Abstract: The invention described herein is directed to a method of manufacturing an anode composition for use in an electrochemical cell, in which the anode comprises an electrochemically active material, the method comprising the steps of mixing the electrochemically active material with an alkaline electrolyte solution, an organic surfactant, an indium compound, and a gelling agent, such that the indium compound or a portion thereof is added in an alkaline environment.

Abstract: A metal-alkaline battery having a reduced corrosion rate and enhanced electrochemical properties comprises an anode that includes derivatives of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG derivatives have one or more hydrophilic moieties attached to the ends of the PEG chain. The hydrophilic moieties may be a carboxyl group or a carboxymethyl group. A preferred PEG derivative is polyethylene glycol, bi-carboxy methyl ether (PEG BCME).

Abstract: A battery separator for use in a zinc-based battery containing sulfide ions is employed to minimize copper ion diffusion into the electrodes by placing a regenerated cellulose separator next to the copper-containing layer containing low solubility sulfide salts and precipitating the copper ions.

Abstract: An electrical power generator includes a plastic cylindrical case that has an interior divided into a plurality of chambers. A copper electrode and a zinc electrode are disposed within each of the chambers. The copper electrodes have a positive electromotive force. The zinc electrodes have a negative electromotive force. The electrodes are in a circuit arrangement that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal. The negative output and a positive output terminals are respectively connected to the positive and negative outputs of the generator.

Abstract: An additive compound for oxidizable metal such as zinc is provided.

Abstract: An alkaline battery has a cathode including a hydrogen absorbing material and an anode including zinc free of lead, mercury, or cadmium.

Abstract: An anode degassing process for removing gas and densifying a slurry of anode mix. The process includes the steps of manufacturing an anode mix, aging the anode mix for at least thirty minutes following manufacture of the anode mix, disposing the aged anode mix into a degassing mixer, generating a vacuum in the degassing mixer, and agitating the anode mix by mixing in the presence of the vacuum so as to remove gas from the anode mix. The anode mix achieves a density of greater than 96 percent of the theoretical density.

Abstract: To obtain a nonaqueous secondary battery having a large capacity and a smell irreversible capacity while maintaining cycle characteristics, a composite particle comprising a core particle composed of a solid phase A and a coating layer composed of a solid phase B covering at least a part of the core particle is used for the negative electrode of a nonaqueous secondary battery, and at least one of the solid phase A and the solid phase B is made amorphous.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a negative pole layer and a positive pole layer one with the other or with an optional layer interposed therebetween. The pole layers and the optional layer therebetween are selected so as to self-form an interfacial separator layer between the pole layers upon such contacting.

Abstract: An electrode containing zinc-based particles suspended in a fluid medium is disclosed. The zinc-based particles have a multi-modal distribution, such as a bi-modal distribution, of particle sizes, particle morphologies and/or particle compositions. The electrode can be used as the anode in an alkaline battery, such as a primary alkaline battery.

Abstract: An oxygen ion conducting ceramic oxide that has applications in industry including fuel cells, oxygen pumps, oxygen sensors, and separation membranes. The material is based on the idea that substituting a dopant into the host perovskite lattice of (La,Sr)MnO3 that prefers a coordination number lower than 6 will induce oxygen ion vacancies to form in the lattice. Because the oxygen ion conductivity of (La,Sr)MnO3 is low over a very large temperature range, the material exhibits a high overpotential when used. The inclusion of oxygen vacancies into the lattice by doping the material has been found to maintain the desirable properties of (La,Sr)MnO3, while significantly decreasing the experimentally observed overpotential.

Abstract: A cathode composition for a lithium-ion battery having the formula Li[M1(1-x)Mnx]O2 where 0<x<1 and M1 represents one or more metal elements, with the proviso that M1 is a metal element other than chromium. The composition is in the form of a single phase having an O3 crystal structure that does not undergo a phase transformation to a spinel crystal structure when incorporated in a lithium-ion battery and cycled for 100 full charge-discharge cycles at 30° C. and a final capacity of 130 mAh/g using a discharge current of 30 mA/g.

Abstract: A highly conductive polymer based solid gel membrane is disclosed. The membrane is especially well suited for use in such electrochemical devices as, for example, aluminum/air, zinc/air, Zn/MnO2, Ni/Cd and hydrogen fuel cells, as well as in electrochromic devices such as smart windows and flat panel displays. In accordance with the principles of the invention, anion- and cation-conducting membranes are formed. The gel composition of the membrane contains the ionic species within its solution phase such that the species behaves as in a liquid electrolyte, while at the same time, the solid gel composition prevents the solution phase from diffusing into the device. Methods of forming polymer based solid gel membranes of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A zinc alloy containing Al, Bi and In is reduced to particles by gas atomization and sieved to prepare a zinc alloy powder. A polyacrylic acid powder and a magnesium hydroxide powder are added to the zinc alloy powder and the ingredients are mixed to make an anode composition. Zinc oxide is added to an aqueous KOH solution to prepare a liquid electrolyte which is mixed with the anode composition under stirring to make a gelled anode composition that has improved performance in pulsed discharge to get large current without increasing the evolution of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: There is provided a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a composite oxide represented by the general formula (1): (Li1−xMx)a(Co1−yMy)bOc where lithium and cobalt are partly replaced with element M in the crystal structure of LiCoOc, wherein element M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Cu, Zn, Mg, Ca, Ba and Sr, and 0.02≦x+y≦0.15, 0.90≦a/b≦1.10, and 1.8≦c≦2.2 are satisfied.

Abstract: A negative electrode material and a battery which have an excellent cycle characteristic as well as a high capacity are provided. A positive electrode housed in an exterior can and a negative electrode housed in an exterior cup are laminated with a separator therebetween. An electrolytic solution of lithium salt dissolved in a solvent is poured into the inside of both the exterior can and the exterior cup. The negative electrode contains Mg2-xMIIxMI. MI expresses a first element such as Si, Sn, Ge, Pb, or the like. MII expresses a second element which is a metallic element, preferably Mn, Cu, Zn, or the like except both Mg and the first element. X is preferably in the range of 0.1≦x≦1.9. Substituting part of Mg by the second element MII can produce the distortion of the crystal structure, ease distortion accompanying the occluding/releasing lithium, and improve the charge and discharge efficiency and the cycle characteristic.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell having a cathode comprising manganese dioxide and conductive graphitized mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers having an increased BET surface area of between about 10 and 60 m2/g, desirably between about 10 and 50 m2/g, preferably between about 30 and 50 m2/g by heat treatment between 800 and 1200° C. with potassium hydroxide. The treated graphitized mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers can comprise between about 1 and 100 percent by weight of the total graphite material in the cathode, typically between about 5 and 50 percent by weight of the total graphite. The total graphite in the cathode desirably comprises between about 4 and 10 percent by weight of the cathode. The graphite can be the mixtures of the graphitized mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers with flaky crystalline graphites including expanded graphites. The graphitized mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers have a mean average diameter typically between about 1 and 10 micron.

Abstract: There is described in the specification a mercury-free manganese primary dry battery wherein the cathode mixture contains boric acid or an alkali borate at a ratio of 0.04 to 0.4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of manganese dioxide as a boron conversion value or wherein the separator contains boric acid or an alkali borate at a ratio of 0.1 to 8.0 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of a dry solid content in the pasting agent. Such battery has excellent discharge properties under light loading conditions.

Abstract: In Lithium secondary cells, alkali secondary cells and bromine-zinc secondary batteries capable of retarding the growth of a dendrite, which would occur at the time of charging thereof and result in performance degradation, and having high energy densities and long cycle lives, a method for forming a material of a negative electrode of such a secondary cell or battery and a method for handling the material of the negative electrode are provided. The secondary cell or battery is provided with positive and negative electrodes separated from each other by a separator in an electrolyte contained in a case. The negative electrode is made of metallic powder alloyed with at least an amphoteric metal which reacts with both of an acid and an alkali.

Abstract: An alkaline battery has a cathode including a nickel oxyhydroxide.

Abstract: A heterogeneous, cellulose battery separator made of a mixture of cellulose and a polymer with hydrogen permeability for use in zinc-based batteries exhibiting increased hydrogen transport through the membrane while maintaining low electrical impedance and exhibiting resistance to zinc ion transport preventing zinc dendrite formation.

Abstract: A battery separator for use in a zinc-based battery containing sulfide ions is employed to minimize copper ion diffusion into the electrodes by placing a regenerated cellulose separator next to the copper-containing layer containing low solubility sulfide salts and precipitating the copper ions.

Abstract: An alkaline battery has a cathode including a hydrogen absorbing material and an anode including zinc free of lead, mercury, or cadmium.

Abstract: An anode is provided for an electrochemical cell having an ionically conductive additive, such as Laponite® or any alternative clay suitable to improve the transport of hydroxyl ions into anode during discharge.

Abstract: An anode paste material for use in zinc-based batteries that is designed to reduce zinc ion diffusion and resultant electrode shape change as well as zinc dendrite formation while optionally allowing for hydrogen permeability through the matrix comprising a regenerated cellulose film containing domains of hydrogen permeable polymer, particles of zinc and zinc oxide surrounded by hydrocarbon beads.

Abstract: A seamless cathode tube is made by applying a cathode coating mixture to a current collector tube. After application, the cathode coating mixture stiffens to form a seamless cathode tube.

Abstract: Magnetic composites exhibit distinct flux properties due to gradient interfaces. The composites can be used to improve fuel cells and batteries and effect transport and separation of different species of materials, for example, transition metal species such as lanthanides and actinides. A variety of devices can be made utilizing the composites including a separator, an electrode for channeling flux of magnetic species, an electrode for effecting electrolysis of magnetic species, a system for channeling electrolyte species, a system for separating particles with different magnetic susceptibilities, improved fuel cells, batteries, and oxygen concentrators. Some composites can be used to make a separator for distinguishing between two species of materials and a flux switch to regulate the flow of a chemical species. Some composites can control chemical species transport and distribution. Other composites enable ambient pressure fuel cells having enhanced performance and reduced weight to be produced.

Abstract: An alkaline zinc secondary battery in accordance with the present invention comprises a separator layer comprising a gel electrolyte comprising a water absorbent polymer and an alkaline aqueous solution, disposed between a negative electrode comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc and zinc oxide and a positive electrode. Because the separator layer is in a gel form, transfer of zinc ions is limited. Thereby, deformation of the negative electrode and generation of dendrite due to charge and discharge of the battery are substantially inhibited. Moreover, since impurity ions such as nitrate ions become less prone to move, self-discharge of the battery is also inhibited.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and an electrode for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell has a container, a positive electrode disposed in the container and having a wall defining an interface surface, a negative electrode disposed in the container, a separator located between the positive and negative electrodes, and an electrolyte. The second electrode has a unitary piece of electrochemically active material having multiple openings formed in a circumferential surface. The unitary piece may include a slotted tube, first and second members, or a coiled strip.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell with an anode comprising zinc-based particles suspended in a fluid medium is disclosed. The zinc-based particles include at least about 1 percent, by weight, of fines (particles of −200 mesh size) or dust (particles of −325 mesh size). The zinc-based particles can have a relatively small average particle size. The zinc-based particles can be alloyed with, for example, indium and/or bismuth and be of spherical, acicular or flake shape. The anode can have a low resistivity at low zinc loadings, and the cell can demonstrate good mechanical stability and overall performance.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising manganese dioxide wherein the cathode is located annularly along the inside surface of the cell housing and has a plurality of indentations on the inside of its surface facing the cell interior. Each indentation has a wall defining a channel with an opening thereto running preferably in the direction of the cell's length. The channel and opening facing the cell interior filled with anode material. The cell can have an anode current collector, typically of metal, with at least a portion of its surface extending into the cathode indentation channel. The anode current collector can have a portion of its surface extending from a point within the anode and into the cathode indentation channel through said opening. The cell can include a cathode current collector comprising a sheet of conductive material such as a sheet of metal or graphite placed within the cathode, particularly within thick regions of the cathode.

Abstract: A battery case for a battery containing swellable cellulose separators including case members having opposed undulating mating surfaces and a rim and groove sized to space the surfaces a predetermined distance apart to form a gripping channel such that the outer portion of a stack of dry separators occupies at least 80% but no more than 98% of said channel. On injecting liquid electrolyte into the case, the separators swell and are securely gripped by said undulations and mating surface.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell with an anode comprising zinc alloy particles suspended in a fluid medium is disclosed. The zinc alloy particles include at least about 10 percent, by weight, of fines (particles of −200 mesh size) or dust (particles of −325 mesh size). The zinc particles are preferably alloyed with indium or bismuth and of acicular or flake form. The anode has a low resistivity at low zinc loadings, and the cell demonstrates good mechanical stability and overall performance.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte cell having high discharge capacity, an improved capacity upkeep ratio and optimum cyclic characteristics. The non-aqueous electrolyte cell has a cell device including a strip-shaped cathode material and a strip-shaped anode material, layered and together via a separator and coiled a plural number of times, a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, and a cell can for accommodating cell device and the non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The cathode employs a cathode active material containing a compound of the olivinic structure represented by the general formula LixFe1-yMyPO4, where M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, V, Mo, Ti, Zn, Al, Ga, Mg, B and Nb, with 0.05≦x≦1.2 and 0≦y≦0.8, with the compound being used either singly or in combination with other materials. The ratio of an inner diameter d to an outer diameter D of cell device is selected so that 0.05<d/D<0.5.

Abstract: A high capacity rechargeable lithium battery cell comprising a positive electrode member, a negative electrode member, and an interposed separator member providing an electrolyte includes an active electrode material comprising a crystalline nitride of a metal which be lithium-alloying, such Zn, or non-alloying, such as Cu. The metal nitride electrode materials effectively replace carbonaceous negative electrode materials in Li-ion cells, providing significantly improved stable gravimetric capacity ranging to about 450 mAh/g and volumetric capacity ranging to more than five-fold that of graphite.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery using lithium manganese oxide as a positive active material and having excellent charge and discharge cycle properties.

Abstract: A negative electrode material for use in an alkaline cell. The negative electrode material comprising bismuth-coated zinc powder particles containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Bi and In. The zinc or zinc alloy powder preferably has a particle size within the range of 10 &mgr;m to 1000 &mgr;m. The bismuth-coated zinc powder particles are obtained by immersing a mixture of a zinc powder and a metallic bismuth powder in an aqueous alkaline solution to deposit bismuth on surfaces of the zinc powder particles by displacement.

Abstract: An electrical cell or battery (10, 44, 62) is provided which employs an elemental metal composition including quantities of elemental magnesium and elemental iron, together with electrodes (36, 38, 52, 60, 80, 82) operatively coupled with the metal composition. The current-generating composition also includes a minor amount of an alkali metal salt such as sodium chloride, and variable amounts of water. The metal fraction of the composition preferably includes from about 30-90% by weight elemental magnesium and from about 10-70% by weight elemental iron.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrode comprises a plurality of fibers comprised of an electrically conductive material configured to conduct electrons to an electrolyte of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active material for constituting a nickel electrode for alkaline storage batteries which has a high utilization at high ambient temperatures and therefore realizes a battery of higher energy density and a longer cycle life. The nickel electrode active material comprises a nickel hydroxide powder prepared from nickel sulfate and contains SO42− at 0.4 wt % or less in the crystal of the powder. The nickel hydroxide is preferably solid solution nickel hydroxide incorporating therein at least one element selected from the group consisting of cobalt, cadmium, zinc and magnesium.

Abstract: An alkaline battery constructed of a cathode can and an anode cup in such a way that an open end of the cathode can is sealed by the anode cup, with a gasket interposed between them, characterized in that the open end of the anode cup is folded back in U-shape along its periphery and the fold is tightened for hermetic sealing by the internal periphery of the open end of the cathode can, with the gasket interposed between them, the anode cup has a higher hydrogen over potential material coating layer formed in a limited region on the inside thereof excluding the bottom of the U-shaped fold and the outer periphery of the fold, the cathode can contains the cathode active material and silver-nickelite (AgNiO2), the anode cup contains the anode mix which is mercury-free zinc or zinc alloy powder as the anode active material.

Abstract: Positive electrode-active materials for use in lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries contain quaternary composite oxides of manganese, nickel, cobalt and aluminum where one of the four is present at levels of over 70 mol percent. The composite oxides can be lithiated to form positive electrode-active materials that are stable over at least ten charge/discharge cycles at voltage levels over 4.8 volts, and have capacities of over 200 mAh/g. Methods for producing the materials and electrochemical cells and batteries that include the materials are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical power generator includes a plastic cylindrical case that has an interior divided into a plurality of chambers. A copper electrode and a zinc electrode are disposed within each of the chambers. The copper electrodes have a positive electromotive force. The zinc electrodes have a negative electromotive force. The electrodes are in a circuit arrangement that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal. The negative output and a positive output terminals are respectively connected to the positive and negative outputs of the generator.

Abstract: A zinc/air button cell having an adhesive sealant applied to a portion of the inside surface of the cell's cathode casing. The adhesive sealant can be applied to the inside surface of a recessed annular step surrounding the cell's positive terminal on the cathode casing. The adhesive is preferably applied in a pattern which conforms to the shape of the annular recessed step. An electrolyte barrier sheet, preferably of Teflon, can be applied to the adhesive pattern on the inside surface of said recessed step, preferably so that the adhesive bonds the edge of the barrier sheet to the step. The adhesive prevents electrolyte from leaking from the cell. The adhesive is applied preferably by preparing a plate having a desired pattern etched thereon, filling the etching in the plate with an adhesive mixture, applying a silicon pad to the etching to transfer the adhesive pattern to the pad, then applying the pad to the inside surface of the cathode casing step to transfer the adhesive pattern thereto.

Abstract: A cell in which liquid leakage or destruction may be prevented as the apparent energy density per unit volume of the cell is maintained. The cell uses, as a cathode active material, a compound of an olivinic crystal structure having the formula LixFe1−yMyPO4, where M is at least one selected from the group of Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, V, Mo, Ti, Zn, Al, Ga, Mg, B and Nb and 0.05≦x≦1.2 and 0≦y≦0.8. By adjusting the amount of the electrolyte solution, the amount of the void in the container is set so as to be not less than 0.14 cc and not more than 3.3 cc per 1 Ah of the cell capacity.

Abstract: Zinc alloy powder for alkaline batteries containing Bi at a rate of 0.01-0.1% by weight, In at a rate of 0.01-0.1% by weight, Mg at a rate of 0.0005-0.03 % by weight and unavoidable impurities, such as Pb, Cd and Cu, capable of improving high-rate performance and being suitable for using as a cathode active substance for alkaline batteries is provided.

Abstract: An Mg-based alloy negative electrode active material used as a hydrogen storage alloy electrode of an alkali secondary battery includes an amorphous alloy containing Ni, Mg, Zn, and Zr and capable of electrochemically occluding and releasing hydrogen.

Abstract: A nickel hydroxide particle having a first active nickel hydroxide material and a second active nickel hydroxide material disposed about the first material, wherein the second active nickel hydroxide material has a mass at least 10% of the total particle mass. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first active material and the second active material have a compositional difference of 1 to 25.

Abstract: A method for producing a negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is disclosed: which includes a step of applying a shearing force to an intermetallic compound under the presence of nitrogen. The intermetallic compound contains element(A) which reacts with nitrogen and forms a nitride, but does not react with lithium, and element(B) which does not react with nitrogen, but reacts with lithium, thereby forming a mixture containing a nitride of element(A) and a substance of element(B).

Abstract: The invention provides novel lithium-mixed metal materials which, upon electrochemical interaction, release lithium ions, and are capable of reversibly cycling lithium ions. The invention provides a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises an electrode formed from the novel lithium-mixed metal materials. Methods for making the novel lithium-mixed metal materials and methods for using such lithium-mixed metal materials in electrochemical cells are also provided. The lithium-mixed metal materials comprise lithium and at least one other metal besides lithium. Preferred materials are lithium-mixed metal phosphates which contain lithium and two other metals besides lithium.