Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell includes a rolled-up electrode unit composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed therebetween, and a negative electrode current collector plate and a positive electrode current collector plate joined to the respective ends of the electrode unit. The collector plate has a two-layer structure comprising a copper layer made of copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of copper, and a metal layer made of a metal not forming an intermetallic compound with lithium and having a lower laser beam reflectivity than copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of the metal. The collector plate has its copper layer contacted with an edge of the negative electrode projecting at one of the opposite ends of the electrode unit and welded thereto with a laser beam.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery including a positive electrode comprising a molybdenum metal oxide deposited, in the form of a thin film, on an aluminum-containing substrate and represented by the formula Mo1−xMxO2+y (where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Cu, Al, Mg, W, Sc, Ti, Zn, Ga, Ge, Nb, Rh, Pd and Sn, x satisfies the relationship 0.005≦x≦0.5, and y satisfies the relationship 0.6≦y≦1.2).

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell includes a rolled-up electrode unit composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed therebetween, and a negative electrode current collector plate and a positive electrode current collector plate joined to the respective ends of the electrode unit. The negative electrode collector plate is joined to an edge of the negative electrode projecting at one of the opposite ends of the electrode unit. The collector plate has a two-layer structure of a copper layer made of copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of copper, and a metal layer made of a metal not forming an intermetallic compound with lithium and having a lower laser beam reflectivity than copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of the metal. The collector plate has its copper layer contacted with the edge of the negative electrode and welded thereto with a laser beam.

Abstract: A nickel electrode for alkaline secondary battery including a porous sintered nickel substrate loaded with a nickel hydroxide-based active material, the nickel electrode has a configuration wherein a surface portion of the active material loaded into the sintered nickel substrate is provided with a combination of a first coating layer of a suitable compound and a second coating layer of a suitable compound, or a coating layer of a compound of two or more suitable elements, or wherein the coating layer of two or more suitable elements is formed between the sintered nickel substrate and the active material.

Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell comprising a rolled-up electrode unit 4 encased in a cell can 1, a striplike current collector forming an electrode has an edge 48 projecting from at least one of opposite ends of the electrode unit. A current collecting plate 5 is joined to the current collector edge 48. A plurality of circular-arc protrusions 52 projecting in a circular-arc cross section and a plurality of slit pieces 53 are formed radially on the current collecting plate 5 and opposed to the current collector edge 48. The collecting plate 5 is welded to the current collector edge 48, with the protrusions 52 and the slit pieces 53 biting into the current collector edge 48, whereby high current collecting performance is available.

Abstract: A battery module has a plurality of electrically connected unit cells fixed in a container. A buffer member is provided at the void between the inner wall of the container and the unit cell. By virtue of the buffer member in the battery module formed of a heat conductive elastic body, the requirement of vibration resistance can be met by the buffer member while the heat generated by the unit cell can be easily discharged via the buffer member. Thus, a battery module suppressed in degradation of the performance of the unit cell caused by heat can be provided.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery according to the present invention includes a positive electrode in which an aluminum foil containing manganese is used as a current collector, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution formed by dissolving lithium salt in a non-aqueous solvent wherein divalent manganese salt is added to said non-aqueous electrolyte solution.

Abstract: In a secondary cell comprising an electrode unit enclosed in a cell can and adapted to deliver electric power generated by the electrode unit via electrode terminal assemblies, each electrode terminal assembly comprises an electrode terminal member extending through a center hole in a lid of the can, an insulating seal member provided in the center hole of the lid around a screw shank of the electrode terminal member, and a nut screwed on the screw shank of the electrode terminal member projecting outward from can. The insulating seal member is in engagement with the can and the flange of the electrode terminal member and nonrotatable relative to the cell can and the flange, whereby the electrode terminal member is prevented from rotating with the nut when the electrode terminal assembly is fixed to the lid.

Abstract: In a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode employed as a negative electrode of an alkaline storage battery, a covering layer containing at least one of metal elected from nickel and cobalt, and carbon particles is formed on a surface of the hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode or hydrogen absorbing alloy particles used in the hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode.

Abstract: A secondary cell comprises a gastight can 1 having a cylinder 11 and a lid 12 fixed to an opening portion of the cylinder, and a secondary cell element accommodated in the can 1. The lid 12 is fixedly provided with a gas vent closure 4 in the form of a disk and having a diaphragm 42 openable upon the internal pressure of the can 1 exceeding a predetermined value. The gas vent closure 4 has an outer peripheral portion welded to an opening edge defining a through bore 14 formed in the lid 12. The lid 12 is formed in a front surface thereof with a circumferential groove 5 surrounding the welded portion of the gas vent closure 4, and a diminished portion 51 is provided between the groove 5 and the welded portion for reducing the sectional area of a heat flow path for the heat of welding to pass therethrough. The lid 12 thus constructed makes it possible to weld the vent closure 4 to the lid 12 free of defects such as pinholes or cracks.

Abstract: In the nonaqueous secondary battery of this invention, a positive electrode includes, as an active material, a composite oxide represented by a composition formula, LixMn2−y−zNiyMzOq, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Mg, Al, Ti, V, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo and In; 1.20≦x≦1.80; y≧0.10; z≧0; y+z≦1.90; and 3.70≦q≦4.30, in a discharge state during fabrication of the nonaqueous secondary battery. As a result, the nonaqueous secondary battery can exhibit good charge-discharge cycle performance and can be fabricated at low cost.

Abstract: A nickel electrode for alkaline secondary battery including a porous sintered nickel substrate loaded with a nickel hydroxide-based active material, the nickel electrode has a configuration wherein a surface portion of the active material loaded into the sintered nickel substrate is provided with a combination of a first coating layer of a suitable compound and a second coating layer of a suitable compound, or a coating layer of a compound of two or more suitable elements, or wherein the coating layer of two or more suitable elements is formed between the sintered nickel substrate and the active material.

Abstract: The lithium secondary battery of this invention uses a nonaqueous electrolyte including lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate as a part or whole of an electrolytic salt. As a result, the lithium secondary battery exhibits better charge-discharge cycle performance than a lithium secondary battery using a conventional lithium salt as the electrolytic salt.

Abstract: A separator for a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a hydrogen-absorbing alloy as a negative electrode. The separator is a laminate of a substrate and a porous hydrophilic film.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of reducing optimally peak demand for power by using small capacity storage batteries.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode obtained by the step P1 of preparing a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder containing cobalt and nickel, the step P2 of subjecting the surfaces of the alloy particles to a reduction treatment with high-temperature hydrogen by holding the powder in a high-temperature hydrogen atmosphere under the conditions of temperature, pressure and time sufficient to reduce oxides formed in a surface layer portion of each of the alloy particles, not melting the alloy particles and not permitting the alloy particles to absorb hydrogen, the step P3 of treating the resulting powder with an acid or alkali by immersing the powder in an acid or alkaline aqueous solution, followed by suction filtration, washing with water and drying, and the step P4 of applying the resulting power to an electrically conductive substrate and shaping the substrate in the form of the electrode. The electrode thus provided has higher activity than conventionally.

Abstract: For use in lithium secondary cells, a positive electrode terminal 51 and a negative electrode terminal 81 are given an enhanced mechanical strength to improve the reliability of electrical connection between the cell and an external circuit, while the formation of oxide film on these terminals is inhibited to suppress the discharge voltage drop of the cell. To give these advantages to the lithium secondary cell embodying the invention, the positive electrode terminal 51 is formed from an aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon in a combined amount of at least 1.0 wt. % as additive elements, and the negative electrode terminal 81 is formed by plating a substrate of oxygen-free copper with nickel.

Abstract: A battery module has a plurality of electrically connected unit cells fixed in a container. A buffer member is provided at the void between the inner wall of the container and the unit cell. By virtue of the buffer member in the battery module formed of a heat conductive elastic body, the requirement of vibration resistance can be met by the buffer member while the heat generated by the unit cell can be easily discharged via the buffer member. Thus, a battery module suppressed in degradation of the performance of the unit cell caused by heat can be provided.

Abstract: To provide a fuel cell that includes a cell unit formed by arranging an anode and a cathode on a proton exchange membrane and that can stably generate electricity with excellent characteristics. To realize such a fuel cell, wettability of the proton exchange membrane and the electrode catalyst layer is made uniform. In a gas diffusion layer 24 sandwiched between a cathode catalyst layer 22 and a cathode side separator plate 60, water retentivity in a predetermined range from an inlet for an oxidizing gas (air) is adjusted so as to be higher in parts 24A that face oxidant channels 65 than in parts 24B that face ribs 66. This wettability adjustment in the gas diffusion layer 24 is accomplished by setting water repellent material content per unit area in the channel facing parts 24A smaller than in the rib facing parts 24B.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator which has a metal substrate and offers a high corrosion resistance and conductivity is provided. The separator has a metal layer on the surface of the substrate made of stainless steel, and a conductive layer on top of the metal layer. The conductive layer is made up of conductive particles which are fusion-bonded to each other and exhibit excellent conductivity. The separator also has a highly corrosion-resisting oxide layer which covers exposed parts of the metal layer, the parts where the metal layer is not covered with the conductive particles. This enables the fuel cell separator to assume high conductivity at an interface between the metal layer and the conductive particles, and high corrosion resistance at the exposed parts of the surface of the metal layer.