Abstract: Disclosed is a battery comprising a cover; a housing having a base, two side walls, and two end walls; a cell wall spanning between the first and second side walls defining two cells; a battery element provided within a cell, the battery element having a bottom; an element bottom gap, the element bottom gap defined in a first and second dimension by the cell width and length, and a third dimension by the distance between the base and bottom of the battery element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery comprising a cover; a housing having a base, two side walls, and two end walls; a cell wall spanning between the first and second side walls defining two cells; a battery element provided within a cell, the battery element having a bottom; an element bottom gap, the element bottom gap defined in a first and second dimension by the cell width and length, and a third dimension by the distance between the base and bottom of the battery element.

Abstract: The conductivity of a zinc negative electrode is enhanced through use of surfactant-coated carbon fibers. Carbon fibers, along with other active materials such as bismuth oxide, zinc etc., form an electronically conductive matrix in zinc negative electrodes. Zinc negative electrodes as described herein are particularly useful in nickel zinc secondary batteries.

Abstract: A grid for an absorbent glass mat lead acid battery is also disclosed. The grid has a frame formed of a top frame element having a current collection lug, a first side frame element, a second side frame element, and a bottom frame element. A plurality of grid wires are arranged in radial configuration within the frame which radial configuration emanates from a radiant point located outside a boundary of the frame. A plurality of horizontal grid wires cross the plurality of grid wires arranged the radial configuration. The grid comprises virgin lead or high purity lead or highly purified secondary lead. An absorbent glass mat lead acid battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lead acid battery is provided. The battery includes a container and a plurality of electrochemical cells within the container. The electrochemical cells have a plurality of flat positive plates each composed of a grid formed of virgin lead or high purity lead or highly purified secondary lead and a positive battery paste disposed on the grid, the battery paste comprising a lead-containing composition, a positive plate paste vehicle, and a polyvinylsulfonate additive. The electrochemical cells also have a plurality of flat negative plates each composed of a grid and a negative battery paste disposed on the grid, the battery paste comprising a lead-containing composition and a negative plate paste vehicle. An absorbent glass mat is interleaved between the flat positive plate and the flat negative plate. An electrolyte is provided in the container and retained in the absorbent glass mat. The electrolyte includes phosphoric acid.

Abstract: The conductivity of a zinc negative electrode is enhanced through use of surfactant-coated carbon fibers. Carbon fibers, along with other active materials such as bismuth oxide, zinc etc., form an electronically conductive matrix in zinc negative electrodes. Zinc negative electrodes as described herein are particularly useful in nickel zinc secondary batteries.

Abstract: Electrodes, which may be composite capacitor electrodes, include carbon fibers, illustratively chopped carbon fibers having an aspect ratio of from about 100-5000, have been treated with a non-ionic surfactant, specifically the polyoxyethyleneglycol octophenyl ether, Triton X-100, to increase the hydrophilicity of the fibers. The capacitive electrodes prepared with the surface-modified carbon fibers exhibit increased charge acceptance.

Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.

Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.

Abstract: Electrodes, which may be composite capacitor electrodes, include carbon fibers, illustratively chopped carbon fibers having an aspect ratio of from about 100-5000, have been treated with a non-ionic surfactant, specifically the polyoxyethyleneglycol octophenyl ether, Triton X-100, to increase the hydrophilicity of the fibers. The capacitive electrodes prepared with the surface-modified carbon fibers exhibit increased charge acceptance.

Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.

Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.