Abstract: Batteries comprise a carbon fibre electrode construction of the invention and have improved DCA and/or CCA, and/or may maintain DCA with an increasing number of charge-discharge cycles, and thus may be particularly suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: An Advanced Graphite deep discharge lead acid battery is described including: a deep storage lead acid cell energy storage device comprises: an electrode comprising lead; an electrode comprising lead dioxide; a separator between the electrode comprising lead and the electrode comprising lead dioxide; an aqueous solution electrolyte containing sulfuric acid; and a carbon-based additive having a specific surface area of approximately 250 to 550 m2/g.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition for use in a negative active material in a valve regulated lead-acid battery, including a carbon material having a BET surface area from 150 m2/g to 2000 m2/g and having a D90-value greater than 5 ?m with the amount of carbon material ranging from 0.1 wt % to 1.5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition. Also disclosed herein is a valve regulated lead-acid battery, including a positive plate, a negative plate, a separator, and an electrolyte disposed in a container with a valve, the negative plate including a substrate of lead or a lead alloy and a negative active material of a composition including a carbon material having a BET surface area from 150 m2/g to 2000 m2/g and having a D90-value greater than 5 ?m, the amount of carbon material ranging from 0.1 wt % to 1.5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Batteries comprise a carbon fiber electrode construction of the invention and have improved DCA and/or CCA, and/or may maintain DCA with an increasing number of charge-discharge cycles, and thus may be particularly suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.

Abstract: An energy storage element, wherein a non-aqueous electrolyte contains lithium difluorobis(oxalato)phosphate that is a first additive represented by Formula (1): and lithium tetrafluorooxalatophosphate that is a second additive represented by Formula (2): wherein the amount of the first additive to be added is not less than 0.3% by weight and not more than 1.0% by weight based on the total weight of the non-aqueous electrolyte, and the amount of the second additive to be added is not less than 0.05 times and not more than 0.3 times the amount of the first additive to be added.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon anode material for rechargeable cells includes providing a metal matrix that includes no more than 30 wt % of silicon, including silicon structures dispersed therein. The metal matrix is at least partially etched to at least partially isolate the silicon structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anode electrode of a lithium-ion battery, comprising an anode active material-coated graphene sheet, wherein the graphene sheet has two opposed parallel surfaces and at least 50% area of one of the surfaces is coated with an anode active material and wherein the graphene material is in an amount of from 0.1% to 99.5% by weight and the anode active material is in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight (preferably at least 60%), all based on the total weight of the graphene material and the anode active material combined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a graphene-enhanced anode active material for use in a lithium battery. The process comprises (a) providing a continuous film of a graphene material into a deposition zone; (b) introducing vapor or atoms of a precursor anode active material into the deposition zone, allowing the vapor or atoms to deposit onto a surface of the graphene material film to form a sheet of an anode active material-coated graphene material; and (c) mechanically breaking this sheet into multiple pieces of anode active material-coated graphene; wherein the graphene material is in an amount of from 0.1% to 99.5% by weight and the anode active material is in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight, all based on the total weight of the graphene material and the anode active material combined.

Abstract: This invention provides a nanocomposite-based lithium battery electrode comprising: (a) A porous aggregate of electrically conductive nano-filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a three-dimensional network of electron-conducting paths, wherein the nano-filaments have a diameter or thickness less than 1 ?m (preferably less than 500 nm); and (b) Sub-micron or nanometer-scale electro-active particles that are bonded to a surface of the nano-filaments with a conductive binder material, wherein the particles comprise an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and wherein the electro-active material content is no less than 25% by weight based on the total weight of the particles, the binder material, and the filaments. Preferably, these electro-active particles are coated with a thin carbon layer. This electrode can be an anode or a cathode.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing elements ultra-low diameter, ultra-high aspect ratio nanowires. A hierarchical template with ordered and arrayed nanopores either freestanding or on a support material is provided. The template can be pre-shaped. Optionally, one or more compounds can be layered within the nanopores to reduce the diameters thereof. The template is filled with material to form a nanostructure array configured as ultra-low diameter, ultra-high aspect ratio nanowires with a diameter of less than 10 nm. The optional layering is self-initiated by selectively adjusting pH of a coating material. The nanostructure array may be supported in a lower thermal conductivity material. The method can be used to produce elements that function as a phonon-confined thermoelectric device, a photovoltaic device and a battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Si-based alloy anode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, including an alloy phase with a Si principal phase including Si and a compound phase including two or more elements, which includes a first additional element A selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Nb and Mg and a low-melting second additional element B selected from S, Se, Te, Sn, In, Ga, Pb, Bi, Zn, Al. This compound phase includes (i) a first compound phase including Si and the first additional element A; a second compound phase including the first additional element A and the second additional element B; and one or both of a third compound phase including two or more of the second additional elements B and a single phase of the second additional element B.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a transition metal hexacyanometallate (TMHCM) electrode with a water-soluble binder. The method initially forms an electrode mix slurry comprising TMHCF and a water-soluble binder. The electrode mix slurry is applied to a current collector, and then dehydrated to form an electrode. The electrode mix slurry may additionally comprise a carbon additive such as carbon black, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, graphite, or graphene. The electrode is typically formed with TMHCM greater than 50%, by weight, as compared to a combined weight of the TMHCM, carbon additive, and binder. Also provided are a TMHCM electrode made with a water-soluble binder and a battery having a TMHCM cathode that is made with a water-soluble binder.

Abstract: A process of electroless plating a tin or tin-alloy active material onto a metal substrate for the negative electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery comprising steps of (1) immersing the metal substrate in an aqueous plating solution containing metal ions to be plated, (2) plating tin or tin-alloy active material onto the metal substrate by contacting the metal substrate with a reducing metal by swiping one on the other, and (3) removing the plated metal substrate from the plating bath and rinsing with deionized water. A rechargeable lithium battery using tin or tin-alloy as the anode active material.

Abstract: A composite anode active material, an anode including the composite anode active material, a lithium battery including the anode, and a method of preparing the composite anode active material, the composite anode active material including a core including a ternary alloy, the ternary alloy being capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium; and a carbonaceous coating layer on the core.

Abstract: In an aspect, a composite anode active material including: a porous particles, said porous particles including: a plurality of composite nanostructures; and a first carbonaceous material binding the composite nanostructures, wherein the porous particles have pores within the particle, and wherein the composite nanostructures include a crystalline second carbonaceous material substrate including at least one carbon nano-sheet, and a plurality of metal nanowires arranged at intervals on the crystalline second carbonaceous material substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode active material for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a carbon material, and a coating layer formed on the surface of particles of the carbon material and having a plurality of Sn-based domains having an average diameter of 1 ?m or less. The inventive anode active material having a Sn-based domains coating layer on the surface of a carbon material can surprisingly prevent stress due to volume expansion which generates by an alloy of Sn and lithium. Also, the inventive method for preparing an anode active material can easily control the thickness of the coating layer.

Abstract: A cathode active material has: a lithium composite oxide which contains the highest proportion of nickel among constituent metal elements except lithium; and a phosphorus compound which is contained near the surface of the lithium composite oxide, and a cathode including the cathode active material.

Abstract: A negative electrode including: a metal layer including lithium; and a platy carbonaceous material layer including a carbonaceous material having a plate structure and disposed on the metal layer.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery particularly configured to be able to discharge to a very low voltage, e.g. zero volts, without causing permanent damage to the battery. More particularly, the battery is configured to define a Zero Volt Crossing Potential (ZCP) which is lower than a Damage Potential Threshold (DPT).

Abstract: A negative electrode, a lithium battery employing the negative electrode, and a method of preparing the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a current collector, and a negative electrode active material layer disposed on the current collector. The negative electrode active material layer includes: composite negative electrode active material particles comprising tin (Sn), and conductive metal particles. The conductive metal particles form an intermetallic compound with the Sn, and an average particle size of the conductive metal particles is at least 10 ?m.

Abstract: A negative electrode active material including nanometal particles and super-conductive nanoparticles and a lithium battery including the same.

Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.

Abstract: A composite anode active material includes a porous secondary particle formed by assembly of primary particles that includes metal nanoparticles capable of forming alloys with lithium and lithium titanate.

Abstract: An anode protector of a lithium-ion battery and a method for fabricating the same are provided. A passivation protector (110) is formed on a surface of an anode (102) in advance by film deposition, such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). The passivation protector (110) is composed of a metal oxide having three dimensional structures, such as columnar structures. Accordingly, the present invention is provided with effective protection of the anode electrode structure and maintenance of battery cycle life under high-temperature operation.

Abstract: An anode including: an anode active material; a first binder coating layer formed on the anode active material; a second binder coating layer formed on the first binder coating layer; and a collector, wherein the first binder coating layer has an elasticity higher than the second binder layer and the second binder coating layer is adapted to combine the anode active material with the collector. In the anode, the first binder coating layer that has the relatively high elasticity on the anode active material can tolerate a change in volume of the anode active material. Therefore, a lithium battery that uses the anode has improved cyclic properties and a relatively long lifespan.

Abstract: A negative active material and a lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes primary particles, each including: a crystalline carbonaceous core having a surface on which silicon-based nanowires are disposed; and an amorphous carbonaceous coating layer that is coated on the crystalline carbonaceous core so as not to expose at least a portion of the silicon-based nanowires. Due to the inclusion of the primary particles, an expansion ratio is controlled and conductivity is provided and thus, a formed lithium battery including the negative active material may have improved charge-discharge efficiency and cycle lifespan characteristics.

Abstract: Composite current collectors containing coatings of metals, alloys or compounds, selected from the group of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi and Se on non-metallic, non-conductive or poorly-conductive substrates are disclosed. The composite current collectors can be used in electrochemical cells particularly sealed cells requiring a long storage life. Selected metals, metal alloys or metal compounds are applied to polymer or ceramic substrates by vacuum deposition techniques, extrusion, conductive paints (dispersed as particles in a suitable paint), electroless deposition, cementation; or after suitable metallization by galvanic means (electrodeposition or electrophoresis). Metal compound coatings are reduced to their respective metals by chemical or galvanic means. The current collectors described are particular suitable for use in sealed primary or rechargeable galvanic cells containing mercury-fee and lead-free alkaline zinc electrodes.

Abstract: A process of electroless plating a tin or tin-alloy active material onto a metal substrate for the negative electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery comprising steps of (1) immersing the metal substrate in an aqueous plating solution containing metal ions to be plated, (2) plating tin or tin-alloy active material onto the metal substrate by contacting the metal substrate with a reducing metal by swiping one on the other, and (3) removing the plated metal substrate from the plating bath and rinsing with deionized water. A rechargeable lithium battery using tin or tin-alloy as the anode active material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing a phase of a Gd2Co7 type crystal structure, wherein the phase exists at a ratio of 10 weight % or higher in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy and yttrium is contained at a ratio of 2 mol % or more and 10 mol % or less in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy.

Abstract: An electrode active material, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrode and a lithium battery adopting the same. The electrode active material includes a core capable of occluding and emitting lithium; and a surface treatment layer formed on at least a portion of a surface of the core, wherein the surface treatment layer includes a lithium-free oxide having a spinel structure.

Abstract: In one aspect, an anode active material is provided. The anode active material may include a crystalline carbon-based material that includes a core having a lattice spacing d002 of about 0.35 nm or more, and titanium-based oxide particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is anode for use in a lithium ion secondary battery. The anode includes an anode current collector and an anode active material arranged thereon, in which the anode active material contains amorphous carbon and at least one metal dispersed in the amorphous carbon, and the at least one metal is selected from: 30 to 70 atomic percent of Si; and 1 to 40 atomic percent of Sn. The anode gives a lithium ion secondary battery that has a high charge/discharge capacity and is resistant to deterioration of its anode active material even after repetitive charge/discharge cycles.

Abstract: A structure including a network of parallel, homogeneous pores extending through the structure, and an outer frame around the lateral faces of the structure. The structure and the frame are made of carbon. The electrode is covered by a layer based on lead. The pores are filled with an active material based on lead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to negative-electrode active material for rechargeable lithium battery comprising: a core comprising material capable of doping and dedoping lithium; and, a carbon layer formed on the surface of the core, wherein the carbon layer has a three dimensional porous structure comprising nanopores regularly ordered on the carbon layer with a pore wall of specific thickness placed therebetween.

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.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery which has excellent low-temperature power output characteristics by the inclusion of a given amount of a lithium metal oxide and/or a lithium metal sulfide in an anode mix for a lithium secondary battery containing a carbon-based anode active material and is thereby capable of being used as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that must provide high-power output at low temperatures as well as at room temperature.

Abstract: A structure including a network of parallel, homogeneous pores extending through the structure, and an outer frame around the lateral faces of the structure. The structure and the frame are made of carbon. The electrode is covered by a layer based on lead. The pores are filled with an active material based on lead.

Abstract: Positive active material pastes for flooded deep discharge lead-acid batteries, methods of making the same, and lead-acid batteries including the same are provided. The positive active material paste includes a lead compound, a carbon additive, and a silicon additive. The positive active material paste contains carbon additive at a lead to carbon additive weight ratio of 90 to 1900 and a silicon additive at a lead to silicon additive weight ratio of 200 to 4100.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery which has excellent low-temperature power output characteristics by the inclusion of a given amount of a lithium metal oxide and/or a lithium metal sulfide in an anode mix for a lithium secondary battery containing a carbon-based anode active material and is thereby capable of being used as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that must provide high-power output at low temperatures as well as at room temperature.

Abstract: Composite current collectors containing coatings of metals, alloys or compounds, selected from the group of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi and Se on non-metallic, non-conductive or poorly-conductive substrates are disclosed. The composite current collectors can be used in electrochemical cells particularly sealed cells requiring a long storage life. Selected metals, metal alloys or metal compounds are applied to polymer or ceramic substrates by vacuum deposition techniques, extrusion, conductive paints (dispersed as particles in a suitable paint), electroless deposition, cementation; or after suitable metallization by galvanic means (electrodeposition or electrophoresis). Metal compound coatings are reduced to their respective metals by chemical or galvanic means. The current collectors described are particular suitable for use in sealed primary or rechargeable galvanic cells containing mercury-fee and lead-free alkaline zinc electrodes.

Abstract: A battery grid includes a grid network having a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements. Each grid wire element has opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes, each node includes a juncture of one of one of the opposed ends of the plurality of grid wire elements, to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. In various embodiments, at least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends. In various embodiments, the battery grid also includes a lead alloy coating on substantially all of the grid wire elements, wherein the lead alloy coating is exposed to an inert gas during the coating of the grid wire elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite material suitable for use in an anode for a lithium ion battery, the composite material comprising a layer of a lithium-alloying material on the walls of an aligned nanotubular base material. Preferably, the lithium-alloying material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, Pb, Al, Au, Pt, Zn, Cd, Ag, Mg, and a combination of two or more of the foregoing.

Abstract: A battery with a high capacity and superior cycle characteristics and an anode active material used in the battery are provided. An anode includes an anode active material capable of reacting with lithium. The anode active material includes at least tin, cobalt and carbon as elements, and the carbon content is within a range from 9.9 wt % to 29.7 wt % inclusive, and the ratio of cobalt to the total of tin and cobalt is within a range from 30 wt % to 70 wt % inclusive. Thereby, while a high capacity is maintained, cycle characteristics can be improved.

Abstract: It has long been recognized that replacing the Li intercalated graphitic anode with a lithium foil can dramatically improve energy density due to the dramatically higher capacity of metallic lithium. However, lithium foil is not electrochemically stable in the presence of typical lithium ion battery electrolytes and thus a simple replacement of graphitic anodes with lithium foils is not possible. It was found that diblock or triblock polymers that provide both ionic conduction and structural support can be used as a stable passivating layer on a lithium foil. This passivation scheme results in improved manufacture processing for batteries that use Li electrodes and in improved safety for lithium batteries during use.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-based alloy for a lead-acid battery, comprising not less than 0.02% and less than 0.05% by weight of calcium, not less than 0.4% and not more than 2.5% by weight of tin, not less than 0.005% and not more than 0.04% by weight of aluminum, not less than 0.002% and not more than 0.014% by weight of barium, and the balance of lead and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a negative electrode containing a titanium-containing oxide, a positive electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a lithium-transition metal composite oxide and at least one kind of oxide selected from a group consisting of FePO4, Li3Fe2(PO4)3, LiFeP2O7, Fe4(P2O7)3, Fe2(SO4) 3, and V2O5.

Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having high energy density and satisfactory cycle performance by using an alloy comprising Ni and Sn as a negative active material. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a negative electrode with a composite layer containing a negative active material, a positive electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative active material consists of an alloy containing 5 to 25 mass % of nickel and 75 to 95 mass % of tin and the alloy contains Sn4Ni3 phase and Sn phase. It is preferable that the content ratio of Sn4Ni3 phase and Sn phase in the alloy be 0.2?Z?3, when m1 is the mass of Sn4Ni3 phase, m2 is the mass of said Sn phase, and Z=ml /m2; and that the composite layer contain carbon material.

Abstract: Electrodes comprising an alkali metal, for example, lithium, alloyed with nanostructured materials of formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z?1; formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z<1; and/or germanium exhibit a combination of improved capacities, cycle lives, and/or cycling rates compared with similar electrodes made from graphite. These electrodes are useful as anodes for secondary electrochemical cells, for example, batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors.