Abstract: An apparatus includes a charger and a plurality of connectors such that a connector includes a switch and a connection between the charger and the connector. The charger is configured to direct a switch associated with one of the plurality of connectors to connect the connector with which it is associated to the charger. The charger is also configured to charge a device connected to the connector according to a type of battery detected in the device. A plurality of devices is charged using a prioritized charging scheme.

Abstract: Charging at least one rechargeable battery includes regulating a voltage applied to the at least one rechargeable battery by coupling a circuit between an output of a rectifier circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery, limiting the charging current to be within a first predetermined range and when a predetermined battery charging voltage is reached, dropping the charging current to be within a second predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having an internally integrated voltage converter module. The battery includes at least one electrochemical cell having an internal bore, a voltage converter module electrically coupled to the at least one electrochemical cell and disposed within a portion of the internal bore, the voltage converter configured to convert a first voltage produced by the at least one electrochemical cell into a second, different voltage, a set of terminals being electrically coupled to the voltage converter, and a bypass circuit coupled between one of the terminals of the set of terminals and the at least one electrochemical cell to direct charging current applied from an external source to the at least one electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having an internally integrated voltage converter module. The battery includes at least one electrochemical cell having an internal bore, a voltage converter module electrically coupled to the at least one electrochemical cell and disposed within a portion of the internal bore, the voltage converter configured to convert a first voltage produced by the at least one electrochemical cell into a second, different voltage, a set of terminals being electrically coupled to the voltage converter, and a bypass circuit coupled between one of the terminals of the set of terminals and the at least one electrochemical cell to direct charging current applied from an external source to the at least one electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual use apparatus including a base device having a port for delivering charging current to an battery to be charged, and a charging circuit, disposed in the base device and in communication with the port to determine a charge capacity of the battery using battery identifying information received from the battery, and applying the charging current to the battery based on the determined charge capacity.

Abstract: A battery that includes an electrochemical cell having an internal bore therethrough is described herein. The battery also includes a voltage converter module electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell and disposed within a portion of the internal bore The voltage converter is configured to convert a first voltage produced by the electrochemical cell into a second, different voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a charger and a plurality of connectors such that a connector includes a switch and a connection between the charger and the connector. The charger is configured to direct a switch associated with one of the plurality of connectors to connect the connector with which it is associated to the charger. The charger is also configured to charge a device connected to the connector according to a type of battery detected in the device. A plurality of devices is charged using a prioritized charging scheme.

Abstract: Electrochemical methods of evaluating battery active materials, such as cathode active materials, are provided.

Abstract: Charging at least one rechargeable battery includes regulating a voltage applied to the at least one rechargeable battery by coupling a circuit between an output of a rectifier circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery, limiting the charging current to be within a first predetermined range and when a predetermined battery charging voltage is reached, dropping the charging current to be within a second predetermined range.

Abstract: Secondary batteries having fast charge times are provided. In some implementations, the cathode includes LiFePO4 as an active material. In some implementations, the batteries include carbon-based anodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery. The battery includes an electrochemical cell having an internal bore therethrough, and a voltage converter module electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell and disposed within a portion of the internal bore, the voltage converter configured to convert a first voltage produced by the electrochemical cell into a second, different voltage.

Abstract: A battery can include a housing, a cathode within the housing, and an anode within the housing. The cathode can include a lithium ion active cathode material and a network of conductive metallic material within the active cathode material. The cathode can have a thickness of at least 1 mm.

Abstract: Secondary batteries are provided in which the cathode includes LiFePO4 as an active material. In some implementations, the batteries include carbon anodes. Hearing aids containing such batteries, and cathodes for such batteries are also provided.

Abstract: Chargers for charging a rechargeable battery determine a current level to apply to the rechargeable battery such that the battery has a pre-determined charge that is reached within a charging period of time of between 4-6 minutes and apply a charging current having substantially about the determined current level to battery and terminating the charging current after a period of charging time substantially equal to the particular period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having an internally integrated voltage converter module. The battery includes at least one electrochemical cell having an internal bore, a voltage converter module electrically coupled to the at least one electrochemical cell and disposed within a portion of the internal bore, the voltage converter configured to convert a first voltage produced by the at least one electrochemical cell into a second, different voltage, a set of terminals being electrically coupled to the voltage converter, and a bypass circuit coupled between one of the terminals of the set of terminals and the at least one electrochemical cell to direct charging current applied from an external source to the at least one electrochemical cell.