Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a high capacity electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode includes a mixture having a first component, a second component and a third component. The first component includes a first element, the second component includes a second element, and the third component includes the first element and the second element. The mixture can, for instance, be a mixed metal oxide. The separator is configured to provide suitable ionic transport between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided having a pressure-responsive apparatus for determining a charge termination point. In particular, a reversible pressure-responsive switch may be disposed in a cap at the open end of a rechargeable metal hydride cell. The reversible pressure-responsive switch may also contain a vent system for releasing the cell internal pressure. Alternatively, a rechargeable cell may include a strain gauge disposed in its outer surface whose resistance changes as the outer surface of the battery expands due to internal pressure accumulation during charging. Additionally, a rechargeable cell is used combination with a charging source that can supply constant voltage, constant current, alternating current, or voltage that varies between a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented having a pressure dissipation assembly that reversibly ceases cell operation when the internal cell pressure reaches a predetermined threshold. If, once the pressure dissipation assembly is activated, the internal pressure continues to increase to a second threshold, a venting mechanism is activated to release pressurized cell contents from the cell.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell charger is provided for charging electrochemical cells at high current rates. The charger provides a sufficient force between the charge contacts and the cell terminals to remove nonconductive contaminants when the cell is inserted into the charger, thereby increasing the conductivity at the point of contact. The charger can include an air moving system for the dissipation of heat from the electrochemical cell during charging, and a heat sensor to determine the cell temperature during charging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell including a cathode that can contain an oxide of copper as an active material, an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The oxide can have surface area greater than 0.5 m2/g, and the cathode can include an additive that increases the discharge voltage of the cell. In some cases the additive has a lower voltage than the oxide alone. The additive can have a surface area within the range defined by a lower limit of 0.5 m2/g and an upper limit of 100 m2/g. The anode can include a quantity of mercury below 0.025%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The anode is configured to operate in combination with a quantity of an oxide of copper in the cathode. The cell is capable of operating at a discharge voltage greater than 1.05 volts for at least an initial 5 % of a cell discharge period at a current density of at least 5 mA/g, and can include a cathode active material that includes an oxide of copper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell having a cathode containing an oxide of copper as an active material, as well as an anode, an electrolyte, and separators for use with the cathodes of the invention in an alkaline electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell charging system is provided having a thermistor that engages the negative cell terminal at a location remote from the negative charge contact. The thermistor outputs temperature data to a controller in the charger that determines the rate of cell temperature increase. When the increase reaches a predetermined predetermined rate, the charge to the cell is discontinued. The cell can also include an air moving system that circulates cool ambient air through battery compartment to cool the batteries being charged.

Abstract: A prismatic air recovery battery is provided. The battery includes a central longitudinal axis and a cathode having a major surface normal to the central longitudinal axis. The battery can further include a cathode can having at least one air access opening having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the cathode includes a major surface normal to the longitudinal axis of the opening.

Abstract: A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk or shape memory alloy member which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. The thermally responsive mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode, to enhance thermal sensitivity. The end cap assembly may include a pressure responsive mechanism which ruptures when there is extreme gas pressure buildup. Gas is allowed to escape from the cell interior to the external environment through a series of vent apertures within the end cap assembly.

Abstract: A current interrupt assembly for electrochemical cells is disclosed. The current interrupter assembly may be a self-contained, sealed unit which may be separately inserted into the cell during cell construction. Several current interrupt assemblies may be inserted in the cell. The current interrupter assembly has particular utility for thin rechargeable cells and when inserted in the cell forms a portion of the electrical pathway between a cell electrode and corresponding terminal. The current interrupt mechanism comprises a thin thermally responsive member preferably comprising a disk of a shape memory metal alloy having a curved surface. The current interrupt mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode in proximity to the thermally responsive member. When cell temperature exceeds a predetermined value the disk deflects to cause a break in the electrical pathway within the assembly.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a zinc electrode in an electrolyte solution wherein the electrode is formed from a zinc powder compacted to a density of at least about 6.5 g/cc to substantially reduce the corrosion of the zinc electrode and the consequent evolution of hydrogen gas without resorting to the addition of mercury to the electrode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a zinc electrode in an electrolyte solution wherein the electrode is formed from a zinc powder compacted to a density of at least about 6.5 g/cc to substantially reduce the corrosion of the zinc electrode and the consequent evolution of hydrogen gas without resorting to the addition of mercury to the electrode.