Abstract: A thin-film rechargeable battery includes a cathode film; including a lithium transition metal oxide, an electrolyte film coupled to the cathode film, the electrolyte film being substantially nonreactive with oxidizing materials and with metallic lithium, an anode current collector coupled to the electrolyte film; and an overlying layer coupled to the anode current collector. The thin-film rechargeable battery is activated during an initial charge by electrochemical plating of a metallic lithium anode between the anode current collector and the electrolyte film. The plating of the anode during charging and the stripping of the anode layer during discharging are essentially reversible. Therefore, almost no diminishment of discharge capacity occurs, even after many discharge and charge cycles. Other advantages include no need for special packaging for shipping and handling.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, and an associated process, wherein the cell includes a controlled electrode surface comprising an electrode with a metallic current collector having a surface, an electrolyte and a reduced additive. The invention further includes a passivating layer at the interface between the metallic current collector and the electrolyte. The passivating layer includes the reduced additive. This passivating layer substantially precludes contact between electrolyte solvent and surface of the metallic current collector to, in turn, substantially prevent gas formation within the cell, which would otherwise result from decomposition of the solvent upon contact with the surface of the metallic current collector. Also, the reduced additive will likewise be substantially precluded from generating a gas upon its decomposition.

Abstract: An air-managing system for metal-air battery includes resealable septum and one or more hollow needles. The septum separates air pathway into two segments. One segment is from air cathodes of the battery to the septum and the other is from the septum to the outside air. The needles provide conduits to connect two segments. The septum re-closes its torn portion when the needles are removed. Also disclosed is a reusable air manager including a fan and such needles. The air manager can be coupled to a disposable cell pack which has a septum that can be pierced by the needles.

Abstract: Electrodes are manufactured using a fire-retardant solvent and a polymerizable monomer. Electrodes according to the present invention are contemplated to find applicability in substantially any electrode containing device, including batteries. A preferred class of fire-retardant solvents includes solvents that generate a fire-retardant gas upon decomposition. One subclass includes compositions that produce carbon dioxide upon decomposition. Other subclasses include species that generate non-CO2 gases upon decomposition, such as CO, SO2, SO3, NO, N2O, NO2, or N2. A second preferred class of fire-retardant solvents include solvents that are fire-retardant without generating a fire-retardant gas upon decomposition, and are electrochemically inactive. Subclasses here include the many phosphates, phosphazenes, borates, siloxanes, fluorinated carbonates and fluorinated ethers that are already known to be included in a fire-retardant electrolyte.

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 encompasses battery electrolytes and batteries. In one aspect, the invention encompasses a battery electrolyte which includes the lithium salts, LiN(CF3SO2)2, and LiCF3SO3 in a solvent blend comprising ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a battery. The battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte between the first and second electrodes. The electrolyte comprises these lithium salts in a solvent blend comprising ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. In yet another aspect, the invention encompasses another embodiment of a battery. The battery includes a cathode comprising at least one of MnO2 and (CF)x, and an anode comprising lithium. The battery further includes a non-aqueous electrolyte between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells, each of which includes a membrane electrode assembly and a water transport plate, or a fluid flow plate fabricated from graphite. This plate and optionally a separator plate are held in assembled relationship with one another and with the membrane electrode assemblies by a fluoroelastomeric adhesive/sealant that is also coated on the external edges of these components to provide a water-tight seal to better contain the coolant fluid in the form of water provided in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: In a high-temperature fuel cell having two components that are joined together by a layer. The layer includes at least one ply of a glass solder and at least one ply of a glass ceramic. Because of this provision, the components are joined together mechanically and chemically in a stable and economic manner.

Abstract: A solid-state secondary lithium battery with excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics, using a negative electrode active material which shows discontinuous change of potential caused by the lithium ion insertion and extraction reactions, wherein the amount of the lithium ion inserted, until discontinuous change of potential of the negative elctrode takes place, is equal to or smaller than the maximum amount of extraction of lithium ions within the range where lithium ions are inserted and extracted into or from the lithium transition metal oxide reversibly, and a battery assembly using these batteries.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery comprising at least a cathode, a separator, an anode, and an electrolyte or electrolyte solution integrated in a battery housing, is characterized by a cathode constituted of a specific powdery cathode active material having a large specific surface area and a primary particle size of 0.5 .mu.m or less. The cathode active material is obtained by mixing a salt of a transition metal in and dissolving the salt in an aqueous solution containing at least a water-soluble polymer material to obtain a product, and baking the product to form the powdery cathode active material for use as the cathode active material of the cathode. Alternatively, the cathode active material is obtained by mixing a salt of a transition metal in a monomer capable of forming at least a water-soluble polymer material, polymerizing the monomer to obtain a polymerized product, and baking the polymerized product to form the powdery cathode active material for use as the cathode active material of the cathode.

Abstract: A porous coating layer formed on a substrate is impregnated, based on a prescribed pattern, with liquid material having a larger cohesion after solidification thereof than that of the coating layer. The liquid material is solidified to form a solidified material. Then, a portion of the coating layer, which has been impregnated with the solidified material is peeled to expose partially the surface of the substrate on the basis of the prescribed pattern, thereby producing the porous coating layer having the prescribed pattern. An electrode plate for a secondary battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte can be produced by utilizing the above-mentioned production process.

Abstract: A polymer solid electrolyte obtained by blending (1) a polyether copolymer having a main chain derived form ethylene oxide and an oligooxyethylene side chain, (2) an electrolyte salt compound, and (3) a plasticizer of an aprotic organic solvent or a derivative or metal salt of a polyalkylene glycol having a number-average molecular weight of 200 to 5,000 or a metal salt of the derivative is superior in ionic conductivity and also superior in processability, moldability and mechanical strength to a conventional solid electrolyte. A secondary battery is constructed by using the polymer solid electrolyte in combination with a lithium metal negative electrode and a lithium cobaltate positive electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a battery cell housing for valve-regulated, lead-acid batteries. The housing includes a tray base, vertical side walls attached to the base so that the tray base and vertical side walls define a single battery compartment. A top wall is secured to the side walls and has at least one opening. A compression member is positioned in the battery compartment beneath the top wall for movement between the side walls so as to compress a stack of battery cells stacked in a horizontal position in the battery compartment. At least one internally threaded member is included with the top wall and is aligned with at least one opening. At least one compression bolt extends through the top wall opening and contacts the compression member while threadedly engaging at least one internally threaded member.

Abstract: Method for determining the utilization of a reactant at the anode side or cathode side of a fuel cell. To this end a low flow with high utilization is applied at the side to be measured and an appreciable flow with low utilization is applied at the other side. A table is compiled in which the relationship between the Nernst voltage under the outlet conditions, such as the temperature, and the utilization of the reactant to be measured is incorporated. Cell voltage is then measured at the outlet and is equated to the Nernst voltage. The utilization can be determined from the table. This method can be used for determination of the flow rate and the flow distribution in a stack of electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a secondary cell having a positive electrode composed of polyaniline, wherein the positive electrode is formed by deriving an organic solution of polyaniline mixed with a diazo compound on a specific positive electrode collector. The invention also relates to a lithium ion secondary cell having a positive electrode composed of polyaniline and a diazo compound and a negative electrode composed of graphite, wherein the solvent of the electrolyte is a mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate, .gamma.-butyrolactone and 1,2-dimethoxyethane.

Abstract: Battery mounting apparatuses, electronic devices, and methods of forming electrical connections are described. In one implementation, a flexible circuit substrate has an area within which an electrical component, e.g. a thin-profile battery terminal housing member, is to be adhered. A conductive contact node pattern is disposed within the area and sized to be conductively adhered with the component. In one aspect, the conductive contact node pattern comprises an outer conductive node on the substrate at least a portion of which is positioned within the outermost 25% of the area. An electrical component is conductively bonded with the contact node pattern and encapsulating material is provided over and underneath the component. In a preferred aspect, the substrate and electrical component are vacuum processed sufficiently to redistribute the encapsulating material under the component.

Abstract: Disclosed are safe, easy to manufacture prismatic cells having scored regions strategically located on portions of the prismatic cell can or cell header. When they are located on the cell can, the scored regions are provided on the side of the can, rather than on the bottom of the can as in other designs. The scored region may be located on a corner of one side of the side of the cell can. Scored regions so located tend to release excess pressure over a relatively narrow and easier to control pressure range. Similar benefits can be obtained by placing the scored region on a "dished" header of a prismatic cell. Such dished header designs have a vertical lip around the perimeter of a substantially flat horizontal portion. The scoring may be provided near one of the ends of the header's substantially flat portion.

Abstract: A volume efficient, layered manifold assembly is disclosed for an array of one or more internally manifolded fuel cell stacks. The assembly comprises a stack of substantially planar layers in which each pair of adjacent layers defines a fluid distribution chamber or plenum. Appropriate passages connect each chamber to the internal manifolds of the fuel cell stacks and to various external fluid ports for supply or exhaust of fuel, oxidant, or coolant streams. Passages for at least one fluid penetrate the layers defining the distribution chamber for another fluid. Valving can be incorporated directly in the manifold assembly and used to periodically reverse the direction of fluid flow through internal manifolds of the fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and electrode assembly are disclosed in which a separator having at least one thermally formed tab slot disposed therein is employed in conjunction with an alkali metal anode and a cathode assembly that are wound together in a unidirectional winding having substantially straight sides such that the winding will fit into a prismatic cell. The separator inhibits tearing or splitting of the material from which it is formed in the region of the tab slot. A tab connected to a current collector projects through the tab slot. The tab slots are formed by folding a separator material around a template, aligning the template with a slot guide, and applying heat to the separator material in the region of the slot(s).

Abstract: Electrolyte systems for lithium batteries of increased safety comprise at least one lithium-containing conducting salt and at least one electrolyte fluid and, according to the invention, are defined by at least one partially fluorinated carbamate of general formula (I) ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently of one another or identical or different, linear C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, branched C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 -cycloalkyl or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 directly or via one or more additional nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms are linked to form a ring having from 3 to 7 ring members, and the additional nitrogen atoms present in the ring being substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl and the ring carbon atoms optionally carrying C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl, with the option of one or more hydrogen atoms in the radicals R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 being replaced by fluorine atoms, R.sup.