Abstract: The present invention relates to secondary lithium batteries which include inorganic compound for the negative electrode and a cathode compound for the positive electrode which comprises Li2Mn2−xMexO4−zFz wherein 0≦X≦0.5 and can be optimized to match the irreversible capacity loss associated with a chosen inorganic negative electrode; 0≦Z≦0.5; and Me is selected from the group consisting of Al, Cr, Zn, Co, Ni, Li, Mg, Fe, Cu, Ti, Si or combinations thereof. In addition, the present invention relates to rechargeable plastic lithium ion batteries having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator element arranged between the electrodes, wherein the positive electrode includes an intercalation compound of Li2Mn2−xMexO4−zFz as set forth above and the negative electrode includes an active inorganic compound.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery is prepared by injecting a gas additive having a higher reduction potential than a non-aqueous organic solvent into the non-aqueous organic solvent. The gas additive has a reduction potential ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 V based on the Li+ ions. Examples of gas additives include SO2, CO2, and N2O. In a secondary battery using the electrolyte to which the gas additive is not added, the non-aqueous organic solvent itself reacts with lithium ions at the beginning of the battery charging to form a solid electrolyte interface film and produces gases inside the battery, thereby increasing the internal pressure of the battery. However, in the electrolyte containing the gas additive of the present invention, the gas additive reacts with the lithium ions dissolved in the electrolyte to form a solid electrolyte interface film without producing gases that would increase the internal pressure of the battery.

Abstract: A battery storage apparatus for a portable electronic device is provided which includes a battery storage chamber formed in a casing of the portable electronic device and a storage chamber cover. A guide rail is formed on the casing. A guide groove is formed in the storage chamber cover and engages the guide rail to allow the storage chamber cover to slide on the guide rail when the storage chamber cover is installed on or removed from the casing. A recess is formed in the guide groove. A protrusion is formed on the guide rail and fitted into the recess to hold the storage chamber cover from moving along the guide rail when the storage chamber cover is installed on the casing completely, thereby avoiding dislodgment of the storage chamber cover from the casing even if the portable electronic device undergoes undesirable physical impact.

Abstract: An electricity storage device including an electrolyte film, a lithium graphite thin sheet, a composite polymer thin sheet, a positive collector, and a negative collector, which are all hermetically packaged in a housing. As the device is connected to an environment in which the voltage difference is relatively greater, the device is capable of storing the electricity. If the device is connected to an environment in which the voltage difference is relatively smaller, the stored electricity is released.

Abstract: A method of producing a battery cell anode is described wherein the manufacturing process of the anode commences with a sputtering target with a composition of Li3Sn. The target is sputtered in an argon-nitrogen (Ar—N2) gas mixture, wherein the nitrogen gas is limited to within a range of 0.5%-15% of the total volume of gas. The sputtering of the target produces a Sn:Li3N anode layer.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided that includes a case and at least one battery module disposed within the case. The battery pack further includes a flexible circuit to which the battery module may be electrically coupled. The flexible circuit includes a plurality of airflow openings configured to distribute air throughout the battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, the airflow openings vary in size relative to their proximity to an air source.

Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: A method of commencing operation of a fuel cell system which includes a fuel reformer is provided. During a start-up period, the same fuel which is used in the feedstock to the reformer is directed to at least a portion of the fuel cells in the system. These fuel cells provide output power by direct oxidation of the fuel, at least until the reformer is operational, producing a hydrogen-containing gas stream suitable for the fuel cells. Thus, useful output power can be obtained from the system without the delay typically associated with start-up of the reformer.

Abstract: A sealed lead-acid cell utilizes a separator made with modified plastic microfibers having a contact angle of no more than 1.5° to the sulfuric acid electrolyte used and having a diameter of 1.1 to 5.0&mgr;, the separator having a porosity of 87 to 94%, a surface area of 1.0 to 2.2 meters2/gm., and a maximum pore diameter of 8 to 20&mgr; and a mean pore diameter of 1.2 to 5.0&mgr;.

Abstract: An integrated manifold system for a fuel cell power plant includes a first fuel cell stack and a second fuel cell stack, wherein a common manifold is adapted to be in fluid communication with the first fuel cell stack and the second fuel cell stack. The common manifold includes a first plenum for diverting a first reactant to each of the first and second fuel cell stacks, and a second plenum for accepting the first reactant as the first reactant is exhausted from each of the first and second fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: Provided are cathode current collectors for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the current collector comprises a conductive primer layer applied upon a conductive support, and the primer layer comprises from about 25 to 70% by weight of a crosslinked polymeric material formed from a reaction of a polyvinyl acetal and a crosslinking agent, and about 30 to 75% by weight of a conductive filler. The present invention also pertains to methods of forming such cathode current collectors for use in electrochemical cells comprising (i) an anode comprising lithium, and (ii) a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material.

Abstract: A method of producing a battery (10) having a cathode current collector (18), a cathode (12), an electrolyte (13), an anode (14), and an anode current collector (16) is disclosed. The method commences with a substrate (11) upon which the layers of battery components are built upon. The substrate is then removed, as by sputtering, and replaced with a cathode current collector.

Abstract: A modularized power supply is presented employing individual electrochemical cells which are rendered inert when separated from a specified unlocking circuit. The cells are enclosed in a cell module having a disabling circuit which isolates the cell terminals and prevents release of significant cell energy. A switch in the disabling circuit is activated when the cell module is connected to the specified unlocking circuit in an external frame. The frame includes receptacles for receiving multiple modules, all of which must be connected before power is delivered to a host interface. The frame may include circuits and devices for monitoring the performance of the modules, for controlling cell charging and discharging, and protective elements to protect the modules and tray from aberrant conditions such as high temperatures, overcurrent, and similar events. By including these in the frame, fewer elements are required in the individual modules, reducing their complexity, weight and cost.

Abstract: A spinel type lithium manganese complex oxide consists essentially of Li, Mn and O, and is represented by a general formula LixMn2Oy, where x satisfies x≧1.04 and y is in the ranges satisfying the following inequarities y≧0.667x+3.333 y≦1.333x+2.667 y<0.333x+3.783.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel battery comprising a conductive collector portion and a manifold portion. The collector portion is electrically conductive and includes channels for flowing reactive gas through the channels. The manifold portion includes gas introduction holes connected to the channels of the collector portion, and surrounds a circumferential edge portion of the collector portion to be integrated with the collector portion. The collector portion contains a resin binder, and the manifold portion contains a composition different from that of the collector portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer gel electrolyte or a binder for use in lithium secondary batteries which comprises a copolymer having in the molecule both a segmented polymer chain (a) having the function of retaining membrane strength and a segmented polymer chain (b) having the function of holding a nonaqueous electrolyte. Also provided is a lithium secondary battery containing the electrolyte.

Abstract: After discharge, a rechargeable battery having a nickel hydroxide positive electrode is charged at a temperature T1 between a proximately −10° C. and −30° C., lower than a temperature T2, in the range of approximately −15° C. to +5° C., at which discharge begins, automatically determining the total charge to be returned to the battery for establishing the ideal charge for the battery leading into the next discharge cycle, and applying charge energy to the battery having the magnitude as automatically determined. After discharge, the battery is cooled into the T1 range, then heated to stabilize the temperature to that in the T1 range. Then the battery is charged according to a nominal profile of charge power as a function of time, the accumulated charge imparted to the battery sensed as cooling proceeds, the nominal power profile adjusted according to the accumulated charge obtained, and the remainder of the nominal charge profile adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a fuel cell comprising: a chamber suitable for holding an electrolyte therein; a mechanism which enables rotation of the electrolyte about an axis of rotation of the chamber; one or more structures which define one or more inlets for introducing an oxidant and/or a fuel into the chamber, which one or more inlets are spaced from the axis of rotation of the chamber; at least one electrode contactable with the electrolyte and the oxidant and at least one electrode contactable with the electrolyte and the fuel. It also provides a method for improving the efficiency and performance of fuel cells.

Abstract: A cathode and a solid state electrochemical cell comprising said cathode, a solid anode and solid fluoride ion conducting electrolyte. The cathode comprises a metal oxide and a compound fluoride containing at least two metals with different valences. Representative compound fluorides include solid solutions of bismuth fluoride and potassium fluoride; and lead fluoride and potassium fluoride. Representative metal oxides include copper oxide, lead oxide, manganese oxide, vanadium oxide and silver oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a battery case; a battery element accommodated in the battery case, the battery element comprising laminations of a first polarity type electrode, a second polarity type electrode and a separator sandwiched between the first polarity type electrode and the second polarity type electrode, the first polarity type electrode comprising a first polarity type collector which is provided with at least a first polarity type electrode active material layer except for a first side region extending along one side of the first polarity type collector, and the second polarity type electrode comprising a second polarity type collector which is provided with at least a second polarity type electrode active material layer except for a second side region extending along one side of the second polarity type collector, the first side region of the first polarity type collector projecting from first side edge of the separator and the second sid