Abstract: A metal-air battery having a liquid electrolyte above which is an air plenum. The battery includes a horizontally or vertically disposed anode completely within the electrolyte and a reticulated cathode arrangement which floats at the surface of the electrolyte and can accommodate for changes in the liquid level.

Abstract: A method of preparing microporous elemental silver is disclosed wherein a reducible silver compound is electrochemically reduced to form elemental silver. This method serves to introduce microporosity to the silver crystals. Microporous elemental silver can be used for the preparation of bodies of AgO, such as electrodes useful in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: An article and a method of forming an article comprising microporous elemental silver is disclosed wherein a porous conductive substrate is filled with a homogeneous mixture of Ag.sub.2 O and microporous elemental silver produced by the electrochemical reduction of Ag.sub.2 O. The preparation of articles therefrom is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an article comprising microporous elemental silver is disclosed wherein a porous conductive substrate is impregnated with molten silver nitrate. The silver nitrate in the pores of the substrate is then crystallized. Subsequently, the silver nitrate crystals are converted to Ag.sub.2 O and electrochemically reduced to yield microporous elemental silver. In addition, the invention comprehends articles formed by this method, as well as the preparation of articles therefrom.

Abstract: A terminal pattern is disclosed for an assembly of reactive metal electrochemical cells which includes a plurality of bipolar electrodes arranged in stacked, spaced relationship and connected in series between a pair of spaced conductive end plates. The terminal pattern on each end plate of the assembly includes an array of interconnected terminal segments of high conductive material disposed outwardly of a center point of the respective end plate in a generally uniform pattern with respect to the area configuration of the end plate. The pattern of terminal segments enlarge the terminal area and provide more uniform current distribution and active metal consumption over the areas of the bipolar electrodes.

Abstract: A system and a method useful in the formation of electrodes for use in electrochemical cells are disclosed. The system includes a pair of conductive metallic terminal electrodes spaced apart from one another and disposed in an aqueous electrolyte. The terminal electrodes are in electrical contact with a power supply to effect a flow of current in the electrolyte away from the first of the terminals and toward the second of the terminals. At least one precursor electrode comprising a material to be reduced or oxidized in electrical contact with a conductive backplate is disposed in the electrolyte between the terminals. The precursor electrode is oriented relative to the terminal electrodes so as to effect the reduction or oxidation of the material thereof. Restraining forces are applied to the precursor electrode to substantially maintain the dimensions of the precursor electrode during its reduction/oxidation.

Abstract: A system and a method useful in the formation of electrodes for use in electrochemical cells are disclosed. The system includes a pair of conductive end electrodes spaced apart from one another and situated in an aqueous electrolyte. A pair of precursor electrodes are placed in the electrolyte, between the end electrodes. Each of these precursor electrodes comprise a material to be selectively reduced or oxidized disposed on a conductive substrate. The precursor electrodes are in a configuration substantially precluding contact between the electrolyte and the substrates thereof. The end electrodes and the precursor electrodes are in electrical contact with a power supply to effect a current flow in the electrolyte thereby reducing or oxidizing the material of the precursor electrodes. Restraining forces are applied to the precursor electrodes to substantially maintain the dimensions thereof during the electrode charging process.

Abstract: The improved method of the invention comprises electrochemically depositing nickel hydroxide into the pores of a clean sintered nickel plaque cathode from heated aqueous electrolyte at acid pH in a treating zone containing an anode, while minimizing corrosion of the plaque. The electrochemical deposition is continued only until a loading level of about 2 grams per cubic centimeter of void volume in the plaque is obtained. This is in order to avoid thickening, swelling and stressing of the plaque. The method is carried out without the need for a wetting agent in the electrolyte. The plaque should be sufficiently clean so as to be readily wetted throughout by the electrolyte. Such a clean condition can be produced by heating the plaque to at least about 700.degree. C. Plaque corrosion is minimized by polarizing the plaque cathode as by the use of a sacrificial cadmium cathode. Plaque corrosion can also be minimized by maintaining an electric current in the electrolyte whenever the plaque is present therein.

Abstract: The improved method of the present invention comprises charging a vented alkaline electrolyte-containing electrochemical cell employing an electrode pair selected from the group consisting of nickel-zinc, nickel-cadmium, silver-zinc and silver-cadmium and at least periodic measuring the charging efficiency of the cell by determining the rate of gas evolution from the cell. The charging of the cell is terminated when the charging efficiency substantially decreases, signifying the cell having reached an about full charge. The charging efficiency at that point normally substantially decreases to a value of about 0.5.+-.0.2. In the alkaline electrolyte-containing cells, the charging efficiency is determined according to the formula E=1-(15.8/I) v wherein E is the charging efficiency, I is the current in amperes and v is the gas generation rate in the cell in cc per second. The improved method prevents overcharging of the cell and accurately determines when an about full charge is reached.

Abstract: The improved method of the invention comprises electrochemically depositing cadmium hydroxide into the pores of a sintered nickel plaque cathode from a heated electrolyte at acid pH and at controlled density in a treating zone containing an anode, at least periodically contacting the electrolyte during the electro chemical deposition with neutralizing agent selected from cadmium oxide and cadmium hydroxide to neutralize acid generated at the anode, and continuing the electrochemical deposition until an improved loading level of cadmium hydroxide within the cathode is obtained. The acid pH preferably is between 2 - 5 and the electrolyte preferably is in a concentration of 2 - 3 M and at an average temperature of about 85.degree. - 105.degree. C. Preferably, the current density is maintained at a level of less than one ampere per square inch in order to improve the loading level, which may be as high as about 2.6 grams of cadmium hydroxide per cubic centimeter of void volume in the cathode.

Abstract: An improved active electrode material for use in pressed nickel electrodes is made by first chemically co-oxidizing nickel and cobalt salts in an aqueous alkaline medium to form the respective NiO.sub.x and CoO.sub.x compounds and thereafter co-precipitating the latter compounds. After the co-precipitated NiO.sub.x and CoO.sub.x compounds are recovered, they are combined with a binder (and other electrode constituents if desired) and pressed into an apertured current collector at elevated pressures to form the pressed nickel electrodes.