Abstract: An apparatus and method for initiating thermal runaway in a battery cell are provided. The apparatus and method may be used in safety research of battery cells and packs to initiate thermal runaway. The apparatus comprises a resistive heating element for positioning in thermal contact with the battery cell for transferring heat to a region of the battery cell. An energy source is electrically coupled to the resistive heating element. A switch selectively forms a circuit to send a current pulse through the resistive heating element to generate a power pulse at the resistive heating element to heat the region of the battery cell for initiating thermal runaway. Alternatively, the heating element is heated and held at a predetermined temperature until thermal runaway is initiated. The heat generation rate may be designed to be comparable to that of an internal short circuit within a cell, which is much faster than many existing slow heating methods used to initiate thermal runaway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for initiating thermal runaway in a battery cell are provided. The apparatus and method may be used in safety research of battery cells and packs to initiate thermal runaway. The apparatus comprises a resistive heating element for positioning in thermal contact with the battery cell for transferring heat to a region of the battery cell. An energy source is electrically coupled to the resistive heating element. A switch selectively forms a circuit to send a current pulse through the resistive heating element to generate a power pulse at the resistive heating element to heat the region of the battery cell for initiating thermal runaway. Alternatively, the heating element is heated and held at a predetermined temperature until thermal runaway is initiated. The heat generation rate may be designed to be comparable to that of an internal short circuit within a cell, which is much faster than many existing slow heating methods used to initiate thermal runaway.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a crystalline electrode material, the process comprising: providing a liquid bath comprising the electrode material in a melted state; and introducing a precursor of the electrode material into the liquid bath, wherein the electrode material comprises lithium, a metal and phosphate. There is also provided a crystalline electrode material, comprising lithium substituted by less than 0.1 atomic of Na or K; Fe and/or Mn, substituted by less than 0.1 atomic ratio of: (a) Mg, Ca, Al and B, (b) Nb, Zr, Mo, V and Cr, (c) Fe(III), or (d) any combinations thereof; and PO4, substituted by less than 20% atomic weight of an oxyanion selected from SO4, SiO4, BO4, P2O7, and any combinations thereof, the material being in the form of particles having a non-carbon and non-olivine phase on at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a crystalline electrode material, the process comprising: providing a liquid bath comprising the electrode material in a melted state; and introducing a precursor of the electrode material into the liquid bath, wherein the electrode material comprises lithium, a metal and phosphate. There is also provided a crystalline electrode material, comprising lithium substituted by less than 0.1 atomic of Na or K; Fe and/or Mn, substituted by less than 0.1 atomic ratio of: (a) Mg, Ca, Al and B, (b) Nb, Zr, Mo, V and Cr, (c) Fe(III), or (d) any combinations thereof; and PO4, substituted by less than 20% atomic weight of an oxyanion selected from SO4, SiO4, BO4, P2O7, and any combinations thereof, the material being in the form of particles having a non-carbon and non-olivine phase on at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making an alkali metal oxyanion comprising iron. In one aspect of the invention, hydrothermal methods are used with a nanoscale iron precursor in order to provide desirably low particle size and high purity and crystallinity.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat casing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising nickel oxyhydroxide. The casing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm, but may be larger. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the casing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the casing which may activate at higher pressure levels.

Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode including a nickel oxyhydroxide and an anode including zinc or zinc alloy particles. Performance of the nickel oxyhydroxide alkaline cell is improved by adding zinc fines to the anode and by including an oxidation resistant graphite in the cathode as well as in a conductive coating applied to the inside surface of the cell housing.

Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode including a nickel oxyhydroxide and an anode including zinc or zinc alloy particles. Performance of the nickel oxyhydroxide alkaline cell is improved by adding zinc fines to the anode.

Abstract: A primary battery includes a positive electrode having a first material capable of bonding with lithium, a negative electrode having lithium, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The primary battery is capable of providing an average load voltage of greater than about 3.5 volts.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat casing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising nickel oxyhydroxide. The casing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm, but may be larger. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the casing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the casing which may activate at higher pressure levels.

Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode including a nickel oxyhydroxide and an anode including zinc or zinc alloy particles. Performance of the nickel oxyhydroxide alkaline cell is improved by adding zinc fines to the anode.