Abstract: The invention concerns an alkaline Ni-Zn battery comprising both anolyte (E) partially or totally in the form of a viscous phase such as a gel, and catholyte (D) optionally in the form of a viscous phase, a microporous separator (A) between the anolyte and the catholyte, the anolyte and the catholyte having different compositions and volume, and an assembly of bipolar elements. The microporous separator is enclosed between impregnated macroporous separators (F) of the anolyte and the catholyte respectively. The total volume of the anolyte and of the catholyte is contained in the porosity of the macroporous separators and in the porosity of the electrodes. The microporous separator is for example based on cellulose or polypropylene. The inventive Ni-Zn battery has good charging/discharging cycles and low plate resistance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel cell electrode with solid polyer electrolyte comprising in its active layer at least two distinct domains: one is in particular the site of electronic transfer electrochemical reactions, the other serves only for ionic conduction. Said novel electrode structure for fuel cell with solid electrolyte polyer is designed the current density levels at the electrodes by increasing the thickness of the efficient part of their active layer. To achieve this, the ionic conduction in the active layer thickness is reinforced by adding, in specific content, impregnated fibres of the ionic conductor. Moreover, conditions are produced such that the surfaces comprising the platinum sites are coated with a film, uniform if possible, whereof the thickness should not exceed a predetermined value. Finally, it is optionally advantageous to place in the active layer micro-tubes which will promote the transfer of gas phases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composite plate for Pb/PbO2 batteries with bipolar electrodes, characterized by unidirectional electronic conduction provided by metal wires made at least at the surface of lead or lead alloy, arranged in a regular array and coated with a polymer, stable in an acid medium and capable of generating a strong bonding with the lead or lead alloy constituting the wire surface—the wire volume representing only at most 4% of the plate total volume at most. Hence the mass per unit area thereof remains of the order of 15 g/km2.

Abstract: A bipolar collector-heat exchanger is shown which combines, at the same time, a main structure made of an electronically and thermally conducting material, discrete collection of the charges and the heat, carried out by metal contacts which are distributed uniformly at the surface of the electrodes and penetrate into the main structure, but which do not pass fully through it, and the use of non-conductive open structures which homogenise the flow of the gaseous reactants.

Abstract: The invention concerns bipolar collectors with discrete collecting of charges for a fuel cell comprising a screen (A) having good electronic conductivity and electronically conductive needles (B) through which the charges flow, said needles being placed perpendicularly to the surface of the screen separating two adjacent elements but not passing through them and embedded on either side in blind holes distributed over the surface of the screen in contact with the electrodes. The screen consisting of a polymer made conductive by addition of a conductive charge, is optionally grooved on its main surface so as to provide passages (D) for gas circulation or comprises pins (E) defining a space on either side of its main surfaces wherein the gases can circulate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bipolar collector for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell whereof the electronic conduction is provided by uniformly distributed metal cylinders, and whereof the tips penetrate into the electrodes. The minimal distance between two cylinders ranges between 2 and 4 mm and the tightness between the two surfaces is provided by a polymer plate wherein the cylinders are inserted. Said design is applicable to plates incorporating ducts for transporting fluids or plates whereon are arranged, on either side, microporous structures serving as fluid distributor. Said type of collector is characterised in that the ohmic drop is very low, even for current density levels of the order of 1 A/cm2.

Abstract: An alkaline storage battery comprising at least one positive electrode and a negative zinc electrode in contact with an electrolyte via at least one electrolyte-impregnated separator is disclosed. The electrodes are clamped against two respective bipolar screens supported by a sealing frame. The positive electrode is in contact with a first electrolyte having a predetermined volume and composition via at least one first separator, the negative electrode is in contact with a second electrolyte having a predetermined volume and composition different from those of the first electrolytes via at least one second separator, and the first and second electrolytes are separated by a membrane forming a zincate and optionally aluminate filter, particularly an anionically conductive membrane defining first and second compartments.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode for alkaline batteries, including a conductive screen, a tridimensional collector provided with asperities which is plated on each side of the conductive screen, active material filling the collectors in order to constitute positive and negative electrodes, respectively, wherein at least one of each side of the conductive screen is grooved and the tridimensional collector is affixed to the conductive screen by means of a non-conductive adhesive, stable in the presence of a highly alkaline electrolyte, in direct contact with the external sides of the conductive screen by means of the asperities of the tridimensional collector.

Abstract: Bipolar electrode is provided with a conductive support/separator perforated on a part which is free from active material with at least one opening which communicates by a gaseous environment in a battery between elements assembled in series. The opening prevents the passage of electrolyte from one conductive support/separator to another, and may include an advantageously hydrophobic material, which also contains an opening therethrough, and is arranged on at least one side of the opening. The bipolar electrodes are particularly applicable to sealed batteries.

Abstract: The cadmium negative electrode has a structure serving as a collector and made of nickel foam. The sponge is filled with a mixture cons mainly of cadmium oxide and contains nickel sulphate hexahydrate in the proportion of 1.8 to 2.7% by weight of the total mixture, expressed in the form of nickel.

Abstract: The cadmium negative electrode has a structure serving as a collector and made of nickel foam. The sponge is filled with a mixture consisting mainly of cadmium oxide and contains nickel sulphate in the proportion of 1.8 to 2.7% by weight of the total mixture, expressed in the form of nickel.

Abstract: The positive nickel electrode is provided having a structure of cellular nickel foam filled with a paste based on nickel hydroxide. The paste contains (in dry matter and per 100 parts by weight nickel hydroxide) 7 to 8 parts by weight powder-form nickel metal, 5 to 12 parts by weight of a cobalt hydroxide and/or salt, the parts by weight being expressed as equivalents of cobalt metal.

Abstract: Collector support for lead/lead oxide batteries is made of a screen of electrolyte-resistant polymer coated with a conductive underlayer and a layer of lead or a lead rich alloy having a mass per surface comprised between 30 and 40 g/dm.sup.2 relative to the projected surface area of the collector support. The dimensions of the screen are such that no point inside the screen pattern is located at a distance greater than 2.5 mm from any strand of the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for charging a reversible electrochemical generator consisting of a plurality of cells, which are electrically in series, comprising a zinc negative electrode and a positive electrode between which a basic electrolyte, containing solubilized zinc, circulates, consisting in making the electrolyte in the cells circulate successively from one cell to the next and in applying to it a charging current forming a succession of approximately rectangular pulses. The direction of circulation of the electrolyte during charging is periodically reversed.

Abstract: The invention relates to lanthanum and nickel based alloys comprising components of the La Ni.sub.5 type where the lanthanum and/or nickel are partially substituted, the substituent element comprising a metal M chosen in the VI or VII group of the elements periodic system and this according to an atomic proportion comprised between 0.1 and 2 relative to nickel, and preferably between 0.5 and 1.The invention relates also to hydrogen electrodes made from such an alloy, and to an alkaline electrode type accumulator comprising such an electrode.

Abstract: An electrochemical generator operating device having a zinc electrode of the type known as a scattered electrode using a fluid containing alkaline electrolyte and particles which come in contact with the negative upper face of a flat bipolar current collector when the fluid is not in circulation. The fluid is circulated through the use of an intermittent operating pump and is guided through a plurality of horizontal parallel pipes with a rectangular section in such a manner so that the operation is intermittent both during the recharge and the discharge phases and is further characterized by the fact that the off time of the pump is greater than the on time.

Abstract: The invention relates to accumulators comprising halogen electrodes operating with fused halide based electrolyte.Such accumulators can include an electrochemical chain aluminium/mixture of aluminium halide and alkalin metal halide/metallic derivatives introduced into graphite.Application to the constitution of accumulators including halogen electrodes for considerable storage of halogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved electrode for an electrochemical generator, said electrode enabling the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen supplied of the interface of said electrode and an electrolyte. It comprises a nickel-based catalyst formed of particles or crystallites the sizes of which range from about 20 to about 130 Angstroms.

Abstract: The invention relates to electro materials based on lanthanum and nickel having a formula close to LaNi.sub.5 in which one of the components is partially substituted by a metal selected from those in groups Ia, II, III, IV and Va of the periodic table of elements, and other than lanthanides, in an atomic proportion which is not zero, being higher than 0.1% and lower than 25%, and preferbly from 0.5% to 15% with respect to the lanthanum.