Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of polymeric membrane fuel cells, wherein the removal of the heat generated by the production of electric energy and the humidification of the ion exchange membranes used as electrolytes are obtained by the direct injection of a water flow coming from a single hydraulic circuit. The stack thus produced is more compact, less expensive and easier to operate.

Abstract: A bipolar battery includes a bipolar electrode and an electrolyte layer. The bipolar electrode includes a current collector, a positive electrode layer formed on one surface of the current collector, and a negative electrode layer formed on the other surface of the current collector. The bipolar electrode is sequentially laminated to provide connection in series via the electrolyte layer to form a stack structure. The positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer and the electrolyte layer are potted with a resin portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcomposite powder comprising particles from 1 um to 300 um of an electrically conductive product, which are coated with particles from 0.1 &mgr;m to 0.5 &mgr;m of a fluoropolymer. According to one advantageous form of the invention the microcomposite powder comprises a product (A) which is a polymer or an oligomer which can be dissolved with a solvent which is not a solvent for the fluoropolymer or for the electrically conductive product. The present invention also relates to objects consisting of this powder. These objects may be bipolar plates for fuel cells, or supercapacitor components.

Abstract: This invention provides a cell stack for a redox flow battery that can provide battery efficiencies with high reliability over a long term, without any adhesive bonding between a bipolar plate and electrodes. In the cell stack 1 for the redox flow battery of a cell frame 2, electrodes 3, 4 and a membrane 5 being stacked in layers, the cell frame 2 comprises a frame 2A and a bipolar plate 9 arranged inside of the frame 2A, and the electrodes 3, 4 are put into close contact with the bipolar plate 9 by a clamping force, without being adhesively bonded to the bipolar plate 9. It is preferable that when the electrodes 3, 4 are compressed to a thickness corresponding to a level difference between the frame 2A and the bipolar plate 9, repulsive force of the electrodes is in the range of more than 15 kPa to less than 150 kPa (more than 0.153 kgf/cm2 to less than 1.53 kgf/cm2).

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrochemical cell stack in which a plurality of electrochemical cell unit comprising a sheet separator; a pair of a cathodic and an anodic sheet electrodes impregnated with an electrolytic solution which are placed facing to each other via the separator; a pair of a cathodic and an anodic current collector which are placed facing to each other via the pair of the cathodic and the anodic electrodes respectively; and a gasket surrounding the electrodes for sealing the pair of electrodes are stacked; comprising a sheet conductor between the units of the stack; and wherein the sheet conductor is placed such that the outer circumference of its face contacting with the unit is disposed to almost overlap with the inner circumference of the gasket in the unit. This invention can provide a more reliable electrochemical cell stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anode electrode for a secondary battery. The anode electrode is characterized in that the anode layer thickness is 30 &mgr;m or less, and that there is used, as an anode material, at least one of: oxide, sulfide and salt of metal which forms an alloy with lithium; and boron-added carbon. Adoption of the anode electrode of the present invention allows to obtain a lithium ion secondary battery which is capable of avoiding deposition of lithium even by high-speed discharge and charge with a larger electric current and which has a higher energy density.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery of bipolar stack design, having a plurality of subcells. The battery, the subcells of which comprise in each case two electrodes of different polarity and an electrolyte-impregnated separator, are electronically connected via an electrically conductive connecting wall between them. All the subcells are connected to a common gas space. The connecting walls between the subcells produce the electrical contact and, at the same time, exclude any electrolytic connection. The electrolyte is fixed in a limited quantity in the electrodes and the separator. The subcells are pressed together by a continuously acting force. The current is discharged on the outer walls of the casing, which are designed as pressure plates.

Abstract: An improved electrochemical single or multi-cell energy storage device and casing are provided. The casing may be a pair of U-shaped shells, a single foil piece or even a tube-shaped structure which encases the internal electrochemical cell stack. The energy storage device and casing advantageously exhibit low internal resistance, low ESR, a high voltage/capacity, and a low contact resistance between the internal stack and the outer casing.

Abstract: A bipolar battery comprises: a plurality of bipolar electrodes; electrolyte layers formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of bipolar electrodes, respectively; sealing portions surrounding and sealing the electrolyte layers, respectively; and contributing members contributing to keeping gaps between the adjacent ones of the plurality of bipolar electrodes, respectively. The contributing members are disposed within areas of the sealing portions, respectively.

Abstract: A secondary battery electrode comprises a collector, and an active material layer formed on the collector. Further, the active material layer comprises first active material layer components including an electrode active material, binder and first polar polymer, and second active material layer components including a second polar polymer, and being placed in voids between the first active material layer components. The secondary battery electrode is used in a secondary battery having a gel polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: Fuel cell stack having a plurality of liquid-cooled, bipolar plates separating one cell from the next. Coolant inlet and outlet manifolds are defined, in part, by surfaces of the bipolar plates, and respectively supply coolant to, and remove coolant from, the bipolar plates. The surfaces of the bipolar plates that define the coolant manifolds and confront the coolant in the manifolds are coated with a non-conductive coating to reduce shunt current flow through the coolant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular electrochemical cell, which comprises:

Abstract: A secondary battery electrode comprises a collector, and an active material layer formed on the collector. Further, the active material layer comprises first active material layer components including an electrode active material, binder and first polar polymer, and second active material layer components including a second polar polymer, and being placed in voids between the first active material layer components. The secondary battery electrode is used in a secondary battery having an intrinsic polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrode for an all solid polymer battery comprises electrode active material particles which can absorb and release lithium ion through oxidation-reduction, a binder polymer, a polar polymer, and lithium salt. Herewith, the electrode for the all solid polymer battery, in which the cycle durability of the electrode is greatly improved, is provided.

Abstract: In the bipolar battery, any one of a positive electrode active material layer and a negative electrode active material layer is made of a changeable electrode active material, and the other is made of an unchangeable electrode active material. The changeable electrode active material is an active material having a characteristic in which, once a maximum charging capacity of the changeable electrode active material is almost reached during charge, a change in voltage of the changeable electrode active material becomes greater than that before the maximum charging capacity thereof is almost reached, and the unchangeable electrode active material is an active material having a characteristic in which, even when the maximum charging capacity of the changeable electrode active material is almost reached during the charge, a voltage of the unchangeable electrode active material is almost the same as that before the maximum charging capacity of the changeable electrode active material is almost reached.

Abstract: A bipolar battery comprises a bipolar electrode in which a positive electrode is provided on one surface of a collector and a negative electrode is provided on the other surface of the collector, a gel electrolyte sandwiched between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a sealing layer which is provided between the collectors and surrounds a periphery of a single cell including the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the gel electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for a biplate assembly comprising an active material made from a compressed powder 11, and a non-metal carrier 10. The invention also relates to a biplate assembly 20 comprising electrodes 27, 28 each having a non-metal carrier 10, a method for manufacturing an electrode 13 having a non-metal carrier 10, an apparatus 30 for manufacturing such an electrode 13, and a bipolar battery including at least one such an electrode 13. The non-metal carrier 10 is preferably a non-conductive carrier.

Abstract: A rechargeable multi-cell battery including a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the cells includes a gas port that allows passage of cell gases into and out of the cell but prevent passage of cell electrolyte out of the cell. The gas port may be a gas permeable membrane. The multi-cell batter may be a bipolar battery.

Abstract: A stacked battery comprises a sheet electrode including a collector, and an electrolyte layer placed between the electrodes. In the stacked battery, an electrode stacked body is formed by stacking the electrode and the electrolyte layer, and the electrodes are placed on outermost layers of the electrode stacked body in such a manner so that the collectors are exposed to the outside of the stacked battery in the stacking direction of the electrode stacked body and function as terminals.

Abstract: A bipolar battery comprises a bipolar electrode having a positive electrode layer on one side of a collecting foil and a negative electrode layer on the other side of the collecting foil, and a polymer electrolyte layer disposed between the bipolar electrodes. In the bipolar battery, an insulation layer is provided on a periphery of at least one side of the collecting foil.

Abstract: Improved electrochemical cell plates comprise a polymer layer and an electrically conductive structure that passes through the polymer layer, which provides electrical conductivity between adjacent cells in an electrochemical cell stack. Since the cell plates are composed of a polymeric layer, the cell plates can be more easily sealed to cell frame of the fuel cell stack. Additionally, the conductive structures of the cell plates provide low electrical resistance pathways for current flow between the anode of one cell and the cathode of an adjacent cell. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the conductive structure can also serve to maintain the spacing between adjacent cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bi-electrode structure including a substrate, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are respectively formed on different sides of the substrate. The substrate is to suppolt and insulate the positive electrode and the negative electrode. To improve the conductivity, the positive electrode has a first metal layer and a positive material layer Similarly, the negative electrode has a second metal layer and a negative material layer. After covering with a separator on either the positive electrode or the negative electrode, the bi-electrode structure is rolled to form a battery with cylindrical shape or stacked up to form a prismatic battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having an improved separator plate. The fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; an anode and a cathode sandwiching the solid polymer electrolyte membrane therebetween; an anode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow path for supplying a fuel gas to the anode; and a cathode-side conductive separator plate having a gas flow path for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode, wherein each of the anode-side and cathode-side conductive separator plates is composed of a metal and a conductive coat which has resistance to oxidation and covers a surface of the metal. Alternatively, the above-mentioned separator plates are formed of a metal and a coat having resistance to oxidation and have roughened surfaces with recessions and protrusions, and portions of a top surface of the protruding portions, which lack the coat, are electrically connected to an electrode.

Abstract: Electrodes including bipolar composite electrodes and end electrodes are characterized by a layer of electrochemically active material bonded to a first surface of a non-conductive electrode substrate material. In the case of a bipolar electrode, the opposing second surface of the substrate material also carries a layer of electrically active material, the layer of electrochemically active material contacting through said substrate material to provide a current pathway. In the case of an end electrode, the opposing second surface of the substrate material carries a layer of electrically active material, the layer of electrochemically active material contacting the layer of electrically active material through the substrate material to provide a current pathway. Processes of preparing the electrodes and uses of the electrodes in batteries are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell or battery which is in the form of a composite structure having a plastic matrix containing carbon fibers which are electrically conductive and are orientated in a manner to optimize electrical conductivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separator for electrochemical cells, comprising a gas barrier having an electrically conducting pathway extending therethrough and a porous, electrically conducting member in electrical contact with each side of the electrically conducting pathway. In another aspect of the invention, a separator for electrochemical cells is provided comprising a porous, electrically conducting sheet and a gas impermeable material disposed within a portion of the sheet to form a gas barrier. In yet another aspect of the invention, a separator for electrochemical cells is provided comprising two porous, electrically conducting sheets and an electrically conducting gas barrier disposed in electrical contact between the sheets.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a high power electrochemical energy storage device, comprising at least one stackable, monolithic battery unit. The monolithic battery unit includes at least two electrochemical energy storage cells. The cells have a lithium ion insertion anode and a lithium ion insertion cathode, a bipolar current collector between cells and end plate current collectors at the opposing ends of each battery unit. A frame may be associated with the perimeter of the current collector. The current collector comprises a high-conductivity metal. The device also has the at least two storage cells substantially aligned adjacent one another, a separator material associated between the anode and the cathode within each cell; and an electrolyte within each cell.

Abstract: A high power bipolar battery, such as a high power lithium polymer battery is provided. The bipolar battery includes a plurality of multiple cell assemblies. The plurality of multiple cell assemblies is connected in series to form the high power bipolar battery. Each of the plurality of multiple cell assemblies includes a rigid core with a bipolar cell stack of multiple cells wound together around the rigid core to produce a large active cell area. The wound bipolar cell stack includes a positive battery connection and a negative battery connection. A container surrounds the bipolar cell stack. A positive terminal carried by the container is connected to the positive battery connection. A negative terminal carried by the container is spaced apart from the positive terminal and connected to the negative battery connection. A state-of-charge connector carried by the container is spaced apart from the positive and negative terminals.

Abstract: The invention concerns an alkaline Ni-Zn battery comprising both anolyte (E) partially or totally in the form of a viscous phase such as a gel, and catholyte (D) optionally in the form of a viscous phase, a microporous separator (A) between the anolyte and the catholyte, the anolyte and the catholyte having different compositions and volume, and an assembly of bipolar elements. The microporous separator is enclosed between impregnated macroporous separators (F) of the anolyte and the catholyte respectively. The total volume of the anolyte and of the catholyte is contained in the porosity of the macroporous separators and in the porosity of the electrodes. The microporous separator is for example based on cellulose or polypropylene. The inventive Ni-Zn battery has good charging/discharging cycles and low plate resistance.

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: To improve upon an accumulator (1) in a bipolar stack configuration comprising a number of sub-cells (9) arranged in layers within a housing (2) and separated by conductive partitions (8), wherein each sub-cell (9) has a positive (10) and a negative (11) electrode and a separator (12) between the electrodes (10, 11), as well as electrolytes in contact with the electrodes, such that the stack comprised of the sub-cells (9) can be fastened easily and safely via mechanical means, it is suggested that the stack, comprised of several sub-cells layered on top of one another be held in place via a force that will keep the individual elements (8, 10, 11, 12) of the stack in contact with one another with only a mechanical tie rod (14).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing subassemblies for an electrochemical cell or a stack of electrochemical cells, particularly a stack of fuel cells for the direct generation of electricity. The method includes bonding together two or more electrochemical cell components, such as plates, frames, flow fields, shims, gaskets, membranes and the like, to form subassemblies used to make an electrochemical cell stack. The bonding can be accomplished using either polymeric bonds (i.e., adhesives) where polymer and/or metal components are involved or metallurgical bonds (i.e., solder) where metal components are involved. The bonding provides tightly sealed cells and lower electronic contact resistances between components.

Abstract: The bipolar electrochemical battery of the invention comprises:

Abstract: An ultra-thin electrochemical multi-cell energy storage device is provided within a single lightweight flexible casing. The energy storage device utilizes perforated isolating frames to form its internal structure. By adhering multi-layer current collectors to the perforated isolating frames, filling the openings formed therein with electrode material and stacking the current collectors with an electrolyte between the electrodes the assembly generated places the multiple cells in a plurality of stacks and all of the cells may be in series, parallel or some combination thereof by virtue of the assembly's construction. The external current collectors have good lateral conductivity due to their composite structure and provide for pressure insensitive interfacial contacts. The energy storage device advantageously exhibits low resistance, low ESR, and a high voltage/capacity while preferably remaining less than one millimeter thick.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.

Abstract: A multicell assembly for a redox flow electrolyzer is constituted by alternately stacking pre-assembled elements, typically an electrode subassembly including porous mat electrodes on opposite faces of a conductive plate and a permionic membrane subassembly. Pressure drops in circulating the electrolyte solutions through respective cell compartments, in contact with fluid permeable three-dimensional electrodes in the form of porous mats, are reduced while enhancing evenness of electrolyte refreshing over the whole geometrical cell-area, by defining cooperatively interleaved flow channels in the porous mat electrode. Two interleaved orders of parallel flow channels are defined. All the parallel spaced channels of each order extend from a common orthogonal base channel formed along the respective inlet or outlet side of the electrolyte flow chamber, and terminate short of reaching the base channel of the other.

Abstract: The effective ionic conductivity in a composite structure is believed to decrease rapidly with volume fraction. A system, such as a bipolar device or energy storage device, has structures or components in which the diffusion length or path that electrodes or ions must traverse is minimized and the interfacial area exposed to the ions or electrons is maximized. The device includes components that can be reticulated or has a reticulated interface so that an interface area can be increased. The increased interfacial perimeter increases the available sites for reaction of ionic species. Many different reticulation patterns can be used. The aspect ratio of the reticulated features can be varied. Such bipolar devices can be fabricated by a variety of methods or procedures. A bipolar device having structures of reticulated interface can be tailored for the purposes of controlling and optimizing charge and discharge kinetics.

Abstract: A multicell assembly is constituted by alternately stacking two types of pre-assembled elements: a bipolar electrode holding subassembly and a membrane holding subassembly. The alternate stack of elements is piled over a bottom end element and the stack is terminated by placing over the last membrane holding element a top end electrode element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bipolar battery having at least two battery cells comprising: a negative end terminal, a positive end terminal and at least one biplate assembly arranged in a sandwich structure between the negative and positive end terminals. The battery also comprises a separator, with electrolyte, arranged between each negative and positive electrode forming a cell. An inner barrier of a hydrophobic material is arranged at least around one electrode on a first side of the biplate. An outer sealing, e.g. a frame, is provided around the edge of each biplate assembly and each end terminal and a hole is arranged through each biplate interconnecting each cell with adjacent cell(s) to create a common gas space for all cells in the battery. The invention also relates to a biplate assembly.

Abstract: A high temperature material which consists of a chromium oxide forming iron alloy including:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bipolar battery having at least two battery cells comprising: a sealed housing, a negative end terminal, a positive end terminal, at least one biplate assembly arranged in a sandwich structure between said negative and positive end terminals, and a separator, including an electrolyte, arranged between each negative and positive electrode forming a battery cell. The biplate assembly is provided with an inner barrier of a hydrophobic material around the negative and the positive electrode, respectively, and an outer seal around the edge of each biplate. Each end terminal is provided with a terminal seal. The edge of each biplate is positioned close to the sealed housing to provide means to conduct heat from each biplate assembly to the ambient environment. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bipolar battery and a biplate assembly.

Abstract: The performance of electrochemical energy devices such as batteries, fuel cells, capacitors and sensors is enhanced by the use of electrically conducting ceramic materials in the form of fibers, powder, chips and substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a biplate assembly including a biplate, a negative electrode and a positive electrode. The method comprises the steps: selecting the size of the biplate, arranging the positive electrode, which is formed by a compressed first powder, to a first side of the biplate, the first powder containing positive active material, and arranging the negative electrode, which is formed by a compressed second powder, to a carrier arranged within the biplate assembly, the second powder containing negative active material. The carrier is preferably a side opposite to the first side of the biplate. The invention also relates to a biplate assembly and a bipolar battery including at least one biplate assembly.

Abstract: The bipolar electrochemical battery of the invention comprises:

Abstract: The bipolar electrochemical battery of the invention comprises: a stack of at least two electrochemical cells electrically arranged in series with the positive face of each cell contacting the negative face of an adjacent cell, wherein each of the cells comprises (a) a negative electrode; (b) a positive electrode; (c) a separator between the electrodes, wherein the separator includes an electrolyte; (d) a first electrically conductive lamination comprising a first inner metal layer and a first polymeric outer layer, said first polymeric outer layer having at least one perforation therein to expose the first inner metal layer, said first electrically conductive lamination being in electrical contact with the outer face of the negative electrode; and (e) a second electrically conductive lamination comprising a second inner metal layer and a second polymeric outer layer, said second polymeric outer layer having at least one perforation therein to expose the second inner metal layer, said second electricall

Abstract: The present invention comprises a thin graphite plate with associated gaskets and pieces of carbon cloth that comprise a flow-field. The plate, gaskets and flow-field comprise a “plate and gasket assembly” for use in an ionomer membrane fuel cell, fuel cell stack or battery.

Abstract: This invention is an improved fuel cell design for use at low pressure. The invention has a reduced number of component parts to reduce fabrication costs, as well as a simpler design that permits the size of the system to be reduced at the same time as performance is being improved.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composite plate for Pb/PbO2 batteries with bipolar electrodes, characterized by unidirectional electronic conduction provided by metal wires made at least at the surface of lead or lead alloy, arranged in a regular array and coated with a polymer, stable in an acid medium and capable of generating a strong bonding with the lead or lead alloy constituting the wire surface—the wire volume representing only at most 4% of the plate total volume at most. Hence the mass per unit area thereof remains of the order of 15 g/km2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcomposite powder comprising particles from 1 um to 300 um of an electrically conductive product, which are coated with particles from 0.1 &mgr;m to 0.5 &mgr;m of a fluoropolymer. According to one advantageous form of the invention the microcomposite powder comprises a product (A) which is a polymer or an oligomer which can be dissolved with a solvent which is not a solvent for the fluoropolymer or for the electrically conductive product. The present invention also relates to objects consisting of this powder. These objects may be bipolar plates for fuel cells, or supercapacitor components.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell structure capable of providing high voltage operation comprises a plurality of electrode and separator member assemblies comprising individual cells disposed in electrical series circuit arrangement with interposed electrically conductive divider members and sealed within an enveloping casing. Each divider member engages the casing to form sealed compartments for the individual electrochemical cell assemblies in order to prevent migration of electrolyte which might otherwise result in deleterious ionic shorting between electrodes of opposite charge and comprising separate component cells.