Abstract: A negative electrode material for use in lithium secondary batteries contains a negative electrode active material container made from an amorphous transition metal nitride containing lithium represented by the chemical formula Li.sub.1+x M.sub.y N, where M represents one or more elements selected from; a transition metal, group IIIA, group IVA, and group VA, and contains at least a transition metal, x is within the range from -0.2 to 2.0, and y is within the range from 0.1 to 0.6.

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: A negative electrode material for a secondary cell for a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte for realizing a high charging/discharging capacity and a high discharging efficiency, a method for producing such material and a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte secondary cell employing such material. The negative electrode material contains at least one carbonaceous material selected from the group consisting of coffee beans, tea leaves, cane sugar, corns, fruits, straws of cereals and husks of cereals, a carbonaceous material derived from a plant-origin high molecular material containing a sum total of 0.2 to 20 wt % of metal elements, phosphorus and sulphur calculated as elements or a carbonaceous material having a diffraction peak between 30.degree. and 32.degree. of the 2.theta. diffraction angle in the X-ray (CuK.alpha.) powder diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A self-warming battery for use in tactical electronics systems, having a housing containing one or more commercially available alkaline manganese dioxide battery cells, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the battery cells for monitoring the temperature thereof, load resistors disposed adjacent to the battery cells for cell warming, and a battery self-warming circuit disposed in the housing. The battery self-warming circuit is coupled to the battery cells and the temperature sensor, and selectively causes current flow through the battery cells in an initializing mode when the temperature sensor detects that the battery cells are below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An non-sintered nickel electrode of alkaline batteries uses an active material powder which comprises composite particles comprising nickel hydroxide particles or solid solution particles consisting essentially of nickel hydroxide the surface of which is covered with a mixed crystal of cobalt hydroxide and the hydroxide of at least one metal (M) selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, indium and zinc. With this electrode, the cobalt hydroxide, which covers as a component of the mixed crystal the surface of the nickel hydroxide particles, minimally diffuses into them. Alkaline batteries using this electrode as positive electrode can therefore maintain, for a long period of time of charge-discharge cycles, the function of the cobalt hydroxide of increasing the conductivity of the electrode, thereby suppressing decrease in the discharge capacity in the course of charge-discharge cycles.

Abstract: A portable apparatus capable of using batteries as an energy source includes: a battery case portion including at least a first region and a second region providing a space for a first battery and a second battery, respectively, and a third region located between the first region and the second region necessary for loading and releasing only one of the first battery and the second battery, a slide member, located slidably at the third region, having an engaging portion which contacts one of the first battery and second battery, and a locking member which is engaged with the slide member when one of the first battery and the second battery is taken out from a corresponding region of the battery case portion, and locks the other battery in a corresponding region.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a sheet-shaped solid electrolyte which exhibits ion conductivity, a fuel electrode to which is supplied fuel functioning as a negative electrode active material, and an oxygen electrode to which is supplied oxygen functioning as a positive electrode active material. The fuel electrode is positioned on one surface of the solid electrolyte while the oxygen electrode is positioned on the opposite surface of the solid electrolyte. A fuel electrode electricity collector has a plurality of first projection portions that contact the surface of the fuel electrode that faces away from the solid electrolyte. As a result, a plurality of fuel passages are formed through which fuel is to be passed. An oxygen electrode electricity collector has a plurality of second projecting portions that contact the surface of the oxygen electrode facing away from these solid electrolyte. As a result, a plurality of oxygen passages are formed through which oxygen is to be passed.

Abstract: An electrode is disclosed comprising a multiplicity of flexible biregional fibers, each fiber having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric composition and a surrounding outer region of an electrically conductive carbonaceous sheath. The biregional fiber is derived from a biregional precursor fiber having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric composition and a surrounding outer region of an oxidation stabilized sheath, and wherein the biregional precursor fiber is derived from a polymeric fiber comprising a single homogeneous polymeric composition, the flexible biregional fiber is particularly characterized by having a ratio of the radius of the core region with respect to the total radius of the fiber (r:R) of from about 1:4 to about 1:1.05 and a breaking twist angle of from about 4 to about 13 degrees. Also disclosed are secondary electrical storage devices employing electrodes of the invention.

Abstract: A sealed galvanic dry cell that has a sealing means comprising a terminal cover having a peripheral extending flange that is compressed between a neutral cover and a rim of the open end of a cell's container by use of a compressable gasket that operates such that the rim of the container further interlocks with the flange of the terminal cover upon the buildup of internal pressure to effectively maintain the seal for the cell.

Abstract: A hybrid cell/capacitor assembly (300) includes a battery cell (100) and a capacitor (200) formed into a thin rectangular sheet and having two leads (205, 210) extending therefrom. The capacitor (200) is wrapped around the battery cell (100) to form the hybrid cell/capacitor assembly (300). The leads (205, 210) of the capacitor (200) can be attached to terminals (105, 100) of the battery cell (100) or to terminals of one or more other cells within a battery pack (600).

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lithium nickel composite oxide represented by the composition formula (I):Li.sub.2+x Ni.sub.1-x O.sub.2+y (0.0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1/7, 0.0.ltoreq.y<0.3, excluding the case where x=y=0) (I),a preparation process therefor and applications thereof. Where the lithium nickel composite oxide is used as a positive-electrode active material for a nonaqueous secondary battery, high capacity charge-discharge characteristics can be ensured. The novel lithium nickel composite oxide of the present invention is promising as a catalyst, an adsorbent, a dielectric material, and a magnetic material besides such a battery material.

Abstract: A lead-acid storage battery, such as a starting, lighting and ignition battery, includes a handle having preferably wedge-shape hook ends which are inserted into a belt loop typically molded into the end walls of the battery container, the hook ends engaging spring pawls associated with the belt loop which allow the handle to be inserted into the battery and which engage the hook ends when the handle is moved into the service position for transporting the battery.

Abstract: A feedthrough pin insulator and corresponding assembly for an electrochemical cell powering an implantable medical device are described herein. The feedthrough pin insulator electrically insulates a feedthrough pin extending between the internal and external portions of the cell from cell components having the same electrical potential as a cathode disposed within the cell. The feedthrough pin insulator extends between an anode disposed within the cell and a ferrule disposed in an aperture of a cover for sealing the cell. A gate or dam is disposed at one end of the insulator for preventing or inhibiting the formation of anode flash on the feedthrough pin or in other undesired locations or on certain cell components during the anode formation process. A method of forming an anode is also described which corresponds to the foregoing apparatus.

Abstract: A hybrid internal/external manifolded fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, each of which comprises an anode and a cathode and an electrolyte in contact on one side with an electrolyte facing face of the anode and in contact on the opposite side with an electrolyte facing face of the cathode. A separator plate separates each of the fuel cell units between an anode and cathode forming an anode chamber between the anode facing face of the separator plate and the anode and forming a cathode chamber between the opposite cathode facing face of the separator plate and the cathode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. The anode chamber is in gas communication with a fuel gas supply and outlet provided through internal manifolds whereas the cathode chamber is in gas communication with an oxidant gas supply and outlet provided through external manifolds.

Abstract: A packaged electrode plate for a secondary battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte comprises: an airtight container having a winding core and a tape pulling-out opening; and a wound tape comprising an electrode plate for a secondary battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte. The wound tape is stored in the airtight container and supported on the winding core thereof. A forward end of the wound tape is pulled out from the tape pulling-out opening of the airtight container, and the tape pulling-out opening is hermetically closed by means of an airtight sealing means which holds the forward end of the wound tape pulled out from the tape pulling-out opening.

Abstract: A secondary battery (100) includes a cell (110) having a positive terminal (115) and a negative terminal (120), a device (130, 140) for coupling the positive terminal (115) to the negative terminal (120) in response to swelling of the cell (100), and a fuse (125) coupled between the positive terminal (115) and the negative terminal (120) in response to swelling of the cell (110).According to another aspect of the present invention, a secondary battery (700) has external contacts (150, 155) and includes a cell (110) having a positive terminal (115) and a negative terminal (120) that are coupled to the external contacts (150, 155) during normal cell operation. In response to swelling of the cell (110), a device (705, 720, 725, 730, 735) decouples at least one of the positive and negative terminals (115, 120) from at least one of the external contacts (150, 155) in response to swelling of the cell (110).

Abstract: Electrodes, particularly useful in bipolar plates of lead-acid batteries, include a metal-containing substrate, an electrically conductive material secured to the first side of the substrate, an electrically conductive layer including a polymer secured to the second side of the substrate; and a metallic layer secured to the electrically conductive layer so that the electrically conductive layer is located between the metallic layer and the substrate. Bipolar plates are provided and include an electrically conductive electrode element, a grid spaced apart from the electrode in proximity to the first side of the electrode element, positive active material in contact with the first side or second side of the electrode element and negative active material in contact with the first side or second side of the electrode element which is not in contact with the positive active material.

Abstract: In a rechargeable lithium battery including inter alia a lithium anode, a lithium ion reducible cathode bonded with a polymer, as well as a polymer electrolyte, potassium ions are introduced either in the cathode or in the electrolyte, or in both of them at the same time, so that potassium is distributed in the cathode and the electrolyte when the generator has reached equilibrium. This has the effect of stabilizing the performances of the battery during cycling in terms of energy and power.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a current collector in contact with the cathode material in light rechargeable solid state batteries, characterized by the fact that it includes the deposition on a nickel layer having a rugosity R.sub.a from 1 to 3 microns of a cathode paste comprising1) a powder of active cathode material;2) an electronic conductor;3) a polymeric composition comprising:3a) a polymer deriving from the polymerization of a mixture of a vinyl ether and a divinyl ether;3b) lithium salts, selected from LiBF.sub.4 alone or in a mixture with other salts;3c) optionally, a plasticizer selected from dipolar aprotic solvents and polyethers with a low molecular weight and their relevant mixtures.

Abstract: A nickel-hydrogen secondary battery is disclosed wherein a long life is assured, an improved self-discharging property in a high temperature storage and the inhibition of increase in inner pressure of the battery in the occasion of over-charging can be realized. The nickel-hydrogen secondary battery comprises, a case, a paste-type positive electrode accommodated in the case and containing nickel hydroxide and a polymeric binder, a paste-type negative electrode accommodated in the case and containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy and a polymeric binder, a separator accommodated in the case in so as to be interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, and an alkali electrolyte accommodated in the case.