Abstract: Magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys comprise a metallic magnesium (Mg) and a magnesium-containing intermetallic compound (MgxMy wherein y is 1-x) and contain not less than 60 mass % of magnesium in total, and have a phase of a primarily crystallized magnesium-containing intermetallic compound in its solidification structure.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material which is an AB5 type hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure represented by general formula:

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy, represented by the following formula I which is suitable for use as an active anode material for ni-metal hydride secondary cells by virtue of its high discharge characteristics including, for example, a discharge capacity ranging from approximately 300 to 400 mAh/g and a rate capability of at least 80%; Zr1−xtix(MnuVvNiy)z  I wherein, x, u, v, and z each represent an atom fraction under the condition of: 0<x≦0.2, 1.5≦u≦0.7, 0.5≦v≦0.7, 1.0≦y≦1.4, and 0.84≦z≦1.0.1.

Abstract: A composite hydrogen storage material including 1) an active material having hydrogen storage capacity; and 2) a catalytic material having greater catalytic activity toward the dissociation of molecular hydrogen and/or oxidation of hydrogen than that of said active material having hydrogen storage capacity. Also, a fuel cell employing anodes formed from the composite hydrogen storage material. The fuel cell 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.

Abstract: Hydrogen propelled vehicles and fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy materials which for the first time make it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. These exceptional alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of well over 6 weight % coupled with extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy powder absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 10 minutes at 300° C. and a cycle life of at least 500 cycles without loss of capacity or kinetics.

Abstract: Hydrogen propelled vehicles and fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy materials which for the first time make it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. These exceptional alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of well over 6 weight % coupled with extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy powder absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 10 minutes at 300° C. and a cycle life of at least 500 cycles without loss of capacity or kinetics.

Abstract: A low temperature hydrogen storage alloy which is not pyrophoric upon exposure to ambient atmosphere, particularly even after hydrogen charge/discharge cycling.

Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode is prepared by reducing an oxide or hydroxide residing on the surface of a hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle while the alloy particle is held in an atmosphere of a hydrogen gas maintained at a temperature where absorbing of a hydrogen gas does not substantially occur; cooling the atmosphere from a temperature where absorbing of the hydrogen gas does not substantially occur to a temperature where the equilibrium hydrogen pressure of the hyrogen-absorbing alloy is equal to the hydrogen pressure in the atmosphere of the hydrogen gas and thereafter vacuum-evacuating and removing the hydrogen gas so that the hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle is cooled to room temperature while the hydrogen gas is exhausted; and thereafter introducing argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, thereby returning the atmosphere to normal atmospheric pressure; and immersing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle so prepared in a solution containing an oxidation inhibiting agent.

Abstract: A method for making a hydrided hydrogen storage alloy powder from component material. In the present method a material is worked at the same time it is hydrided. Working preferably involves comminution of the material.

Abstract: An electrochemically active material consisting of a CaCu5 structure single-phase hydridable alloy with the formula MmNiaMnbAlcCodCre in which Mm is a mischmetal containing at least 50 wt % La, where: 5.10≦(a+b+c+d+e), d≦0.55, and 0.03≦e≦0.1.

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: Disclosed is a hydrogen storage material comprising a magnesium-containing intermetallic compound which can form a hydride with hydrogen. The intermetallic compound comprises an alloy of magnesium and a trivalent metal selected from the group of Sc, Y, La and the rare earth elements. Preferably, the intermetallic compound comprises a scandium-magnesium alloy. In an advantageous embodiment, the hydrogen storage material also comprises a catalytically active material.

Abstract: A nickel-hydrogen secondary battery has a positive electrode including a positive electrode mixture which contains a nickel compound as a major component and which is supported on a collector sheet, a negative electrode including a negative electrode mixture which contains a hydrogen absorbing alloy as a major component, a binder and an electrically conductive material and which is supported on a collector sheet, the positive and negative electrodes being stacked up alternately or rolled up with a separator interposed therebetween to form an electrode group, and a battery case containing the electrode group together with an electrolyte, the battery case having an opening closed with a sealing plate which is provided with a positive electrode terminal, wherein the binder contains at least carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer latex, the conductive material contains metal flakes or short metal fibers, and an edge portion of the collector sheet of the negative electrode is electrically connected to the batter

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material includes a vanadium-based body-centered cubic matrix phase containing at least titanium and nickel in solid solution in the matrix phase. There is a positive correlation between the titanium concentration distribution in the matrix phase and the nickel concentration distribution in the matrix phase. The hydrogen storage material has a high activation characteristic and can be produced without heat-treatment at low cost. The material has the ground formula V160−x−y−zTixCryNiz, where 5≦x≦15, 5≦y≦25, 0<z<(½)x and z<5.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy electrode containing, as a principal active material, a powder of hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 crystal structure and represented by the formula MmNixCoyMnzMw where M is at least one element selected from aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu), x is between 3.0 and 5.2, y is between 0 and 1.2, z is between 0.1 and 0.9, w is between 0.1 and 0.9, and the sum of x, y, z and w is between 4.4 and 5.4. The hydrogen storage alloy powder particles have a surface region and a bulk region enclosed within the surface region and have a higher nickel content in the surface region than in the bulk region. The hydrogen storage alloy electrode further contains an oxide and/or hydroxide of at least one rare-earth element selected from ytterbium (Yb), samarium (Sm), erbium (Er) and gadolinium (Gd).

Abstract: An Mg-based alloy negative electrode active material used as a hydrogen storage alloy electrode of an alkali secondary battery includes an amorphous alloy containing Ni, Mg, Zn, and Zr and capable of electrochemically occluding and releasing hydrogen.

Abstract: A negative electrode alloy material including an effective amount of a catalyst to substantially increase the discharge capacity of the alloy at high discharge rates. Preferably the catalyst is palladium.

Abstract: In the present invention, a hydrogen absorbing alloy obtained by sintering hydrogen absorbing alloy powder containing not less than 50% by weight of particles having a particle diameter of not more than 25 &mgr;m at a temperature of not more than 850° C. is used for a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode for an alkali storage battery, and the hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode for an alkali storage battery is used as a negative electrode of the alkali storage battery.

Abstract: Cobalt-based alloys are provided for use as a positive electrode current collector in a solid cathode, nonaqueous liquid electrolyte, alkali metal anode active electrochemical cell. The cobalt-based alloys are characterized by chemical compatibility with aggressive cell environments, high corrosion resistance and resistance to fluorination and passivation at elevated temperatures, thus improving the longevity and performance of the electrochemical cell. The cell can be of either a primary or a secondary configuration.

Abstract: A hydrogen cooled hydrogen storage unit. The unit employs excess hydrogen flow between hydrogen storage alloy rods in the hydrogen storage unit in order to provide convective cooling thereof. The unit provides for high packing density of the storage materials. The unit also allows for efficient thermal transfer of heat energy from a central source of heat through the rods thereof during discharge of the stored hydrogen. The hydrogen storage rods of the unit are encased in an encapsulant layer which prevents entrainment of the hydrogen storage material in the high flow rate hydrogen.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material which is an AB5 type hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure represented by general formula: MmNiaMnbAlcCod wherein Mm denotes a misch metal, 4.0<a≦4.3, 0.25≦b≦0.4, 0.25≦c≦0.4, 0.3≦d≦0.5, and 5.05≦a+b+c+d≦5.25, or general formula: MmNiaMnbAlcCodXe wherein Mm denotes a misch metal, X is Cu and/or Fe, 4.0<a≦4.3, 0.25≦b≦0.4, 0.25≦c≦0.4, 0.3≦d≦0.5, 0<e≦0.1, and 5.05≦a+b+c+d+e≦5.25, characterized in that the lattice length on the c-axis is 404.9 pm to 405.8 pm.

Abstract: To provide a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a BCC (body-centered cubic structure) as a crystal structure, and particularly a hydrogen-absorbing alloy for a nickel-hydride cell having excellent discharge capacity and durability (cycle characteristics), said hydrogen-absorbing alloy having a composition expressed by the general formula Ti(100-a-b-c-d)CraVbNicXd, where X is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Y (yttrium), lanthanoids, Pd and Pt, and each of a, b, c and d is represented, in terms of at %, by the relations 8≦a≦50, 30 <b≦60, 5≦c≦15, 2≦d≦10 and 40≦a+b+c+d≦90, wherein the crystal structure of a principal phase is a body-centered cubic structure, and further, the alloy contains at least one of Mo and W in place of V and at least one member selected from the group consisting of Y (yttrium), lanthanoids, Pd and Pt, and its crystal structure is converted to the body-centered cubic structure by heat-treatment.

Abstract: The present invention certainly provides a metal hydride storage cell having excellent cycle characteristic and a method of producing such a cell. In order to realize the objectives, the cell is produced under a condition which makes the particle size distribution y/x of the activated hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode below 0.90.

Abstract: In the present invention, a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing at least nickel, cobalt and aluminum, in which the sum a of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms and aluminum atoms in a portion to a depth of 30 Å from its surface and the sum b of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms and aluminum atoms in a bulk region inside thereof satisfy conditions of a/b≧1.30, or a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing at least nickel, cobalt, aluminum and manganese, in which the sum A of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms, aluminum atoms and manganese atoms in a portion to a depth of 30 Å from its surface and the sum B of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms, aluminum atoms and manganese atoms in a bulk region inside thereof satisfy conditions A/B≧1.20 is used for a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode in an alkali secondary battery.

Abstract: A combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor, a hydrogen storage alloy therefore and a hydrogen transportation/distribution infrastructure which incorporates the combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor.

Abstract: There is provided a connecting material which can form a detachable connecting structure. According to the connecting material, the connecting portion between a certain object and other object can be more readily formed, and said certain object can be more readily detached from said other object after the formation of the connecting portion.

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode is provided which has an excellent oxygen gas absorbing capacity and further improved in charge-discharge cycle characteristics and high-rate discharge characteristics. The electrode contains a powder prepared by mixing a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder with a powder of at least one complex oxide selected from the group consisting of a ZrO2—Y2O3 solid solution, ZrO2—CaO solid solution, CeO2—Gd2O3 solid solution, CeO2—La2O3 solid solution, ThO2—Y2O3 solid solution, Bi2O3—Y2O3 solid solution, Bi2O3—Gd2O3 solid solution, Bi2O3—Nb2O3 solid solution and Bi2O3—WO3 solid solution. Preferably the electrode contains 0.1 to 10 wt. % of the complex oxide powder based on the combined amount of the two powders.

Abstract: To provide a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a BCC (body-centered cubic structure) as a crystal structure, and particularly a hydrogen-absorbing alloy for a nickel-hydride cell having excellent discharge capacity and durability (cycle characteristics), said hydrogen-absorbing alloy having a composition expressed by the general formula Ti(100−a−b−c−d)CraVbNicXd, where X is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Y (yttrium), lanthanoids, Pd and Pt, and each of a, b, c and d is represented, in terms of at %, by the relations 8≦a≦50, 30<b≦60, 5≦c≦15, 2≦d≦10 and 40≦a+b+c+d≦90, wherein the crystal structure of a principal phase is a body-centered cubic structure, and further, the alloy contains at least one of Mo and W in place of V and at least one member selected from the group consisting of Y (yttrium), lanthanoids, Pd and Pt, and its crystal structure is converted to the body-centered cubic structure by heat-treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen absorbing alloy superior to the MmNi5 system hydrogen absorbing alloy and the TiFe system hydrogen absorbing alloy that are widely put to practical use in both the capacity density per unit volume and the capacity density per unit weight. The hydrogen absorbing alloy of the present invention is also superior to the conventional TiMn2 system hydrogen absorbing alloy in the initial activation. The hydrogen absorbing alloy of the present invention is represented by a general formula AMx, where A is at least one element selected from IA group, IIA group, IIIB group, and IVB group of the periodic table, and M is at least one element selected from VB group, VIB group, VIIB group, VIIIB group, IB group, IIB group, IIIA group, IVA group and VA group of the periodic table, x meets the relationship of 2.7<x<3.8, and an average atomic radius r meets the relationship 1.36 Å≦r≦1.39 Å.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material (1) having excellent hydrogen storage capability and having such a low hydrogen desorption temperature as not to significantly hinder the use thereof, and also capable of being mass-produced, and a manufacturing method of the same can be obtained. The hydrogen storage material has a layered deformation structure including plastic deformation, and one layer (2) of the layered deformation structure is formed from an alloy or compound including an element of groups 2A, 3A and 4A or an element of at least one of the groups 2A, 3A and 4A, and another layer (3) being in contact with the one layer is formed from an alloy or compound including an element of groups 6A, 7A and 8A or an element of at least one of the groups 6A, 7A and 8A.

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode is provided which is improved in hydrogen gas absorbing ability and in low-temperature discharge characteristics. The electrode contains a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a crystal structure of the CaCu5 type and represented by the stoichiometric ratio ABx, the hydrogen absorbing alloy being represented by MmNiaCobAlcMd wherein Mm is a misch metal, M is Mn and/or Cu, the atomic ratios a, b, c and d are in the respective ranges of 3.0≦a≦5.2, 0≦b≦1.2, 0.1≦c≦0.9, 0.1≦d≦0.8, wherein X is the sum of the atomic ratios a, b, c, and d, such that, X=a+b+c+d and, is in the range of 4.4≦X≦5.4. More specifically, the electrode contains a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder at least 5.0 in X, and a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder less than 5.0 in X.

Abstract: There are disclosed a powdery material comprising a hydrogen-storing compound comprising a core layer of a hydrogen-storing alloy coated with a transition metal oxide layer and having a transition metal dispersed and carried on the outermost surface thereof, an electrode member for alkali secondary cells using the powdery material comprising a hydrogen-storing compound, and a secondary cell using the electrode member as an electrode. With such an alkali secondary cell, a strong resistance to overcharge, a high charging and discharging efficiency and a long cycle life can be implemented.

Abstract: A magnesium based hydrogen storage alloy powder which is useful as a hydrogen supply material for powering internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. The alloy contains greater than about 85 atomic percent magnesium, about 2-8 atomic percent nickel, about 0.5-5 atomic percent aluminum and about 2-7 atomic percent rare earth metals or mixtures of rare earth metals. The rare earth elements may be Misch metal and may predominantly contain Ce and/or La. The alloy may also contain about 0.5-5 atomic percent silicon. The alloys can be modified to store more than 4 wt. % hydrogen, with a reduced hydride bond strength (i.e. about 64 kJ/mole) which allows for economic recovery of the stored hydrogen. Also, they have a plateau pressure about two times greater than pure Mg and comparable bond energies and plateau pressures to Mg2Ni alloys, while reducing the amount of incorporated nickel by 25-30 atomic %. Also, the storage capacity of the alloy is significantly greater than the 3.6 wt. % of Mg2Ni material.

Abstract: Provided is an AB5 type hydrogen absorbing alloy powder obtained by quenching a melt of a hydrogen absorbing alloy rapidly and subjecting the resulting hydrogen absorbing alloy to fracturing by absorbing hydrogen, wherein the particle size distribution of the hydrogen absorbing alloy powder is such that, when the frequencies of detection of various particle diameters are cumulatively added from smaller-diameter to larger-diameter particles, and the particle diameters corresponding to 10%, 50% and 90% of all particles are represented by D10, D50 and D90, respectively, the values of D10, D50 and D90 fall within the respective ranges defined by 4 &mgr;m≦D10≦14 &mgr;m, 17 &mgr;m≦D50≦37 &mgr;m, and 40 &mgr;m≦D90≦70 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A metal hydride alkaline storage cell of the present invention comprises a positive electrode, a separator impregnated with an electrolyte, and a negative electrode comprising hydrogen-absorbing alloy powder. On the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy powder, there is formed a layer of hydrogen-absorbing alloy oxide, and on the layer of the oxide, there is dotted a catalytic metal formed in a granular state by adding a substance soluble in the electrolyte. The substance is selected from the group consisting of a metal fluoride, a metal iodide, and a metal sulfide. The proportion of the metal fluoride, the metal iodide, or the metal sulfide in adding is restricted within the range of from 0.1 to 2.5 wt. % based on the weight of hydrogen-absorbing alloy powder. When the layer of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy oxide is formed on the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy powder, the reaction area on the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy is increased due to the roughness of the layer.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen-absorbing alloy comprising, as a principal phase, at least one kind of phase selected from the group consisting of a first phase having a hexagonal crystal system (excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type crystal structure) and a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal system, the hydrogen-absorbing alloy having a composition represented by the following general formula (1):

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy electrode having a high capacity and excellent cycle characteristics is provided. The electrode is made from particulate active material comprising a hydrogen storage alloy of body-centered cubic crystal structure or body-centered tetragonal crystal structure, said hydrogen storage alloy being represented by the general formula TiaM1bCrcM2dLe, wherein M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb and Mo; M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, V, Zn, Zr, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Al, Si, C, N, P and B; L is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements and Y; 0.2≦a≦0.7; 0.01≦b≦0.4; 0.1≦c≦0.7; 0≦d≦0.3; 0≦e≦0.03; and a+b+c+d+e=1.0, and said particulate active material having a Ti—Ni system alloy phase in the surface portion thereof.

Abstract: Cobalt-based alloys are provided for use as a positive electrode current collector in a solid cathode, nonaqueous liquid electrolyte, alkali metal anode active electrochemical cell. The cobalt-based alloys are characterized by chemical compatibility with aggressive cell environments, high corrosion resistance and resistance to fluorination and passivation at elevated temperatures, thus improving the longevity and performance of the electrochemical cell. The cell can be of either a primary or a secondary configuration.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder for use in the negative electrodes of alkaline rechargeable batteries which has excellent initial characteristics and a high rate discharge property, exhibits satisfactory life characteristics, and is hence very beneficial from a practical point of view, as well as a process for producing the same. Specifically, the present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder for use in the negative electrodes of alkaline rechargeable batteries which has an average particle diameter of 5 to 20 &mgr;m and an oxygen content of 2,000 to 6,000 ppm and, moreover, wherein the oxygen on the surfaces of hydrogen absorbing alloy particles is present in the form of hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: An electric vehicle with fuel cells which use hydrogen as a gaseous fuel. A hydrogen generator supplier feeds a supply of hydrogen to the electric vehicle and is mounted thereon. The hydrogen generator supplier utilizes city gas as a crude fuel to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen generator supplier is connected with piping which is part of the supply of commercial gas. The hydrogen generator supplier reforms a crude fuel to produce a hydrogen rich gas and subsequently separates the gaseous fuel from the hydrogen rich gas. The hydrogen generator supplier is connected to the electric vehicle by way of a specific connector which enables the gaseous hydrogen produced from the commercial gas to be supplied to the vehicle. Thus, the supply of hydrogen to be used as fuel in the electric vehicle is provided without having a new distribution for hydrogen.

Abstract: In a pasted hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode of this invention, an active material layer made from a mixture of a hydrogen-absorbing alloy powder, a composite particle powder including carbon particles and a rare earth compound for partially coating surfaces of the carbon particles, and a binder is formed on a current collector. When this pasted hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode is used in an alkaline storage battery, the alkaline storage battery can attain small increase of the internal pressure during charge, large discharge capacity in high rate discharge and good charge-discharge cycle performance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a detecting method and a detecting apparatus for detecting an absorbed hydrogen amount in a hydrogen absorbing tank. An object of the present invention is to to provide a detecting method and a detecting apparatus of absorbed hydrogen amount in a hydrogen absorbing tank, which can detect a hydrogen occlude condition in the hydrogen absorbing tank accurately, irrespective of repeating the absorption and desorption of the hydrogen to and from the hydrogen absorbing tank.

Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive process for producing hydrogen absorbing alloy powder suitable for a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a high rate discharge property, a high capacity and a long cycle life for repetition of charge and discharge. The process comprises a step of an addition of a rare earth metal oxide and/or hydroxide to a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder, a wet or dry mixing step and a thermal treatment step in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum.

Abstract: A method for making hydrogen storage alloy powder comprises quenching a melt of a hydrogen storage alloy, breaking the quenched alloy into fine pieces provided that said alloy is in non-powder form after the quenching, and subjecting the fine pieces to treatment with a solution containing a conjugated unsaturated compound which has five or more conjugated &pgr; bonds in the molecule and a molecular weight of 100 or above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface treatment for hydrogen-absorbing alloy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a surface treatment for hydrogen-absorbing alloy by which the poisoning resistance of a surface of alloy powder with respect to oxide film, water or absorbing gas can be enhanced so that activation treatment can be easily conducted on alloy powder. In the method, the poisoning resistance is enhanced by forming a protective film, which contains at least one of sulfide and fluoride, on the surface of hydrogen-absorbing alloy powder in an atmosphere containing SF6 gas when hydrogen-absorbing alloy is crushed or hydrogen-absorbing alloy is in a state of powder or when hydrogen-absorbing alloy is made into powder by rapidly cooling and solidifying.

Abstract: A modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen-absorbing alloy comprising, as a principal phase, at least one kind of phase selected from the group consisting of a first phase having a hexagonal crystal system (excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type crystal structure) and a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal system, the hydrogen-absorbing alloy having a composition represented by the following general formula (1): R1−a−bMgaTbNiZ−X−Y−&agr;M1XM2YMn60   (1) wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y), T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf, M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Fe, M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S, and the atomic ratios of a, b, X, Y, &agr; and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of: 0.15≦a≦0.37, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦1.

Abstract: A rare earth metal-nickel hydrogen storage alloy of a composition represented by the formula: RNiaMnbCocAldXe (R stands for one or more rare earth elements including Sc and Y, not less than 95 atom % of which is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, and Nd; X stands for one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cu, Zn, V, and Nb; a, b, c, d, and e satisfy the relations of 3.9≦a<6.0, 0.45≦b<1.5, 0.01≦c<0.3, 0.4≦d≦1, 0≦e≦0.2, and 5.2≦a+b+c+d+e≦7.5), the alloy having a matrix of CaCu5 structure, and a Mn-rich secondary phase of 0.3 to 5 &mgr;m finely dispersed in the matrix at surface ratio of 0.3 to 7%; a method for producing the same; and an anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery containing as anode material the hydrogen storage alloy and an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A BCC type hydrogen-absorbing alloy, which uses a ferroalloy, is advantageous from the aspect of the production cost and exhibits excellent hydrogen absorption and desorption characteristics due to a fine structure constituted by spinodal decomposition even when the iron component is increased. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy is expressed by the general formula AxVayBz, where A is at least one of Ti and Zr, Va is at least one member of the Group Va elements of the Periodic Table consisting of V, Nb and Ta, and B contains at least Fe and is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Al, Mo and W, each of x, y and z satisfies the relation, in terms of of the atomic number ratio, 0≦x≦70, 0≦y≦50, x+y+z=100, and x/z=0.25 to 2.0, the phase of the body-centered cubic structure is at least 50% in terms of the phase fraction and its lattice constant is at least 0.2950 nm but not greater than 0.3100 nm.

Abstract: A modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy.