Abstract: A spirally-wound electrochemical cell having a resilient member such as a resilient pad or a wave spring disposed between the spirally-wound electrode and separator assembly and at least one of the end walls for resiliently dissipating mechanical forces acting to otherwise cause axial movements of the spirally-wound assembly.

Abstract: A method of improving the structural integrity of the binder and polymeric matrix components of electrochemical cell precursors by employing polymer blends comprising fluoropolymers is provided. The method forms porous polymeric structures that enhances the mass transport of ions in the cell which results in improved electrochemical performance. Films or webs of electrochemical cell precursors comprising the fluoropolymer blends are flexible which enhances processability.

Abstract: A method of increasing the amount of alkali metal that is available during charge/discharge of an electrochemical cell that employs carbon based intercalation anodes is provided. The method comprises of prealkaliation of the carbon anode. By subjecting the anode carbon to the prealkaliation process prior to packaging the electrochemical cell, substantially all the alkali metal (e.g., lithium) which is originally present in the cathode will be available for migration between the anode and cathode during charge/discharge.

Abstract: This invention provides a lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous material which is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the carbonaceous material has a region of amorphous carbon structure and a region of graphite structure, and the carbonaceous material has a true density of 1.8 g/cm.sup.3 or more and a peak in powder X-ray diffraction which corresponds to not more than 0.340 nm in an interplanar spacing d.sub.002 derived from (002) reflection.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) includes first and second electrodes (12) and (14) with an electrolyte system (26) disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes a polymeric support structure through which is dispersed an electrolyte active species in an organic solvent. The solvent, which remains liquid to low temperatures, is a binary or higher order system comprising diethyl carbonate and one or more of propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, dipropylcarbonate, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a wheel shaped, molded plastic seal member of a unitary construction which includes a central cylindrical hub from which depend in outward radial sequence, an annular pressure vent, a boss, a downward projecting skirt, an annular flexure means for providing radial movement and an outer rim terminating at its periphery in a cylindrical wall. The pressure vent includes a thin membrane ring depending from the hub which joins the hub to an annular diaphragm. A hinge ring joins the periphery of the diaphragm to the boss. The seal member is designed so that the membrane ring fails primarily in shear at excessive cell pressure which makes the vent more reliable and easier to fabricate.

Abstract: The efficacy of a passivating layer in a rechargeable lithium ion cell is increased by heating the charged cell and storing the charged cell for a pre-determined period of time.

Abstract: A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. Alternatively, the thermally responsive mechanism may include a meltable mass of material which melts when exposed to elevated temperature to break an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. The end cap assembly may also include integrated therein a pressure responsive current interrupt mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-supporting joining element for planar high-temperature fuel cells for high-temperature electrolysis cells comprising the materialLa.sub.1+.delta. Mg.sub.x Al.sub.y Cr.sub.1-x-y O.sub.3.+-..epsilon.wherein 0.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.0.1;0.02.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.0;0.1.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.25; and0.ltoreq..epsilon..ltoreq.0.1.

Abstract: The invention provides a new positive electrode active material having increased capacity and a method for operating an electrochemical lithium cell or battery which has the new positive electrode active material composition. The positive electrode comprises first and second lithium-containing active materials which are different from one another. The invention provides the ability to overcome first cycle inefficiency typically observed when using a single lithium-containing metal chalcogenide by adding a small amount of a second lithium-containing metal chalcogenide, preferably lithium copper oxide.

Abstract: As a nickel electrode for alkaline storage batteries, an electrode plate comprising a plurality of electroconductive substrates and a plurality of active material layers which are alternately laminated and integrated is used, whereby mutual electric conductivity of the active material and the electroconductive substrate in the direction of thickness is increased, and active material utilization, discharge voltage characteristics as batteries and charge-discharge repetition life are improved. The nickel electrode comprises a plurality of electrode leaves each of which comprises an electroconductive substrate coated with an active material and which are laminated and integrated so that the electroconductive substrate and the active material layer are alternated with each other, a plurality of said electroconductive substrates being electrically and mechanically connected through a part of the respective electroconductive substrates, said electroconductive substrate having a thickness of 5-60 .mu.

Abstract: Heavy-load discharge characteristics of a primary battery are improved. Alternatively, the high-rate discharge characteristics of a secondary battery are improved. This is accomplished by employing manganese oxides as the positive active material on which a surface modified layer is formed. The surface modified layer consists of an oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, cobalt, nickel, strontium, lanthanum and its compound added mainly with a compound made of manganese oxide on the surface of manganese oxide powder consisting of manganese dioxide or a complex oxide of manganese and lithium. This is accomplished by using a solution of salt of at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, cobalt, nickel, strontium, and lanthanum to which a manganese salt and a solution, to which a solution of manganese salt are added.

Abstract: A nickel positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery having an improved utilization is disclosed. It comprises a nickel hydroxide powder and a cobalt hydroxide powder, wherein the cobalt hydroxide powder has a specific surface area of 10 m.sup.2 /g or larger and a particle diameter of one-half or less of that of the nickel hydroxide powder. A nickel-metal hydroxide storage battery having this nickel positive electrode is also disclosed.

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: Non-aqueous solid electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing intercalation based carbon anodes comprising graphitized microbead carbon particles. When employed in a lithium electrochemical cell sufficient cathode material is employed to intercalate the anode active material to attain a specific electrode capacity of greater than about 372 mAh/g. The electrochemical cell has a cycle life of greater than 200 cycles, and has a first cycle capacity loss of only about 10% to 15%.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, the positive electrode being such that it is a composition of an alkali or alkaline earth salt of a sulphur oxy-acid and a transition metal oxide, and the electrolyte being such that it is a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a soluble salt of the alkali or alkaline earth metal dissolved in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin dense electrolyte for a SOFC is described.

Abstract: Internal shorting of large capacity multi-layer type nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cells is minimized by inclusion of heat resistant porous film layers adjacent thermally fusible resin microporous films disposed between negative electrodes and positive electrodes in an electrode assembly and between adjacent electrode assemblies stacked together to provide an electrode stack. The heat resistant porous film layers may be organic or inorganic temperature resistant sheet materials exhibiting heat resistance to temperatures of at least about 600.degree. C.

Abstract: A non-liquid proton conductor membrane for use in an electrochemical system, under ambient conditions, the electrochemical system comprising (a) an anode plate; (b) a cathode plate; and (c) a non-liquid proton conductor membrane interposed between the anode plate and cathode plate, such that an electrical contact is formed between the anode plate and cathode plate via the non-liquid proton conductor membrane and ions flow therebetween, the non-liquid proton conductor membrane including (i) a matrix polymer dissolvable in a first solvent; (ii) an acidic multimer dissolvable in the first solvent; wherein, the matrix polymer is selected such that when the non-liquid proton conductor membrane is contacted with a second solvent, the non-liquid proton conductor membrane swells and as a result the electrical contact improves.

Abstract: A method for removing plasticizers such dibutyl phthalate from the anode, cathode, and polymeric matrix components of an electrochemical cell precursor using an extraction solvent and ultrasound waves is provided.