Abstract: A process for preparing an electrochemical cell that remains inactive until ionizable electrolyte salt solution is added to the cell housing after assembling into the cell housing the remaining components including an ionically nonconductive prepolymeric composition.

Abstract: A battery is provided with an end-of-cell voltage indicating device which can be used to indicate the state-of-charge of the battery. The indicating device has a flexible substrate of the same peripheral configuration as the battery. The substrate has an indicating coating on one surface which is in thermal or electrical contact with a conductive circuit pattern which can be temporarily connected between the terminals of the battery on application of pressure to an indicated spot on the surface of the substrate. The conductive circuit means causes the indicating coating to undergo a visible change which is representative of the state-of-charge or voltage of the battery. A dual end-switched, integral battery and state-of-charge indicating device having two switches disposed on one end of the battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A safety disconnect device for use in detecting a gas in a confined space, such as a flashlight, comprising the use of a catalytic gas recombination material, such as palladium, in conjunction with a heat-sensitive conductive element connected as a switch, in a circuit containing a power supply so that the heat generated by the reaction of the detected gas with a reactant on the surface of the catalytic material will alter the heat-sensitive conductive element to open the circuit.

Abstract: A tester for use in determining the voltage and state-of-charge of a battery. The tester can be permanently mounted on the battery and employs an electrochromic cell which changes visual appearance, for example, color or intensity of color when electrically connected across the terminals of a battery. The electrochromic cell undergoes an oxidation/reduction reaction on direct application of the DC potential of the battery. The color of the electrochromic cell can be compared with a color comparison chart to determine the condition of the battery. The tester can be permanently electrically connected to the battery or, preferably, can be connected momentarily to determine the state of the battery.

Abstract: A battery is provided with an end-of-cell voltage indicating device which can be used to indicate the state-of-charge of the battery. The indicating device has a flexible substrate of the same peripheral configuration as the battery. The substrate has an indicating coating on one surface which is in thermal or electrical contact with a conductive circuit pattern which can be temporarily connected between the terminals of the battery on application of pressure to an indicated spot on the surface of the substrate. The conductive circuit means causes the indicating coating to undergo a visible change which is representative of the state-of-charge or voltage of the battery. A dual end-switched, integral battery and state-of-charge indicating device having two switches disposed on one end of the battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thin film coulometer for use as a battery state of charge indicator in which the indicator is located on a battery and connected in parallel across a current path of a resistive segment of the battery so that during discharge, the coulometer can be observed to indicate the capacity of the battery. The coulometric charge indicator device may have a variable thickness construction and include indicia which are produced upon battery discharge.

Abstract: A cathode is comprised of a major amount of active cathode material and a binding amount of an ionically nonconductive prepolymeric composition. Polymer electrolyte electrochemical cells can be made using these cathodes.

Abstract: Cathode collectors are made in a substantially dry method from carbon fibrils that have a fiber diameter of from about 2 to about 200 nanometers, a fiber length to diameter ratio of from about 10 to about 500, with a maximum length of 1 millimeter, and a fiber surface area of from about 10 to about 500 m.sup.2 /g, and a binder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming porous carbon cathode collectors for electrochemical cells by mixing carbon black with binder and liquid to form a dough, drying it at an elevated temperature, compacting the dried mix at an elevated temperature, milling it to a particle size greater than 0.05 mm and preferably 0.1 to 0.3 mm, and molding the dry milled mix, preferably by auger feeding, to form a collector having a pore size at least 50% by volume being 10 microns or larger and most preferably in the range of 10 to 90 microns.

Abstract: A nonaqueous cell comprising an active metal anode, such as lithium, an ionically conductive cathode-electrolyte solution containing a solute dissolved in a liquid active cathode such as thionyl chloride, and wherein the cathode-electrolyte solution contains a boron-containing additive to alleviate initial voltage delay of the cell when discharged.

Abstract: A nonaqueous cell employing a liquid active cathode, such as thionyl chloride, and an anode, such as lithium, coated with a boron-containing surface film that will substantially prevent excessive anode passivation during storage or discharge of the cell.

Abstract: A nonaqueous cell employing a liquid active cathode, such as thionyl chloride, and an anode, such as lithium, coated with a boron-containing surface film that will substantially prevent excessive anode passivation during storage or discharge of the cell.