Alkaline Patents (Class 429/206)
  • Patent number: 8920969
    Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell having an anode including electrochemically active anode material, a cathode including electrochemically active cathode material, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a hydroxide dissolved in water. The separator in combination with the electrolyte has an initial area-specific resistance between about 100 mOhm-cm2 and about 220 mOhm-cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Nikolai Nikolaevich Issaev, James Joseph Cervera, Michael Pozin
  • Publication number: 20140370376
    Abstract: An alkaline battery including a negative electrode including zinc, a positive electrode including manganese dioxide, and an alkaline electrolyte, in which the positive electrode includes graphite particles each having a basal surface and an edge surface, and anatase titanium dioxide particles, and the anatase titanium dioxide particles have a mean particle size larger than a height of the edge surface of each graphite particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Tadaya Okada
  • Publication number: 20140356702
    Abstract: Provided is a positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery, capable of achieving a high charge efficiency over a wide range of temperature including high temperatures. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode material mixture including: a nickel oxide as a positive electrode active material; a first additive; and a second additive differing from the first additive. An amount of sulfate ions SO42? remaining in the nickel oxide is 0.45 mass % or less. The first additive is a compound including at least one selected from the group consisting of ytterbium, indium, calcium, barium, beryllium, antimony, erbium, thulium, and lutetium. The second additive is a compound including at least one selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, scandium, niobium, zirconium, and zinc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8900746
    Abstract: An aqueous secondary battery 10 according to the present invention includes a positive electrode containing a NASICON-type positive-electrode active material that can insert and extract sodium as a positive-electrode active material 12, a negative electrode containing a negative-electrode active material 17 that can insert and extract sodium, and an electrolyte solution 20 disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the electrolyte solution 20 being an aqueous solution in which sodium is dissolved. The NASICON-type positive-electrode active material is, for example, Na3V2(PO4)3, and the electrolyte solution 20 is an aqueous solution in which sodium is dissolved. The negative-electrode active material 17 is preferably a NASICON-type negative-electrode active material (for example, LiTi2(PO4)3 or NaTi2(PO4)3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Hiroki Kondo
  • Patent number: 8877372
    Abstract: An alkaline secondary battery includes a positive electrode having active material particles principally made of nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte solution. The positive active material particle has a core layer containing nickel hydroxide and a conductive auxiliary layer which coats the surface of the core layer. The conductive auxiliary layer contains a cobalt oxyhydroxide phase and a cerium dioxide phase. The electrolyte solution is principally made of an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Kanemoto, Tadashi Kakeya, Mitsuhiro Kodama
  • Publication number: 20140322598
    Abstract: The present invention provides one with a Ni—Fe battery exhibiting enhanced power characteristics. The battery uses a particular electrolyte. The resulting characteristics of specific power and power density are much improved over conventional Ni—Fe batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Encell Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Ogg
  • Patent number: 8859140
    Abstract: An electrode for a molten salt battery includes a current collector connectable to an electrode terminal of the molten salt battery and an active material. The current collector has an internal space in which small spaces are mutually coupled. The internal space of the current collector is filled with the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Syoichiro Sakai, Shinji Inazawa, Masatoshi Majima, Koji Nitta, Atsushi Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 8859120
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery cell includes at least two working electrodes, each including an active material, an inert material, an electrolyte and a current collector, a first separator region arranged between the at least two working electrodes to separate the at least two working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes are electronically connected within the cell, an auxiliary electrode including a lithium reservoir, and a second separator region arranged between the auxiliary electrode and the at least two working electrodes to separate the auxiliary electrode from the working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes is electronically connected to the auxiliary electrode within the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John F. Christensen, Jasim Ahmed, Sungbae Park, Aleksandar Kojic
  • Patent number: 8852452
    Abstract: A lithium transition metal oxide powder for use in a rechargeable battery is disclosed, where the surface of the primary particles of said powder is coated with a LiF layer, where this layer consists of a reaction product of a fluorine-containing polymer and the primary particle surface. The lithium of the LiF originates from the primary particles surface. Examples of the fluorine-containing polymer are either one of PVDF, PVDF-HFP or PTFE. Examples of the lithium transition metal oxide are either one of —LiCodMeO2, wherein M is either one of both of Mg and Ti, with e<0.02 and d+e=1; —Li1+aM?1?aO2±bM1kSm with ?0.03<a<0.06, b<0.02, M? being a transition metal compound, consisting of at least 95% of either one or more elements of the group Ni, Mn, Co and Ti; M1 consisting of either one or more elements of the group Ca, Sr, Y, La, Ce and Zr, with 0?k?0.1 in wt %; and 0<m<0.6, m being expressed in mol %; and —LiaNixCOyM?zO2±eAf, with 0.9<a?<1.1, 0.5?x?0.9, 0<y?0.4, 0<z?0.35, e<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Jens Paulsen, Randy De Palma, HeonPyo Hong, KyuBo Kim
  • Patent number: 8815449
    Abstract: A material (hereinafter referred to as “positive electrode material”) including sodium manganate powder as a positive electrode active material, carbon black powder as a conductive agent, and polytetrafluoroethylene as a binder is prepared. The positive electrode material is mixed in an N-methylpyrrolidone solution to produce slurry as a positive electrode mixture. A working electrode is produced by applying the slurry on a positive electrode collector. A negative electrode containing tin or germanium is produced. The non-aqueous electrolyte is produced by adding sodium hexafluorophosphate as an electrolyte salt in a non-aqueous solvent produced by mixing ethylenecarbonate and diethyl carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Inoue, Masahisa Fujimoto, Kumiko Kanai
  • Publication number: 20140234706
    Abstract: Provided is a nickel-iron battery. The battery comprises a positive nickel electrode, an iron negative electrode, an electrolyte comprising a surfactant, and a non-polar separator. In one embodiment, the non-polar separator is comprised of a polyolefin, and the surfactant comprises a zwitterionic surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Encell Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Ogg, Alan P. Seidel
  • Publication number: 20140227591
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and other improved electrical properties. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes. These novel cathodes comprise a silver material that is doped with a trivalent species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ZPower, LLC
    Inventors: George W. Adamson, Hongxia Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140217985
    Abstract: Provided is a process for activating a battery comprising an iron electrode. The process comprises providing a battery comprising a cathode and an iron anode. The battery further comprises an electrolyte comprising NaOH, LiOH and a sulfide. The battery is then cycled to equalize the state-of-charge of the cathode and iron anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Encell Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Gifford, Randy Ogg, Phil Bennett
  • Publication number: 20140220431
    Abstract: The present invention provides one with a high cycle life Ni—Fe battery. The battery uses a particular electrolyte. The resulting characteristics of cycle life, as well as power and charge retention, are much improved over conventional Ni—Fe batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Encell Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Ogg
  • Publication number: 20140220430
    Abstract: The present invention provides one with a battery having an iron anode, e.g., a Ni—Fe battery, having improved performance characteristics. The battery uses a particular electrolyte and/or battery separator. The resulting characteristics of efficiency, charge retention and cycle life are much improved over such batteries in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Encell Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Ogg
  • Patent number: 8771883
    Abstract: An alkaline battery of this invention includes: a negative electrode including a negative electrode mixture that contains a zinc alloy as an active material, the zinc alloy containing at least aluminum; an alkaline electrolyte; and a positive electrode. The alkaline electrolyte includes an aqueous KOH solution and LiOH and an aluminum compound that are dissolved in the aqueous KOH solution. The alkaline battery has excellent high-rate discharge characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Harunari Shimamura, Koshi Takamura, Nobuharu Koshiba
  • Publication number: 20140159668
    Abstract: An anode electrode for an energy storage device includes both an ion intercalation material and a pseudocapacitive material. The ion intercalation material may be a NASICON material, such as NaTi2(PO4)3 and the pseudocapacitive material may be an activated carbon material. The energy storage device also includes a cathode, an electrolyte and a separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Aquion Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Whitacre, Alex Mohamed, Andrew Polonsky, Sneha Shanbhag, Kristen Carlisle
  • Publication number: 20140154542
    Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell having an anode including electrochemically active anode material, a cathode including electrochemically active cathode material, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a hydroxide dissolved in water. The separator in combination with the electrolyte has an initial area-specific resistance between about 100 mOhm-cm2 and about 220 mOhm-cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Nkolai N. Issaev, James Joseph Cervera, Michael Pozin
  • Patent number: 8728659
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an alkaline electrochemical cell comprising an additive for improved discharge performance. The additive is a finely dispersed superabsorbent material comprising particles having a substantially uniform shape and a small particle size relative to typical materials used in alkaline cells. The superabsorbent material results in enhanced discharge performance of the alkaline cell by increasing access of zinc to the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Edgar Armacanqui, Andrew J. Roszkowski, Donald Raymond Crowe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8722242
    Abstract: A magnesium battery, having an anode containing magnesium; a cathode stable to a voltage of at least 2.6 V relative to a magnesium reference; and an electrolyte containing an electrochemically active magnesium salt obtained by reaction of a Grignard reagent or Hauser base with a boron compound of formula BR3 is provided. The electrolyte is stable to 2.6 E.V. vs. Mg in the presence of stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John Muldoon, Claudiu Bogdan Bucur
  • Publication number: 20140079991
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium battery including: a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an organic electrolytic solution, wherein the negative electrode has a metal/metalloid nanostructure, and the organic electrolytic solution includes a lithium sulfonimide-based compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: So-Ra Lee, Chang-Su Shin, Yu-Jeong Cho, Su-Kyung Lee, Jae-Myung Kim, Ui-Song Do, Sang-Eun Park
  • Patent number: 8673490
    Abstract: Combinations of materials are described in which high energy density active materials for negative electrodes of lithium ion batteries. In general, metal alloy/intermetallic compositions can provide the high energy density. These materials can have moderate volume changes upon cycling in a lithium ion battery. The volume changes can be accommodated with less degradation upon cycling through the combination with highly porous electrically conductive materials, such as highly porous carbon and/or foamed current collectors. Whether or not combined with a highly porous electrically conductive material, metal alloy/intermetallic compositions with an average particle size of no more than a micron can be advantageously used in the negative electrodes to improve cycling properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Envia Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Kumar, James P. Buckley
  • Patent number: 8663842
    Abstract: Silver positive electrode for alkali secondary batteries having an enhanced cycling capability, and consequently a longer lifetime in cycling of the storage batteries incorporating it, by optimizing, in recharge mode, the conditions for electrochemically reducing the oxidized silver species. The silver electrode according to the invention is of the plasticized type, and a high-porosity collector, such as a woven fabric, a felt or a reticulated cellular metal foam, is used. The active compound introduced into the collector is prepared in paste form, in which the active material consists of metallic silver particles and/or silver monoxide particles, and may advantageously include a metal oxide acting as pore-forming and wetting agent for the electrode. Such an electrode is particularly intended for mounting in silver-zinc storage batteries operating in open mode or sealed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: S.C.P.S. Societe de Conseil et de Prospective Scientifique, S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Bugnet, Denis Doniat, Fabrice Fourgeot, Robert Rouget
  • Publication number: 20140050949
    Abstract: A rechargeable pencil battery has a hollow cylindrical positive electrode including nickel hydroxide; a gelled negative electrode comprising at least one of zinc and a zinc compound; a separator interposed between the hollow cylindrical positive electrode and the gelled negative electrode; and a negative electrode current collector inserted into the gelled negative electrode. Rechargeable batteries of the invention are capable of between about 50 and 1000 cycles from a fully charge state to a fully discharged state at a discharge rates of about 0.5 C or greater, in some embodiments about 1 C or greater. Batteries of the invention have a ratio of length to diameter of between about 1.5:1 and about 20:1, and therefore can be longer than typical commercially available batteries but also include batteries of commercial sizes e.g. AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D, sub-C and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: POWERGENIX SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Phillips, Samaresh Mohanta, Cecilia Maske
  • Patent number: 8637195
    Abstract: Provided is a battery which can prevent deactivation from occurring by avoiding solid deposition at electrodes. The battery includes an anion conductor, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and a second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer, wherein the first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the positive electrode are present in this sequence on a first surface of the anion conductor, and the second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the negative electrode are present in this sequence on a second surface of the anion conductor, and wherein the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material which can release a metal ion upon discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Suto
  • Publication number: 20140017571
    Abstract: Representative embodiments provide a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a supercapacitor. A representative liquid or gel separator comprises a plurality of particles, typically having a size (in any dimension) between about 0.5 to about 50 microns; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer. In another representative embodiment, the plurality of particles comprise diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, and/or diatomaceous fragments or remains. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the plurality of particles are comprised of silicate glass; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, William Johnstone Ray, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Patent number: 8609281
    Abstract: Electrolytic manganese dioxide characterized by having a surface sulfate (SO4) content of smaller than 0.10% by weight and a JIS-pH value, as measured according to JIS K1467, of at least 1.5 but smaller than 3.5, preferably at least 2.1 but smaller than 3.2 is provided. Preferably 3% to 25% in number of the fine particles of the manganese dioxide have a particle diameter of not larger than 1 ?m. A battery provided with a cathode made from the electrolytic manganese dioxide as active material exhibits good high-rate discharge characteristics and good resistance to metal corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tosoh Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Kazumasa Suetsugu, Setsuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8592084
    Abstract: An alkaline secondary cell has an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator, and alkaline electrolyte. The negative electrode includes hydrogen-storage alloy and an oxidation inhibitor that inhibits the hydrogen-storage alloy from being oxidized. The oxidation inhibitor contains a chemical compound, and the chemical compound includes a chemical-bond-formation end that is chemically bonded to the surface of the hydrogen-storage alloy and a water-repellent end having water repellency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: FDK Twicell Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Saguchi, Masaru Kihara, Takahiro Endo
  • Patent number: 8592092
    Abstract: Provided is a battery which can prevent deactivation from occurring by avoiding solid deposition at electrodes. The battery includes an anion conductor, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and a second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer, wherein the first aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the positive electrode are present in this sequence on a first surface of the anion conductor, and the second aqueous liquid electrolyte layer and the negative electrode are present in this sequence on a second surface of the anion conductor, and wherein the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material which can release a metal ion upon discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Suto
  • Publication number: 20130295450
    Abstract: A positive active material for an alkaline secondary battery having a core layer containing nickel hydroxide and a conductive auxiliary layer which coats the surface of the core layer, wherein the conductive auxiliary layer contains a cobalt oxyhydroxide phase and a cerium dioxide phase, and the active material contains lithium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Kakeya, Manabu Kanemoto, Mitsuhiro Kodama
  • Publication number: 20130280602
    Abstract: An alkaline secondary battery includes a positive electrode having active material particles principally made of nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte solution. The positive active material particle has a core layer containing nickel hydroxide and a conductive auxiliary layer which coats the surface of the core layer. The conductive auxiliary layer contains a cobalt oxyhydroxide phase and a cerium dioxide phase. The electrolyte solution is principally made of an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Kanemoto, Tadashi Kakeya, Mitsuhiro Kodama
  • Patent number: 8557438
    Abstract: A positive electrode is disclosed for a non-aqueous electrolyte lithium rechargeable cell or battery. The electrode comprises a lithium containing material of the formula NayLixNizMn1-z-z?Mz?Od, wherein M is a metal cation, x+y>1, 0<z<0.5, 0?z?<0.5, y+x+1 is less than d, and the value of d depends on the proportions and average oxidation states of the metallic elements, Li, Na, Mn, Ni, and M, if present, such that the combined positive charge of the metallic elements is balanced by the number of oxygen anions, d. The inventive material preferably has a spinel or spinel-like component in its structure. The value of y preferably is less than about 0.2, and M comprises one or more metal cations selected preferably from one or more monovalent, divalent, trivalent or tetravalent cations, such as Mg2+, Co2+, Co3+, B3+, Ga3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Al3+, and Ti4+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Johnson, Sun-Ho Kang
  • Publication number: 20130252085
    Abstract: A primary battery includes a cathode having an alkali-deficient nickel oxide including metals such as Ca, Mg, Al, Co, Y, Mn, and/or non-metals such as B, Si, Ge, or a combination of metal and/or non-metal atoms; a combination of metal atoms; an anode; a separator between the cathode and the anode; and an alkaline electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Nelson, Paul A. Christian, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Fan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130244121
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel applications for alliform carbon, useful in conductors and energy storage devices, including electrical double layer capacitor devices and articles incorporating such conductors and devices. Said alliform carbon particles are in the range of 2 to about 20 percent by weight, relative to the weight of the entire electrode. Said novel applications include supercapacitors and associated electrode devices, batteries, bandages and wound healing, and thin-film devices, including display devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicants: Universite Paul Sabatier De Toulouse France, Drexel University
    Inventors: Yury Gogotsi, Vadym Mochalin, John Kenneth McDonough, Patrice Simon, Pierre-Louis Taberna
  • Publication number: 20130244101
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte comprising polymer comprising alkyl-capped PEG; an alkaline agent; and water, wherein the water is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 60 wt % of the electrolyte and methods of producing the same. The present invention further provides an electrochemical cell comprising said electrolyte, and methods of producing the same. The present invention also provides a separator comprising alkyl-capped PEG and cellulose, and methods of producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Zpower, LLC
    Inventors: Monica Meckfessel Jones, George W. Adamson
  • Publication number: 20130216900
    Abstract: Lithium rich and manganese rich lithium metal oxides are described that provide for excellent performance in lithium-based batteries. The specific compositions can be engineered within a specified range of compositions to provide desired performance characteristics. Selected compositions can provide high values of specific capacity with a reasonably high average voltage. Compositions of particular interest can be represented by the formula, x Li2MnO3.(1?x) Li Niu+?Mnu??CowAyO2. The compositions undergo significant first cycle irreversible changes, but the compositions cycle stably after the first cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: ENVIA SYSTEMS, INC
    Inventor: Envia Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130216901
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel cathodes having a reduced resistivity and other improved electrical properties. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel cathodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: zPower, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Ortega, Hongxia Zhou, George W. Adanson
  • Publication number: 20130183579
    Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a core including a lithium composite metal oxide selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, Chemical Formula 2, and combinations thereof; and a shell on the core, the shell including lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), and the lithium iron phosphate being present in an amount in a range of about 5 to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the positive active material. LixMO2 ??[Chemical Formula 1] (wherein, in the above Chemical Formula 1, M is one or more transition elements, and 1?x?1.1) yLi2MnO3·(1?y)LiM?O2 ??[Chemical Formula 2] (wherein, in the above Chemical Formula 2, M? is one or more transition elements, and 0?x?1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Seung-Mo Kim, Jun-Sik Jeoung
  • Publication number: 20130183580
    Abstract: An energy storage element, wherein a non-aqueous electrolyte contains lithium difluorobis(oxalato)phosphate that is a first additive represented by Formula (1): and lithium tetrafluorooxalatophosphate that is a second additive represented by Formula (2): wherein the amount of the first additive to be added is not less than 0.3% by weight and not more than 1.0% by weight based on the total weight of the non-aqueous electrolyte, and the amount of the second additive to be added is not less than 0.05 times and not more than 0.3 times the amount of the first additive to be added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventor: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
  • Patent number: 8481674
    Abstract: A polymer having a repeating unit structure represented by the following general formula (1), wherein in general formula (1), Ph is a phenyl group; X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a selenium atom or a tellurium atom; and R1 and R1 each independently contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a chained saturated hydrocarbon group, a chained unsaturated hydrocarbon group, a cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group, a cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group, a phenyl group, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, an amino group, a nitro group and a nitroso group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takakazu Yamamoto, Hiroki Fukumoto, Takahisa Shimizu, Tomoaki Yanagida, Yu Ohtsuka, Nobuhiko Hojo
  • Publication number: 20130171502
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-component hybrid electrode for use in an electrochemical super-hybrid energy storage device. The hybrid electrode contains at least a current collector, at least an intercalation electrode active material storing lithium inside interior or bulk thereof, and at least an intercalation-free electrode active material having a specific surface area no less than 100 m2/g and storing lithium on a surface thereof, wherein the intercalation electrode active material and the intercalation-free electrode active material are in electronic contact with the current collector. The resulting super-hybrid cell exhibits exceptional high power and high energy density, and long-term cycling stability that cannot be achieved with conventional supercapacitors, lithium-ion capacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium metal secondary batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Guorong Chen, Aruna Zhamu, Xiqing Wang, Bor Z. Jang, Yanbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20130171482
    Abstract: A rechargeable pencil battery has a hollow cylindrical positive electrode including nickel hydroxide; a gelled negative electrode comprising at least one of zinc and a zinc compound; a separator interposed between the hollow cylindrical positive electrode and the gelled negative electrode; and a negative electrode current collector inserted into the gelled negative electrode. Rechargeable batteries of the invention are capable of between about 50 and 1000 cycles from a fully charge state to a fully discharged state at a discharge rates of about 0.5 C or greater, in some embodiments about 1 C or greater. Batteries of the invention have a ratio of length to diameter of between about 1.5:1 and about 20:1, and therefore can be longer than typical commercially available batteries but also include batteries of commercial sizes e.g. AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D, sub-C and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: POWERGENIX SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: PowerGenix Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130164602
    Abstract: An energy storage device including an active electrolyte, a first electrode and a second electrode is provided. The active electrolyte contains protons and ion pairs with a redox ability. The first electrode and the second electrode coexist in the active electrolyte and are separated from each other. The first electrode and the second electrode respectively include an active material producing a redox-reaction with the active electrolyte or an active material producing ion adsorption/desorption with the active electrolyte. The active electrolyte receives electrons from the first electrode and/or the second electrode so as to perform a redox-reaction for charge storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Li-Duan Tsai, Chung-Hsiang Chao, Jenn-Yeu Hwang, Chun-Lung Li
  • Publication number: 20130122344
    Abstract: Provided are lithium sulfur battery cells that use water as an electrolyte solvent. In various embodiments the water solvent enhances one or more of the following cell attributes: energy density, power density and cycle life. Significant cost reduction can also be realized by using an aqueous electrolyte in combination with a sulfur cathode. For instance, in applications where cost per Watt-Hour (Wh) is paramount, such as grid storage and traction applications, the use of an aqueous electrolyte in combination with inexpensive sulfur as the cathode active material can be a key enabler for the utility and automotive industries, providing a cost effective and compact solution for load leveling, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: POLYPLUS BATTERY COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz, Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Nikolay Goncharenko, Valentina Loginova
  • Publication number: 20130093392
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes: a cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte having a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution includes at least one kind of 1,3-dioxane derivative having a substituent group containing nitrogen or oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Patent number: 8409753
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery in which an actual reaction area is not reduced after increasing a reaction area is provided. A hydrogen storage alloy negative electrode 11 of an alkaline storage battery 10 of the present invention is formed in a strip form including a long axis and a short axis, in which the ratio (A/B) of a length A (cm) of the long axis to a length B (cm) of the short axis is 20 or more and 30 or less (20?A/B?30), and the ratio (X/Y) of an electrolyte volume X (g) retained in the hydrogen storage alloy negative electrode 11 to an electrolyte volume Y (g) retained in a separator 13 is 0.8 or more and 1.1 or less (0.8?X/Y?1.1). With this arrangement, an alkaline storage battery with high output characteristics and long-term durability performance is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Yoshida, Yoshinobu Katayama, Kazuaki Tamura, Teruhito Nagae
  • Patent number: 8394520
    Abstract: Ternary or quaternary electrolyte material for use in thermal batteries that is substantially free of binders is disclosed. Composites of electrodes and electrolytes that contain the electrolyte material and batteries that contain the electrolyte material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eaglepicher Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Swift, Charles Lamb
  • Patent number: 8377595
    Abstract: The present invention has its objective to provide a gelling agent for a battery, which forms a paste gel in a short period of time on dissolution in an alkaline electrolyte. The gel has less bubbles and a high gel density. The gelling agent for a battery comprises granular carboxyl group-containing polymer particles having a median particle diameter of 100 to 800 ?m and a bulk density of 0.30 g/ml or more, and has a gel turbidity of 200 ppm or less and a gel density of 1.37 g/ml or more in a gel. The gel is prepared by adding 2 parts by mass of the granular carboxyl group-containing polymer particles to 98 parts by mass of 40% by mass of an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Morimitsu, Masatoyo Yoshinaka, Shinji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8361653
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising a negative electrode containing a carbon material capable of doping and dedoping lithium ions as a negative electrode active material; a positive electrode containing a composite oxide of lithium and a transition metal as a positive electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution; wherein the non-aqueous electrolytic solution contains 0.001% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less of a diamine compound having two tertiary amino groups capable of interacting with a proton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8318349
    Abstract: A negative electrode active material for a nickel-metal hydride battery of the present invention includes a hydrogen storage alloy, the hydrogen storage alloy containing La, Mg, Ni, Co, Al, and element M. The molar ratio y of Ni to the total of La and Mg is 2?y?3, the molar ratio z of Co to the total of La and Mg is 0.25?z?0.75, the molar ratio ? of Al to the total of La and Mg is 0.01???0.05, and the molar ratio x of Mg to the total of La and Mg is 0.01?x?0.5. Element M represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Y and Sn, and the content of element M in the hydrogen storage alloy is 0.4 wt % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohyama, Kyoko Nakatsuji, Yoshitaka Dansui