Abstract: An electrochemical lead-acid accumulator includes negative and positive electrodes. The negative electrode has a current collector formed from a carbon sheet having a thickness between 50 and 200 ?m; first and second lead-based layers respectively covering first and second faces of the carbon sheet; and first and second layers of a lead-containing active material, having a thickness between 100 and 500 ?m, and arranged on either side of the carbon sheet, respectively on first and second lead-based layers. The positive electrode has a current collector formed from a titanium sheet having a thickness between 50 and 250 ?m; first and second electrically conducting metal oxide layers, respectively covering first and second faces of the titanium sheet; and first and second layers of a lead-containing active material, having a thickness comprised between 100 and 500 ?m, arranged on either side of the titanium sheet, respectively on first and second metal oxide layers.

Abstract: The method for determining the end-of-discharge voltage threshold of a rechargeable battery includes discharging the battery up to a predefined end-of-discharge voltage threshold, at least partially charging the battery, determining, while at least partially charging the battery, an electrical parameter representative of a coup de fouet effect, which coup de fouet effect appears during the partial charging, comparing said electrical parameter with a predetermined characteristic and updating the end-of-discharge voltage threshold to be used for subsequent discharging according to the result of said comparison.

Abstract: The method for controlling the end of discharge of a rechargeable battery according to the invention comprises determining the transition frequency of the battery and determining an end-of-discharge criterion of the battery according to said transition frequency. Said end-of-discharge criterion is representative for example of a predetermined maximum value of the slope of the transition frequency. The transition frequency can be determined periodically during use of the battery, discharging being interrupted by regulating means according to said transition frequency.

Abstract: The batteries of at least one battery subset are partially and preferably simultaneously charged; during this partial charging, electrical parameters representative of a coup de fouet effect on charging are measured to enable the extent of discharge of each of the batteries of the subset to be analyzed; the batteries are then charged sequentially with an order of priority that depends on the extent of discharge of the different batteries; priority is preferably given to charging the most extensively discharged batteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing chips composed of at least one electrically conductive material. Such a method comprises the following steps: deposition, on a support, of an alloy comprising at least the electrically conductive material and a second material; exposure of the alloy to plasma etching, in order to cause the desorption of the materials of the alloy not forming part of the composition of the chips, that is at least the second material but not the electrically conductive material; formation of chips composed of at least said electrically conductive material.

Abstract: The method for determining the end-of-discharge voltage threshold of a rechargeable battery comprises discharging the battery up to a predefined end-of-discharge voltage threshold, at least partial charging of the battery, determining, during said charging, an electrical parameter representative of a coup de fouet effect on charging, comparing said parameter with a predetermined characteristic and updating, if necessary, the end-of-discharge voltage threshold to be used for subsequent discharging according to the result of said comparison.

Abstract: The method for controlling the end of discharge of a rechargeable battery according to the invention comprises determining (F1) the transition frequency (FHF) of the battery and determining (F2, F3) an end-of-discharge criterion of the battery according to said transition frequency (FHF). Said end-of-discharge criterion is representative for example of a predetermined maximum value (Pmax) of the slope of the transition frequency (FHF). The transition frequency (FHF) can be determined (F1) periodically during use of the battery, discharging being interrupted (F4) by regulating means according to said transition frequency (FHF).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing chips composed of at least one electrically conductive material. Such a method comprises the following steps: deposition, on a support, of an alloy comprising at least the electrically conductive material and a second material; exposure of the alloy to plasma etching, in order to cause the desorption of the materials of the alloy not forming part of the composition of the chips, that is at least the second material but not the electrically conductive material; formation of chips composed of at least said electrically conductive material.

Abstract: The batteries of at least one battery subset are partially and preferably simultaneously charged; during this partial charging, electrical parameters representative of a coup de fouet effect on charging are measured to enable the extent of discharge of each of the batteries of the subset to be analyzed; the batteries are then charged sequentially with an order of priority that depends on the extent of discharge of the different batteries; priority is preferably given to charging the most extensively discharged batteries.