Abstract: A rechargeable metal-air electrochemical cell comprising a hydrogen-oxygen recombination electrode recombines hydrogen produced at the anode with oxygen to replenish the supply of water in the cell. The cell comprises an oxygen gas-permeable, liquid water-impermeable air cathode disposed in the cell case such that the cell is substantially impermeable to liquid water and the cell can receive and discharge oxygen gas through an opening in the cell case. During the discharge mode of the cell, the recombination electrode is inactive, and during the recharge mode, the recombination electrode catalyzes the electrochemical recombination of hydrogen and oxygen in the cell to form water. According to another aspect, the cell can comprise a device for indicating the end of the charge mode by sensing the level of current between the cathode and the recombination electrode and comparing that current level to a predetermined current level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having an anode selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zinc, and mixtures and alloys thereof, an oxygen electrode as the cathode, and means for maintaining the anode and the cathode in an electricity-generating relationship when the battery is placed in salt water. Also disclosed is a method of producing electricity by positioning the anode and cathode in a saline electrolyte whereby the reactionM+20H.sup.- .fwdarw.M(OH).sub.2 +2e.sup.-occurs at the anode and the reactionO.sub.2 +2H.sub.2 O+4e.sup.- .fwdarw.20H.sup.31occurs at the anode, where M is magnesium, zinc, aluminum, or mixtures or alloys thereof.

Abstract: A silver-iron battery is made comprising a case 14 and a cover 15 within which are disposed at least one silver electrode 11, at least one iron electrode 12, a separator system 13 between the electrodes and an alkaline electrolyte, where the separator system contains at least a layer of low density polyethylene, having a density of from about 0.91 g./cm.sup.3 to about 0.92 g./cm.sup.3, graft co-polymerized with an acrylic material, disposed next to the silver electrodes, and at least a layer of high density polyethylene, having a density of from about 0.95 g./cm.sup.3 to about 0.96 g./cm.sup.3, graft co-polymerized with an acrylic material, disposed next to the iron electrodes, and where a layer of cellophane can also be included next to the low density polyethylene and a middle layer of low density polyethylene and be included between the cellophane and the high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A nickel-aluminum dry charge reserve battery has at least one electrode containing a nickel hydroxide containing active battery material, and at least one aluminum electrode, with a storage reservoir containing electrolyte nearby, and a means to transfer the stored electrolyte to the electrodes.

Abstract: The iron electrodes of a battery are recharged by removing them from the battery, heating them in a reducing gas atmosphere at over about 450.degree. C., for a sufficient time to convert discharged iron compounds to charged iron compounds, and then cooling the charged electrodes.

Abstract: An iron-silver battery is made, comprising at least one positive silver electrode plate; at least one negative iron electrode plate; and at least one shunt electrode connected to and electrically in parallel with the positive plate comprising a material having a lower oxygen evolution potential than silver, each separated from the other by a material that is not chemically attacked by electrolyte solution, and all housed in a case containing an electrolyte solution.

Abstract: A horizontally disposed iron/air battery cell, comprising two horizontally disposed air electrodes having air and electrolyte contacting sides, and side casings for holding the air electrodes, where the air electrodes and side casings define an electrolyte compartment containing electrolyte and a horizontally disposed iron electrode, with one casing side having at least one electrolyte inlet, and the opposite casing side having at least one electrolyte outlet, is operated by supplying air to the air side of the air electrode, and circulating electrolyte through a pump and then through the electrolyte compartment of the cell, where the total cross-sectional area of the outlet is between 1.25 to 5 times greater than the total cross-sectional area of the inlet, causing the pressure on the electrolyte contacting sides of the air electrodes to be between 0.5 psi. to 6.5 psi. less than the pressure on the air sides of the air electrodes.

Abstract: A self-supporting electrode structure consisting of active material particles is made by: (1) mixing 100 parts of metallic iron particles, with between about 0.5 part to about 5.0 parts of a water soluble metal sulfate selected from MgSO.sub.4, CdSO.sub.4, MnSO.sub.4, ZnSO.sub.4, BaSO.sub.4, Cr.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3, CuSO.sub.4, CaSO.sub.4, Li.sub.2 SO.sub.4, their hydrates and mixtures, as an electrochemical activator, and an amount of water effective to form a thin coating of metal sulfate on the metallic iron particles, (2) sizing the mixture to between about 10 microns to about 275 microns average particle size, (3) pressing the coated iron particles, and (4) reducing and sintering the coated iron particles at between about 700.degree. C to about 1,000.degree.

Abstract: Air electrodes for use in electrochemical energy cells which comprise a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer laminated thereto. The hydrophilic layer essentially comprises a hydrophilic composite which includesI. an oxygen absorption/reduction carbon,Ii. a material selected from the group consisting ofA. CuWO.sub.4, NiWO.sub.4, CoWO.sub.4 and WC with 1-20 wt. % Co. for a unifunctional electrode, orB. WS.sub.2, WC, and WC with 1-20 Wt.% Co. for a bi-functional electrode, andIii. a nonwetting agent containing a polytetrafluoroethylene. A metal current collector is molded into the composite to form a substantially flat hydrophilic layer. A catalyst is preferably incorporated into the composite of a bifunctional electrode to increase cycling life. The hydrophobic layer, comprising a sheet of porous fluorinated ethylene propylene, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, is laminated to the hydrophilic layer to complete the air electrodes of the invention.

Abstract: A composite cathode comprising an integral matrix of about 20 to 80% by weight current collector material which is electronic or semiconducting in nature, preferably carbon, and about 80 to 20% by weight metal sulfide, preferably antimony sulfide. The high energy density battery comprises said composite cathode in spaced apart relation to a LiAl alloy anode, and a molten LiCl--KCl electrolyte in contact with the cathode and anode.