Abstract: A lithium ion secondary cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a solid electrolyte and a fiber layer provided in an interface between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode and/or in an interface between the solid electrolyte and the negative electrode.

Abstract: A lithium secondary cell comprising a safe aqueous-solution electrolyte free from danger of firing and explosion and capable of supplying a high voltage of more than 3 V. The cell includes a positive plate having an active material absorbing/desorbing lithium ions and exhibiting a high voltage, a negative plate having an active material exhibiting a low voltage, a polymer solid electrolyte having a lithium-ionic conductivity, and an aqueous-solution electrolyte. The positive and negative plates are coated with a polymer solid electrolyte having an ionic conductivity and therefore isolated from the aqueous-solution electrolyte by the plate coating layers.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having an electrolyte having an anode side and a cathode side, at least one consumable carbonaceous material disposed on the anode side, and a chemical barrier disposed on the anode side of the electrolyte, which chemical barrier reduces crossover of the at least one consumable carbonaceous material through the electrolyte to the cathode side. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the electrochemical device is a direct methanol fuel cell, the consumable carbonaceous material is methanol disposed in an aqueous solution, and the chemical barrier is produced by the presence of an additive disposed in the methanol solution which attaches to potential methanol crossover sites in the electrolyte, thereby precluding methanol crossover using such sites. One such suitable additive is iso-propanol.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of protecting an ion insertion material from the degradative effects of a liquid or gel-type electrolyte material by disposing a protective, solid ion conducting, electrically insulating, layer between the ion insertion layer and the liquid or gel-type electrolyte material. The invention further provides liquid or gel-type electrochemical cells having improved durability having a pair of electrodes, a pair of ion insertion layers sandwiched between the pair of electrodes, a pair of solid ion conducting layers sandwiched between the ion insertion layers, and a liquid or gel-type electrolyte material disposed between the solid ion conducting layers, where the solid ion conducting layer minimizes or prevents degradation of the faces of the ion insertion materials facing the liquid or gel-type electrolyte material. Electrochemical cells of this invention having increased durability include secondary lithium batteries and electrochromic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved non-aqueous electrolyte cell comprising an anode, a cathode and a separator spirally wound so that the anode is disposed on the outer side of the cathode to form an electrode assembly. The outermost end of the cathode is wrapped with an electrically insulating material, the anode has a section provided with an anode current collector in the vicinity of the outermost end thereof, and the section is positioned beyond the wrapped outermost end of the cathode. A reaction suppressing layer is present between a cathode section in the vicinity of the outermost end and the anode positioned on the inner side thereof, thereby only the outer side of the cathode section substantially reacts with the anode. This cell ensures disconnection of remaining non-reacted anode component from the current collector when forcedly discharged at the last stage of discharge, causing little capacity loss.

Abstract: There are provided a protective membrane-equipped composite electrolyte which is excellent in water resistance, heat resistance, and liquid electrolyte-holding ability and which is preferred as an electrolyte for a fuel cell, a method for producing the same, and a fuel cell provided with the same. A composite electrolyte is prepared by impregnating a matrix with a liquid electrolyte. A crosslinkable polymer is deposited onto a surface of the composite electrolyte together with a crosslinking agent. Subsequently, a protective membrane composed of crosslinked product is formed by reacting the polymer and the crosslinking agent with each other. Accordingly, a protective membrane-equipped composite electrolyte is obtained, in which the surface of the composite electrolyte is coated with the protective membrane composed of crosslinked product. Alternatively, when the matrix is composed of a polymer, the matrix itself may be crosslinked.

Abstract: An active material free part of a positive electrode is coated with an over-coat material, wherein the over-coat material has at least one of the following properties: suppression of heat transfer from the second part of the electrode to the separator; reduction of a heat transfer rate from the second part of the electrode to the separator; prevention of transfer of excess heat from the second part of the electrode to the separator; electrical isolation of the second part of the electrode from the separator; prevention of charges generated in the first active material from becoming concentrated in the second part of the electrode and discharged from the second part; and prevention of the separator from being melted by a current discharge from or into the second part of the electrode through the separator until the current discharge is shut down by a fuse function of the separator.

Abstract: A polymeric separator for an organic electrolyte electrochemical system comprises an elastomeric polymer, optionally, a polymer which swells in the organic electrolyte and with which the elastomeric polymer forms an alloy and, optionally, an inorganic compound. The polymeric separator has a microporous structure characterized by a porosity in the range 30% to 95% and pores with an average diameter in the range 0.1 &mgr;m to 5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Printed electrochemical cells including both power cells and display cells are arranged in a partially assembled condition to extend shelf life of the cells. The partially assembled condition is also used as a switching mechanism for controlling activation of some of the cells. The active components of the cells include two electrodes and an electrolyte layer that is maintained out of contact with at least one of the electrodes for interrupting an ionically conductive pathway between the electrodes. The electrolyte is preferably an electrolytic adhesive that is protected by a release layer until the cells are needed for service.

Abstract: Positive and negative active material particles 7a and 9a are adhered to the respective current collectors 6 and 8 by means of a binder resin 11 to prepare positive and negative electrodes 3 and 5. The positive and negative electrode active material layers 7 and 9 are adhered to a separator 4 with the binder resin 11 so that the interlaminar strength between each active material layer 7, 9 and the separator 4 may be not lower than that between the active material layer 7, 9 and the respective current collector 10, 9. A lithium ion-containing electrolytic solution is held in voids 12 made in the active material layers 7, 9 and the separator 4 to complete an electrical connection between the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting plasticizer from polymer structures includes, in one embodiment, a vacuum chamber, a heating member and a condenser, the plasticizer being vaporized from the polymer structure by a combination of low temperature and heat, and in another embodiment, an evaporation chamber, a conveyer belt, and a plasticizer removal system, the plasticizer removal system including a duct having mounted therein a heating member, a fan and a condenser so that plasticizer may be extracted by forced air convection.

Abstract: The present invention concerns forming a masked area on a porous separator material for use in a battery. Masked areas can be formed on the porous separator material with heat and/or pressure. The use of a masked area allows for easier alignment of the anode and cathode sections, such that edge effects do not occur. Edge effects, which result from the electrode sections having different surface areas, can cause differential current densities at the corners and edges of the electrode sections. This inhomogeneous cycling of the anode and cathode can cause premature cycle fade of the battery. The edge effects can also include dendritic growth of a lithium anode. The mask separator section can be connected to a solid electrolyte and a cathode section to form an assembly. This assembly can be later combined with an anode assembly to form a battery cell.

Abstract: A secondary, solid electrolytic battery includes a number of electrically connected electrolytic cells wherein for each cell the anode and cathode are separated from each other by a mask that is a layer of electrically insulative material that is coated along the perimeter of the anode and/or cathode. The mask reduces the rate of dendrite formation and prevents edge-effects, short circuits, and related problems caused by inadvertent contact of the anode and cathode.

Abstract: A device for delivering a water soluble electrolyte is provided comprising core of a solid electrolyte composition enclosed by a polymeric coating which is permeable to water. The coating has at least one hole to permit passage of an aqueous solution of the electrolyte. The device is useful to maintain the concentration of an electrolyte composition in an electrochemical apparatus such as a fuel cell or a battery.

Abstract: In an electrochemical cell having an active metal negative electrode, a positive electrode and a electrolyte separator there is provided a first layer between the negative electrode and the electrolyte separator, the layer comprises a carbon-based material which is a conductor of electrons and a conductor of metal ions of the negative electrode. The layer restricts penetration of electrolytic organic and anionic salt constituents therethrough and prevents degradation of the negative electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for maintaining the specific gravity of acid in a lead-acid battery within a predetermined range to prevent undesirable plate degradation and gassing during storage. Extended shelf-life is accomplished by employing a battery which is formed to the desired voltage and which is stored in a damp condition with the electrolyte maintained in a range which, in the most preferred embodiment, is between about 1.015 and 1.320. A desiccant, for example a gelled sulfuric acid desiccant, is placed in the battery housing, out of contact with the plates, to absorb the water vapor which is generated by the self-discharge reactions. The amount of desiccant is selected so that all the water vapor formed during such reactions is removed to maintain the specific gravity of the electrolyte in said range. Extended shelf-life results, and the desiccant can be used to form the battery electrolyte at the time it is desired to place the battery in service.

Abstract: A battery for operation in hot dry climates is provided with unique plate grids and a floated insulating layer over the electrolyte.

Abstract: We have discovered that the introduction of small particulate matter into the area between the electrolyte and the inner surface of the battery cover can dramatically reduce water loss, if the material possess the following properties:The material should have a closed cell, which is not a solid material in a sense that it is a plurality of hollow structures linked together.

Abstract: A perforated retainer is installed just under the top surface of the gelled electrolyte in a lead-acid storage battery to prevent the gel from crumbling and separating from the element plates when the battery is mounted horizontally. The size and density of the perforations are such that the retainer does not impede the initial introduction of the electrolyte solution. An the solution "gels", it cannot penetrate back through the retainer, but normal gas migration is not impeded by the retainer.

Abstract: A method of suppressing lead dust generated in the manufacture of pasted lead acid storage battery plates by coating the surface of a pasted battery plate with a solution or a suspension comprising ammonium sulfate, copolymer and water. The resultant water insoluble film is made porous by the simultaneous evolution of ammonia gas produced during the coating process. The porous water insoluble film on the battery plate results in an electric storage battery with a lower internal resistance, than previously disclosed coatings and produces a battery with performance characteristics less inhibited than those made with previously disclosed coatings.

Abstract: In a sodium sulphur cell having beta alumina solid electrolyte material separating an anodic region containing sodium from a cathodic region, the surface of the electrolyte exposed to the sodium is pretreated with a first metal, conveniently lead, which will form an alloy with sodium and the anodic region contains a second metal, e.g. titanium or aluminium which will react with sodium oxide to form a sodium oxide compound of the second metal or an oxide thereof. The combined effect of these features gives a significant improvement in preventing resistance rise of the cell on discharge.

Abstract: A thin metal-halogen cell which comprises an electroconductive substrate, an anode active material layer of thin metal film formed on the base plate, a solid electrolyte layer formed on the anode active material, a cathode active material layer comprising a halogen, adhesive and carbonaceous powder, and an electroconductive plastic film, the latter two being laminated on the solid electrolyte layer in this order can be produced by using a step of forming thin films such as vacuum evaporation coating or sputtering and a step of laminating by using an adhesive. Thus, ultra-thin cells having high power and a thickness of 1 mm or less can be produced easily and inexpensively. When a separator and a barrier layer are sandwiched between the cathode active material layer and the solid electrolyte layer, shelf life of the cell is improved remarkably.

Abstract: An improved method and means for allowing a sodium sulfur cell to become more fully charged employs a wrapping of a plain-woven natural fabric reduced in a vacuum furnace to carbon. The wrapping of woven carbon is interposed between a sulfurous electrolyte and the outside surface of a sodium electrolyte container.

Abstract: A lead-acid storage cell is operated at a temperature of about 70.degree. C and comprises a positive electrode which, in the charged state, carries an active mass consisting predominantly of lead dioxide, a negative electrode consisting predominantly of lead in the charged condition, and a sulfuric acid electrolyte. To permit the storage cell to operate at the elevated temperature without deterioration, the negative electrode is provided with a sheath permeable to the electrolyte but impermeable to particles released from the negative electrode. The sheath, which may constitute the interelectrode separator, can consist of a nonwoven or woven fabric of glass fiber or a nonwoven or woven fabric of unsubstituted or perhalogenated polyolefin or a layer of ceramic. The electrolyte in the cell is covered by a vaporization-resistant layer consisting of floating solid particles or a liquid which is unaffected by the high operating temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new structure for a sodium-sulphur cell. Such a cell comprises a cathode tank containing sulphur, an electrolyte tube closed, at its lower end, containing sodium and immersed in sulphur, a sodium anode tank, a ceramic support holding the said tank and the tube, the cathode tank being fitted with graphite felt washers ensuring cathode collection of the current, the outside face of the electrolyte tube being, except for the lower end, lined with a porous insulating coating, a graphite felt part being, moreover, inserted between the said lower end of the electrolyte tube and the bottom of the cathode tank. The invention is implemented in sodium sulphur cell batteries for electric vehicles.

Abstract: A primary alkaline cell having a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix comprising a negative electrode (anode), a divalent silver oxide (AgO) depolarizer mix, a separator between said negative electrode and depolarizer mix, and an alkaline electrolyte. The surface of the depolarizer mix is treated with a mild reducing solution to form a reduced layer surrounding the mix, and the surface of the reduced layer adjacent to the separator is coated with a layer of silver. The reduced layer surrounding the depolarizer mix in combination with the layer of silver provides improved stability of the depolarizer mix in the alkaline electrolyte and a single voltage plateau during discharge of the cell. The primary alkaline cell is characterized by a maximum open circuit voltage of about 1.75 volts.