Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing an electrochemically active cathode material including the steps of (a) combining an alkali metal-containing layered nickel oxide having a formula A1?aNi1+aO2, wherein A comprises an alkali metal and 0<a?0.2, with an oxidant comprising a peroxydisulfate salt and/or a monopersulfate salt to form a mixture, (b) heating the mixture to form a Ni(IV) containing mixture including a Ni(IV) containing electrochemically active cathode material; (c) adding to the Ni(IV) containing mixture of step (b) a mineral acid; and (d) heating the mixture of step (c) to form an additional amount of the Ni(IV) containing electrochemically active cathode material, the Ni(IV) containing electrochemically active cathode material formed in steps (b) and (d) having a general formula AxHyNi1+aO2, wherein A comprises an alkali metal; 0.08?x<0.2; 0?y<0.3; and 0.02?a?0.2.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing an electrochemically active cathode material including the steps of combining an alkali metal-containing nickel oxide having a formula A1?aNi1+aO2, wherein A comprises an alkali metal and 0<a?0.2, with a fluid composition including an oxidant comprising a peroxydisulfate salt, a monopersulfate salt, or a combination thereof to form a mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature of 50° C. or greater; and maintaining the mixture at the temperature for at least a period of time sufficient to form an alkali metal-deficient nickel oxide electrochemically active cathode material having a general formula AxHyNi1+aO2.nH2O, wherein A comprises an alkali metal; 0.08?x<0.2; 0?y<0.3; 0.02?a?0.2; and 0<n<2.

Abstract: An end cap seal assembly for an electrochemical cell such as an alkaline cell is disclosed. The end cap assembly comprises a metal support disk and underlying insulating sealing disk and a metal end cap overlying the metal support disk. The edge of the end cap and metal support disk is captured by the crimped edge of the insulating sealing disk. The support disk has a downwardly extending wall with at least one aperture therethrough. The insulating disk is preferably composed of a polyetherurethane material and may have a slanted downwardly extending wall forming a rupturable membrane which underlies and abuts the inside surface of the downwardly extending wall of the support disk. A portion of the rupturable membrane underlies and abuts the aperture in the downwardly extending wall of the support disk. The rupturable membrane pushes through said aperture and ruptures when gas pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: Alkaline batteries are provided, including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode porosity is selected to optimize performance characteristics of the battery. In one aspect, an alkaline cell is provided that includes (a) an anode, (b) a cathode, comprising a cathode active material, wherein the cathode has a porosity of from about 25% to about 30%, and (c) a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: An alkaline cell with improved separator. The separator is formed of two sheets. The two sheets are wound into a tube shape and the bottom edge of the wound separator is folded and heat sealed. The facing surfaces of the two sheets forming the separator body are not glued or bonded together. The two separator sheets may overlap laterally so that a portion of each sheet forms a different portion of the separator outside surface. Alternatively, the separator may be formed of two sheets wherein the first sheet forms an outer layer which completely covers the second sheet. One sheet is preferably composed of a blend of polyvinylalcohol fibers and rayon fibers and the other sheet composed of polyvinylalcohol fibers and wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: Alkaline batteries are provided, including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode porosity is selected to optimize performance characteristics of the battery. In one aspect, an alkaline cell is provided that includes (a) an anode, (b) a cathode, comprising a cathode active material, wherein the cathode has a porosity of from about 25% to about 30%, and (c) a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: AAA battery has a cathode having a height of at least 44.6 mm and/or an interior surface area of at least 1240 mm2. AAAA battery has a cathode having a height of at least 39.0 mm and/or an interior surface area of at least 795 mm2.

Abstract: Alkaline cells are provided that include a cathode that comprises expanded graphite. In some implementations, the cathode includes less than about 4% graphite by weight.

Abstract: An end cap seal assembly for an electrochemical cell such as an alkaline cell is disclosed. The end cap assembly comprises a metal support disk and underlying insulating sealing disk and a metal end cap overlying the metal support disk. The edge of the end cap and metal support disk is captured by the crimped edge of the insulating sealing disk. The support disk has a downwardly extending wall with at least one aperture therethrough. The insulating disk is preferably composed of a polyetherurethane material and may have a slanted downwardly extending wall forming a rupturable membrane which underlies and abuts the inside surface of the downwardly extending wall of the support disk. A portion of the rupturable membrane underlies and abuts the aperture in the downwardly extending wall of the support disk. The rupturable membrane pushes through said aperture and ruptures when gas pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, a cathode mixture comprising cathode active material comprising copper oxide or copper hydroxide. Graphitic carbon, preferably expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers are added to the cathode mixture thereby resulting in a sharp drop in cathode resistivity. The cathode active material preferably comprises between about 80 and 92 percent by weight of the cathode. The sharp drop in cathode resistivity resulting from the addition of expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers makes the cell suitable for use as a primary alkaline cell having good capacity. The graphitic carbon, preferably graphitic nanofibers comprise preferably between about 4 and 10 percent by weight of the cathode. The carbon nanofibers have an average diameter desirably less than 500 nanometers, preferably between about 50 and 300 nanometers.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, a cathode mixture comprising cathode active material comprising copper oxide or copper hydroxide. Graphitic carbon, preferably expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers are added to the cathode mixture thereby resulting in a sharp drop in cathode resistivity. The cathode active material preferably comprises between about 80 and 92 percent by weight of the cathode. The sharp drop in cathode resistivity resulting from the addition of expanded graphite or graphitic carbon nanofibers makes the cell suitable for use as a primary alkaline cell having good capacity. The graphitic carbon, preferably graphitic nanofibers comprise preferably between about 4 and 10 percent by weight of the cathode. The carbon nanofibers have an average diameter desirably less than 500 nanometers, preferably between about 50 and 300 nanometers.

Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode having a cathode active material and more than about 5% by weight of carbon fibers, an anode, a separator and an alkaline electrolyte. The carbon fibers have average diameters less than about 300 nanometers.

Abstract: A dental floss having improved abrasion resistance composed of dental fibers coated with a UV-curable resin, and a method for producing a dental floss having improved abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic particle coating compositions employing a low molecular, high T.sub.g vinyl polymers characterized by having one or more primary alcohol containing groups pendant to the polymer chain.