Zinc Component Patents (Class 429/229)
  • Publication number: 20090142667
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cylindrical zinc-air cell and fabricating method thereof. The zinc-air cell comprises a film including an air anode membrane and a separator, the film being formed in a substantially cylindrical bent shape; and a junction element adapted to receive both ends of the film therein. The junction element is at least partly deformed to pressurize the both ends of the film so as to be joined to the film. By doing so, leakage of the zinc gel can be easily prevented in the fabrication of the cylindrical zinc-air cell, thereby extending the application area of the zinc-air cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Byung Hoon Ryou
  • Patent number: 7534528
    Abstract: An electrode material for an anode of a rechargeable lithium battery, containing a particulate comprising an amorphous Sn.A.X alloy with a substantially non-stoichiometric ratio composition. For said formula Sn.A.X , A indicates at least one kind of an element selected from a group consisting of transition metal elements, X indicates at least one kind of an element selected from a group consisting of O, F, N, Mg, Ba, Sr, Ca, La, Ce, Si, Ge, C, P, B, Pb, Bi, Sb, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Zn, Be, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, As, Se, Te, Li and S, where the element X is not always necessary to be contained. The content of the constituent element Sn of the amorphous Sn.A.X alloy is Sn/(Sn+A+X)=20 to 80 atomic %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Soichiro Kawakami, Masaya Asao
  • Patent number: 7529014
    Abstract: Lithium insertion compound having the following formula (I): Li?M?M1vM2wM3xM4yM5zB?(XO4??Z?)1??(I) M is selected from V2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ and Ni2+; M1 is selected from Na+ and K+; M2 is selected from Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ti2+, and Ca2+; M3 is selected from Al3+, Ti3+, Cr3+, Fe3+, Mn3+, Ga3+, and V3+; M4 is selected from Ti4+, Ge4+, Sn4+, V4+, and Zr4+; M5 is selected from V5+, Nb5+, and Ta5+; X is an element in oxidation state m, exclusively occupying a tetrahedral site and coordinated by oxygen or a halogen, which is selected from B3+, Al3+, V5+, Si4+, P5+, S6+, Ge4+ and mixtures thereof; Z is a halogen selected from F, Cl, Br and I; the coefficients ?, ?, v, w, x, y, z, ? and ? are all positive and satisfy the following equations: 0???2??(1); 1???2??(2); 0<???(3); 0???2??(3); 0???2??(4); ?+2?+3?+v+2w+3x+4y+5z+m=8????(5); and 0 < ? ? + v + w + x + y + z ? 0.1 , preferably, 0 < ? ? + v + w + x + y + z ? 0.05 . Methods for preparing these compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Sylvain Franger, Frédéric Le Cras, Carole Bourbon
  • Patent number: 7524439
    Abstract: In a positive electrode of a non-aqueous electrolyte battery, at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, alumina, zinc oxide, chromium oxide, lithium oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide and iron oxide is dispersed between particles of an active substance for the positive electrode, whereby a discharge capacity or a discharge-recharge capacity of the non-aqueous electrolyte battery is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Otsuki, Shinichi Eguchi, Hiroshi Kanno
  • Patent number: 7524582
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a zinc powder or zinc alloy powder for alkaline batteries, which powder has a grain size distribution wherein 60 to 100 wt.-% of the particles, relative to the zinc powder or zinc alloy powder, have a diameter of from 40 to 140 ?m. The invention is also directed to an alkaline battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Grillo-Werke AG
    Inventors: Armin Melzer, Petra Merkel, Jochen Spiestersbach, Rudi Kube, Norbert Schulz
  • Publication number: 20090104528
    Abstract: An electrode for a lithium secondary battery including a sheet-like current collector and an active material layer carried on the current collector. The active material layer is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium, and the active material layer includes a plurality of columnar particles having at least one bend. An angle ?1 formed by a growth direction of the columnar particles from a bottom to a first bend of the columnar particles, and a direction normal to the current collector is preferably 10° or more and less than 90°. When ?n+1 is an angle formed by a growth direction of the columnar particles from an n-th bend counted from a bottom of the columnar particles to an (n+1)-th bend, and the direction normal to the current collector, and n is an integer of 1 or more, ?n+1 is preferably 0° or more and less than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Keiichi Takahashi, Masaya Ugaji, Yusutaka Kogetsu, Shinji Mino, Nobuaki Nagao, Masaki Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20090098460
    Abstract: In one aspect, a negative plate for a battery comprises a negative current collector coated with a negative active material. The negative current collector comprises a conductive non-woven fabric. In another aspect, a method for preparing a negative plate for a battery comprises coating a negative active material onto a negative current collector. The negative current collector comprises a conductive non-woven fabric. In yet another aspect, a battery comprises a negative plate. The negative plate comprises a negative current collector coated with a negative active material. The negative current collector comprises a conductive non-woven fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaoming Kang, Guihai Liang, Zhong Li, Zhanfeng Jiang, Long He
  • Publication number: 20090098461
    Abstract: An electrochemical generator comprising at least one negative electrode and at least one positive electrode, said positive electrode comprising a paste comprising an electrochemically active material, a binder and strontium sulphate SrSO4, the proportion by weight of strontium sulphate in said paste being greater than 0.1% and less than or equal to 10%. This generator exhibits a reduced deterioration in performances at a high discharge rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SAFT GROUPE SA
    Inventors: Patrick BERNARD, Lionel Goubault, Olivier Guiader
  • Publication number: 20090090636
    Abstract: An improved Ni—Zn cell with a negative electrode substrate plated with tin or tin and zinc during manufacturing has a reduced gassing rate. The copper or brass substrate is electrolytic cleaned, activated, electroplated with a matte surface to a defined thickness range, pasted with zinc oxide electrochemically active material, and baked. The defined plating thickness range of 40-80 ?In maximizes formation of an intermetallic compound Cu3Sn that helps to suppress the copper diffusion from under plating layer to the surface and eliminates formation of an intermetallic compound Cu6Sn5 during baking to provide adequate corrosion resistance during battery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: POWERGENIX SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Feng, Jeffrey Phillips, Sam Mohanta, Jeff Barton, Zeiad M. Muntasser
  • Publication number: 20090092892
    Abstract: An anode capable of improving charge-discharge efficiency, and a method of manufacturing the anode, and a battery using the anode are provided. An anode 22 has a configuration in which an anode active material layer 22B is arranged on an anode current collector 22A. The anode active material layer 22B includes anode active material particles made of an anode active material including at least one of silicon and tin as an element. An oxide-containing film including an oxide of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium and tin is formed in a region in contact with an electrolytic solution of the surface of each anode active material particle by a liquid-phase method such as a liquid-phase deposition method. The region in contact with the electrolytic solution of the surface of each anode active material particle is covered with the oxide-containing film, thereby the chemical stability of the anode 22 is improved, and charge-discharge efficiency is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Horiuchi, Kenichi Kawase, Tadahiko Kubota, Hideki Nakai, Takakazu Hirose
  • Patent number: 7510801
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Ito, Minajuro Ushijima, Shinichi Iwamoto, Tetsuo Izu
  • Publication number: 20090081558
    Abstract: There is disclosed an active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes titanium-containing oxide having a crystal structure belonging to P4332 space group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroki Inagaki, Keigo Hoshina, Norio Takami
  • Publication number: 20090081549
    Abstract: A composition for use in an electrochemical redox reaction is described. The composition may comprise a material represented by a general formula MyXO4 or AxMyXO4, where each of A (where present), M, and X independently represents at least one element, O represents oxygen, and each of x (where present) and y represent a number, and an oxide of at least one of various elements, wherein the material and the oxide are cocrystailine, and/or wherein a volume of a crystalline structural unit of the composition may be different than a volume of a crystalline structural unit of the material alone. 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Ben-Jie Liaw, Wen-Ren Liu, Sheng-Shih Chang
  • Patent number: 7501208
    Abstract: An active manganese dioxide electrode material that exhibits improved electrochemical performances compared with conventional manganese dioxide materials includes at least one dopant. The doped manganese dioxide electrode materials may be produced by a wet chemical method (CMD) or may be prepared electrolytically (EMD) using a solution containing manganese sulfate, sulfuric acid, and a dopant, wherein the dopant is present in an amount of at least about 25 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Feddrix, Scott W. Donne, Martin Devenney, Alexander Gorer
  • Publication number: 20090061320
    Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode containing manganese dioxide and carbon particles, and an anode containing zinc. Performance of the manganese dioxide cell is improved by optimizing the ratio of manganese dioxide to the composition of carbon particles in the cathode. The discharge capacity of the battery is increased as a result of using the expanded graphite which allows for a greater capacity of manganese dioxide to be incorporated into the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Alexandre M. Miranda, Fernanda Vieira, Ueverson B. Lima
  • Publication number: 20090061314
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the processing of particles of metal phosphates or particles of mixed metal phosphates and in particular lithiated metal phosphates and mixed metal phosphates. The processing occurs, for example using a mechanofusion system as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. In general, the powder materials are placed in a rotary container and are subjected to centrifugal force and securely pressed against the wall of the container. The material then undergoes strong compression and shearing forces when it is trapped between the wall of the container and the inner piece of the rotor with a different curvature (FIG. 2). Particles of the material are brought together with such force that they adhere to one another. In the mechanofusion system, as indicated in FIG. 2, the powder material is delivered through slits on the rotary walls. It is carried up above the rotors by the rotor-mounted circulating blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Ming Dong
  • Publication number: 20090061319
    Abstract: Disclosed are a silicon thin film anode for a lithium secondary battery having enhanced cycle characteristics and capacity and a preparation method thereof. A preparation method for a silicon thin film anode for a lithium secondary battery, comprises: preparing a collector including a metal; forming an anode active material layer including a silicon on the collector; forming one or more interface stabilizing layer, by annealing the collector and the anode active material layer under one of an inert atmosphere, a reduced atmosphere, and a vacuum atmosphere to react a metallic component of at least one of the collector and the anode active material layer with a silicon component of the anode active material layer at an interface therebetween; and forming a carbon coating layer on the anode active material layer by performing an annealing process in a hydrocarbon atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Hyung-Sun Kim, Byung-Won Cho, Kyung-Yoon Chung, Joong-Kee Lee, Taeg-Kwan Kang, Young-Hwan Jung
  • Patent number: 7491464
    Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The housing may be laser welded closed with a metal cover inserted as a part of an end cap assembly. A portion of an insulating seal may be held compressed between a sleeve extending from the metal cover and an anode current collector nail within the end cap assembly. The housing may include a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental laser welded vent which may activate at higher pressure levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Brien Merrill, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Scott Manning, Anthony Malgioglio, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
  • Patent number: 7482081
    Abstract: The battery system of this invention continuously regenerates the electrodes of the battery in-situ and on-time as the electrodes are consumed during discharge, which concurrently generate electric current. The continuous in-situ and on-time regeneration of the anode is achieved by a supply of reducing materials in the battery compartment that is in contact with the anode. With the use of high energy density reducing materials, the energy density of the battery system is increased significantly. When the reducing materials are consumed, the reducing materials can be replaced with a supplying device. With the use of specially designed supplying devices for reducing materials, recharging battery system is more convenient, safe, fast, and can be operated repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Zongxuan Hong
  • Patent number: 7481851
    Abstract: A method of forming an anode comprising zinc for an alkaline cell. The method involves mixing zinc particles with binders including preferably polyvinylalcohol, surfactant and water to form a wet paste. The wet paste is molded into the near shape of the cell's anode cavity and then heated to evaporate water. A solid porous zinc mass is formed having microscopic void spaces between the zinc particles. The solid mass can be inserted into the cell's anode cavity and aqueous alkaline electrolyte, preferably comprising potassium hydroxide, then added. The solid mass absorbs the aqueous electrolyte and expands to fill the anode cavity to form the final fresh anode. Zinc fibers may be added to increase the structural integrity of the solid mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, George Cintra, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Zhiping Jiang, C. Robert Parent
  • Publication number: 20090023068
    Abstract: An alkaline battery of this invention includes: a negative electrode including a negative electrode mixture that contains a zinc alloy as an active material, the zinc alloy containing at least aluminum; an alkaline electrolyte; and a positive electrode. The alkaline electrolyte includes an aqueous KOH solution and LiOH and an aluminum compound that are dissolved in the aqueous KOH solution. The alkaline battery has excellent high-rate discharge characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Harunari Shimamura, Koshi Takamura, Nobuharu Koshiba
  • Publication number: 20090023077
    Abstract: An alkaline battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an alkaline electrolyte. The positive electrode includes nickel oxyhydroxide and manganese dioxide as a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode includes at least zinc as a negative electrode active material. The content of indium in the negative electrode active material is 0.02 wt % or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Fumio Kato, Jun Nunome, Harunari Shimamura
  • Patent number: 7476466
    Abstract: Provided is an alkaline dry battery allowing suppression of polarization in pulse discharge under heavy load to improve discharge characteristics, and having high reliability in safety in case of short circuit. In the positive electrode, a calcium compound having a content of iron element of 150 ppm or less is added in an amount of 0.1 to 10 mol % with respect to a positive electrode active material, a nickel oxyhydroxide powder having 2.95 or more of an average nickel valence and 8 to 18 ?m of an average particle diameter is used, the weight ratio of the nickel oxyhydroxide powder and a manganese dioxide powder is in the range of 20:80 to 90:10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekatsu Izumi, Tadaya Okada, Yasuo Mukai, Michiko Fujiwara, Shigeto Noya
  • Publication number: 20080318128
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells including anode compositions that may enhance charge-discharge cycling efficiency and uniformity are presented. In some embodiments, alloys are incorporated into one or more components of an electrochemical cell, which may enhance the performance of the cell. For example, an alloy may be incorporated into an electroactive component of the cell (e.g., electrodes) and may advantageously increase the efficiency of cell performance. Some electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on the surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. In some cases, the efficiency and uniformity of such processes may affect cell performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Simoneau, Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, Tracy E. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20080318125
    Abstract: There are provided a low-cost positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery which retains an excellent current collectivity over a long period of time and a low-cost alkaline storage battery which retains an excellent charge/discharge efficiency over a long period of time. A positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention has a positive electrode substrate including a resin skeleton made of a resin and having a three-dimensional network structure and a nickel coating layer made of nickel and coating the resin skeleton and also having a void portion in which a plurality of pores are coupled in three dimensions and a positive electrode active material containing nickel hydroxide particles and filled in the void portion of the positive electrode substrate. Among them, the nickel coating layer has an average thickness of not less than 0.5 ?m and not more than 5 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Takao Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20080311474
    Abstract: Disclosed are a batter and a manufacturing method of the battery. The battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first can electrically contacting the first electrode, a second can electrically contacting the second electrode, and a body. The first and second cans are fusion-bonded with the body to seal the battery. In addition, the manufacturing method includes the steps of fusion-bonding the first can with one end of the body and fusion-bonding the second can with the other end of the body. According to the invention, deformation by can-crimping does not occur. An efficient method of manufacturing a battery is provided, which can be applied to a polygonal button cell battery, in addition to a circular one. Further disclosed are a cylindrical zinc-air battery without leakage and a method of manufacturing the same. In the manufacturing method, a gap between both opposite end portions of a cathode membrane is filled with a resin and fusion-bonded, thus preventing leakage of zinc gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: E.M.W. ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung-Hoon Ryou, Won-Mo Sung, Chang-Soo Moon
  • Patent number: 7465518
    Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with CuxO, where x is from 0.9 to 1.3, as a positive electrode active material. The specific surface area of the CuxO is from 1.0 to 4.0 m2/gram, preferably from 1.0 to 2.9 m2/g to provide an increase in the high voltage discharge capacity of the CuxO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Mansuetto, Andrew Webber
  • Publication number: 20080305395
    Abstract: A battery capable of improving cycle characteristics is provided. An anode includes: an anode current collector, and an anode active material layer arranged on the anode current collector, in which the anode active material layer includes an anode active material including silicon (Si), and including a pore group with a diameter ranging from 3 nm to 50 nm both inclusive, and the volumetric capacity per unit weight of silicon of the pore group with a diameter ranging from 3 nm to 50 nm both inclusive is 0.2 cm3/g or less, the volumetric capacity being measured by mercury porosimetry using a mercury porosimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takakazu Hirose, Kenichi Kawase, Isamu Konishiike, Shunsuke Kurasawa, Masayuki Iwama, Koichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7459235
    Abstract: Provided are an anode composition for a lithium battery, and an anode and a lithium battery using the same. The anode composition can improve anode and battery characteristics while using water as a solvent that is harmless to humans. The anode composition includes an anode active material, a synthetic rubber binder, a cellulose-based dispersing agent, and a water-soluble anionic polyelectrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Min Choi, Kyung-Ho Kim, Ungyu Paik
  • Patent number: 7457018
    Abstract: Method of synthesis for a material made of particles having a core and a coating and/or being connected to each other by carbon cross-linking, the core of these particles containing at least one compound of formula LixM1-yM?y(XO4)n, in which x, y and n are numbers such as 0?x?2, 0?y?0.6 and 1?n?1.5, M is a transition metal, M? is an element with fixed valency, and the synthesis is carried out by reaction and bringing into equilibrium the mixture of precursors, with a reducing gaseous atmosphere, in such a way as to bring the transition metal or metals to the desired valency level, the synthesis being carried out in the presence of a source of carbon called carbon conductor, which is subjected to pyrolysis. The materials obtained have excellent electrical conductivity, as well as very improved chemical activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Michel Armand, Michel Gauthier, Jean-Francois Magnan, Nathalie Ravet
  • Patent number: 7452486
    Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous solutions for use in high energy, highly efficient electrical energy storage devices. The solutions contain (a) a high purity sulfonic acid with a low concentration of low valent sulfur compounds or higher valent sulfur compounds susceptible to reduction, (b) a metal or metals in an oxidized state that are capable of being reduced to the zero valent oxidation state, (c) a metal that is in an oxidized state that is incapable of being reduced to its metallic state and (d) optionally, a buffering agent and/or conductivity salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Arkema Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Michael Martyak, Martin Nosowitz
  • Patent number: 7452632
    Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a method for making the negative active material, and a rechargeable lithium battery including a carbonaceous material, which is capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium, and particles of a metal or a metal compound or mixtures thereof, distributed in the carbonaceous material, the metal or the metal compound being capable of forming an alloy with lithium during electrochemical charging and discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Min Lee, Sung-Soo Kim, Kyou-Yoon Sheem, Sang-Jin Kim, Joon-Sup Kim, Seong-Mo Oh
  • Publication number: 20080274405
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cathode active material for an alkaline battery with a lamellar crystal structure including nickel oxyhydroxide. The cathode active material has a diffraction peak at a position that ranges from 8.4 degrees to 10.4 degrees in diffraction angle 2? by X-ray diffraction using CuK?-rays. In addition, the present invention provides an alkaline battery having a cathode having a cathode active material, an anode having an anode active material, and an alkaline water solution as an electrolytic solution. Furthermore, the present invention provides a manufacturing method for a cathode active material for an alkaline battery with a lamellar crystal structure including nickel oxyhydroxide. The manufacturing method has an oxidation process for manufacturing the cathode active material by oxidizing a starting material made from ?-type nickel hydroxide with a lamellar crystal structure in an airstream including alkaline water solution or alkali.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Yasuhito Kondo, Hidehito Matsuo, Tsuyoshi Sasaki, Yuichi Itou, Hiroshi Nozaki, Takamasa Nonaka, Yoshiki Seno, Yoshio Ukyo, Masanori Ito
  • Publication number: 20080268341
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel designs of high power batteries, electrochemical cells, energy storage materials and electrode materials, and processes for manufacturing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TECK COMINCO METALS LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaoge Gregory Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080268338
    Abstract: The negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a current collector and a negative active material layer disposed on the current collector. The negative active material layer includes a metal-based negative active material and sheet-shaped graphite and has porosity of 20 to 80 volume %. The negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery can improve cell characteristics by inhibiting volume change and stress due to active material particle bombardment during charge and discharge, and by decreasing electrode resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: SANG-MIN LEE, Goo-Jin Jeong, Min-Seok Sung, Yong-Mook Kang, Wan-Uk Choi, Sung-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7438992
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Barker, M. Yazid Saidi
  • Patent number: 7435395
    Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat casing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising nickel oxyhydroxide. The casing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm, but may be larger. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the casing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the casing which may activate at higher pressure levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Durkot, Paul A. Christian, Dean MacNeil, James R. Costanzo, David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, Anthony Malgioglio, Brien Merrill, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
  • Publication number: 20080248392
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode comprises a positive electrode active material comprising a particle of a composite oxide represented by a general formula: LixMe1-y-zMyLzO2. In the general formula, the element Me is at least one transition metal element except Ti, Mn, Y and Zr, the element M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ti, Mn and Zn, and the element L is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ca, Ba, Sr, Y and Zr, and 1?x?1.05, 0.005?y?0.1 (with a proviso that 0.005?y?0.5 is satisfied in the case of the element M being Mn) and 0?z?0.05 are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Takashi Takeuchi, Akira Nagasaki, Hiroshi Yoshizawa
  • Publication number: 20080241683
    Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, wherein the negative electrode includes zinc as an active material and further includes a synergistic combination of a solid zinc oxide and a surfactant. More particularly, the invention discloses an alkaline electrochemical cell that is capable of providing improved service when utilized by high drain devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Alex T. Fensore, Jianjun Wu, Katherine E. Ayers
  • Publication number: 20080241668
    Abstract: The portable power supply device in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one Zinc-Air battery module composed of at least one battery unit and a power transmission interface. In an embodiment, the power transmission interface can be selected from a charging connector, a charging socket or a charging cable with a linking connector. The portable power supply device can be connected to a portable electronic device through the power transmission interface, and can be applied to be the main power or the backup charging power for the portable electronic device. In an embodiment, the battery unit can be a primary Zinc-Air battery, rechargeable Zinc-Air battery, Zinc-Air battery with replaceable zinc plate, or Zinc-Air battery with replaceable zinc gel, and supply the voltage from 0.8V to 24V for well power charging to the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: HIGH TECH BATTERY INC.
    Inventor: KUEI YUNG WANG CHEN
  • Publication number: 20080233478
    Abstract: A battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics and the swollenness characteristics is provided. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The node has an anode current collector and an anode active material layer provided thereon, and the anode active material layer contains a plurality of anode active material particles having silicon, and a metal material having a metal element not being alloyed with an electrode reactant in a gap between the anode active material particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takakazu Hirose, Kenichi Kawase, Hideki Nakai, Rikako Imoto, Nozomu Morita
  • Publication number: 20080233479
    Abstract: Negative active materials for rechargeable lithium batteries are provided. One negative active material includes at least one Si active particle and a metal matrix surrounding the Si active particle. The metal matrix does not react with the Si active particle. The negative active material has a martensite phase when X-ray diffraction intensity is measured using a CuK? ray. The negative active material has improved efficiency and cycle-life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Min-Seok Sung, Yang-Soo Kim, Goo-Jin Jeong, Yong-Mook Kang, Sang-Min Lee, Wan-Uk Choi, Sung-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20080213666
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Ru-Feng Tsai, Ning Ciu
  • Publication number: 20080206644
    Abstract: To provide a lithium manganese composite oxide capable of improving the initial discharge capacity of secondary batteries by removing more Li ions than the conventional lithium manganese composite oxide does when used in the positive electrode used for secondary batteries. A lithium manganese composite oxide having a Li2MnO3 type crystal structure, wherein a part of Li and/or Mn in a lithium manganese oxide represented by a formula Li2MnO3 is substituted by one or more doping elements M selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Si, Ge, Sn, P, Sb and Bi. The above-described lithium manganese composite oxide, wherein the doping elements are P and/or Si. A positive electrode used for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, comprising the above-described lithium manganese composite oxide. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising the above-described positive electrode used for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryoji Kanno, Makoto Yoshioka, Yoshihiro Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20080199776
    Abstract: The invention concerns alloyed zinc powders for alkaline batteries and a method to manufacture such powders The powders are characterised by the presence of particles pierced with at least one hole. This appears to benefit the high drain discharge capacity while preserving the process ability of the powder, and the shelf life and the gassing behaviour of the batteries The invented powders can be manufactured using centrifugal atomisation in a cooled, oxygen-depleted atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: UMICORE
    Inventors: Christophe Henninot, Yvan Strauven
  • Publication number: 20080193841
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a layered core-shell cathode active material for secondary lithium batteries, in which the core layer has a structural formula of Li1+a[MxMn1-x]2O4 (M is selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, Mg, Zn, Ca, Sr, Cu, Zr, P, Fe, Al, Ga, In, Cr, Ge, Sn and combinations thereof, 0.01?x?0.25, 0?a?0.1) and the shell layer has a structural formula of Li1+a[MyMn1?y]2O4 (M? is selected from a group consisting of Ni, Mg, Cu, Zn and combinations thereof, 0.01?y?0.5, 0?a?0.1). In the layered cathode active material, the core layer, corresponding to a 4V spinel-type manganese cathode, functions to increase the capacity of the active material while the shell layer, corresponding to a 5 V spinel-type transition metal mix-based cathode, is electrochemically stable enough to prevent the reaction of the components with electrolytes and the dissolution of transition metals in electrolytes, thereby improving thermal and lifetime characteristics of the active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Yang Kook Sun, Doo Kyun Lee, Sang Ho Park
  • Publication number: 20080193843
    Abstract: An alkaline dry battery including nickel oxyhydroxide and manganese dioxide as positive electrode active materials. The nickel oxyhydroxide is a solid solution including at least manganese and cobalt. The content of the manganese is 5.2×10?2 to 7.5×10?2 moles per mole of the nickel oxyhydroxide, and the content of the cobalt is 0.5×10?2 to 2.0×10?2 moles. The alkaline dry battery maintains excellent heavy-load discharge characteristics, exhibits suppressed polarization during heavy-load pulse discharge to improve the operational stability of digital devices, and has high reliability with respect to leakage resistance and safety under short-circuit conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Shigeto Noya, Tadaya Okada, Isao Abe, Minoru Shiraoka
  • Publication number: 20080187830
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery is provided with a positive electrode of tin, a negative electrode of zinc and an alkaline electrolyte. Upon charging, some tin is converted to stannic oxide, and zinc oxide is reduced to zinc. When the battery is discharged, stannic oxide is reduced to stannous oxide and zinc is oxidized to zinc oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: John E. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 7407724
    Abstract: A battery cell, such as a cylindrical or prismatic alkaline cell, is disclosed having significantly improved capacity utilization at mid-range power levels of discharge by implementing a curvilinear-like inner electrode configuration that provides moderated surface area between the inner and outer electrodes as compared to high-power discharge applications utilizing a densely corrugated geometry for the inner electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Rechargeable Battery Corporation
    Inventors: Brendan Coffey, Charles Edward Sesock, David Manko, Bhavesh Patel, John Gordon
  • Publication number: 20080160413
    Abstract: A process for making a catalytic electrode, a process for making an electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode, and an electrochemical cell made according to the process. The catalytic electrode has an active layer comprising a catalytic material, an electrically conductive material and a binder, and a gas diffusion layer including a material that is permeable to gas entering or escaping from the cell but essentially impermeable to electrolyte. The gas diffusion layer is adhered to the active layer by a patterned pressure bonding process to provide the catalytic electrode in which the entire gas diffusion area is adhered to the active layer, with areas of relatively high and relatively low adhesion. The electrode has a high overall bond strength, and the permeability of the gas diffusion layer remains high it has been adhered to the active layer to provide excellent high power capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Brian Dopp, Gary A. Laisy