Abstract: A fuel cell utilizing parallel flow of a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream, and an electrolyte solution with respect to the electrodes, while maintaining mechanical support within the fuel cell. The fuel cell utilizes electrode assemblies having a frame overmolded around the electrode to maintain a flow rates and low pressure throughout the fuel cell. The fuel cell is also designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen.

Abstract: A fuel cell utilizing parallel flow of a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream, and an electrolyte solution with respect to the electrodes, while maintaining mechanical support within the fuel cell. The fuel cell utilizes framed electrodes to maintain a high air flow rate and low pressure throughout the fuel cell. The fuel cell is also designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen. Gas is predistributed by the compression plates and frames to supply the electrodes with high concentrations of oxygen from air.

Abstract: Fuel cell cathodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the cathode. The cathodes operate through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such cathodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the cathode at all times.

Abstract: An active composition for an electrode of an electrochemical device. The active composition comprises an active electrode material, a carbon material, and a binder where the binder comprises an elastomeric polymer. Preferably, the active electrode material is nickel hydroxide, the carbon material is graphite and the elastomeric polymer is styrene-butadiene.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy active material for the anode of Ovonic instant startup/regenerative fuel cells. The active material includes a hydrogen storage alloy material with a water reactive chemical hydride additive, which, upon utilization of the active material in an anode of an alkaline electrolyte fuel cell, gives the anode added benefits, not attainable by using hydrogen storage alloy material alone. These added benefits include 1) precharge of the hydrogen storage material with hydrogen; 2) higher porosity/increased surface area/reduced electrode polarization at high currents; 3) simplified, faster activation of the hydrogen storage alloy; and 4) optionally, enhanced corrosion protection for the hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: A fuel cell utilizing parallel flow of a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream, and an electrolyte solution with respect to the electrodes, while maintaining mechanical support within the fuel cell. The fuel cell contains multiple layers of electrodes which absorb and react hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell is designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen. The design of the fuel cell provides a substantially more compact design by not requiring space to allow for the expansion and contraction of the electrodes within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the electrode where each current cycle includes a forward pulse effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse pulse effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

Abstract: A method of activating a metal hydride electrode of an alkaline fuel cell. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the anode where each current cycle includes a forward current effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse current effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

Abstract: An active composition for an electrode of an electrochemical device. The active composition comprises an active electrode material, a carbon material, and a binder where the binder comprises an elastomeric polymer. Preferably, the active electrode material is nickel hydroxide, the carbon material is graphite and the elastomeric polymer is styrene-butadiene.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel cell, which incorporates a bipolar plate. The regenerative bipolar fuel cell of the present invention contains at least one hydrogen electrode in contact with a hydrogen stream and at least one oxygen electrode in contact with an oxygen stream. At least one electrolyte chamber is in contact with the hydrogen electrode and at least one electrolyte chamber is in contact with the oxygen electrode. The electrolyte chambers provide mechanical support within the fuel cell and provide an uninterrupted pathway for an electrolyte solution to contact the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode, respectively. At least one bipolar plate is positioned between the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode. The bipolar plate has a hydrogen side in contact with the hydrogen electrode and an oxygen side in contact with the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: An active material mixture for use in a paste for fabricating positive electrodes, comprising a nickel hydroxide material, and an additive material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a misch metal or a misch metal alloy. A nickel positive electrode and an alkaline electrochemical cell using this active material mixture.

Abstract: Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.

Abstract: Fuel cell oxygen electrodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrodes operate through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times. The redox couple materials are modified to inhibit dissolution of the materials into the alkaline electrolyte of the fuel cell, and to match the gas phase kinetics of the active redox couple material with its electrochemical kinetics.

Abstract: A layered hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode for an alkaline electrochemical cell. The layered electrode comprises a outer layer comprising a metal oxide, metal sulfide or mixtures thereof. The outer layer reduces the internal pressure of electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell having a hydrogen absorbing alloy negative electrode. The electrochemical cell comprises an alkaline electrolyte comprising an additive material which reduces cell pressure by decreasing hydrogen gas evolution.

Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.

Abstract: A method of activating a metal hydride electrode of an alkaline fuel cell. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the anode where each current cycle includes a forward current effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse current effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

Abstract: A fuel cell which has the ability to start up instantly and can accept recaptured energy such as that of regenerative braking by operating in reverse as an electrolyzer. The instant startup fuel cells have increased efficiency and power availability (higher voltage and current) and a dramatic improvement in operating temperature range of about −20 to 150° C.

Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the electrode where each current cycle includes a forward pulse effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse pulse effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.