Abstract: A lithium-ion cell includes a carbonaceous anode and a lithiated metal oxide cathode, with a plastic spacer therebetween and liquid electrolyte containing lithium salts. The cell stands for a period of time aller electrolyte is added. The cell is then charged at a first current density of about ¼ mA/cm2 for at least an hour. Following the first charge, the cell stands open-circuited for at least an hour. The cell is again charged, at a current density significantly greater than the first current density, until the cell reaches a particular voltage which corresponds with the desired cell capacity, and gases are vented. After the second charge, the cell is discharged at a relatively high current density toward a particular voltage, so as to leave less active lithium ions in the anode structure. After discharge, the lithium ion cell is sealed and ready for charging by a user.

Abstract: A lithium-ion cell includes a carbonaceous anode and a lithiated metal oxide cathode, with a plastic spacer therebetween and a liquid electrolyte containing lithium salts. The cell is allowed to stand for a period of time after the electrolyte is added. The cell is then charged at a first current density of about ¼ mA/cm2 for at least an hour, and preferably for six hours. Following the first charge, the cell is allowed to stand open-circuited for at least an hour, and preferably for eight hours. After the open-circuit interval, the cell is again charged, this time at a current density significantly greater than the first current density, until the cell reaches a particular voltage, which in one case is 4.1 volts, which corresponds with the desired cell capacity, and gases are vented. In one version, the second charge density is ½ mA/cm2. After the second charge, the cell is discharged at a relatively high current density toward particular voltage, which in one mode of the method is 2.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical battery having a solid organic electrolyte and a thin film cathode and anode. In particular, the battery employs a proton-conducting organic polymer which is a mixture of a strong acid and a base polymer, a thin film anode containing a hydride alloy, and a thin film cathode containing a NiO.sub.x active material. The battery is rechargeable and capable of fast discharging and recharging. Further, the battery can be hermetically sealed in a case.

Abstract: A hydrogen electrode and the method of making the electrodes usable in a fuel cell comprising a perforated nickel foil current collector, the back side of which is sealed with a semi-permeable membrane of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with a thickness of 50 .mu.m and a pore diameter of 0.2 .mu.m. The front side is sealed with an electrocatalytic layer of about 25 .mu.m thickness. The electrocatalytic layer contains 75%, by weight, catalyst (carbon particles coated with a layer of catalyzing platinum) with a platinum loading of 0.25-0.6 mg/cm.sup.2. The platinum-covered carbon black is dispersed and embedded as individual but touching granules in strands of PTFE composing 25% of the layer. The porosity of the layer is 80% with a mean volume pore diameter of 10 .mu.m. The strands are obtained by roll compaction of granular PTFE.

Abstract: A zinc electrode comprised of a zinc active material which includes an additive material selected from the group consisting of zinc fluoride and zinc titanate.