Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode having a positive active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion, a negative electrode having a negative active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The heat generation starting temperature of the positive electrode is 180° C. or higher. The separator includes heat-resistant fine particles and a thermoplastic resin. The proportion of particles with a particle size of 0.2 ?m or less in the heat-resistant fine particles is 10 vol % or less and the proportion of particles with a particle size of 2 ?m or more in the heat-resistant fine particles is 10 vol % or less. The separator effects a shutdown in the range of 100° C. to 150° C.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a positive electrode includes a positive electrode layer and a positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode layer includes a positive electrode active material including a first oxide represented by the following formula (?) and/or a second oxide represented by the following formula (?). The positive electrode layer has an intensity ratio falling within a range of 0.25 to 0.7. The ratio is represented by the following formula (1) in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by using CuK? radiation for a surface of the positive electrode layer.

Abstract: An AA alkaline battery according to the present invention includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator; an alkaline electrolyte; and a negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode contains zinc, indium, and bismuth. The weight of zinc is 4.0 g or more, and the total weight of indium and bismuth is 450 ppm or less with respect to the weight of zinc. The negative electrode current collector contains copper. Tin is provided on at least part of the surface of the negative electrode current collector.

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 cathode material composition includes a composite compound having a formula of A3xM12y(PO4)3, and a conductive metal oxide having a formula of M2aOb, wherein A represents a metal element selected from Groups IA, IIA and IIIA; each of M1 and M2 independently represents a metal element selected from Groups IIA and IIIA, and transition elements; and 0?x?1.2, 1.2?y?1.8, 0<a?7, and 0<b?12. A rechargeable battery including a cathode made from the above cathode material composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine, a modified olivine, or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A composition for use in an electrochemical redox reaction may comprise a first material represented by MyXO4 or AxMyXO4, where each of A, M, and X independently represents at least one element, O represents oxygen, and each of x and y represent a number, and second material selected from SiC, BN, carbon tube material, carbon fiber material, and an oxide of at least one element. When the first material is represented by MyXO4, it may be capable of being intercalated with ionic A to form AxMyXO4. At least a portion of the second material may be at least partially distributed within the first material and/or may at least partially coat the first material. An electrode comprising such a composition is also described, as is an electrochemical cell comprising such an electrode. A process of preparing a composition for use in an electrochemical redox reaction is also described.

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: A LiCoO2-containing powder. and a method for preparing a LiCoO2-containing powder, includes LiCoO2 having a stoichiometric composition via heat treatment of a lithium cobalt oxide and a lithium buffer material to make an equilibrium of a lithium chemical potential therebetween; the lithium buffer material which acts as a Li acceptor or a Li donor to remove or supplement a Li-excess or a Li-deficiency, the lithium buffer material coexisting with the stoichiometric lithium metal oxide. Also an electrode includes the LiCoO2-containing powder as an active material, and a rechargeable battery includes the electrode.

Abstract: Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unit cell for a lithium ion secondary battery, which includes an electrode laminate formed in such a manner that a plurality of unit structures are stacked, each of which includes and least one electrode and at least one separation layer; and at least one conductive sheet layer located between certain layers in the electrode laminate and electrically connected to an electrode lead. The conductive sheet layer of the unit cell for the lithium ion secondary battery rapidly conducts current to the outside or generates heat in quantity smaller than the quantity of heat generated in positive and negative electrodes when short-circuit occurs due to a physical or electrical impact applied to the battery. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the risk of firing or explosion due to the physical or electrical impact to improve the safety of the lithium ion secondary battery.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode, and an electrolyte material interposed there between. The first electrode includes an alkali metal phosphorous compound doped with an element having a valence state greater than that of the alkali metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additive to the active mass of a zinc anode for an alkaline secondary electrochemical generator. Said additive contains conductive ceramic powder, preferably titanium nitride particles which is exposed to an oxidation pre-treatment prior to the incorporation thereof into the active mass of the anode. Said ceramic powder is used as electronic conduction in the anode active mass and as zincates retention which are produced by generator discharge. In order to use said retentive capacity, the powder is exposed to an oxidation pre-treatment, whereby making it possible to form the binding sites on the surface of ceramic grains. The inventive additive makes it possible, starting from the first cycles of the electrode formation, to form uniform zinc deposits, thereby increasing the service life for the cycling of the zinc anode.

Abstract: A lithium-nickel complex oxide material for active material for positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery is provided and expressed by the general formula Lix(Ni1-yCoy)1-zMzO2 (where, 0.98?x?1.10, 0.05?y?0.4, 0.01?z?0.2, M=at least one element selected from the group of Al, Zn, Ti and Mg), wherein according to Rietveld analysis, the Li site occupancy rate for the Li site in the crystal is 98% or greater, and the average particle size of the spherical secondary particles is 5 ?m to 15 ?m, and wherein the difference in specific surface area between before and after the washing process is 1.0 m2/g or less.

Abstract: To provide a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery, which is low in gas generation and has high safety and excellent durability for charge and discharge cycles even at a high charge voltage. A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula LipLqNxMyOzFa (wherein L is at least one element selected from the group of B and P, N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than N, 0.9?p?1.1, 1.0?q<0.03, 0.97?x<1.00, 0?y?0.03, 1.9?z?2.1, q+x+y=1 and 0?a?0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet anode based on modified zinc-aluminum alloys and Zinc-Air batteries containing the same. The sheet anode is consisted of ZnxAlyMz, wherein M comprises an element selected from the group consisting of alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal, or its further combination with at least one of Mn, Si and Cu; x, y and z each represents the weight percent of Zn, Al and M, and x+y+z=100; 2<y<50; and 0.5<z<6. The present invention also provides a sheet anode prepared from scrapped aluminum alloys, scrapped magnesium alloys, or scrapped zinc alloys, and the said sheet anode can be further made to be porous before use by proper etching.

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: Methods of manufacturing a rechargeable power cell are described. Methods include providing a slurry or paste of negative electrode materials having low toxicity and including dispersants to prevent the agglomeration of particles that may adversely affect the performance of power cells. The methods utilize semi-permeable sheets to separate the electrodes and minimize formation of dendrites; and further provide electrode specific electrolyte to achieve efficient electrochemistry and to further discourage dendritic growth in the cell. The negative electrode materials may be comprised of zinc and zinc compounds. Zinc and zinc compounds are notably less toxic than the cadmium used in NiCad batteries. The described methods may utilize some production techniques employed in existing NiCad production lines. Thus, the methods described will find particular use in an already well-defined and mature manufacturing base.

Abstract: The opening portion of a battery case is sealed with a sealing plate using a gasket. The potential of electrolytic manganese dioxide in a positive electrode active material is in the range from 275 to 320 mV. The volume of a closed space formed between the gasket and positive and negative electrodes in the battery case is in the range from 2.0 to 6.0% of the volume inside the battery formed by the battery case and the sealing plate.

Abstract: A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve having a moving plate disposed adjacent to a fixed plate, and both having fluid entry ports to open and close a valve. The fluid regulating system also includes an actuator for moving the moving plate to open and close the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required to operate a device and maintains the valve in the open position for a minimum required time to minimize battery capacity loss due to operation of the fluid regulating system.

Abstract: Electrodes and electrolytes for nickel-zinc secondary battery cells possess compositions that limit dendrite formation and other forms of material redistribution in the zinc electrode. In addition, the electrolytes may possess one or more of the following characteristics: good performance at low temperatures, long cycle life, low impedance and suitability for high rate applications.

Abstract: A composition, method of its preparation, and zinc electrodes comprising the composition as the active mass, for use in rechargeable electrochemical cells with enhanced cycle life is described. The electrode active mass comprises a source of electrochemically active zinc and at least one fatty acid or a salt, ester or derivative thereof, or an alkyl sulfonic acid or a salt ester or derivative thereof. The zinc electrode is assumed to exhibit low shape change and decreased dendrite formation compared to known zinc electrodes, resulting in electrochemical cells which have improved capacity retention over a number of charge/discharge cycles.

Abstract: Alkaline batteries are provided, including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode porosity is selected to optimize performance characteristics of the battery. In one aspect, an alkaline cell is provided that includes (a) an anode, (b) a cathode, comprising a cathode active material, wherein the cathode has a porosity of from about 25% to about 30%, and (c) a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for producing a compound of the formula LiMPO4, in which M represents at least one metal from the first transition series, comprising the following steps: a) production of a precursor mixture, containing at least one Li+ source, at least one M2+ source and at least one PO43? source, in order to form a precipitate and thereby to produce a precursor suspension; b) dispersing or milling treatment of the precursor mixture and/or the precursor suspension until the D90 value of the particles in the precursor suspension is less than 50 ?m; and c) the obtaining of LiMPO4 from the precursor suspension obtained in accordance with b), preferably by reaction under hydrothermal conditions. The material obtainable by this process has particularly advantageous particle size distributions and electrochemical properties when used in electrodes.

Abstract: An ion storage compound of cathode material and method for preparing the same are disclosed. The method for preparing the ion storage compound comprises steps of providing a first reactant having a formula of A3xM12y(PO4)3, providing a second reactant being at least one compound selected from the group consisting of SiC, BN and metal oxide having a formula of M2aOb, and reacting the first reactant with the second reactant to form the ion storage compound. A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Groups IA, IIA and IIIA; each of M1 and M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Groups IIA, IIIA, IVA and VA and transition metal elements, respectively; and 0<x?1.2, 1.2?y?1.8, 0<a?7, and 0<b?6.

Abstract: A filter material for generating oxygen and/or hydrogen gas from a source having a porous boron doped carbon film with diruthenium/diruthenium molecules in direct contact with the porous boron doped carbon film, a synthetic film having at least one zeolite crystalline body in direct contact with the nanocarbon tubules, or both in a continuous alternating arrangement.

Abstract: A cathode material including a first compound and a second compound is disclosed. The first compound has a formula of A3xM12y(PO4)3 and includes plural micrometer-sized secondary particles, each of which has a particle size larger than 1 ?m and is composed of crystalline nanometer-sized primary particles, each of which has a particle size ranging from 10 to 500 nm. The second compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of SiC, BN and metal oxide having a formula of M2aOb and is coated on the first compound. A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Groups IA, IIA and IIIA; each of M1 and M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Groups IIA, IIIA, IVA and VA and transition metal elements, respectively; and 0<x?1.2, 1.2?y?1.8, 0<a?7, and 0<b?6.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery, which is low in capacity loss after overdischarge, having excellent capacity restorability after overdischarge and shows an effect of preventing a battery from swelling at a high temperature.

Abstract: Alkaline battery silver oxide powder when soaked in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 24 hours experiences dissolution of Ag into the solution of 40 mg/L. Alkaline battery silver oxide powder exhibits substantially no Ag peak by X-ray diffraction even after soaking in a 50° C. KOH 40% aqueous solution for 72 hours. This powder has a crystallite size calculated from the half value breadth of the (111) plane peak by powder X-ray diffraction of greater than 250 Angstrom and equal to or less than 1000 Angstrom, particle diameter such that the average diameter of secondary particles is equal to or greater than 1 ?m and equal to or less than 500 ?m and that of primary particles forming the secondary particles is equal to or greater than 0.1 ?m and equal to or less than 10.0 ?m, and specific surface area of 5 m2/g or less.

Abstract: There is provided an alkaline battery produced by sealing in an outer package body: a positive mixture containing at least one selected from manganese dioxide and a nickel oxide, a conducting agent, and an alkaline electrolytic solution (A) containing potassium hydroxide; a separator; and a negative mixture containing zinc alloy powder, a gelling agent, and an alkaline electrolytic solution (B) containing potassium hydroxide where a concentration of potassium hydroxide of the alkaline electrolytic solution (A) is 45 wt % or more, and a concentration of potassium hydroxide of the alkaline electrolytic solution (B) is 35 wt % or less. Because of this, an alkaline battery can be provided, which has desirable load characteristics, prevents the generation of gas, prevents a decrease in a storage property due to the reaction with an electrolytic solution, and has heat generation behavior suppressed at a time of occurrence of a short-circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The anode is configured to operate in combination with a quantity of an oxide of copper in the cathode. The cell is capable of operating at a discharge voltage greater than 1.05 volts for at least an initial 5% of a cell discharge period at a current density of at least 5 mA/g, and can include a cathode active material that includes an oxide of copper.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an alkali primary battery being excellent in high rate discharge characteristics with less increase of the inner pressure by generating hydrogen in the overdischarge process. The invention provides a sealed nickel zinc primary battery comprising at least a positive electrode having a higher oxide of nickel as a positive electrode active substance, a negative electrode having zinc or an alloy thereof as a negative electrode active substance, a separator and an electrolyte solution housed in a vessel, wherein manganese dioxide is added in a proportion of 3 to 7% by mass relative to the higher oxide of nickel in the positive electrode, and the ratio between the theoretical capacity of the negative electrode to the theoretical capacity of the positive electrode (the theoretical capacity of the negative electrode/theoretical capacity of the positive electrode) is in the range of 1.2 to 1.0.

Abstract: A zinc/air depolarized cell wherein the anode comprises zinc particles, aqueous alkaline electrolyte, and pyrophosphate based (P2O7)4? additive. The cell may be in the form of a button cell. The addition of a pyrophosphate containing additive to the zinc anode improves the cell's service life regardless of whether the zinc is amalgamated with mercury or contains zero added mercury. The pyrophosphate based on (P2O7) content preferably comprises between about 0.001 and 2 percent by weight of the anode.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery is provided. The battery includes a positive electrode having at least a cathode active material and a binder, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a separator which are arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and in which an open circuit voltage per unit cell in a full charging state lies within (4.25V?voltage?6.00V). The cathode active material includes either a lithium-cobalt composite oxide expressed by a general formula: LiaCo1-xMexO2-b (Me denotes metal elements of at least one, two or more kinds selected from V, Cu, Zr, Zn, Mg, Al, and Fe; 0.9?a?1.1; 0?x=0.3; and ?0.1?b?0.1) or a lithium-cobalt-nickel-manganese oxide expressed by a general formula: LiaNi1-x-y-zCoxMnyMezO2-b (0.9?a?1.1; 0<x<0.4; 0<y<0.4; 0<z<0.3; and ?0.1?b?0.1). The binder includes a polyacrylonitrile resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode active material, comprising: (a) a carbonaceous material; and (b) a carbide coating layer partially or totally formed on a surface of the carbonaceous material, the carbide coating layer comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of metals and metalloids. An anode obtained by using the anode active material and an electrochemical device comprising the anode are also disclosed. The carbonaceous material comprises a coating layer of metal-/metalloid-carbide obtained by treating it at high temperature under inert atmosphere, wherein the coating layer has increased interfacial boding force to the carbonaceous material and thus shows minimized reactivity to lithium. The carbonaceous material as anode active material can minimize the irreversible anode capacity needed for the formation of an SEI film during the first charge/discharge cycle, thereby providing high capacity, high efficiency and significantly improved anode qualities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium ion battery that exhibits a significantly improved specific capacity and much longer charge-discharge cycle life. In one preferred embodiment, the battery comprises an anode active material that has been prelithiated and pre-pulverized. This anode may be prepared with a method that comprises (a) providing an anode active material (preferably in the form of fine powder or thin film); (b) intercalating or absorbing a desired amount of lithium into the anode active material to produce a prelithiated anode active material; (c) comminuting the prelithiated anode active material into fine particles with an average size less than 10 ?m (preferably <1 ?m and most preferably <200 nm); and (d) combining multiple fine particles of the prelithiated anode active material with a conductive additive and/or a binder material to form the anode. Preferably, the prelithiated particles are protected by a lithium ion-conducting matrix or coating material.

Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells having extended service life and acceptable gassing and corrosion properties are disclosed. An amphoteric surfactant can be incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant or a sulfonic acid type organic surfactant or both. Zinc particles having a defined distribution of particle sizes can also be incorporated into a zinc anode. The electrolyte included, in the anode mixture can have a reduced hydroxide concentration.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing a zinc antimonide-carbon composite through a mechanical synthesis process of zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb) and carbon (C), and an anode material including the composite as an active material. The method for preparing a zinc antimonide-carbon composite allows simple and rapid preparation of the composite using mechanical properties of a binary alloy of zinc antimonide. In addition, when applying the anode material including the composite as an anode active material to a secondary battery, it is possible to provide excellent initial efficiency, to prevent the problem of a change in volume caused by formation of crude particles, and to realize excellent high-rate characteristics and charge/discharge characteristics.

Abstract: A secondary battery is provided that is capable of improving the cycle characteristics. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is impregnated into a separator provided between the cathode and the anode. In the anode, an anode active material layer and a compound layer are provided on both faces of an anode current collector. The anode active material layer contains a plurality of anode active material particles. The anode active material particles have a multilayer structure of an anode active material containing silicon as an element. The thickness of each layer in the multilayer structure ranges from 50 nm to 1050 nm. Thus, contact characteristics between each layer, contact characteristics between the anode active material layer and the anode current collector, and current collectivity are improved.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell capable of providing optimum discharge efficiencies at both a high tech drain rate and a low drain rate is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ratio of the anode's electrochemical capacity to the cathode's electrochemical capacity is between 1.33:1 and 1.40:1 and the surface area of the anode to cathode interface is maximized.

Abstract: A cathode and a lithium battery including the cathode include a cathode active material that is obtained from a compound, Li2MoO3, in which molybdenum is doped or partially substituted with a heterogeneous element. The cathode active material includes a compound represented by LixMyMozO3, in which M is a dopant that decreases the mobility of the molybdenum upon charging and discharging of the battery. Accordingly, the cathode has improved electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A cathode and a lithium battery including the cathode have improved electrical characteristics. The cathode includes a cathode active material composition including a conducting agent, a binder, and a cathode active material, wherein the cathode active material includes a first lithium compound and a second lithium compound, the first lithium compound having an open-circuit voltage greater than an open-circuit voltage of the second lithium compound, and wherein the second lithium compound includes a metal oxide coating layer.

Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.

Abstract: A mercury-free alkaline battery which can sufficiently suppress generation due to zinc corrosion and Fe contamination, and can exhibit a small amount of a voltage drop after pulse discharge in a low-temperature atmosphere, is provided. The mercury-free alkaline battery includes a positive electrode material mixture pellet 3 and a gelled negative electrode 6. The gelled negative electrode 6 is formed by mixing and dispersing zinc alloy particles, as a negative electrode active material, in a gelled alkaline electrolyte (i.e., a dispersion medium). An anionic surfactant and a quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactant are added to the negative electrode 6, thereby suppressing both gas generation in the negative electrode and a voltage drop after pulse discharge at low temperatures.

Abstract: A secondary battery capable of obtaining superior cycle characteristics and superior swollenness characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is impregnated in a separator provided between the cathode and the anode. An anode active material layer contains a crystalline anode active material having silicon as an element. The anode active material layer has a coating section where the surface of an anode current collector is coated with the anode active material and a non-coating section where the surface of the anode current collector is not coated with the anode active material but is exposed. Thereby, the physical property of the anode active material is hardly deteriorated with age. Further, at the time of charge and discharge, the anode active material layer is hardly expanded and shrunk, and thus the anode current collector is hardly deformed.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a blended zinc powder is disclosed. The blended zinc powder includes selected portions of a first zinc powder and a second zinc powder. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second powders are divided into groups based on ranges in their particle size distribution. Particle characteristics such as roughness and elongation are used to selected groups of both powders that are combined to produce the blended zinc powder. The blended zinc powders enable battery manufacturers to maximize the cell's run time while minimizing the cost of the zinc.

Abstract: Compositions are described that can provide high energy density active materials for use in negative electrodes of lithium ion batteries. These materials generally comprise silicon and/or tin, and may further comprise carbon and/or zinc as well as other elements in appropriate embodiments. The active materials can have moderate volume changes upon cycling in a lithium ion battery.

Abstract: Processes for making rigid, binder free agglomerates of powdered metal are disclosed. The agglomerates have a low tap density. Articles that contain binder free agglomerates made from electrochemically active powder are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lithium insertion-type positive electrode material based on an orthosilicate structure and electrical generators and variable optical transmission devices of this material are provided.

Abstract: When attempting to make a lithium ion-switching device such as a high-efficiency, all-solid state, thin film battery the choice of carrier substrate is all important. As such a substrate must withstand a high temperature under an oxidising atmosphere to crystallise certain layers making up the device, the substrate should not oxidise thereby ruling out most metals. The invention now describes a class of ternary alloys of which the oxidation rate is limited and that are useable to produce thin film batteries on. At least one element with a high affinity to oxygen (Al, Mg, Zn or Si) is present in the alloy. The other two metallic elements reduce the growth of the oxide of this first element. In addition the thus formed oxide scale turns out to be an effective barrier to lithium. Surprisingly, the scale shows nanoscopic voids that allow for sufficient electrical contact with the device layers, thereby eliminating the need for a separate current collector.