Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell or a capacitor is described wherein the electrode is produced by physical vapor depositing an electrode active material onto a substrate to coat the substrate. The thusly produced electrode is useful as a cathode in a primary electrochemical cell and as a cathode and an anode in a secondary cell, and as an electrode in an electrochemical capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: There are disclosed a powdery material comprising a hydrogen-storing compound comprising a core layer of a hydrogen-storing alloy coated with a transition metal oxide layer and having a transition metal dispersed and carried on the outermost surface thereof, an electrode member for alkali secondary cells using the powdery material comprising a hydrogen-storing compound, and a secondary cell using the electrode member as an electrode. With such an alkali secondary cell, a strong resistance to overcharge, a high charging and discharging efficiency and a long cycle life can be implemented.

Abstract: An on-board reforming system for a vehicle fuel cell having a pair of hydrogen purification units linked together. The first hydrogen purification unit generates a first hydrogen stream at a first pressure. The second hydrogen purification unit generates a second hydrogen stream at a second pressure. The first hydrogen stream is fed to a metal hydride storage bed for charging thereof. The hydrogen in the metal hydride storage bed is combined with the second hydrogen stream to feed the fuel cell.

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode is provided which is improved in hydrogen gas absorbing ability and in low-temperature discharge characteristics. The electrode contains a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a crystal structure of the CaCu5 type and represented by the stoichiometric ratio ABx, the hydrogen absorbing alloy being represented by MmNiaCobAlcMd wherein Mm is a misch metal, M is Mn and/or Cu, the atomic ratios a, b, c and d are in the respective ranges of 3.0≦a≦5.2, 0≦b≦1.2, 0.1≦c≦0.9, 0.1≦d≦0.8, wherein X is the sum of the atomic ratios a, b, c, and d, such that, X=a+b+c+d and, is in the range of 4.4≦X≦5.4. More specifically, the electrode contains a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder at least 5.0 in X, and a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder less than 5.0 in X.

Abstract: A removable tab for metal/air cell, particularly miniature zinc/air button cells which have a principal use as hearing aid batteries. The tab covers air holes in the surface of the cell. The tab has a stiff elongated member that has an extended portion which forms a handle for removing the tab from the cell in order to activate the cell. The tab also comprises a resilient material, preferably a polymeric foam. A portion of the resilient material is adhered to at least a portion of one side of the stiff elongated member and another portion of the resilient material is adhered to cover air holes in the cell surface. A polymeric film can be inserted between the foam and cell surface. The resilient material conforms better to the cell surface which can typically have curved, grooved or depressed regions in addition to the air holes. The resilient material provides more uniform adhesion of the tab to the cell surface with releasable pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembling machine for Ni-MH batteries and an assembly process thereof, more particularly, to an automated assembling machine for a negative electrode plate Ni-MH battery wherein the negative electrode plate for Ni-MH batteries can be made through an automated on-line production process so that cost, time, and reject rate of production thereof can be substantially reduced, and hence production efficiency can be maximized.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell which can stably generate electric power for long, because the cell is enabled to uniformly supply a fuel gas to all anodes by means of extended flow passages which are extended from anode-side flow passages and formed on a anode-side plate on the downstream side of the ends of the anodes in the direction of fuel gas flow, a water absorbing means for nearly uniformly performing water absorption, water retention, and drainage on all channels provided at the ends of the extended flow passages, and a selective gas discharging means for discharging a gas more selectively than water on the upstream side of the water absorbing means.

Abstract: A gasket for an electrochemical cell is formed of a styrenic polymer blend including a styrenic polymer and an impact modifying agent which increases the toughness of the styrenic polymer. The styrenic polymer based gasket has several advantages over conventional nylon gaskets, including better processability, and improved chemical resistance to alkaline medium.

Abstract: A non-aqueous secondary cell comprising a wound structure, in which a positive electrode having a positive collector carrying positive active material on both sides at least at a part of the collector and a negative electrode having a negative collector carrying a negative active material on both sides at least at a part of the collector are wound with inserting a separator inbetween, and a cell can for holding said electrodes, in which the electrode, which faces the can, consists of either electrode material, the outer side of the positive collector at least in the outermost part of the positive electrode has no coating film containing a positive active material, said outer most part of the positive collector faces the negative electrode or the inner wall of the cell can through the separator, and a lead member which is welded to the negative collector does not directly face the positive electrode through the separator.

Abstract: Provided is an AB5 type hydrogen absorbing alloy powder obtained by quenching a melt of a hydrogen absorbing alloy rapidly and subjecting the resulting hydrogen absorbing alloy to fracturing by absorbing hydrogen, wherein the particle size distribution of the hydrogen absorbing alloy powder is such that, when the frequencies of detection of various particle diameters are cumulatively added from smaller-diameter to larger-diameter particles, and the particle diameters corresponding to 10%, 50% and 90% of all particles are represented by D10, D50 and D90, respectively, the values of D10, D50 and D90 fall within the respective ranges defined by 4 &mgr;m≦D10≦14 &mgr;m, 17 &mgr;m≦D50≦37 &mgr;m, and 40 &mgr;m≦D90≦70 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A secondary battery which may be handled in a same way as conventional single cell, if the gas pressure within battery went unusually high the gas is immediately discharged outside, and bursting of the battery is prevented.

Abstract: A crosslinked solid polymer electrolyte is prepared by adding a reactive polyalkylene oxide and an inorganic lithium salt to a block-graft copolymer comprising first and second block chains, and subjecting the reactive polyalkylene oxide to crosslinking reaction. The crosslinked solid polymer electrolyte has a high ionic conductivity and can be readily formed into a tough film and is thus suited for use in large-size secondary batteries.

Abstract: A water management system reduces the problems with flooding and also enhances the flow of fuel gas to the anodes. Individual unit cells (20) in an array are separated by cell walls (24), the array is covered by a fuel manifold (36), and the manifold is arranged so that the individual unit cells have their own respective chambers. Each chamber is arranged so that the fuel gas flows from one chamber into another through an opening or vent (35) in the chamber wall. The opening contains a hydrophobic portion (38) that serves to urge liquid water that accumulates in the opening to migrate away.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The active material of the positive or negative electrode is tungsten complex sulfide, either with or without addition of lithium thereto. The tungsten complex sulfide contains tungsten, sulfur and at least one transition metal selected from Cu, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, and has substantially the same crystal structure as WS2.

Abstract: The use of a polymer mesh made of material that melts under thermal runaway helps improve the safety of an electrochemical device. The mesh material can increase the impedance of the battery during the thermal runaway and absorb some of the heat produced.

Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbing separator for lead-acid storage cells regulated by a valve, including a first glass fibre layer, a second glass fibre layer and a synthetic resin strip inserted between the first and second layers.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery is disclosed which is capable of realizing a sufficiently large space for accommodating a control circuit and preventing enlargement of the size thereof.

Abstract: A secondary battery according to the present invention includes a case for accommodating an electrode element therein and a conductive lid element for closing an open end of the case. A plurality of electrode terminals extend from the top and bottom of the electrode element. The plurality of electrode terminals extending from the top of the electrode element are electrically connected to one end of a collecting terminal with a metallic grommet. The other end of the collecting terminal is connected to the back of the lid element, and thus the plurality of electrode terminals are electrically connected to the lid element through the grommet and the collecting terminal.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition is featured that includes a solid, ionically conductive polymer, organically modified oxide particles that include organic groups covalently bonded to the oxide particles, and an alkali metal salt. The electrolyte composition is free of lithiated zeolite. The invention also features cells that incorporate the electrolyte composition.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte cell equipped with an anode made of a carbonaceous material capable of intercalating and deintercalating light metal ions and imparted with high capacity characteristics and favorable cyclic properties, wherein the carbonaceous material is obtained by irradiating the carbonaceous material, in a gaseous atmosphere, with an electron beam, accelerated in high vacuum.