Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive matrix containing a disulfide group, wherein an S—S bond of the disulfide group is cleaved by electrochemical reduction and reformed by electrochemical oxidation. A plurality of carbon nanotubes are substantially disentangled and dispersed in the electrically conductive matrix. The electrode can be used as a cathode of a lithium battery. A method for producing disentangled carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: adding a plurality of aggregates of carbon nanotubes to a liquid; and providing sheer force (e.g. passing the liquid through a narrow gap at a high speed) onto the liquid for disentangling the aggregates of carbon nanotubes therein.

Abstract: An electrode including a compound acting as an electrode active material and represented by a general formula (1) having a diazine N,N?-dioxide structure. A novel battery with the higher specific density and the excellent charge and discharge stability can be provided by incorporating the electrode having the compound represented by the general formula (1).

Abstract: A galvanic cell having a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode and anode each have vesicles, an electroactive species encapsulated into the vesicles, a conducting substrate, and functionalized tethers immobilizing the vesicles to the substrates. The electrolyte is in contact with both conducting substrates. At least some of the vesicles contain benzoquinone and/or hydroquinone.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode comprising a metal, a cathode comprising an active oxygen species, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein oxidation of the metal and reduction of the active oxygen species provides the current of the battery.

Abstract: Multilayer articles, particularly multilayer articles having electrical or ionic conductivity, are made using an improved melt extrusion process. The process includes a combination step in which a macroscopically homogeneous mass is formed prior to introduction into an extruder. The multilayer article may include an electrode layer and a separator layer that are extruded onto a metal current collector. Such structures are particularly useful in lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides hybrid microelectronic memory device, comprising: (a) a substrate having a surface, a first region of first work function adjacent the surface, and a second region of second work function adjacent the surface and adjacent the first region; (b) a film comprising redox-active molecules on the first and second regions; and (c) an electrode connected to the film. The present invention further provides a hybrid microelectronic memory device, comprising: (a) a substrate having surface and a structure or region such as a diode for increasing the retention time of the device formed adjacent the surface; (b) a film comprising redox-active molecules on or associated with the region or structure; and (c) an electrode connected to the redox active molecules opposite the substrate surface. Methods of using such devices are also described.

Abstract: A charge transfer material comprising a basic compound having negative charge and represented by the following general formula (I): (A1-L)n1-A2·M??(I), wherein A1 represents a group having negative charge; A2 represents a basic group; M represents a cation for neutralizing the negative charge of (A1-L)n1-A2; L represents a divalent linking group or a single bond; and n1 represents an integer of 1 to 3. A photoelectric conversion device and a photo-electrochemical cell comprising the charge transfer material. A new nonvolatile pyridine compound, which is a low-viscosity liquid at room temperature, is preferably used for A2.

Abstract: A secondary battery of a proton conductive polymer, wherein a positive electrode 2 and a negative electrode 4 are arranged facing to each other via a separator in an electrolytic solution and only a proton in a ? conjugated polymer or a proton of a hydroxyl group in a hydroxyl-containing macromolecular as an active material of an electrode in the positive and negative electrodes participates in a charge/discharge; the secondary battery uses a membrane, which has acid resistance, oxidation resistance and a functional group having cation exchange function, as the separator 3.

Abstract: A battery includes active material containing neutral carbon radical compound at one of or both of the electrodes, and the neutral carbon radicals participate in electrode reaction for generating current; the battery is light, because any heavy metal is not required for the active material, and the battery achieves large capacity without sacrifice of stability, because the unpaired electrons are localized at the carbon atoms in the neutral carbon radical compound.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to solid composite cathodes which comprise (a) an electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material which, in its oxidized state, comprises a polysulfide moiety of the formula, —Sm—, wherein m is an integer from 3 to 10; and (b) a non-electroactive particulate material having a strong adsorption of soluble polysulfides. The present invention also pertains to electric current producing cells comprising such solid composite cathodes, and methods of making such solid composite cathodes and electric current producing cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell contains, as an electrode active material, a mixture of trimer compounds each in the form of indoles or indole derivatives coupled to each other in second and third positions thereof, and tetramer compounds each of indoles or indole derivatives. In the cell, protons are used as charge carriers.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the selection of cathode materials. The cathode materials of concern are the conducting polymer or backbone and the redox active species or sulfur species. The selection of the materials is based on the characteristics of the materials relating to the other components of the batteries and to each other. The present invention also pertains to the resultant cathode materials, particularly a selected cathode material of a single component sulfur-based conducting polymer with the sulfur species covalently linked to the conducting polymer, and most particularly a thiophene based polymer with covalently linked sulfur species. The conducting polymers have been covalently-derivatized with sulfides and/or sulfide-containing groups as battery cathode materials. The present invention also pertains to a battery employing the selection method and resultant cathode materials.

Abstract: A radical compound may be used as an active material for an anode layer 2 to provide a novel stable secondary battery with a higher energy density and a larger capacity. The radical compound used has, for example, a spin concentration of 1021 spins/g or more.

Abstract: A cathode active material and a lithium secondary battery employing the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electrode active materials represented by the general formula AaMb(XY4)2Zd, wherein:

Abstract: A molded electrode into one-piece is obtained by hot pressing an electrode material obtained by mixing a polymer active material, a conductivity-enhancing agent and a plasticizer, and a current collector sheet. The electrode structure permits significant freedom when designing a secondary battery which uses this electrode with a high energy density and a high power density.

Abstract: A secondary battery is provided which has a high energy density, a high capacity, an excellent stability in charge-discharge cycle as well as an excellent safety.

Abstract: Electrically conductive filler such as carbon fibers, carbon particles, Ni fibers, Ni particles, Ni foil, Ni-plated fibers, or Ni-plated particles is added to an active material powder such as nickel hydroxide, which is formed into active material products. The active material is cured by using alkali-resistant resin. Thus, particulate active material for use in a three-dimensional battery is produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the electrochemistry of conjugated polymers in ionic liquids and the development and fabrication of long-lived, highly stable conjugated polymer electrochemical devices by using ionic liquids as electrolytes. More specially, the invention relates to the use of ionic liquids as electrolytes for the fabrication of long-lived, highly stable electrochemical actuators, electrochemical capacitors and electrochemical batteries having conjugated polymers as active electrodes as well as for the fabrication of long-lived, highly stable electrochromic devices with polyaniline and polythiophene as coloration materials.

Abstract: A positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery includes a positive active material, an electrically conductive material, a binder, and a thickener including a nonionic cellulose-based compound. A lithium secondary battery may utilize the positive electrode described above.

Abstract: The invention concerns a solid polymer electrolyte characterized in that it comprises at least a methacrylonitrile polymer in the form: of a linear homopolymer with strong mass, reinforced or not; or a homopolymer, reinforced or not made three-dimensional by crosslinking; or a linear copolymer with strong mass or made three-dimensional by crosslinking, in particular by incorporation of at least a crosslinkable comonomer. The invention is useful for making electrochemical generators, high load capacitors or electrochrome systems.

Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium-sulfur battery includes a core of a sulfur compound and a surface-passivation layer formed on the core. The surface-passivation layer is made of a coating-element-included compound selected from the group consisting of a coating-element-included hydroxide, a coating-element-included oxyhydroxide, a coating-element-included oxycarbonate, a coating-element-included hydroxycarbonate, a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A composite gel-type polymer electrolyte membrane, as a separator between the positive and the negative electrode for secondary battery, consists of crosslinked gel-type polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrolytes, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymers and liquid electrolytes. The crosslinked gel-type PAN electrolytes are copolymerized by acrylonitrile (AN) monomers and crosslinked monomers with two terminal acrylic acid ester function groups. The PVdF can be PVdF-co-HFP polymers containing over 80% PVdF. The liquid electrolytes are made from using nonaqueous solvents to dissolve alkaline or alkaline earth metallic salts. This invention has advantages of superior ionic conductivities and mechanical strength at high temperature, fine compatible to positive and negative electrodes and potential to be industrialized.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: An electrochemical device of the present invention comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes a compound having a structure represented by the general formula (1): 1

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for an electrochemical cell which comprises a cathode containing a proton-conducting compound as an electrode active material, an anode containing a proton-conducting compound as an electrode active material and an electrolyte containing a proton source, comprising a proton-conducting compound and an anion-exchange resin. This invention can be used to improve cycle-life properties and high-speed charge/discharge properties in an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode metal material for batteries, capacitors, etc, used in contact with non-aqueous electrolyte, and particularly to a capacitor formed of the electrode metal material, and provides a valve metal material capable of decreasing the internal resistance of the capacitor. The electrode metal material comprises a valve metal material and numerous carbon particles included in the surface of the valve metal material. The carbon particles are further fixed in the surface of the valve metal material so as to expose to the surface. The electrode metal material is coated with an activated carbon layer and used as a double-layer electrode for an electric double-layer capacitor. The carbon particles included in the surface ensure conduction between the activated carbon layer and the valve metal material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary battery and a capacitor which may provide an excellent high rate and cycle characteristic as well as sufficient electromotive force and capacity. The secondary battery and a capacitor have an active material of an electrode comprising a trimer compound comprising three units of indole or indole derivatives in condensed ring form, wherein the second position and the third position of each unit form a six-membered ring, and a proton which can be utilized as a charge carrier of the trimer compound.

Abstract: A battery (100) comprises a cell having a cathode compartment (120) that includes an element that is oxidized during charging of the battery (100), wherein the oxidized element forms a salt with an acid and thereby increases the H+ concentration in the cathode compartment (120) sufficient to promote an H+ flux into the anode compartment (110) across the separator (130), wherein the H+ flux across the separator (130) is sufficient to disintegrate a zinc dendrite proximal to the separator (130).

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel compounds derived from polyquinonic ionic compounds and their use in electrochemical generators.

Abstract: A rechargeable nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode which can be doped with lithium ions and de-doped thereof, a nonaqueous electrolyte solution and a negative electrode. The negative electrode active material is a carbon material including at least two component: (a) flake graphite particles; and (b) a non-flake graphite material whose surface is covered with amorphous carbon. This secondary battery has a high capacity and is excellent charging/discharging efficiency.

Abstract: A electrically conductive polymeric composition comprising a plurality of polymeric complexes. Each polymeric complex comprises a strand of a &pgr;-conjugated polymer and strand of a polyelectrolyte. The polyelectrolyte is non-covalently bond to the &pgr;-conjugated polymer and has at least one reactive functional group that facilitates cross-linkage between the polymeric complexes when the polymeric complexes are heated.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical device includes an organic compound that serves as an active material and a substrate carrying the organic compound. The substrate and the organic compound are held together by a covalent bond. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the dissolving of the active material into an electrolyte.

Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery in which a positive electrode plate (1) and a negative electrode plate (2) are superimposed with a separator (3) interposed between them, and are accommodated in a battery case (4) together with electrolyte, corona discharge treatment is performed on the positive electrode material (1a) or the manufactured positive electrode plate (1). Improved affinity between the positive electrode material (1a) of the positive electrode plate (1) and the electrolyte shortens the pouring time of the electrolyte and enables the lithium ions (10) to easily reach the surface of the positive electrode material (1a), thereby improving the charging/discharging characteristic of the battery.

Abstract: A secondary battery of a proton conductive polymer, wherein a positive electrode and a negative electrode are arranged facing to each other via a separator in an electrolyte and only a proton or a proton of a hydroxyl group in an indole trimer and a &pgr; conjugated polymer, i.e., an active material of electrode in the positive electrode and in the negative electrode participates in a charge/discharge, and a proton concentration is 5 to 40% and an anion concentration is 30 to 60% in the solution, respectively, and the anion concentration is at least higher than the proton concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a polymer/conductive carbon composite electrode comprising dehydration condensation polymerization of a tetramine derivative and a tetracarbonyl compound in the presence of an electrically conductive carbon material. The synthetized polymer comprises quinoxaline structural units such as polyphenyl quinoxaline (PPQ) and serves as an active material having proton conductivity. The composite material for electrode obtained by the method has a large capacity of inserting/releasing a proton and excellent in durability. An electrode comprising the composite material and a secondary battery comprising the electrode is excellent in safety and reliability high-speed current characteristics, has a longer life and a larger gravimetric energy density (Wh/kg).

Abstract: The organic electrolyte cell that is suitable for application of direct current backup of pulse load with load width on the order of milliseconds and has higher backup capability than the conventional design is achieved by setting the product R·C of an impedance R (&OHgr;) at 1 kHz and a capacity C (F) is in a range from 0.00002 to 0.05, and improving the balance of voltage drop during discharge over a specified load width on the order of milliseconds.

Abstract: An energy storage device, such as a battery or supercapacitor, that includes at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes includes an electrically conducting substrate having a layer of energy accumulating redox polymer complex compound of transition metal having at least two different degrees of oxidation, which polymer complex compound is formed of stacked transition metal complex monomers. The stacked transition metal complex monomers have a planar structure with the deviation from the plane of no greater than 0.1 nm and a branched system of conjugated &pgr;-bonds. The polymer complex compound of transition metal can be formed as a polymer metal complex with substituted tetra-dentate Schiff's base. The layer thickness of redox polymer is within the range 1 nm-20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A battery, in which measures are taken to suppress a reduction in charge/discharge capacity and degradation of load characteristics due to peeling of an active material off the current collector during repeated charging and discharging, is disclosed. Boehmite treatment or chromate treatment of the current collector surface of the electrode plate for the battery suppresses the degradation of charge/discharge capacity and load characteristics.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a rechargeable battery including: a current collector, a first layer containing a conductive material to occlude and release lithium ion, the first layer formed on the current collector, a second layer containing a metal selected from lithium and lithium alloy, the second layer formed on the first layer, and a third layer containing a lithium ion conductive material, the third layer formed on the second layer. The third layer prevents the lithium and/or the lithium alloy in the second layer from being in contact with the electrolyte and smoothly feeds the lithium to the second layer to improve the efficiency of the negative electrode. The first layer can occlude and release the part of the lithium to be occluded and released, thereby reducing the volume change of the second layer. Such a structure of the negative electrode enables us to enhance cycling efficiency, and to attain long cycle life and good safety.

Abstract: A guide in exploring a high-performance heterocyclic organosulfur compound oriented for practical use. A novel energy storage device material produced from the heterocyclic organosulfur compound and having a higher specific capacity and a higher power density.

Abstract: A lithium sulfur battery including: a cathode that contains sulfur or a sulfur compound as an active material: an anode; a separator interposed between the cathode and the anode; and an organic electrolytic solution that contains a lithium salt, dialkoxypropane having the formula of (CH2)3R1R2, and an organic solvent are provided. The organic electrolytic solution, which contains dialkoxypropane, is less reactive with lithium of the anode and improves the conductivity of lithium ions and the discharging capacity and cycle properties of lithium sulfur batteries.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery is provided, which exhibits good high-rate discharge characteristics and low-temperature characteristics and ensures high safety when the negative electrode contains 0.6 to 1.7 parts by weight of a particulate modified styrene-butadiene rubber as a binder and 0.7 to 1.2 parts by weight of a thickening agent so that the total amount of the binder and thickening agent is 1.3 to 2.4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of a carbon material as an active material, and the concentration of LiPF6 in the non-aqueous electrolyte is 0.6 to 1.05 mole/liter. The surface area of the active material effectively contributable to charging and discharging reaction is sufficient when the surface area of the carbon material per 1 g of the binder contained in the negative electrode is 300 to 600 m2.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between the two. When the battery is in its initial charged state, as it is upon exiting the manufacturing process, the anode is composed of a first portion of lithium-deficient electrode material, and a second portion of lithium-rich or lithium-intercalated material coated on at least a part of the surface of the first portion. And the cathode is composed of lithium-deficient material adapted to react reversibly with lithium ions from the lithium-rich second portion of the anode during subsequent discharge of the battery from its initial charged state as the second portion becomes fully consumed.

Abstract: A charge storage device such as a battery, wherein a positive electrode comprises a nitroxyl compound having a structure of a nitroxyl cation moiety represented by formula (I) in an oxidized state while having a structure of a nitroxyl radical moiety represented by formula (II) in a reduced state and a reaction represented by reaction formula (A) in which an electron is transferred between these states is used as a positive electrode reaction. The charge storage device can have a higher energy density and can be used at a large current.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary battery and a capacitor which may provide an excellent high rate and cycle characteristic as well as sufficient electromotive force and capacity. The secondary battery and a capacitor have an active material of an electrode comprising a trimer compound comprising three units of indole or indole derivatives in condensed ring form, wherein the second position and the third position of each unit form a six-membered ring, and a proton which can be utilized as a charge carrier of the trimer compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive polymer comprising a polybiphenylaniline which is doped with dopant comprising at least an acid having a single site of a group which dissociates proton.

Abstract: A supercapacitor comprising a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte.

Abstract: A compound electrode for organic electronic devices comprises a thin first layer of a first electrically conducting material and a second electrically conducting material disposed on the first layer. In one embodiment, the second electrically conducting material is formed into a plurality of elongated members. In another embodiment, the second material is formed into a second layer. The elongated members or the second layer has a thickness greater than that of the first layer. The second layer is separated from the first layer by a conducting material having conductivity less than at least the material of the first layer. The compound electrode is capable of mitigating adverse effects of defects, such as short circuits, in the construction of the organic electronic devices, and can be included in light-emitting or photovoltaic devices.