Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a battery cell which includes a weakness for relieving pressure. This battery cell includes a jelly roll comprising layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator and an anode with an active coating. The jelly roll also includes a first conductive tab coupled to the cathode and a second conductive tab coupled to the anode. The jelly roll is enclosed in a flexible pouch, wherein the first and second conductive tabs extend through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell. This pouch includes a weakness which yields when internal pressure in the pouch exceeds a threshold to create a hole which releases the internal pressure.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that monitors a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system applies a pulse load to the battery and determines an impedance of the battery by measuring a voltage of the battery during the pulse load. Next, the system assesses a health of the battery based on the impedance. Finally, the system uses the assessed health to manage use of the battery in the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an improved rechargeable lithium battery. This rechargeable lithium battery includes a cathode current collector with a coating of cathode active material. It also includes an electrolyte separator, and an anode current collector with a coating of anode active material. Within this rechargeable battery, the thickness of the coating of cathode active material and the thickness of the coating of anode active material are selected so that the battery will charge in a predetermined maximum charging time with a predetermined minimum cycle life when the battery is charged using a multi-step constant-current constant-voltage (CC-CV) charging technique.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that charges a battery. During operation, the system obtains a set of charging currents {I1, . . . , In} and a set of charging voltages {V1, . . . , Vn}. Next, the system repeats constant-current and constant-voltage charging operations, starting with i=1 and incrementing i with every repetition, until a termination condition is reached. These constant-current and constant-voltage charging operations involve charging the battery using a constant current Ii until a cell voltage of the battery reaches Vi, and then charging the battery using a constant voltage Vi until a charging current is less than or equal to Ii+1.

Abstract: A (e.g., 12-volt) lead acid battery having prismatic and wound prismatic battery cells that are arranged relative to one another within a standard battery casing to avoid wasted space whereby to improve the overall volumetric efficiency of the battery relative to conventional batteries having thick grids or cylindrical cell configurations. According to a first preferred embodiment, each battery cell includes a plurality of cathode and anode electrode plates, wherein each plate is manufactured from an electrically-conductive flexible foil covered on opposite sides thereof by one of a positively or negatively charged material. According to a second preferred embodiment, each battery cell includes flexible, electrically-conductive cathode and anode electrodes that are prismatically wound in an oval (i.e., flat) configuration, such that the battery cell is longer along the major axis thereof than along the minor axis.

Abstract: Lead-acid storage batteries of the type having a plurality of cells, each including alternating positive and negative plates, each plate including an upstanding lug, and a partition separating adjacent cells are provided with unique improved lighter weight and lower resistance plate and intercell connectors. The connector comprises at least one cell plate connector including a wall with a multiple spaced slots for receiving the lugs from either the positive or negative plates of the cells. A strap extends from the cell plate connector. The cell plate connector and the strap are formed of a metal substrate that has a lower specific gravity and higher conductivity than lead, the substrate having a lead-based outer coating that resists the corrosive effects of the battery acid. A small amount of lead is then applied covering the slotted wall and at least a portion of each lug to insure good connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: Hydrogen and oxygen are obtained by the photocatalytic decomposition of water by passing light in an inert atmosphere through an aqueous solution of dioxygen complex of ruthenium and EDTA in which is suspended a semiconductor of hexagonal crystal structure loaded with a noble metal and a transition metal oxide. Hydrogen and oxygen are known to have various uses. Precipitation of the semiconductor material and annealing it at a temperature from 300.degree.-350.degree. C. result in the semiconductor of hexagonal structure which is suspended in the aqueous solution.