Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a high capacity electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode includes a mixture having a first component, a second component and a third component. The first component includes a first element, the second component includes a second element, and the third component includes the first element and the second element. The mixture can, for instance, be a mixed metal oxide. The separator is configured to provide suitable ionic transport between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: According to the present invention an alkaline electrochemical cell can contain an anode having an anode active material, an alkaline electrolyte, a gelling agent and an oxazoline surfactant additive. The invention relates to an anode mix, to an anode containing the mix, and to an electrochemical cell containing the anode and to methods for making the anode mix, the anode and the cell. Performance improvements can be realized when the oxazoline surfactant is provided in the anode, which can include increased operating voltage, good high rate pulse capability, elimination of initial potential dip, good shelf life and reduced sensitivity to open circuit rest.

Abstract: Inclusion of an electronic conducting polymer additive powder in a gelled anode of an alkaline electrochemical cell having an anode active metal material can improve discharge performance of the cell. A preferred conducting polymer powder is polyaniline powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell including a cathode that can contain an oxide of copper as an active material, an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The oxide can have surface area greater than 0.5 m2/g, and the cathode can include an additive that increases the discharge voltage of the cell. In some cases the additive has a lower voltage than the oxide alone. The additive can have a surface area within the range defined by a lower limit of 0.5 m2/g and an upper limit of 100 m2/g. The anode can include a quantity of mercury below 0.025%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The anode is configured to operate in combination with a quantity of an oxide of copper in the cathode. The cell is capable of operating at a discharge voltage greater than 1.05 volts for at least an initial 5 % of a cell discharge period at a current density of at least 5 mA/g, and can include a cathode active material that includes an oxide of copper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell having a cathode containing an oxide of copper as an active material, as well as an anode, an electrolyte, and separators for use with the cathodes of the invention in an alkaline electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A sulfonic acid type organic surfactant is incorporated into the gelled anode of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant. When the two surfactants are provided in a gelled anode in combination, discharge leakage is reduced and gel gassing is suppressed relative to that of gels lacking both surfactants. Additionally, cell discharge performance is improved relative to that of cells lacking both surfactant additives.

Abstract: According to the present invention an alkaline electrochemical cell can contain an anode having an anode active material, an alkaline electrolyte, a gelling agent and an oxazoline surfactant additive. The invention relates to an anode mix, to an anode containing the mix, and to an electrochemical cell containing the anode and to methods for making the anode mix, the anode and the cell. Performance improvements can be realized when the oxazoline surfactant is provided in the anode, which can include increased operating voltage, good high rate pulse capability, elimination of initial potential dip, good shelf life and reduced sensitivity to open circuit rest.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing cathodes loaded with manganese oxide that are suitable for use in metal-air cells. The manganese oxide is prepared from the reduction of potassium permanganate by sodium formate at a substantially neutral pH level to produce manganese oxide sols. The sols are then mixed with a carbon slurry to produce a colloidal suspension. The suspension is subsequently waterproofed before being filtered, washed, dried, and rolled to produce the active catalyst layer for the cathode during discharge of the cell. The catalyst layer is then laminated with a current collector and air diffusion layer. A separator is then added to provide a carbon-based air cathode loaded with manganese oxide.

Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells having extended service life and acceptable gassing and corrosion properties are disclosed. An amphoteric surfactant can be incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant or a sulfonic acid type organic surfactant or both. Zinc particles having a defined distribution of particle sizes can also be incorporated into a zinc anode. The electrolyte included in the anode mixture can have a reduced hydroxide concentration.

Abstract: A sulfonic acid type organic surfactant is incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant. Zinc fines may also be incorporated into the anode. The electrolyte included in the anode mixture may have a reduced hydroxide concentration. When a cell is provided whose anode mixture includes the two surfactants and zinc fines alone or in combination with a lowered hydroxide concentration in the electrolyte, discharge leakage is reduced and gel gassing is suppressed relative to that of gels lacking both surfactants. Additionally, cell discharge performance is improved relative to that of cells lacking both the zinc fines and lowered hydroxide concentration.

Abstract: A catalyst, active layer, and cathode for metal air and other air-assisted cells and methods of producing these are disclosed. The cathode produced comprises a substantially unoxidized carbon support with a manganese or other oxide catalyst. The support maintains its inherent water repellency, conductivity and active sites. The cathode is therefore capable of sustaining significantly high currents for prolonged duration, at higher operating voltages, enabling the extension of metal air technology for higher power devices.

Abstract: A sulfonic acid type organic surfactant is incorporated into the gelled anode of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant. When the two surfactants are provided in a gelled anode in combination, discharge leakage is reduced and gel gassing is suppressed relative to that of gels lacking both surfactants. Additionally, cell discharge performance is improved relative to that of cells lacking both surfactant additives.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing cathodes loaded with manganese oxide that are suitable for use in metal-air cells. The manganese oxide is prepared from the reduction of potassium permanganate by sodium formate at a substantially neutral pH level to produce manganese oxide sols. The sols are then mixed with a carbon slurry to produce a colloidal suspension. The suspension is subsequently waterproofed before being filtered, washed, dried, and rolled to produce the active catalyst layer for the cathode during discharge of the cell. The catalyst layer is then laminated with a current collector and air diffusion layer. A separator is then added to provide a carbon-based air cathode loaded with manganese oxide.

Abstract: Inclusion of an electronic conducting polymer additive powder in a gelled anode of an alkaline electrochemical cell having an anode active metal material can improve discharge performance of the cell. A preferred conducting polymer powder is polyaniline powder.

Abstract: According to the present invention an alkaline electrochemical cell can contain an anode having an anode active material, an alkaline electrolyte, a gelling agent and an oxazoline surfactant additive. The invention relates to an anode mix, to an anode containing the mix, and to an electrochemical cell containing the anode and to methods for making the anode mix, the anode and the cell. Performance improvements can be realized when the oxazoline surfactant is provided in the anode, which can include increased operating voltage, good high rate pulse capability, elimination of initial potential dip, good shelf life and reduced sensitivity to open circuit rest.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented having an improved separator disposed at the interface of the anode and cathode. In particular, the separator conforms to the contour of the electrode and is thinner than conventional separators made of non-woven fabric. The conformal separator may be formed from combinations of certain polymers and inorganic crosslinking agents.

Abstract: An anode is provided for an electrochemical cell having an ionically conductive additive, such as Laponite® or any alternative clay suitable to improve the transport of hydroxyl ions into anode during discharge.