Abstract: An improved rechargeable lithium battery is described comprising a transition metal compound as cathode active material and carbonaceous particles as anode active material, having prior intercalated lithium ions in the carbonaceous particles in the anode of the assembled lithium battery, thereby reducing the weight of the cathode active material required. The rechargeable lithium battery has increased energy density per unit weight and per unit volume.

Abstract: An alkaline storage battery configured with an improved nickel positive electrode plate having a high capacity density and a high utilization of the active material is disclosed. The nickel positive electrode plate comprises a porous metal plaque, a first layer of nickel hydroxide loaded in close proximity to inner surfaces of pores of the porous metal plaque, and a second layer of nickel hydroxide loaded over the first layer. The nickel hydroxide in the second layer has a larger particle diameter than that in the first layer, and the amount of the nickel hydroxide in the second layer occupies a majority of the total amount of the active material filled in the positive electrode.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery includes a compartmented case and a polarity of electrochemically lead-acid cells serially connected via respective positive and negative terminals. Each cell includes planar positive and negative plates and resides in one compartment of the case. The battery further includes an electrochemically inactive cell serially connected with the electrochemically active cells and being intermediately disposed respecting the electrochemically active cells. Plates of the inactive cell preferably have connecting lugs extending therefrom which align with corresponding connecting lugs of the positive and negative plates of the active cells. Rigid homogeneous foam separates the inactive cell plates from one another and fills the inactive cell compartment thereby providing support for the inactive cell plates.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery is made of LiNi.sub.1-x-y-z Co.sub.x Mn.sub.y Al.sub.z O.sub.2, in which x, y and z satisfy relations of 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.3, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.25, 0<z.ltoreq.0.15.

Abstract: A novel method of preparing a spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compound with low lattice distortion and a highly ordered and homogeneous structure for 4 V secondary lithium and lithium ion cells is provided. The method of preparing the spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compound comprises providing a spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4 intercalation compound having a lithium to manganese mole ratio of between about 1.02:2 and 1.1:2 and firing the spinel at different temperature ranges with corresponding gas flow rates to form the spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compounds. The spinel Li.sub.1+X Mn.sub.2-X O.sub.4+Y intercalation compounds have a mean X value of between about 0.01 and 0.05, a mean Y value of between about -0.02 and 0.04 and a full width at half maximum of the x-ray diffraction peaks at a diffraction angle 2.theta. of planes (400) and (440) using CuK.alpha..sub.1 rays of between about 0.08.degree. and 0.13.degree.. The spinel Li.sub.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell 10 includes first and second electrodes 12 and 14 with an electrolyte system 26 disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes at least a multilayered first polymeric region 28, having second layers 30 and 32, of a second polymer material. The second layers may absorb an electrolyte active species and to adhere the adjacent layer of electrode material to the electrolyte 26. The electrolyte system further includes a process for packaging and curing the electrolyte after it has been incorporated into a discrete battery device.

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: A high temperature rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided, comprising a housing divided by a pair of concentric separator tubes into two anode compartments each containing molten alkali metal active anode material, the alkali metal in each anode compartment being electronically connected to the alkali metal in the other anode compartment, and a cathode compartment sandwiched between the anode compartments. The cathode compartment contains cathode material comprising a porous electrolyte-permeable electronically conductive matrix with a charged state in which it has a transition metal halide active cathode material dispersed therein, the matrix being impregnated with molten salt electrolyte. The cell comprises a cathode current collector tube located between the separator tubes, so that an inner part of the cathode is located between the smaller separator tube and the current collector tube, an outer part of the cathode being located between the current collector tube and the larger separator tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a fuel gas comprises a reformer for steam reforming of methanol supplied from a methanol tank, and a methanol-removing means for removing unreacted methanol contained in the fuel gas delivered from the reformer. The fuel gas, from which the unreacted methanol is effectively removed, can be supplied to a fuel cell assembly. Accordingly, no unreacted methanol remains in the fuel gas to be supplied to an anode of the fuel cell. Thus the power generation performance can be effectively maintained.

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: A battery which comprises a first electrode and a counter electrode which forms an electrochemical couple with the first electrode, and an electrolyte. The first electrode comprises graphite particles and the electrolyte comprises a solvent mixture and a solute. The solvent mixture comprises vinylene carbonate (VC) or substituted derivatives thereof and propylene carbonate (PC).

Abstract: A miniature galvanic cell employing a cover-gasket assembly in which the gasket component occupies less than 8% of the internal volume of the cell and a process for producing the galvanic cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sealed battery having a large capacity by using a thin safety valve device so as to increase a volume of a cell element. The sealed battery has a high safety owing to the thin safety valve device having an elastic valve element comprising an ethylene-propylene elastomer and thermoplastic resin particles dispersed in the ethylene-propylene elastomer. The elastic valve element is produced by mixing thermoplastic resin particles with an ethylene-propylene elastomer material, molding the mixture into a predetermined shape and, at the same time, crosslinking the ethylene-propylene elastomer material.

Abstract: A multi-stage arrangement for the electrolyte material in a SOFC electrochemical power system. Multiple stages may be arranged in series, and each stage contains electrolyte elements which are constructed of a different material from the elements in previous and subsequent stages. A fuel gas admitted to the power system flows serially through each stage and is then exhausted from the power system. Upstream stages contain electrolyte elements made from an electrolyte material having low ion conductivity and high resistance. Subsequent stages contain electrolytes having progressively higher conductivity and progressively lower resistance. The fuel exhaust from an upstream stage is fed to the next downstream stage until the gas is exhausted from the final stage in the power system. Each stage operates at a progressively lower temperature than the previous stage. In a three-stage embodiment, a first stage has ZrO.sub.2, electrolyte material, a second stage has CeO.sub.2, and a third stage has Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: An improved non-sintered type nickel positive electrode comprising a nickel hydroxide powder as an active material and a cobalt hydroxide powder for improving the utilization of the active material, and an alkaline storage battery configured with the positive electrode are disclosed. In the non-sintered type nickel positive electrode, at least part of the surfaces of the particles of the cobalt hydroxide powder is covered with a stabilizing agent of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a higher carboxylic acid, an ester of carboxylic acid, an aldehyde, a phenol and a vitamin.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolytic secondary battery is formed by winding a thin-film positive electrode, a thin-film negative electrode, and a thin-film separator. A cap is arranged at the distal end portion of a pole bored through the cap and interposed between a nut and a disk-like portion of the pole through a ceramic washer being in contact with the nut and a ceramic patch being in contact with the disk-like portion. The ceramic washer and the ceramic patch consist of alumina or zirconia. For a bolt for interposing a bus bar or a conductive line to fix the bus bar or the conductive line, a female screw portion formed in the pole is arranged in a space of a spindle.

Abstract: A composition comprising (a) catalytically-active particles, (b) an organic compound having a pKa of at least about 18 and a basicity parameter, .beta., of less than 0.66, and (c) a polymeric binder. Also described is a process for preparing a membrane/electrode assembly, which comprises the sequential steps of (i) applying a layer of the composition of the invention to a solid polymer electrolyte, a carbon fiber paper, or a release substrate; (ii) heating the composition under conditions sufficient to volatilize at least 95 percent of component (b); and (iii) positioning the composition in contact with the solid polymer electrolyte, if the composition was not applied directly to the solid polymer electrolyte, forming the membrane/electrode assembly thereby.

Abstract: A battery core winding apparatus for winding into an electrochemical cell, a plurality of flexible strip members comprising a first conducting flexible electrode having a first leading edge, a second conducting flexible electrode having a second leading edge, and a separator, includes a first elongate feeder bed and a second elongate feeder bed longitudinally disposed from the first feeder bed. A winding cavity is formed between the feeder beds. A first arbor half having a first flat surface and a first curvilinear winding surface is rotatingly supported within the winding cavity substantially midway between the first and the second feeder beds, and a second arbor half having a second flat surface and a second curvilinear winding surface is rotatingly supported within the winding cavity such that the second flat surface faces the first flat surface and the first and second flat surfaces are interspaced to form a slot.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a separator plate for a molten carbonate fuel cell and separator plate made by the method. The separator plate comprises Ni-clad stainless steel. Aluminum is brought onto the wet seal area of the separator plate by high-velocity oxygen flame spraying. In addition, an intermetallic phase of the aluminum and the base metal is produced. The base metal can be both stainless steel or nickel.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided with an overvoltage switch (12) and an overvoltage control circuit (14). The overvoltage control circuit causes the overvoltage switch to open, thus disconnecting the battery from a charger, upon the battery voltage reaching a first predetermined level when charged by a charger not designed to charge a lithium ion battery. However, when the battery is connected to an appropriately designed charger, the battery receives an input signal through an input terminal (24) which causes the overvoltage control circuit to open the overvoltage switch at a higher second predetermined level, should the appropriately designed charger fail to enter voltage regulation when the battery voltage reaches the first predetermined level.