Abstract: An electrical energy storage device includes a substrate having an outer surface and having a plurality of cavities communicating with the outer surface. The cavities have interior cavity surfaces. A first electrode layer is deposited at least over the interior cavity surfaces. An electrolyte separator layer is formed over the first electrode layer so as to fill the cavities and to extend over the outer surface of the planar substrate. A second electrode layer is formed over the electrolyte separator layer on the outer surface of the planar substrate.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device (20) includes a microchannel plate (MCP) (22) having channels (24) formed therein, the channels having surface areas. Thin films (26) are formed over the surface areas and define an anode (34,38), a cathode (34,38), and a solid electrolyte (36) disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Osteogenesis and osseointegration promotion and maintenance devices for osseous implants include an implant member having a first electrode, an inlaid second electrode positioned on the member so that it is electrically isolated from and substantially flush with the member surface, and an electrical stimulation mechanism preferably located at the member and operative to provide electrical stimulation signals to endosseous tissue surrounding the implant through the first and second electrodes. The first electrode may be the member itself or a second inlaid electrode. The implant is thus electrically functionalized for osteogenesis and osseointgration acceleration. The device is applicable to both non-dental and dental implants. In all embodiments, the use of inlaid electrode(s) enables the general appearance, external surface and mechanical integrity of the implant to be left essentially unchanged.

Abstract: A method for producing a microbattery including providing a conductive substrate, forming a thin film cathodic layer on at least one surface of the conductive substrate, subsequently forming a thin film electrolyte layer over the cathodic layer and subsequently forming a thin film anodic layer over the electrolyte layer

Abstract: The present invention provides an ion conducting matrix comprising: (i) 5 to 60% by volume of an inorganic powder having a good aqueous electrolyte absorption capacity; (ii) 5 to 50% by volume of a polymeric binder that is chemically compatible with an aqueous electrolyte; and (iii) 10 to 90% by volume of an aqueous electrolyte, wherein the inorganic powder comprises essentially sub-micron particles. The present invention further provides a membrane being a film made of the matrix of the invention and a composite electrode comprising 10 to 70% by volume of the matrix of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode and a fuel cell, which are built to prevent escape of liquids, e.g. water and fuel solution, from the cell. Thus, according to a first aspect thereof, the present invention provides a cathode suitable for use in a fuel cell having a proton conducting membrane, the cathode comprising a plurality of layers including a catalyst layer and a hydrophobic porous support layer, wherein at least one of said plurality of layers is a liquid water leak-proof layer, which allows gas to pass through it and prevents passage of liquid water and/or aqueous fuel solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved, low-cost fuel cells having reduced fuel crossover, reduced sensitivity to metal ion impurities and ability to operate under a broad range of temperatures. The invention further provides improved methods for catalyst preparation and a new integrated flow field system for use in H2/C2 fuel cells.

Abstract: A non-toxic polymer matrix comprising pores, a substantial portion of which are essentially less than 50 nm in diameter, the matrix being capable of absorbing and/or transporting an active agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved, low-cost fuel cells having reduced fuel crossover, reduced sensitivity to metal ion impurities and ability to operate under a broad range of temperatures. Additionally, new effective organic fuels are described for use in such fuel cells. The invention further provides improved methods for catalyst preparation and a new integrated flow field system for use in H2/O2 fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved, low-cost fuel cells having reduced fuel crossover, reduced sensitivity to metal ion impurities and ability to operate under a broad range of temperatures. Additionally, new effective organic fuels are described for use in such fuel cells. The invention further provides improved methods for catalyst preparation and a new integrated flow field system for use in H2/O2 fuel cells. The fuel cell includes a proton conducting membrane having pore diameters which are essentially smaller than 30 nanometers.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising a cathode, non-aprotic or polymeric electrolyte and an anode of carbon-based bonded particles coated with a thin (less than 1 micron thick) solid electrolyte interphase which is a M conductor and electronic insulator consisting of alkali metal or alkaline earth salts, oxides or sulfides, said cell being assembled in the non-charged state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode for use in a secondary electrochemical cell, such cathode being coated with a very thin, protective film, permeable to ions. The protective film of the cathode usually has a thickness of up to about 0.1 &mgr;m and it provides protection against high voltage charging and overdiscbarging. The present invention further provides a secondary electrochemical cell comprising such a cathode.

Abstract: Thin-film micro-electrochemical energy storage cells (MEESC) such as microbatteries and double-layer capacitors (DLC) are provided. The MEESC comprises two thin layer electrodes, an intermediate thin layer of a solid electrolyte and optionally, a fourth thin current collector layer; said layers being deposited in sequence on a surface of a substrate. The MEESC is characterized in that the substrate is provided with a plurality of through cavities of arbitrary shape, with high aspect ratio. By using the substrate volume, an increase in the total electrode area per volume is accomplished.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel cathodes for secondarylithium cells and to lithium cells which contain such cathodes. The secondary cells can be charged and discharged substantially more times than corresponding cells which contain conventional LiCoO.sub.2 type cathodes.The cathodes are based on crystalline compounds of the Li.sub.1 x M.sub.x/2 CoO.sub.2 type. One of the aspects of the invention is a process for the production of such crystalline cathodes, where M is selected from calcium, strontium, barium and magnesium and where the content of such bivalent cation M in the crystal is from about 0.1 weight-% to about 10 weight-%, preferably 0.2 to 5 weight-%. The novel crystalline cathode compound is synthesized by a solid/solid reaction at elevated temperature, generally in the 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. range. The cathode may be prepared from small crystals of such a compound, in combination with a compatible binder or conductive material, such as graphite.

Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte having a transference number above 0.5 for use in primary or secondary electrochemical cells. The solid electrolyte includes non-conductive oxide particles, of less than 5 microns in size, an alkali metal salt coating or in contact with these particles, an insulating elastomer forming a complex with the salt, and a solvent. Batteries and multi-cell batteries contain such solid electrolyte, and such batteries can be assembled with the cathod in the discharged state.

Abstract: A system for the supply of electrical energy by means of one or more high-power electrochemical cells. The system comprises a housing, such cell or cells being located at least partially in said housing and a fan or fans actuated during heavy discharge of the cell or cells to prevent the temperature rise of the cell or cells above a certain value. The system is of importance for high power cells, such as the various types of lithium cells, calcium, lithium alloy and calcium alloy cells. Temperature sensing means and a switch can be provided adapted to actuate the fan or fans when the temperature exceeds a certain value so as to provide cooling forced air circulation.

Abstract: There are provided novel anodes for lithium alloy electrochemical cells, and cells based on such anodes. The alloys used comprise one or more active metals which leaves or leave the anode matrix during discharge of the cell, with the alloy remaining in an intermediate variostoichiometric range during both charge and discharge of the cell. The curve of open circuit voltage as well as working condition voltage versus lithium content of the anode slopes, with no appreciable plateau. A specific embodiment relates to such anodes with a solid polymer electrolyte containing a suitable polymer. Another embodiment refers to porous electrodes made by sintering an alloy powder with a binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-cell battery of electro-chemical cells of the type which is likely to be severely damaged and which is apt to release a substantial quantity of heat when short-circuited.According to the invention, the multi-cell unit is provided with a certain filler in the space between the constituent electrochemical cells, which is either a solid with a melting point in a predetermined range of temperature, or a liquid. The filler ought to be electrically non-conducting, and its quantity ought to have an adequate heat capacity and it ought also to be capable to transfer heat to adjacent cells.

Abstract: There is provided an electrochemical charge with substantially increased safety. The cell contains a metal anode which can be alloyed by lithium, the preferred metals being selected from calcium, magnesium, and alloys of these, such cell comprising an electrolyte which is an aprotic solvent in which there is dissolved a suitable lithium salt, a cathode and a cathodic current collector. The anode can be initially charged with lithium. After a certain degree of discharge, certain embodiments of cells of the invention start forming a passivating layer on the anode preventing a runaway reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell which is safe even under adverse conditions and abuse. The cells comprise an alkaline metal anode, a current collector and an inorganic oxyhalide liquid cathode which contains an alkaline earth metal salt in a suitable solvent, such as thionyl chloride. The cell may contain sulfur dioxide dissolved in the solvent. Suitable salts are alkaline earth metal aluminum chlorides.