Alkaline Patents (Class 429/206)
  • Patent number: 8309243
    Abstract: A cylindrical alkaline storage battery has a cylindrical case which contains an electrode assembly and an alkaline electrolyte. The assembly is formed by spirally winding a negative plate, a positive plate and a separator. The negative plate has a substrate having through holes and an active material layer which is disposed on the substrate and has an inner layer, an outer layer and a filler filled in the through holes. Each of the inner layer and outer layers has an overlapping portion which overlaps the adjacent positive plate via the separator. The filler has filling portions distributed in an area of the substrate that is covered by the overlapping portion of the inner and outer layers. The total amount of the active material contained in the overlapping portions and the filling portions ranges from 75% of the total amount of the active material in the negative plate to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taishi Maeda
  • Publication number: 20120282520
    Abstract: The invention concerns rechargeable zinc electrodes for the use in rechargeable batteries. More particularly, the invention relates to electrically rechargeable porous zinc electrode incorporating Low Hydrogen Overvoltage Substances (LHOS) thus presenting reduced dendritic propagation, lesser electrode passivation and shape change and finally resulting in an increased number of charge/discharge cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Suren Martirosyan
  • Patent number: 8298706
    Abstract: A primary battery includes a cathode having a non-stoichiometric metal oxide including transition metals Ni, Mn, Co, or a combination of metal atoms, an alkali metal, and hydrogen; an anode; a separator between the cathode and the anode; and an alkaline electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Christian, Yichun Wang, Nikolay K. Iltchev, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Jennifer A. Nelson, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8293390
    Abstract: A cell stack (700) as provided enables a flowing electrolyte battery to have a reduced size and weight. The cell stack (700) includes a casing having a positive polarity end and a negative polarity end. A plurality of half cells (805) are inside the casing, and each half cell (805) includes an electrode plate (705), an adjacent separator plate (715), and at least one capillary tube (727) positioned between the electrode plate (705) and the adjacent separator plate (715). The capillary tube (727) has a first end extending outside of the half cell (805) and a second end located inside the half cell (805). At least one manifold (530) is in hydraulic communication with a plurality of capillary tube ends including the first end of the capillary tube (727) in each half cell (805). The capillary tube (727) in each half cell (805) enables electrolyte to circulate through the plurality of half cells (805) via the at least one manifold (530).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Redflow Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Alexander Rudolf Winter
  • Patent number: 8288034
    Abstract: A battery includes a separator with a trapping layer that traps dissolved metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Jonathan M. Boulton, Cahit Eylem, Ou Mao
  • Patent number: 8283068
    Abstract: An alkaline dry battery of this invention includes: a cylindrical positive electrode mixture having a hollow and including at least one of manganese dioxide powder and nickel oxyhydroxide powder; a gelled negative electrode including zinc alloy powder; a separator interposed between the positive electrode mixture and the gelled negative electrode; a negative electrode current collector inserted into the gelled negative electrode; and a negative electrode terminal plate electrically connected to the negative electrode current collector. The gelled negative electrode is filled in the hollow of the positive electrode mixture with the separator interposed therebetween. The height L1 of the gelled negative electrode filled therein and the length L2 of the portion of the negative electrode current collector inserted in the gelled negative electrode satisfy the relation (1): 0.72?L2/L1?0.86.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Sumihiro, Seiji Wada, Michiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8277974
    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: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Envia Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Kumar, James P. Buckley
  • Patent number: 8257862
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alkaline storage battery comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator and an alkaline electrolyte solution in a package can. The negative electrode contains a hydrogen storage alloy represented by the following general formula: Ln1-xMgx(Ni1-yTy)z (wherein Ln represents at least one element selected from lanthanoid elements, Ca, Sr, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr and Hf; T represents at least one element selected from V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, In, Cu, Si, P and B; and 0<x?1, 0?y?0.5 and 2.5?z?4.5) as a negative electrode active material. In this alkaline storage battery, the hydrogen equilibrium pressure (P) is regulated to satisfy 0.02 MPa?P?0.11 MPa when the hydrogen amount stored in the hydrogen storage alloy (H/M (atomic ratio)) at 40° C. is 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Katayama, Shuhei Yoshida, Hiromasa Sugii, Yasuyuki Harada, Yoshihiro Masuda, Makoto Ochi, Masao Takee
  • Publication number: 20120214057
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention are transition-metal-free nitrogen-containing hydride anodes of the general formula LioNH3-o, where o=1, 2 or 3, and wherein said transition-metal-free nitrogen-containing hydride anodes, in the charged state, are mixed with lithium hydride, and electrochemical elements, for example lithium batteries, which contain said transition-metal-free nitrogen-containing hydride anodes as the anode. The invention also describes methods for producing transition-metal-free nitrogen-containing hydride anode materials and electrochemical elements comprising transition-metal-free nitrogen-containing hydride anodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Ulrich Wietelmann
  • Patent number: 8241785
    Abstract: In an alkaline dry battery, an opening portion of a positive electrode case is sealed by a terminal plate serving as a negative electrode terminal via an insulating sealing body, and a sealant layer is provided between the positive electrode case and the sealing body. The sealant layer is made of a material having a tensile strength of 0.02 N/mm2 or more with respect to a tensile distortion of 5 mm. For example, the sealant layer is made of a material containing, as a major component, polyamide resin having an amine number in a range of 50-200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Michiko Fujiwara, Seiji Wada, Yasushi Sumihiro
  • Publication number: 20120171565
    Abstract: An alkaline primary battery includes: a positive electrode 2 containing manganese dioxide; an alkaline electrolyte containing zinc oxide; a gelled negative electrode 3 containing zinc alloy particles, the alkaline electrolyte, and a gelling agent; and a negative electrode current collector 6 inserted in the gelled negative electrode. The gelled negative electrode 3 has a predetermined malleability such that when 4.0 g of the gelled negative electrode 3 formed into a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 15 mm is extended with 200 g of a load through 10 g of a flat plate, and then an upper surface of the extended gelled negative electrode 3 is approximated to a circle, this circle has a diameter ranging from 24 mm to 36 mm, both inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Susumu Kato, Yasuhiko Syoyi
  • Patent number: 8211578
    Abstract: An improved electrolyte for a cell having an anode comprising magnesium or magnesium alloy. The cell's cathode may desirably include iron disulfide (FeS2) as cathode active material. The improved electrolyte comprises a magnesium salt, preferably magnesium perchlorate dissolved in an organic solvent which preferably includes acetonitrile or mixture of tetrahydrofuran and propylene carbonate. The electrolyte includes an additive to retard the buildup of deleterious passivation coating on the magnesium anode surface, thereby enhancing cell performance. Such additive may preferably include 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), or aluminum chloride (AlCl3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Zhiping Jiang, Rimma Sirotina, Nikolay Iltchev
  • Publication number: 20120164526
    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 Irivalent species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: ZPOWER, LLC
    Inventors: George W. Adamson, Hongxia Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120164527
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: FDK TWICELL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Saguchi, Masaru Kihara, Takahiro Endo
  • Publication number: 20120164539
    Abstract: A surface-controlled, lithium ion-exchanging battery device comprising: (a) A positive electrode (cathode) comprising a first functional material having a first lithium-capturing or lithium-storing surface; (b) A negative electrode (anode) comprising a second functional material having a second lithium-capturing or lithium-storing surface; (c) A porous separator disposed between the two electrodes, and (d) A lithium-containing electrolyte (preferably liquid or gel electrolyte) in physical contact with the two electrodes; wherein at least one of the two electrodes contains therein a lithium source (e.g., lithium foil, lithium powder, stabilized lithium particles, etc) prior to the first charge or the first discharge cycle of the battery device. This new generation of energy storage device exhibits the best properties of both the lithium ion battery and the supercapacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, ChenGuang Liu, David Neff, Bor Z. Jang
  • Publication number: 20120126752
    Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride (hydrogen) hybrid storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a combination negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy electrode and a reversible hydrogen electrode, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a substantially non-porous ion conducting material wherein the alkali conducted is Na, K, or Li. A method of charging and discharging such a hybrid battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Howard Gordon, Sai Bhavaraja
  • Publication number: 20120107680
    Abstract: Supplemental lithium can be used to stabilize lithium ion batteries with lithium rich metal oxides as the positive electrode active material. Dramatic improvements in the specific capacity at long cycling have been obtained. The supplemental lithium can be provided with the negative electrode, or alternatively as a sacrificial material that is subsequently driven into the negative electrode active material. The supplemental lithium can be provided to the negative electrode active material prior to assembly of the battery using electrochemical deposition. The positive electrode active materials can comprise a layered-layered structure comprising manganese as well as nickel and/or cobalt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Shabab Amiruddin, Subramanian Venkatachalam, Bing Li, Herman A. Lopez, Sujeet Kumar
  • Publication number: 20120107698
    Abstract: An electrochemical device, having an anode containing magnesium; a cathode stable to a voltage of at least 3.2 V relative to a magnesium reference; and an electrolyte containing a solvent and a LiCl complex of a magnesium halide salt of a sterically hindered secondary amine is provided. In a preferred embodiment the electrolyte contains tetrahydrofuran and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-magnesium chloride-lithium chloride complex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing NA
    Inventors: John MULDOON, Hee Soo Kim, Masaki Matsui Matsui
  • Publication number: 20120100460
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode containing calcium hexaboride, where the electrochemical device is an alkaline cell or an air cathode cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Sung-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20120100424
    Abstract: Cathode active materials, and cathodes and magnesium batteries including the cathode active materials. The cathode active materials, and cathodes and magnesium batteries include a metal sulfide-based nanosheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicants: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-soo LEE, Young-gyoon Ryu, Jung-wook Seo, Young-min Choi
  • Patent number: 8163418
    Abstract: A system and method for improving electrochemical power sources through the dispensing, encapsulation and dispersion into galvanic chambers of an electrochemical cell. Features of the method include the optimization of the concentration levels of chemicals involved in desired energy producing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Norma A. Alcantar, Xiaoling Ding, Ryan G. Toomey, Lawrence C. Langebrake
  • Patent number: 8159192
    Abstract: A method for charging a nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Howard Gordon, Sai Bhavaraju, John Joseph Watkins
  • Publication number: 20120082904
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of making are provided for a high energy density aluminum battery. The battery comprises an anode comprising aluminum metal. The battery further comprises a cathode comprising a material capable of intercalating aluminum ions during a discharge cycle and deintercalating the aluminum ions during a charge cycle. The battery further comprises an electrolyte capable of supporting reversible deposition and stripping of aluminum at the anode, and reversible intercalation and deintercalation of aluminum at the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Gilbert M. Brown, Mariappan Parans Paranthaman, Sheng Dai, Nancy J. Dudney, Arumugan Manthiram, Timothy J. Mclntyre, Xiago-Guang Sun
  • Publication number: 20120077080
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device, lithium super-battery, comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a porous separator disposed between the two electrodes, and a lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the positive electrode comprises a disordered carbon material having a functional group that reversibly reacts with a lithium atom or ion. The disordered carbon material is selected from a soft carbon, hard carbon, polymeric carbon or carbonized resin, meso-phase carbon, coke, carbonized pitch, carbon black, activated carbon, or partially graphitized carbon. In a preferred embodiment, a lithium super-battery having a functionalized disordered carbon cathode and a Li4Ti5O12 anode exhibits a gravimetric energy ˜5-10 times higher than those of conventional supercapacitors and a power density ˜10-30 times higher than those of conventional lithium-ion batteries. This device has the best properties of both the lithium ion battery and the supercapacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Chenguang Liu, Aruna Zhamu, David Neff, Bor Z. Jang
  • Publication number: 20120052375
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Johnson, Sun-Ho Kang
  • Publication number: 20120052376
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells having a cathode, a zinc anode including a mixture of zinc fibers and zinc powder, and electrolyte are provided. The zinc fiber and zinc powder may have selected physical and compositional attributes. Methods of preparing such electrochemical cells are also provided. Such electrochemical cells may provide improved discharging performance under power-demanding conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: TECK METALS LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoge Gregory Zhang, Audrey Marylin Boutin
  • Patent number: 8124281
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy used in a hydrogen storage alloy electrode 11 has a crystalline structure having a mixed phase made up of at least an A2B7 type structure and an A5B19 type structure, and a surface layer of hydrogen storage alloy particles is so formed as to have a nickel content ratio greater than that of a bulk. The ratio (X/Y) of the nickel content ratio X (% by mass) of the surface layer to the nickel content ratio Y (% by mass) of the bulk is greater than 1.0 but no more than 1.2 (1.0<X/Y?1.2). The gradient between the content ratio of the nickel in the surface layer of the hydrogen storage alloy particles and the content ratio of the nickel in the bulk is alleviated and a hydrogen storage alloy electrode with high output characteristics is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Yoshida, Kazuaki Tamura, Yoshinobu Katayama, Teruhito Nagae, Masao Takee
  • Publication number: 20120045700
    Abstract: Triethylboron is a useful precursor for depositing films in an atomic layer deposition process. This precursor is useful for depositing boron containing films. Boron containing films are excellent lubricating coatings for zinc powders, improving their flow properties and simplifying powder handling. This makes the coated zinc powders especially useful for battery applications in which a zinc powder is used as an anode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: David M. King, Dean S. Dinair
  • Publication number: 20120045688
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device, lithium super-battery, comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a porous separator disposed between the two electrodes, and a lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the positive electrode comprises a plurality of chemically functionalized nano graphene platelets (f-NGP) or exfoliated graphite having a functional group that reversibly reacts with a lithium atom or ion. In a preferred embodiment, a lithium super-battery having a f-NGP positive electrode and Li4Ti5O12 negative electrode exhibits a gravimetric energy ˜5 times higher than conventional supercapacitors and a power density ˜10 times higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries. This device has the best properties of both the lithium ion battery and the supercapacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Chenguang Liu, Aruna Zhamu, David Neff, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 8119269
    Abstract: The present invention includes three-dimensional secondary battery cells comprising an electrolyte, a cathode, an anode, and an auxiliary electrode. The cathode, the anode, and the auxiliary electrode have a surface in contact with the electrolyte. The anode and the cathode are electrolytically coupled. The auxiliary electrode is electrolytically coupled and electrically coupled to at least one of the anode or the cathode. Electrically coupled means directly or indirectly connected in series by wires, traces or other connecting elements. The average distance between the surface of the auxiliary electrode and the surface of the coupled cathode or the coupled anode is between about 1 micron and about 10,000 microns. The average distance means the average of the shortest path for ion transfer from every point on the coupled cathode or anode to the auxiliary electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Enovix Corporation
    Inventors: Murali Ramasubramanian, Robert M. Spotnitz
  • Publication number: 20120034508
    Abstract: A battery includes a separator with a trapping layer that traps dissolved metal ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Jonathan M. Boulton, Cahit Eylem, Ou Mao
  • Publication number: 20120021273
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sodium ion battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a sodium ion nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the negative electrode comprises a negative electrode active material and a negative electrode current collector made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Also disclosed is use of the negative electrode current collector made of aluminum or aluminum alloy as a negative electrode current collector of a sodium ion secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Shigekazu Ohmori, Taketsugu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110318636
    Abstract: The hydration of cadmium oxide in the presence of nickel acetate gives the possibility of obtaining a compound of general formula Cd1-xNix(OH)2-y(CH3CO2)y with 0<x?0.05 and 0<y?0.10. This compound may be advantageously, used as an electrochemically active material of an anode of the envelope type of a nickel cadmium generator. This anode does not contain any sulfates responsible for the formation of short-circuits. Further, this anode has a high electrochemical yield. A method for preparing this compound and the anode is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Stéphanie Chevalier, Claudette Audry, Mélanie Dendary, Philippe Desprez, Björn Marlid, Rune Sjövall, Jerry Gottfridsson
  • Publication number: 20110318655
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is described, capable of inhibiting the raise of the internal resistance at a low temperature after use in a high-temperature circumstance, and having a good power performance at a low temperature. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a non-aqueous electrolyte, and is characterized in containing a sulfate ester with a specific structure in an amount of 4.0 wt % or less relative to the total weight of the non-aqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: YUDAI KAWASOE, KATSUSHI NISHIE, TOMONORI KAKO, SHINYA KITANO
  • Patent number: 8080336
    Abstract: An alkaline dry battery of this invention includes: a positive electrode including at least one of a manganese dioxide powder and a nickel oxyhydroxide powder; a negative electrode including a zinc alloy powder; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; an alkaline electrolyte; and a battery case for housing the positive electrode, negative electrode, the separator, and the alkaline electrolyte. The negative electrode further includes a surfactant that adsorbs to a surface of the zinc alloy powder during a non-discharge period and promptly desorbs from the surface of the zinc alloy powder upon start of discharge without impeding ion transfer in the alkaline electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekatsu Izumi, Susumu Kato, Kenji Yamamoto, Shinichi Sumiyama, Hirofumi Iwaki
  • Patent number: 8080339
    Abstract: A gelled negative electrode contains zinc powder, alkaline electrolyte, and a gelling agent. The specific surface area of the zinc powder is in the range between 0.025 and 0.045 m2/g. The gelling agent contains, as a main component, a cross-linked polymer formed by radical polymerization in a non-benzene solvent, specifically, a cross-linked poly(meth)acrylic acid (or salt) formed by radical polymerization of a (meth)acrylic acid (or slat) in a non-benzene solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Sumiyama
  • Publication number: 20110294004
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.
    Inventors: M. Edgar Armacanqui, Andrew J. Roszkowski, Donald Raymond Crowe, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110287307
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a blended zinc powder is disclosed. The blended zinc powder includes selected portions of a first zinc powder and a second zinc powder. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second powders are divided into groups based on ranges in their particle size distribution. Particle characteristics such as roughness and elongation are used to selected groups of both powders that are combined to produce the blended zinc powder. The blended zinc powders enable battery manufacturers to maximize the cell's run time while minimizing the cost of the zinc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Danan Fan
  • Patent number: 8048560
    Abstract: An alkaline battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an alkaline electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode includes manganese dioxide and graphite; the cumulative pore volume of pores with diameters of 3 to 5 nm in the manganese dioxide is X (cm3/g), and the weight loss rate of the manganese dioxide when heated from 150 to 400° C. is Y (%), X and Y satisfying 0.005?X?0.011, 3.4?Y?3.9, and ?16.7X+3.58?Y?66.7X+3.17; the negative electrode includes zinc; and the alkaline electrolyte includes an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Nunome, Fumio Kato, Harunari Shimamura
  • Patent number: 8048566
    Abstract: The nickel hydroxide particles for a nickel hydroxide electrode may be treated using an alkaline solution of a strong oxidizing agent such as sodium or potassium persulfate to modify the surface nickel hydroxide structure. The resulting modified surface structure has been found to impart various benefits to electrodes formed from the nickel hydroxide. It is believed that the oxidation of cobalt compounds at the surface of the nickel hydroxide particles results in a highly conductive cobalt compound that plays an important role in the high reliability, high stability and high capacity utilization of nickel electrodes as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Powergenix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingming Geng, Jeffrey Phillips, Samaresh Mohanta
  • Publication number: 20110262803
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel electrodes and electrochemical cells using these electrodes. Several embodiments presented by this invention provide novel cathodes that include an AgO active material and a PVDF binder. Furthermore, this invention also presents methods of manufacturing novel electrochemical cells and novel electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: ZPower, Inc.
    Inventors: Biying Huang, Ximei Sun, Hongxia Zhou, George Adamson
  • Patent number: 8043748
    Abstract: Active material for a positive electrode of a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell is made with nickel hydroxide particles or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles treated with strongly oxidizing reagents such as alkali metal persulfate in alkaline solution. The active material also may be made with cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles having a high percentage of cobalt(III) on a surface or an average cobalt oxidation state of about 3 measured across the particles. The treated nickel hydroxide or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide decreases the cobalt solubility in the alkaline electrolyte and increases the high-rate charge and discharge capability. The lower cobalt solubility decreases cobalt migration that can increase self discharge and lead to premature failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: PowerGenix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingming Geng, Samaresh Mohanta, Jeffrey Phillips, Zeiad M. Muntasser, Jeff Barton
  • Patent number: 8039146
    Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as an alkaline battery, that is excellent in leakage-resistance and storage characteristics is provided by controlling at least one of the following two conditions with respect to at least the inner side surface of a battery case comprising a nickel plated steel plate. The two conditions are: (1) the intensity ratio of Fe to Ni (IFe/Ni) as determined by electron probe microanalysis; and (2) the ratio of the area with an intensity ratio of Fe to Ni (IFe/Ni) of greater than 1.0 as determined by electron probe microanalysis to the whole area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuji Adachi, Masatoshi Hano
  • Publication number: 20110250508
    Abstract: A positive electrode material is provided which is a blended combination of lithium nickel cobalt oxide (and aluminum substituted compounds thereof) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide. Also provided Is a non-aqueous electrolyte lithium secondary battery having high specific capacity and good thermal stability characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Jordan K. Lampert, Joseph DiCarlo, Kirill Bramnik, Prashant Chintawar
  • Publication number: 20110223477
    Abstract: A primary battery includes a cathode having a cathode active material including a blend or composite of ?-MnO2 and one or more additional cathode active materials, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an alkaline electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Nelson, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Fan Zhang, Paul A. Christian
  • Patent number: 8012621
    Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, John Howard Gordon, Sai Bhavaraju
  • Publication number: 20110212363
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power storage system including a negative electrode which has a crystalline silicon film provided as a negative electrode active material on the surface of a current collector and contains a conductive oxide in a surface layer section of the crystalline silicon film. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a power storage system, which includes the step of forming an amorphous silicon film on a current collector, adding a catalytic element for promoting crystallization of the amorphous silicon, onto a surface of the amorphous silicon film, heating the amorphous silicon film with the catalytic element added to crystallize the amorphous silicon film and thereby form a crystalline silicon film, and using the crystalline silicon film as a negative electrode active material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Tamae MORIWAKA, Kazutaka KURIKI, Mikio YUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20110206996
    Abstract: A method for preparing treated electrolytic manganese dioxide and a battery including the treated electrolytic manganese dioxide as an electrode are provided. The method for treating the electrolytic manganese dioxide includes suspending milled electrolytic manganese dioxide in an aqueous solution heated to a temperature between ambient and boiling, and adjusting an acidity of the aqueous solution to a pH of less than 3.3. The method further includes agitating the suspended milled electrolytic manganese dioxide in the aqueous solution for a predetermined amount of time to dissolve metal-containing particulates in the milled electrolytic manganese dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ERACHEM COMILOG, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Teagle, Oliver Schilling, Mayra C. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8003258
    Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode mixture comprising zinc particles, aqueous alkaline electrolyte, and molecular sieve additive. The cathode preferably comprises manganese dioxide. The cell may be cylindrical or any other shape or size. The molecular sieve additive preferably comprises a crystalline aluminosilicate material which is in at least a partially dehydrated state before admixture with the aqueous electrolyte, preferably potassium hydroxide. The aluminosilicate crystalline structure has average pore size between about 3 and 25 Angstrom. The addition of the molecular sieves to the zinc anode improves the cell's discharge capacity and service life. The molecular sieves preferably comprises between about 0.07 and 0.7 percent by weight of the anode mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Nikolai N. Issaev, Michael Pozin
  • Publication number: 20110171524
    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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harunari SHIMAMURA, Koshi Takamura, Nobuharu Koshiba