount display circuit measures a battery voltage. If a mode transition is detected at step S22, the process returns to step S21 without executing the subsequent steps. If it is judged at step S23 that the operation mode is a reception-waiting mode, the process goes to step S24, where the battery amount judging section judges a battery residual amount by comparing the detected battery voltage with threshold values. If the operation mode is judged to be a transmission mode, the battery residual amount judging section determines a voltage drop during a transmission at step S25, and converts the voltage drop into a battery voltage of a reception waiting mode at step S26 by subtracting the voltage drop from a batter voltage obtained in a reception waiting mode immediately before the mode transition.

Abstract: A battery sealing structure is provided, which can provide an excellent seal for a battery. The sealing structure has an explosion-proof function and contributes to improved battery assembling operation efficiency. A three-part stack, including a cap member (3), a PTC element (4) and a safety valve (5), is inserted in a gasket (8). The safety valve has the same outer diameter as the cap member (3) and has a breakable portions capable of being broken in the event of an increase of pressure in the battery. The gasket (8), made of a soft synthetic resin, is inserted in a battery housing (2). The stack is set on an upper surface of a stepped portion (8a) of the gasket such that its outer edge is in close contact with the inner periphery of the gasket.

Abstract: A battery container for use with battery packs of different types having two terminals on one side, comprising a casing for accommodating at least one battery pack; the container has on its outer side two screw terminals for power take-off, and on its inner side two associated contacts electrically connected to the terminals, which contacts are arranged for electrical connection with the respective terminals of one or more battery packs when placed inside the casing in any one of at least two possible orientations.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary cell comprises a plurality of single cells composed of a collector comprising positive electrodes composed of a metallic material coated with a positive electrode active substance; negative electrodes composed of a metallic material coated with a negative electrode active substance; separators interposed between the positive and negative electrodes; lugs of the metallic materials where the active substance is not coated; and conductors adapted to bunch and clamp the lugs of the positive and negative electrodes separately, the positive and negative electrodes being assembled in laminate alternatively, and the ends of the lugs of the positive and negative electrodes being welded to the respective conductors separately so that electric current can be taken out through the conductors.

Abstract: Conditioning secondary lithium ion cells at elevated temperatures above ambient reduces the time required to complete this process and produces cells and batteries which demonstrate improved electrochemical performance. Conditioning includes subjecting an electrochemical cell to at least one full charge/discharge cycle whereby gases generated and removed before the cell is sealed and ready for use.

Abstract: In a lithium ion secondary battery having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, non-aqueous electrolyte, and a container sealing the electrodes anrd electrolyte therein, the positive electrode is formed of a positive electrode active material which is produced by electrochemically intercalating lithium ions into lithium manganese oxide in the container to give a positive electrode active material precursor comprising lithium manganese oxide of which lithium ion contents are increased, and then releasing lithium ions from the positive electrode active material precursor in the container, and the negative electrode is formed of a negative electrode active material which is produced by intercalating the released lithium ions into a negative electrode active material precursor of a metal oxide in the container.

Abstract: A quick charge battery with thermal management is described which includes a thermoelectric generator disposed within the cells of the battery to supply thermal energy to the battery. The thermoelectric cell is capable of heating the battery to a minimum temperature level when current is supplied in a first direction and capable of cooling the battery when the current is supplied in a second direction. The thermoelectric cell functions to cool the cell and thereby minimizes thermal build-up produced by rapid charging of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of preparing an electrode for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell which comprises applying a suspension liquid containing a catalyst and ion exchange resin or a catalyst, Ion exchange resin and hydrophobic resin to an electrode substrate, and forming a catalyst layer by drying, sintering the substrate under pressure characterized in that a high boiling point solvent which cannot be removed during the drying procedure is added to the suspension liquid. In this process, the high boiling point solvent such as glycerin and n-butanol which is not removed during the drying step is present in the pressurizing and sintering steps so that the situation of the catalyst layer is maintained constant scarcely influenced by the conditions of the said steps. The above solvent imparts pertinent softness to the ion exchange resin so as not to fill the pores for gas diffusion in the catalyst layer and to sufficiently bond the pieces of the ion exchange having the role of conducting H.sup.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided having a first electrode, such as a cathode, and a plurality of second electrodes, such as anodes, provided in a cell container. A plurality of cavities are formed within the cathode. A separator and anode are disposed within each of said cavities, and a current collector electrically connects the anodes together. According to one embodiment, a plurality of cylindrical anodes are provided. According to a second embodiment, a plurality of semi-cylindrical anodes are disclosed.

Abstract: A battery system and method of operation are shown. The battery system utilizes a microparticle fuel slurry containing microparticle spheres surrounded by active electrochemical material. In the operation of the battery system, the microparticle spheres are attracted to battery-cell electrode plates and held there by a magnetic field. The core of the microparticle spheres and battery-cell electrode plates may be permanently magnetic or ferromagnetic in nature. The magnetic field may originate from permanently magnetic materials or be induced using magnetic field windings or the like. The battery system may be recharged by replacing spent microparticle fuel slurry with unspent slurry. In some applications, such as when used to power an electro-motive vehicle, a reserve of unspent microparticle fuel slurry may be stored on-board the vehicle and used to periodically replace spent microparticle fuel slurry during operation.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gas-permeable, hydrophilic, graphite fuel cell electrode for use in conjunction with an ionomer membrane. The fuel cell electrode includes a roughened, interstitial graphite surface enclosing micropores, upon which is deposited a catalyst for contacting an ionomer membrane. The graphite electrode has a thickness of about 40 microns.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gas-permeable, hydrophilic, graphite fuel cell electrode for use in conjunction with an ionomer membrane. The fuel cell electrode includes a first graphite portion enclosing micropores and mesopores, terminating in a first surface for contacting fuel or oxidant. The electrode also includes a second graphite portion enclosing micropores, adjacent and integral to the first portion. The second portion terminates in a second surface, opposing the first surface, for contacting fuel or oxidant. The electrode also includes a catalyst layer which is deposited onto the second surface.

Abstract: A layered sintered body for an electrochemical cell which is a planar-type layered sintered body composed of an electrode and a separator stacked thereon, wherein a plurality of gas flow passages are formed by coupling grooves formed on the electrode and the separator. Even when this electrochemical cell is subjected to repetition of a cooling-heating cycle, an increase of internal resistance on and around the boundary between the separator and electrode can be restrained and layer separation and development of cracks at the joint boundary can be prevented.

Abstract: A water replenishment plug for batteries containing a liquid electrolyte has a push-in plug housing (11) which is made complementary at the outside to an upper battery housing opening. Furthermore, a water chamber (13) is provided at the push-in plug housing (11) at the top and has a water supply opening (15) closeable by the valve (14) and at least one flow connection to the region of the push-in plug housing (11) which, after the insertion into a battery housing opening, communicates with the interior of the battery. Furthermore, at least one tube stub (16) is provided onto which a water supply hose can be placed and which stands in flow connection (17) with the valve inlet (18). A float (19) which projects out of the push-in plug housing (11) at the bottom is connected via a float rod (20) and a cross-piece (21) provided at its upper end region to the valve body (22) which has a valve stem (27) and cooperates with a valve seat (15) at the valve housing (24).

Abstract: Improved fuel cell stacks constructed from a plurality of cells, each comprising a series of interrelated mono and bipolar collector plates (BSPs), which in turn are built up by lamination of a core of related non-conductiveplastic orceramic platelets sandwiched between conductive microscreen platelets of metal or conductive ceramic or plastic, with an electrode membrane (EMA) between adjacent BSPs. The platelets, both metal and plastic of the composite BSPs, are produced from sheet material with through and depth features formed by etching, pressing, stamping, casting, embossing and the like. Adjacent plates, each with correspondingly relieved features form serpentine channels within the resultant monolithic platelet/cell stack for integrated fluid and thermal management. The plastic platelets are particularly useful for PEM fuel cells employing H.sub.2 and Air/O.sub.2 as fuel. The platelets are easily made by printing (embossing) processes, and dies made by photolithographic etching for rapid redesign.

Abstract: The invention relates to a PEM fuel cell comprising at least one strip meane (8) which itself comprises at least 2, and a maximum of 10,000-surfaced individual cells each comprising an electrode layer (10-12, 13-15) applied on both sides of a membrane made of a polymeric solid electrolyte, the individual cells being incorporated in series and being made of plates (21, 22) of non-conductive material, which serve as heat exchangers and as fuel gas supply device, which are contacted on both sides on the strip membrane (8, 16) and separate outwardly-directed conductive structures (23, 24) for voltage derivation.

Abstract: Fuel cell stacks comprising stacked separator/membrane electrode assembly cells in which the separators comprise a series of stacked thin sheet platelets having individually configured serpentine micro-channel reactant gas humidification, active area and cooling fields therein. The individual platelets are stacked with coordinate features precisely aligned in contact with adjacent platelets and bonded to form a monolithic separator. Post bonding processing includes passivation, such as nitriding. Preferred platelet material is 4-25 mil Ti in which the features, serpentine channels, tabs, lands, vias, manifolds and holes, are formed by chemical or laser etching, cutting, pressing or embossing, with combinations of depth and through-etching being preferred. The platelet manufacturing process is continuous and fast. By employing CAD based platelet design and photolithography, rapid change in feature design to accommodate a wide range of thermal management and humidification techniques. 100 cell H.sub.2 --O.sub.