Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for recovering particulate material from a component of an electrochemical cell. In another aspect, a method is provided for recovering metal oxide particulate active material. The metal oxide is effectively separated from other cell components and is rendered to a form reusable as an active material for a new electrochemical cell. In still another aspect, a method is provided for recovering lithium metal oxide particulate active material and for regenerating the lithium metal oxide active material back to its initial nominal condition usable as battery grade material in an electrochemical cell. In the latter aspect, the invention provides the capability of treating lithium-deficient metal oxide active material which has become lithium-deficient from repeated cycling in a cell. The lithium-deficient active material is characterized by a lesser lithium content as compared to its nominal initial condition before cycling in a cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkaline storage battery which exhibit exceptional charge/discharge and cycle life characteristics by improved current collection and active material retention of the electrode substrate. The electrode comprises a substrate composed of a conductive core material and fibrous nickel members unitary sintered on both surfaces of the conductive core material, and a layer of an active material filled into the substrate. The fibrous nickel members of the substrate are bent or curved at least at their tip ends inside the active material layer to retain the active material.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of an object using a hydrogen bearing compound. The method includes a step of generating a plasma from a Gas-C in a plasma source, where the Gas-C includes at least a gas-A and a gas-B. Gas-A is selected from a compound including at least a nitrogen bearing compound (e.g., N.sub.2) or an other gas, e.g., gas of in elements in group 18 classified in the atomic periodic table. Gas-B has at least a H.sub.2 O bearing compound or is preferably H.sub.2 O. The method also includes a step of injecting a Gas-D downstream of the plasma source of said Gas C, and setting an object downstream of the Gas-D injection and downstream of the plasma source. The object has a surface to be processed. The method also includes a step of processing the surface of said object by a mixture species generated from the Gas-C in the plasma and the Gas-D. The H.sub.2 O bearing compound in Gas-C includes a H.sub.2 O bearing compound that is lower in concentration than a Gas-A concentration.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous composite separator layer for an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of printing a thin layer of a separator precursor solution on the surface of one of the electrochemical cell electrodes, curing the thin layer of separator precursor solution so that it transforms into a microporous composite separator structure. In the preferred embodiment, the separator precursor solution is formulated as an ink comprising a silica aerogel filler material dispersed in a solution of chlorinated polyolefin binder which is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The process allows the manufacture of thin and flexible composite separators which are conformally bonded to the underlying electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to large plastic batteries having thermal switches to protect against overheating of the battery. In particular the present invention provides a rechargeable battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrically conductive collector associated with each electrode, a separator element arranged between the electrodes and a thermal switch layer containing a thermally-sensitive composition effective arranged to allow disruption of electrical conduction when the battery temperature reaches a critical temperature. Further the present invention provides a rechargeable battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrically conductive collector associated with one electrode, a separator element arranged between the electrodes, and at least one thermal switch layer containing a thermally-sensitive composition associated with the other electrode.

Abstract: A carbonaceous negative electrode material for nonaqueous secondary batteries having (i) not less than 2.times.10.sup.-4 cc/g of pores having a diameter smaller than 8 .ANG. and (ii) not more than 15.times.10.sup.-4 cc/g of pores having a diameter of 8 to 18 .ANG.. The material exhibits a high capacity and a high efficiency.

Abstract: An active material mixture for use in a paste for fabricating positive electrodes, comprising a nickel hydroxide material, and an additive material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a rare earth mineral, and a rare earth concentrate. A nickel positive electrode and an alkaline electrochemical cell using this active material mixture.

Abstract: A connecting plate has: bus bars which connect a plurality of batteries; a voltage-detection terminal unit which is connected to the bus bars and through which a voltage of a desired one of the batteries is detected; an electric wire connected to the voltage-detection terminal unit; and a molded resin board to which these components are integrally fixed. In the voltage-detection terminal unit, a device mounting portion onto which a circuit protecting device is to be mounted is integrally formed between an overlap contact portion opposed to the bus bar, and an electric wire connecting portion. Resin leakage preventing pieces for the bus bars are formed at side edges of the overlap contact portion. A device mounting portion is exposed to an outside through a device mounting window which is opened in the molded resin board, and a circuit protecting device is housed in the device mounting window.

Abstract: In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell, it is possible to control the irreversible capacity degradation which is caused when it is preserved under the condition of charging. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell includes a positive electrode that is capable of doping and dedoping lithium and a negative electrode and non-aqueous electrolyte. Specifically, a monomethoxy benzene class compound is added to the non-aqueous electrolyte at a concentration ranging from 0.005 M to 0.5 M.

Abstract: A multi-cell storage battery, in particular to a lithium storage battery, which contains a temperature control device and in which groups of one or more individual cells arranged alongside one another are separated from one another by a thermally insulating solid layer whose coefficient of thermal conductivity lies between 0.01 and 0.2 W/(m*K), the thermal resistance of the solid layer being greater by at least a factor .lambda. than the thermal resistance of the individual cell. The individual cell is connected, at least in a region free of insulating material, to a heat exchanger, the thermal resistance of the heat exchanger in the direction toward the neighboring cell being selected to be greater by at least a factor .lambda. than the thermal resistance of the individual cell and, in addition, the thermal resistance of the heat exchanger toward the temperature control medium being selected to be smaller by at least a factor of about 10 than the thermal resistance of the individual cell, and .lambda.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising a body of aprotic, non-aqueous electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective electrochemical contact with the electrolyte, the first electrode comprising positive active cathode materials such as a lithiated intercalation compound serving as the cathode and the second electrode comprising a modified carbon material formed of a graphite or carbon based materials, for example, having a hydrogenated fullerene material, such as hydrogenated C.sub.60 or C.sub.70, adsorbed thereon and serving as the anode; whereby they provide a lithium-ion cell having improved reversible energy storage characteristics and irreversible energy loss characteristics as compared with similar lithium-ion cells having carbon anodes that are not so-modified with hydrogenated fullerene material.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate for a fuel cell includes a generally planar-shaped body having a sealed chamber therein containing a heat-transferring fluid. A first portion of the body has an outer surface with at least one flow channel for distributing a first reactant fluid to an active region of the fuel cell. The first portion is operable to absorb heat to vaporize the heat-transferring fluid and a second portion, preferably extending beyond the active region, is operable to release heat for condensing vaporized heat-transferring fluid. Also disclosed is a system which includes a fuel cell assembly having a plurality of fuel cells and a plurality of planar-shaped heat pipes disposed between the plurality of fuel cells. A housing comprises a chamber for receiving a reactant fluid. The plurality of planar-shaped heat pipes extend into the chamber for transferring heat between the fuel cell assembly and a reactant fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a wet, multicell, lead-acid electric storage battery comprising a venting system having vent plugs comprising an inventive sealing arrangement. Specifically, the vent plugs provide a seal to be molded onto the vent body as a permanently attached feature. The present invention consequently eliminates the need to separately manufacture and apply a gasket to a vent body, thus reducing manufacturing costs and greatly improving reliability and safety during both use and handling.

Abstract: A multi-layer sheet useful as a separator (10) in a lead acid battery is disclosed. The sheet comprises at least a first layer (12) and a second layer (14) and having been produced by the method consisting of the steps of forming the first layer (12) by depositing a first, substantially binder free furnish consisting essentially of glass fibers onto the wire (36) of a paper making machine (30) and forming the second layer (14) by depositing a second, substantially binder free furnish consisting essentially of glass fibers and silica powder or another suitable silicate powder onto the first layer (12) on the wire (36) of the paper making machine (30). The silica or silicate powder has a particle size and being present in the second layer (14) in an amount such that, if the second substantially binder free furnish was deposited directly on the wire (36) of the paper making machine (30) a significant portion of the silica or silicate powder would pass through the wire (36).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an electromagnetic field in a processing chamber, including a first pair of electrodes for generating a first electromagnetic field within the processing chamber and a second pair of electrodes for generating a second electromagnetic field within the processing chamber. The first and second pairs of electrodes are oriented so that the first and second electromagnetic fields are oriented generally perpendicular to each other. When energized, the first and second electromagnetic fields combine and may take the form of a lissajous pattern. When a gas is exposed to the combined electromagnetic field a plasma may be formed in the general shape of the combined electromagnetic field.

Abstract: In the method of the invention, plasticizer is extracted from a polymeric film electrode, electrolyte or laminated film structure thereof, by contacting the film, with an extraction solvent mixture comprising a polar co-solvent, and carbon dioxide which is in a solvent fluidic state, at a temperature greater than or equal to 31.degree. C. and less than 35.degree. C. The pressure of extraction is sufficient to maintain the fluidic state at the temperature range stated. The co-solvent is present in an amount up to about 10% by weight of the extraction solvent mixture. The co-solvent is characterized by having a liquid state at the temperature and pressure of extraction.

Abstract: A cathode that includes manganese dioxide and a titanium oxy salt, preferably titanium oxy sulfate, is disclosed.

Abstract: A prismatic battery having high volumetric efficiency and good airtightness is achieved. The prismatic battery comprises a prismatic battery can, a power-generating element inserted into the prismatic battery can, which power-generating element is obtained by winding a belt form of positive electrode sheet and a belt form of negative electrode sheet with a separator interleaved therebetween, and an electrode header for sealing the prismatic battery can. The electrode header comprises a metal sheet having through-hole in a portion recessed in an upper surface thereof, through which an electrical connecting terminal passes, and insulating sheets provided on upper and lower surfaces of the recessed portion for making insulation between the metal sheet and the electrical connecting terminal. The electrical connecting terminal is crimped for fixation to the metal sheet, and is electrically connected to one electrode sheet of the power-generating element.

Abstract: An end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell, for example an alkaline cell, is disclosed comprising an exposed terminal end cap of single piece construction having a convoluted surface, an electrically insulating member and a metal support disk between the insulating member and the terminal end cap. The end cap assembly is inserted into the open end of the cell housing after the cell contents have been supplied. A portion of the end cap surface is a flat annular step which improves contact between the end cap and the electrically conductive portion of a condition tester for the cell which may be integrated into the cell label. The annular step is advantageously located at about right angle to the cell's longitudinal axis. The surface step is integral with the end cap and preferably located at about the same level as the shoulder of the cell housing at the end of the cell containing the end cap. The end cap assembly as a whole provides a tight seal for the cell.

Abstract: Composite electrodes which are used in electrochemical devices, such as alkali-metal polymer electrolyte electrochemical devices, contain chopped metallized fibers in an electrode slurry which has been cured and then pressed onto a metal base, or which is coated directly onto the base prior to curing.