Abstract: An anode-limited battery and method of assembly are provided in which a lithium anode subassembly is constructed from two pieces of lithium foil. An elongated thicker piece of lithium foil is cohesively bonded at one end to a shorter, thinner piece of lithium foil. An optional current collector stabilizes the area of the cohesive bond. The thicker lithium foil forms the inner windings of a coiled electrode, which face reactive cathode material on both sides. The thinner foil forms the outermost winding, which faces reactive cathode material on only one side. Thus, an appropriate amount of lithium is available for cathode discharge. The method of electrode assembly allows a narrow tolerance of the lithium anode such that the benefits of an anode-limited cell may be realized.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and an electrode for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell has a container, a positive electrode disposed in the container and having a wall defining an interface surface, a negative electrode disposed in the container, a separator located between the positive and negative electrodes, and an electrolyte. The second electrode has a unitary piece of electrochemically active material having multiple openings formed in a circumferential surface. The unitary piece may include a slotted tube, first and second members, or a coiled strip.

Abstract: A zinc alloy powder for an alkaline manganese dioxide cell, in which the average concentration of an iron component in the zinc alloy powder is 5 ppm or less, the average concentration of the iron component within a near-surface portion of the zinc alloy powder is 10 ppm or less, and the total content of the iron component in impurities present at the near-surface portion of the zinc alloy powder is 0.5 ppm or less based on the whole body of the particles, can easily suppress abnormal generation of gas at a low cost.

Abstract: A cell such as a lithium ion cell consists of an anode and a cathode comprising respective lithium ion insertion materials, separated by an electrolyte. A practical cell may be made by stacking a plurality of anode plates (14) and cathode plates (12) alternately, and interleaving a continuous layer (10) of polymer electrolyte or separator material between successive anode and cathode plates so it forms a zigzag. If the continuous layer is a separator, the assembly is then contacted with a solution comprising lithium salt in a compatible organic solvent, which provides the cell electrolyte. This procedure enables cells to be made with thin electrolyte layers, for example less than 30 &mgr;m thick, and hence of low internal resistance.

Abstract: Conventional batteries are disadvantageous in that a firm outer case must be used to maintain an electrical connection between electrodes, which has been an obstacle to size reduction. Those in which each electrode and a separator are joined with an adhesive resin suffer from conflict between adhesive strength and battery characteristics, particularly ion conductivity and internal resistivity. To solve these problems, it is an object of the invention to reduce resistance between electrodes, i.e., internal resistance of a battery to improve battery characteristics while securing both insulation function against electron conduction and ion conductivity between electrodes and also to maintain adhesive strength enough to firmly join the electrodes thereby to provide a light, compact and thin battery.

Abstract: A lithium ion polymer secondary battery is a laminate of a positive-electrode sheet of a positive-electrode collector foil provided with an active material thereon, a negative-electrode sheet of a negative-electrode collector foil provided with another active material thereon, and a polymer electrolyte layer interposed between the positive-electrode sheet and the negative-electrode sheet. One of the positive-electrode sheet and the negative-electrode sheet is a strip and is fan-folded at least one time so that the positive-electrode sheet is provided on the surface of the active material on the sheet. The other one of the positive-electrode sheet and the negative-electrode sheet consists of a plurality of sheet segments having an area which is the same as the area of each flat portion of the fan-folded sheet. The sheet segments are interposed between the flat portions of the fan-folded sheet so that the polymer electrolyte layer is in contact with the surfaces of the active materials.

Abstract: A coin type battery having a structure that contributes to improved discharge capacity and prevent deposition of lithium metal is provided. A positive electrode plate (7) and a negative electrode plate (8) are folded at their connecting pieces and coiled around into a flat shape to construct an electrode plate group (1) such that layer faces of the positive electrode plate (7) and layer faces of the negative electrode plate (8) are alternately layered upon one another with a separator (9) interposed therebetween, and the electrode plate group is accommodated in a battery case made of a cap case (4) having an open end and a sealing case (5) for sealing this open end. An insulating member is provided to a connecting piece of the positive electrode plate (7) that is to be located at the center when the electrode plates are coiled around, on a face opposite one end of the negative electrode plate (8).

Abstract: An electric device has a plurality of cells in which in an acid electrolyte a lanthanide and zinc form a redox couple that provide a current, and in which at least two of the cells are separated by a bipolar electrode that comprises a glassy carbon or a Magneli phase titanium suboxide.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrochemical generator element (102) comprising successively a first electrode layer having a polarity (114), a first electrolyte layer (110), a second electrode layer with reverse polarity (108), a second electrolyte layer (112), a second electrode layer with said polarity (116). The electrode layers of said polarity (114, 116) are connected by a parallel connection. It further comprises current collectors (118, 120) connected to the electrode layers with said polarity (114, 116). The thickness of the first electrode layer with said polarity (114) is different from the thickness of said second electrode layer with said polarity (116). The invention is applicable to lithium-polymer storage batteries.

Abstract: A new cathode design has a first cathode active material of a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability contacted to the outer sides of first and second cathode current collectors and a second cathode active material having a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability in contact with the inner sides of the current collectors. The first and second current collectors have a thickness in the range of from about 0.001 inches to about 0.002 inches. A conventional Li/SVO cell powering an implantable medical device has the cathode with a current collector of about 0.003 inches. Even though the present current collectors are about one-half as thick as that of a conventional cell, their combined thickness means that the cell has no reduction in current carrying capacity.

Abstract: A new cathode design has a first cathode active material of a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability contacted to the outer sides of first and second cathode current collectors and a second cathode active material having a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability in contact with the inner sides of the current collectors. The second cathode active material has a greater peripheral extend than the current collectors and the opposed layers of the first cathode active material between which it is sandwiched. This construction helps prevent delamination by promoting improved contact of the respective active materials to the current collectors. The present cathode design is useful for powering an implantable medical device requiring a high rate discharge application.

Abstract: A new cathode design has a first cathode active material of a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability contacted to a first cathode current collector and a second cathode active material having a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability in contact with a second cathode current collector, is described. The first and second cathode current collectors are connected to a common terminal lead. The present cathode design is useful for powering an implantable medical device requiring a high rate discharge application.

Abstract: A method of making a battery cathode includes forming a first layer having a cathode mixture on a substrate, separating, e.g., removing, the substrate from the first layer, and incorporating the first layer into the battery cathode.

Abstract: A method for providing a physician with an elective replacement indicator (ERI) for an implantable medical device is described. The medical device is powered by an electrochemical having a lithium anode coupled to a sandwich cathode comprising the configuration: SVO/current collector/CFx, with the SVO facing the anode. The indicator is predicated on when the cell's discharge capacity is nearing end-of-life (EOL) based on the theoretical capacity and the discharge efficiency of the SVO and CFx active materials. This serves as an indicator when it is time to replace the medical device.

Abstract: A new sandwich positive electrode design for a secondary cell is provided comprising a “sacrificial” alkali metal along with a cathode active material. In the case of silver vanadium oxide, the sacrificial alkali metal is preferably lithium. Upon activating the cells, the lithium metal automatically intercalates into the silver vanadium oxide. That way, the sacrificial lithium is consumed and essentially lithiates the silver vanadium oxide. This means that cathode active materials, such as silver vanadium oxide, which before now were generally only used in primary cells, are now useful in secondary cells. In some use applications, silver vanadium oxide is more desirable than typically used lithiated cathode active materials.

Abstract: The present comprises an electrode having the configuration: first active material/current collector screen/second active material. When one of the active materials is in a powder form, it is possible for that material to move through openings in the current collector screen to “contaminate” the interface between the other active material and the current collector. The present invention consists of having the other electrode active materials in a form incapable of moving through the current collector to the other side thereof. Then, the assembly is pressed from the direction of the other electrode active material. This seals off the current collector as the pressing force moves the current collector against the powdered electrode active material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a housed layer stack as well as to a method for manufacturing the housed layer stack composed of a band material (1) and a plurality of intermediate layers (2) comprising the following steps:

Abstract: An economical method for manufacturing an electrode assembly of virtually any shape to fit into a similarly shaped casing without compromising volumetric efficiency is described. This is accomplished by providing an electrode assembly of multiplate anode and cathode plates that substantially match the internal shape of the casing. That way, no matter what shape the device being powered by the cell dictates the electrode assembly assumes, as little internal volume as possible is left unoccupied by electrode active materials.

Abstract: An electrode includes a composite mixture layer formed by applying a composite mixture having one of a cathode active material or an anode active material on one of main surfaces of a plurality of current collectors formed in substantially rectangular shapes; and a non-applied part to which the composite mixture is not applied at both end parts in the longitudinal direction. One current collector is connected to the other adjacent current collector at one end side in the longitudinal direction through a connecting part to which the composite mixture is not applied and which is provided continuously to the non-applied parts. In the electrode constructed as described above, a plurality of current collectors can be laminated to obtain a multi-layer structure and an electric current can be collected from a lead welded to only one end part of the current collector. Thus, the electrode of a new form having an excellent productivity and a high capacity can be provided.

Abstract: An encapsulated electrode assembly which retains a highly reactive material to enhance reaction efficiency within a liquid electrolyte battery cell. The electrode assembly comprises a structural member of a first active material formed into a chamber within which is retained a highly reactive non-structural second active material that preferably comprises a particulated form of reactive material which provides increased electrochemical reaction per unit area in relation to the first reactive material. By way of example, when the invention is practiced within a lead-acid battery, the electrode pouch preferably comprises a reactive structural lead alloy, and the highly reactive material comprises lead containing compounds that support charge generation within the battery. The encapsulated electrode may additionally incorporate grids within, and in contact with, the chamber to further reduce current density within the electrode.

Abstract: The invention is directed at an ion-conductive solid polymer-forming composition, a binder resin and an ion-conductive solid polymer electrolyte comprising (A) a polymeric compound containing polyvinyl alcohol units and having an average degree of polymerization of at least 20, in which compound some or all of the hydroxyl groups on the polyvinyl alcohol units are substituted with oxyalkylene-containing groups to an average molar substitution of at least 0.3, (B) an ion-conductive salt, and (C) a compound having crosslinkable functional groups. The composition and the polymer electrolyte obtained therefrom have a high ionic conductivity and a high tackiness. Moreover, the polymer electrolyte has a semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure, giving it excellent shape retention.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a battery case, an internal electrode body contained in the battery case and including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator made of porous polymer, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound or laminated. A working volume ratio of the positive active material and the negative active material obtained by the positive active material weight being divided by the negative active material weight is within the range from 40% to 90% of the theoretical working volume ratio. the lithium secondary battery has high safety as well as high energy density by controlling the working volume of an electrode active material and the dispersion of the distribution of the working volume and in particular is preferably used for a drive motor of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel polymeric compound comprising polyvinyl alcohol units and having an average degree of polymerization of at least 20, in which some or all of the hydroxyl groups on the polyvinyl alcohol units are substituted with oxyalkylene-containing groups to an average molar substitution of at least 0.3; a binder resin composed of this polymeric compound; an ion-conductive polymer electrolyte composition having a high ionic conductivity and high tackiness which lends itself well to use as a solid polymer electrolyte in film-type cells and related applications; and a secondary cell.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery (5) comprising individual cells connected with one another, which cells each comprise a negative electrode including negative electrode material (9), a positive electrode including positive electrode material (10), a separator (6) sandwiched between the negative and the positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution between the negative and the positive electrode. The negative and the positive electrode material is provided in segments on the respective current collectors in order to increase the pliability of the battery. Common current collectors (7, 8) are used for all individual cells connected with one another.

Abstract: Alithium secondary battery for use in electric vehicle, includes: a battery case, and an electricity-generating body including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, the positive and the negative electrode being wound or laminated via the separator so that the positive electrode and negative electrode are not brought into direct contact with each other. Each single battery has a ratio (X/E) of battery output X (W) and battery energy E (Wh), of 2 to 36 or a product (R×E) of battery internal resistance R (m&OHgr;) and battery energy E (Wh), of 50 to 900 (m&OHgr;·Wh). The lithium secondary battery is used in an electric vehicle as combined batteries formed by connecting a required number of the single batteries in series.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium secondary cell and a method of fabricating the same. The lithium secondary cell; a plurality of cathode plates having a desired size and adhered on one surface of the separator film while being uniformly spaced apart from one another; a plurality of anode plates having a desired size and adhered on the other surface of the separator film at spaced positions corresponding to the cathode plates; and the separator film attached with the anode plates and the cathode plates being repeatedly folded such that the anode plates and the cathode plates are arranged in an alternating fashion. Thus, the lithium secondary cell has improved performance and particularly safety by preventing a firing caused by high current and excessive voltage charged, while having various shapes and sizes, and a desired capacity and achieving a simplified fabrication.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and an electrode for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell has a container, a positive electrode disposed in the container and having a wall defining an interface surface, a negative electrode disposed in the container, a separator located between the positive and negative electrodes, and an electrolyte. The second electrode has a unitary piece of electrochemically active material having multiple openings formed in a circumferential surface. The unitary piece may include a slotted tube, first and second members, or a coiled strip.

Abstract: A multi-cell Li-ion or Li-ion polymer battery, comprised of a plurality of generally planar cell sections, each having at least one flat, metallic current collector tab extending therefrom. A plurality of the current collector tabs are aligned in spaced-apart relationship and extend from one side of the cell body. Each of the tabs has a free end and an intermediate portion. A tab weldment joins the free ends of the tabs but leaves the intermediate portions of the tabs unattached to each other. The tabs are welded together when the tabs are stacked together at a location offset from the cell body, such that the tabs are folded into a generally U-shaped configuration with the unattached intermediate portions forming a smooth layered, generally U-shaped structure when the tab weldment is disposed adjacent the one side of the cell body.

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic electrolytic cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a solution of lithium salt in an aprotic organic solvent as an electrolytic solution. A current collector of positive electrode and a current collector of negative are respectively provided with pores piercing from the front surface to the back surface, an active material of negative electrode is capable of reversibly carrying lithium, and lithium originating in the negative electrode is carried by electrochemical contact with lithium arranged to face the negative or positive electrode. An opposed area of said lithium is not more than 40% of an area of the negative electrode.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery having an irregular shape with a unitary anode and unitary cathode that are spirally wound and that provide a high energy density for an implantable biomedical device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a prismatic battery includes the steps of manufacturing a large plate from which a plurality of single electrode plates that form the electrode plate group are cut, cutting a plurality of single electrode plates from the large plate, stacking the single electrode plates by grouping together single electrode plates from different positions on the large plates, and forming the electrode plate group by successively taking single electrode plates from the stacked single electrode plates and alternately stacking the taken single electrode plates with single electrode plates of the opposite polarity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new sandwich cathode design having two cathode active materials provided on opposite sides of a current collector. The respective active materials are similar in terms of, for example, their rate capability, their energy density, or some other parameter. However, one material may have an advantage over the other in one characteristic, but is disadvantageous in another. The cathode is built in a sandwich configuration having a first one of the active materials sandwiched between two current collectors. Then, the second active material is provided in contact with at least the other side of one of the current collectors, and preferably facing the anode. An exemplary cathode has the following configuration: MnO2/current collector/SVO/current collector/MnO2.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided having a first cathode structure of a first cathode active material of a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability, for example SVO, mixed with a second cathode active material having a relatively high energy density but a relatively low rate capability, for example CFx, with the percentage of SVO being less than that of CFx and sandwiched between two current collectors. Then, a second cathode mixture of SVO and CFx active materials is contacted to the outside of the current collectors. However, the percentage of SVO to CFx is greater in the second structure than in the first.

Abstract: In one implementation, a bicell battery apparatus includes first and second counter electrodes and an intermediate electrode positioned therebetween. Respective end edges of the first and second counter electrodes are received outwardly beyond a respective end edge of the intermediate electrode at a region. A current collector extension extends from one of the end edges of the intermediate electrode within the region and extends outwardly beyond the respective end edges of the first and second counter electrodes within the region. A first substantially electrolyte impermeable insulative layer is received between the current collector extension and the first counter electrode. A second substantially electrolyte impermeable insulative layer is received between the current collector extension and the second counter electrode.

Abstract: The present comprises an electrode having the configuration: first active material/current collector/second active material. One of the electrode active materials in a cohesive form is incapable of moving through the current collector to the other side thereof. However, in an un-cohesive form, the one electrode active material is capable of communication through the current collector. The other or second active material is in a form in-capable of communication through the current collector, whether it is in a cohesive or un-cohesive powder form. Then, the assembly of first active material/current collector/second active material is pressed from either the direction of the first electrode active material to the second electrode active material, or visa versa.

Abstract: An improved battery cell having electrodes with active surface areas communicating along an entire edge with conductors thereby minimizing resistance and allowing for communication of electrical current to and from the battery at a high rate with an even discharge from the electrodes. Electrical current is produced by a plurality of electrodes formed of active material adhered to a conductive substrate. The plurality of electrodes is then stacked or wound to a desired configuration with a porous separator separating each adjacent electrode from the other. Communication along the entire edge of the formed electrodes on the conductive substrate with a conductive edge portion of the substrate, provide for maximum current flow in and out of the battery as well as well as reducing thermal concerns in high current applications.

Abstract: Spirally-rolled electrodes for batteries wherein the electrodes having a concentric circle shape or an elliptic shape with positive electrode and negative electrode wound spirally via a separator therebetween has the characteristics as below:

Abstract: A battery electrode that can be bent in any shape without deterioration in battery performance. The metal current collector of the battery electrode has cut lines. This battery electrode is used for the positive or negative electrode of a non-aqueous electrolyte battery. The length of the cut lines is such that the ratio of y/x is from 0.2 to 0.9, with y being the total length of cut lines, and x being the distance between two points at which the extension of the cut line crosses both edges of the current collector.

Abstract: A highly reliable rechargeable battery comprising an anode, a separator, a cathode, an electrolyte or an electrolyte solution, and a housing, characterized in that said anode is structured to have a size which is greater than that of said cathode. The rechargeable battery provides an increased energy density and has a prolonged charging and discharging cycle life, in which a dendrite causing a reduction in the battery performance, which is generated upon operating charging in the conventional rechargeable battery, is effectively prevented from generating or from growing in the case where it should be generated.

Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material mixed with a binder and a conductive diluent in at least two differing formulations. The formulations are then individually pressed on opposite sides of a current collector, so that both are in direct contact with the current collector. Preferably, the active formulation on the side of the current collector facing the anode is of a lesser percentage of the active material than that on the opposite side of the current collector.

Abstract: An electrode in which an active material 11 or 7, an electron conducting material 12 or a current collector 5 or 6 has PTC characteristics is used as at least one of positive and negative electrodes 1 and 2.

Abstract: Improved electro-chemical power generation devices (e.g., metal-air fuel cell battery devices) having metal-fuel realized in the form of a metal-fuel card including a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel elements (e.g., strips) disposed on the surface of substantially rigid and planar non-electrically-conductive substrate. The metal-fuel elements are in electrical contact with the anode contacting elements of the power generation device when the metal-fuel card is spatially registered to anode contacting elements of the electro-chemical power generation device. In another aspect of the present invention, an aperture formed in the substrate provides electrical contact between the metal-fuel element disposed on the first side of the substrate and the anode contacting element disposed on the second side of the substrate when the metal-fuel card is spatially registered to the anode contacting element.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte battery having a high energy density and in which it is possible to prevent internal shorting. The solid electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode arranged facing the positive electrode and a solid electrolyte layer formed on a surface of at least one of the positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes are arranged with the solid electrolyte layer carrying sides facing each other. One of the positive and negative electrodes is smaller in size than the other electrode, while the solid electrolyte layer formed on the electrode smaller in size is formed so as to be larger than the electrode smaller in size.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium ion battery with high power density comprises a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, in which the positive electrode includes a active material layer containing a positive electrode active material with the particle diameter of 5 &mgr;m or less and having the thickness at a range of 20 to 80 &mgr;m. Another rechargeable lithium ion battery with high power density comprises a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, in which the positive electrode has two active material layers, each of which contains a positive electrode active material with a different diameter and has the thickness at a range of 20 to 30 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an electrode assembly in which overlayed electrodes are wound together in a bi-directional fashion yielding a high energy density cell stack with low internal impedance is described. The overlayed electrodes are such that either a single cathode is paired with two anodes or a single anode is paired with two cathodes prior to winding of the cell stack assembly. For example, the electrode assembly is formed by overlapping the two anode electrodes on opposite sides of the cathode electrode across a midportion and then winding the electrode strips bi-directionally about the midportion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid electrolyte battery including: a first electrode including a first collector, and a first active material layer formed on one surface of the first collector with an outer peripheral edge portion of the first collector remaining as a collector exposed portion; a second electrode including a second collector and second active material layers formed on both surfaces of the second collector; and a solid electrolyte interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein the second electrode is held in the first electrode in such a manner that the first active material layer is opposed to each of the second active material layers via the solid electrolyte, and is sealed in the first electrode by joining the collector exposed portion of the first electrode to each other. This battery is allowed to be further thinned and reduced in weight, to be improved in energy density per weight and energy density per volume, and to be enhanced in air-tightness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-capacity sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery superior in high-current discharge, without extending the injection time of an electrolyte. This battery includes an electrode group, a metal case for accommodating the electrode group, and a seal plate provided with a safety vent, for sealing an opening of the case, and the electrode group has a structure in which, round a non-sintered type cylindrical electrode of one polarity, a non-sintered type hollow cylindrical electrode of the other polarity and a non-sintered type hollow cylindrical electrode of the one polarity are layered alternately in the form of concentric circles with a separator between the electrodes.

Abstract: A uniform mixture of a powdered active material 1, conductive fiber 2, and a binder resin is applied to a polytetrafluoroethylene plate, etc. to a prescribed thickness and dried to form a sheet electrode 8. A pair of electrodes 8 are adhered to a separator 9 to make an electrode laminate 10. A battery is formed of the electrode laminate 10 or a plurality of the electrode laminates 10.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell construction having a large anode-to-cathode interfacial surface area to realize improved high rate service performance in an easy-to-manufacture construction. A first electrode, such as the cathode, is formed having a conductive current collector integrally embedded therein. Separator material is disposed on both the inner and outer cylindrical walls of the first electrode. An outer electrochemically active material covers the outer separator material outside of the first electrode and an outer insulation is layered on top of the outer electrochemically active material to form a cathode bobbin. The cathode bobbin is disposed into a container having a closed bottom end and an open top end. A second electrode, such as an anode, is disposed in the inner cylindrical volume formed in the first electrode and a conductive path is provided between the outer electrochemically active material and the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention improves the performance of lithium electrochemical cells by providing a new electrode assembly based on a sandwich cathode design, but termed a double screen sandwich cathode electrode design. In particular, the present invention uses sandwich cathode electrodes which are, in turn, sandwiched between two half double screen sandwich cathode electrodes, either in a prismatic plate or serpentine-like electrode assembly. In a jellyroll electrode assembly, the cell is provided in a case-positive design and the outside round of the electrode assembly is a half double screen sandwich cathode electrode.