Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a conductive casing housing an electrode assembly provided with a stack holder surrounding the electrode assembly is described. The stack holder is of an elastic material that serves to maintain the anode and cathode in a face-to-face alignment throughout discharge. This is particularly important in later stages of cell life. As the cell discharges, anode active material is physically moved from the anode to intercalate with the cathode active material. As this mass transfer occurs, the cathode becomes physically larger and the anode smaller. This can lead to misalignment. However, the stack holder prevents such misalignment by maintaining a constrictive force on the electrode assembly throughout discharge.

Abstract: A negative electrode of the present invention has an active material layer composed of an intermetallic compound on a collector. The intermetallic compound is capable of occluding/desorbing lithium and contains at least one kind of element A selected from Sn, In, Ge, Ga, Pb, Al, Sb, and Si, and an element X that does not substantially react with Li. In the negative electrode, a ratio Ib/Ia of highest peak intensities Ia and Ib of X-ray diffraction peaks derived from the intermetallic compound and the element A is 0.1 or less. By configuring a non-aqueous secondary battery using the above-mentioned negative electrode, the charging/discharging efficiency and cycle characteristics of a thin film electrode used for the negative electrode of the non-aqueous secondary battery are enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved type of fluorinated carbon (CFx) for use in electrical storage devices such as batteries and capacitors. The CFx is coated with a conductive material such as gold or carbon using vapor deposition. The resulting material exhibits better conductivity with concomitant lower impedance, higher electrical stability, and improved potential throughout the useful life of the device, as compared to uncoated CFx. The improved conductivity reduces the amount of nonactive material (e.g., carbon black) that needs to be added, thus improving the volumetric energy density. In addition, cells made with the subject CFx exhibit more constant voltages and higher overall voltage (2.0 volts with a lithium metal anode) throughout their useful life. Chemical or physical vapor deposition techniques to deposit a variety of metals or carbon may be used to create the improved CFx. The coated CFx may be used in primary or secondary batteries, as well as capacitors and hybrid devices.

Abstract: An anode, and a battery using the anode is provided. The anode has a structure in which an anode current collector, an anode active material layer and a protective layer are laminated in this order. The anode active material layer includes Sn, and is alloyed with the anode current collector in at least a portion of an interface with the anode current collector. The protective layer include an element constituting a simple substance with a higher melting point than Sn such as C, Si or W, and not forming a compound with Sn. Thereby, even if the anode wound into a roll is subjected to heat treatment, fusion bonding between adjacent anodes can be prevented.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte, said positive or negative electrode being an electrode which has, on a current collector, a thin film of active material that stores and releases lithium, the thin film of active material being divided into columns by gaps formed therein in a manner to extend in its thickness direction, and the columnar portions being at their bottoms adhered to the current collector, the rechargeable lithium battery being characterized in that the nonaqueous electrolyte includes a mixed solvent consisting of two or more different solvents and containing at least ethylene carbonate and/or vinylene carbonate as its constituent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a channeled metal clad fiber comprising one or more surface channels that extend along directions that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of such fiber. The present invention also provides a microfibrous fuel cell structure that comprises a hollow microfibrous membrane separator having an electrolyte medium therein and defining a bore side and a shell side. An inner current collector, which is formed of a channeled metal clad fiber or a channeled metal fiber that is unclad, and an inner electrocatalyst layer are positioned at the bore side of such microfibrous fuel cell, and an outer current collector and an outer electrocatalyst layer are positioned at the shell side of such microfibrous fuel cell. The surface channels on such inner current collector provide inner fluid passages for passing a fuel-containing or an oxidant-containing fluid through the microfibrous fuel cell.

Abstract: Nickel-based alloys are provided for use as a positive electrode current collector in a solid cathode, nonaqueous liquid electrolyte, alkali metal anode active electrochemical cell. The nickel-based alloys are characterized by chemical compatibility with aggressive cell environments, high corrosion resistance and resistance to fluorination and passivation at elevated temperatures, thus improving the longevity and performance of the electrochemical cell. The cell can be of either a primary or a secondary configuration.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a case, a nonaqueous electrolyte provided in the case, a positive electrode provided in the case, and a negative electrode provided in the case, the negative electrode comprising a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode layer that is carried on the negative electrode current collector and contains negative electrode active material particles, and the negative electrode current collector comprising an aluminum foil having an average crystal grain size of 50 ?m or less or an aluminum alloy foil having an average crystal grain size of 50 ?m or less.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery including: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator; and a case for containing the electrode assembly, wherein a ceramic coating portion is on at least one surface of the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate, wherein the ceramic coating portion includes a ceramic material and a binder material, and wherein the binder material includes a polymer of alkylene oxide or a copolymer thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode containing MnO2 and an anode including lithium. The cell also includes an electrolyte containing a bis(oxalato)borate salt. The cell further includes an aluminum surface in electrical contact with a non-aluminum metal surface.

Abstract: Electrochemical structures with a protective interlayer for prevention of deleterious reactions between an active metal electrode and polymer electrolytes, and methods for their fabrication. The structures may be incorporated in battery cells. The interlayer is capable of protecting an active metal anode and a polymer electrolyte from deleterious reaction with one another while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to enhance performance of a battery cell in which the structure is incorporated. The interlayer has a high ionic conductivity, at least 10?7 S/cm, generally at least 10?6 S/cm, and as high as 10?3 S/cm or higher. The interlayer may be composed, in whole or in part, of active metal nitrides, active metal phosphides or active metal halides. These materials may be applied preformed, or they may be formed in situ by conversion of applied precursors on contact with the active metal anode material.

Abstract: An alloy material containing an intermetallic compound of metal that is alloyed with Li and metal that is not alloyed with Li, capable of repeatedly absorbing and desorbing Li, is formed on a collector made of a material that is not alloyed with Li, as a plurality of convex portions partitioned with gaps disposed thereamong, and an area the convex portions occupy on the collector is assumed to be 60 to 95% of the area of the collector. Because of this, an electrode containing an intermetallic compound capable of repeatedly absorbing and desorbing Li can be provided, which can configure a non-aqueous secondary battery having a higher charging/discharging efficiency, a larger discharging capacity, and more excellent high rate characteristics and cycle characteristics.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery grid made from a lead-based alloy containing, in addition to lead, tin at a concentration that is at least about 0.500%, silver at a concentration that is greater than 0.006%, and bismuth at a concentration that is at least about 0.005%, and, if calcium is present in the lead-based alloy, the calcium is at concentration that is no greater than about 0.010%.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: an electrode group in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are spirally wound with a separator interposed therebetween; and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode plate has at least one exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector, the negative electrode plate has at least one exposed portion of the negative electrode current collector, and a metal that dissolves into the non-aqueous electrolyte when the battery voltage exceeds a predetermined level is provided on a surface of the exposed portion of positive electrode current collector facing the exposed portion of negative electrode current collector. This battery is extremely safe because it prevents overcharge and internal short-circuit at an area where the positive and negative electrode active materials and the non-aqueous electrolyte exist together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an electrode structure useful in energy storage devices, which method involves the spray deposition of a mixture of carbon and a binder on a current collector. In addition, the present invention relates to energy storage devices including an electrode structure produced using a spray deposition method to deposit a mixture of carbon and a binder on a current collector.

Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell. The opposing sides define a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises a single frame or two separate frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.

Abstract: An electrode for lithium batteries, in which a thin film of active material capable of storage and release of lithium, such as a microcrystalline or amorphous silicon thin film, is provided, through an interlayer, on a current collector, the electrode being characterized in that the interlayer comprises a material alloyable with the thin film of active material.

Abstract: In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte, the negative electrode includes a material capable of absorbing or releasing lithium and wherein the non-aqueous electrolyte contains a room-temperature molten salt having a melting point of 60° C. or less and a lithium salt.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for use of carbonized charcoal powder as an electrode is provided. Charcoal is provided as a powder, carbonized, and placed in a container (16) by which compressive pressure is applied to the carbonized-charcoal powder via one or more sides of the container (16). As a result of the compressive pressure the packed-bed (11) of carbonized-charcoal powder manifests a resistivity of less than about 1 ohm-cm and is suitable for use as an electrode in a fuel cell, battery or electrolyzer. The apparatus is adapted with electrical contacts (8, 9, 10) to conduct electric flow to or from the electrode and adapted for communication of an electrolyte with the electrode.

Abstract: A non-magnetic lithium ion secondary electrochemical cell is described. Use of titanium results in an electrochemical cell that is virtually non-magnetic in comparison to prior-art cells. Such cells are particularly desirable for use with implantable medical devices since they do not cause a significant distortion in the image provided by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has an electrode and an electrolyte layer. The electrode includes a collector having a lot of fine pores on its surface, and a membrane layer made of an electrode active material provided along the surface shape of the fine pores of the collector. By this structure, the battery can manifest an excellent performance even in charging and discharging at high speed without using a binder and conductive material.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery whose electrolyte can be selected from a wider range of materials can be obtained. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution. At least one of the positive and negative electrodes has a collector which includes a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of transition metal elements, group III elements, group IV Elements, and group V elements.

Abstract: In a flat non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell comprising an electricity-generating element including at least a cathode, a separator and an anode and a non-aqueous electrolyte in the inside of a cathode case, a plurality of electrode units each consisting of the cathode and the anode opposite to each another via the separator are laminated to form an electrode group, or an electrode unit in a sheet form consisting of the cathode and the anode opposite to each another via the separator is wound to form an electrode group, or a sheet-shape cathode is wrapped with the separator except for a part contacting at inner face of cathode case and a sheet-shaped anode is set on the sheet-shaped cathode in a right angled position each other and then these cathode and anode are bent alternately to form an electrode group, and the total sum of the areas of the opposing cathode and anode in this electrode group is larger than the area of the opening of an insulating gasket in a sealed portion in the cathode case or than

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage device has at least one lead-based positive electrode and at least one carbon-based negative electrode, a separator between the electrodes, a casing which will contain the electrodes and separator, and an acid electrolyte. The separator is gas permeable, and is capable of absorbing and entraining acid electrolyte. The separator has a finite capacity for absorption of acid electrolyte, and the quantity of acid electrolyte which is present in the cell is less than the finite capacity of the separator. Upon assembly of the cell, the casing is sealed, and there is no liquid acid electrolyte within the assembled cell.

Abstract: A plate core material is manufactured by a method including the processes of soaking a core material (11) that is made of nickel or nickel-plated steel and includes copper as an impurity in an aqueous solution (12) containing ammonium ions and hydrogen peroxide, so that the copper is dissolved in the aqueous solution (12), and removing the aqueous solution (12) from the surface of the core material (11). Further, an alkaline storage battery is manufactured by a method including this manufacturing method. According to the manufacturing method of the present invention, an alkaline storage battery having higher reliability than that of a conventional alkaline storage battery can be obtained.

Abstract: A battery separator for extending the cycle life of a battery has a separator and a conductive layer. The conductive layer is disposed upon the separator. The conductive layer is adapted to be in contact with the positive electrode of the battery thereby providing a new route of current to and from the positive electrode.

Abstract: A battery cell includes a negative current collector and at least one carbon foam positive current collector disposed within the cell such that the negative current collector at least partially surrounds the at least one carbon foam positive current collector. An insulating mat is disposed between the negative current collector and the at least one carbon foam positive current collector.

Abstract: A cathode includes a foil current collector including a coating containing iron disulfide on one side that covers less than 100% of the side.

Abstract: An anode subassembly for use in an implantable electrochemical cell includes a solid anode current collector and an alkali metal anode pressed onto the solid anode current collector such that the solid anode current collector is located on the outer side of the outermost winding of a coiled electrode assembly formed when the anode subassembly is wound with a cathode subassembly. The anode subassembly may further include a spacer formed from a microporous, non-conductive material pressed onto the alkali metal anode on the opposite side from the solid anode current collector.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a lithium electrochemical generator comprising two peripheral electrodes—one positive and the other negative—each comprising an electrically conductive substrate (13, 21) and an active layer (14, 20) that includes an active material, at least one bipolar electrode comprising a positive active layer (18) on a first electrically conductive substrate and a negative active layer (16) on a second electrically conductive substrate, the said substrates being fixed together and two separators (15, 19) flanking each bipolar electrode, in which generator the electrically conductive substrates of each bipolar electrode are made of identical or different materials chosen from aluminium and its alloys and the negative active material of the bipolar electrode prevents an aluminium alloy being obtained with the electrically conductive substrates, under the operating conditions of the storage battery.

Abstract: An electrode structure adapted for use in an energy storage device, which expedites electrode drying time and improves impregnation of the electrode structure, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the electrode structure comprises a carbon film element having a plurality of cavities disposed thereon. In another embodiment, a plurality of channels is punched into a carbon film element of the electrode structure.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for coating electroactive particles. Coating materials include a conductive component and a low refractive index component. Coatings are provided in which the conductive and low refractive index components are linked and/or do not form phases having lengthscales greater than about 0.25 ?m. Coatings are provided in which the components are contained in sequential layers.

Abstract: A titanium substrate having a thickened outer oxidation layer provided thereon by a treatment process performed either in an air atmosphere at elevated temperatures or through electrolytic oxidation (anodization), is discribed. The thusly conditioned titanium substrate serving as a cathode current collector for an electrode incorporated into an electrochemical cell exhibits improved electrical performance in comparison to the prior art techniques, i.e., electrically conducted carbon coated titanium screen and use of highly corrosion resistant materials, upon subsequent elevated temperature exposure.

Abstract: An anode and a battery using same as provided. The battery has a winding electrode body wherein a cathode and an anode are layered and wound with a separator and an electrolyte layer, which hold an electrolyte solution in a holding body therebetween. The anode has an anode collector, an anode active material layer, and a layer including silicon oxide. The anode active material layer includes Si or alloy thereof, is formed by a vapor-phase method, a liquid phase method a sinter method, or the like, and is alloyed with the anode collector on at least a portion of interface between the anode active material layer and the anode collector. The layer includes a silicon oxide that includes silicon dioxide, and has a thickness of about 50 nm or more. Reaction between the anode active material layer and the electrolyte solution at high temperatures is inhibited by the layer including silicon oxide.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode or the negative electrode is an electrode obtained by depositing a thin film of active material capable of lithium storage and release on a current collector, the thin film is divided into columns by gaps formed therein in a manner to extend in its thickness direction and the columnar portions are adhered at their bottoms to the current collector, and the nonaqueous electrolyte contains at least one selected from phosphate ester, phosphite ester, borate ester and carboxylic ester having a fluoroalkyl group.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells are disclosed. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a cathode having less than about 2,000 ppm of water, an anode, and an electrolyte having a first lithium salt and LiPF6.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte battery includes a cathode having a cathode active material and a solid electrolyte and an anode. The solid electrolyte includes a first polymer having a binding force and a second polymer composed of alkali metal ion conducting polymers. Thus, the solid electrolyte battery has a high capacity and is excellent in its battery characteristics.

Abstract: A primary lithium battery can include a current collector that includes aluminum, a cap that includes aluminum, or both. The aluminum battery components can have high mechanical strength and low electrical resistance.

Abstract: A battery is adapted such that a nickel hydroxide particle group constituted of a number of nickel hydroxide particles filled in a void part of a positive electrode substrate contains, at a ratio of 15 wt % or less, small-diameter nickel hydroxide particles each having a particle diameter of 5 ?m or less. The positive electrode substrate is configured such that a front-surface-side nickel layer and a back-surface-side nickel layer are made larger in thickness than a middle nickel layer, and an average thickness B of either the front-surface-side nickel layer or the back-surface-side nickel layer, which is thicker one, and an average thickness C of the middle nickel layer satisfy a relation of C/B?0.6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fuel cell, comprising a step of forming a plurality of holes (10) in at least two substrates (9); each hole is in the seat of an individual fuel cell, the said holes having a particular geometry, such as a shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid shape. The various individual cells are then electrically connected by networks of electrical connections (11, 12) and are supplied via a reactant distribution network, the assembly formed by a substrate (9), the cells and the networks constituting a base module (9?). Finally, at least two base modules (9?) are assembled, the individual cells of each base module being positioned facing the individual cells of the adjacent base module(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery prevented from causing a short circuit between a positive and negative electrode plates and a method of manufacturing the battery. This battery comprises an electrode plate assembly having a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates which are alternately laminated with separators interposed one by one between them. Each of the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates is configured to be curved to the same side in a lamination direction.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery exhibiting good mechanical properties and using a thin negative current collector is provided. The lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode formed by coating lithium metal oxides on a positive current collector and a negative electrode formed by coating carbonaceous materials or SnO2 on a negative current collector. The negative current collector is made of a Cu-based alloy foil with a thickness of 20 ?m or less and the Cu-based alloy foil includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, magnesium, tin, zinc, boron, chromium, manganese, silicone, cobalt, iron, vanadium, aluminum, zirconium, niobium, phosphorous, bismuth, lead, silver and misch metal. The lithium secondary battery further includes a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte into which the positive and negative electrodes and the separator are immersed.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including positive and negative electrodes capable of occluding and releasing lithium and a nonaqueous electrolyte and in which the negative electrode includes a foamed metal containing silicon as an active material therein.

Abstract: In a lithium secondary battery using a negative electrode having a negative electrode mixture layer formed on a surface of a negative electrode current collector, the mixture layer made of a binder and negative electrode active material particles of silicon and/or a silicon alloy, charge-discharge cycle performance is improved without degrading the capacity per unit volume, by making the negative electrode mixture layer sufficiently adhere to the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode has a negative electrode mixture layer composed of a binder and negative electrode active material particles of silicon and/or a silicon alloy. The negative electrode mixture layer is formed on a surface of the negative electrode current collector by sintering. Negative electrode active material particles are partially embedded in the negative electrode current collector.

Abstract: Rechargeable battery cell operable at normal temperature, with an SO.sub.2 based electrolyte system, a negative electrode and a positive electrode, wherein one of the electrodes has an electronically conductive discharge element. An improved cycle stability and consequently a longer useful lifetime is achieved in that, as a reaction protection material to protect the discharge element against unwanted reactions with constituents of the SO.sub.2 based electrolyte system, at least a surface layer of the electronically conductive discharge element contains an alloy of chrome with another metal and/or a protective metal, selected from rhodium, tungsten, rhenium, tantalum, platinum, iridium, osmium or technetium in pure form, as an alloy or as a constituent of a compound and/or a carbide, nitride or phosphide of titanium, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, iron, vanadium, zirconium or manganese.

Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery characterized in that thin films of active material capable of lithium storage and release, i.e., microcrystalline or amorphous silicone thin films are deposited on opposite faces of a plate-form current collector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a battery comprises an electrode having at least one nanostructured surface. The nanostructured surface is disposed in a way such that an electrolyte fluid of the battery is prevented from contacting the electrode, thus preventing discharge of the battery when the battery is not in use. When a voltage is passed over the nanostructured surface, the electrolyte fluid is caused to penetrate the nanostructured surface and to contact the electrode, thus activating the battery. In one illustrative embodiment, the battery is an integrated part of an electronics package. In another embodiment, the battery is manufactured as a separate device and is then brought into contact with the electronics package. In yet another embodiment, the electronics package and an attached battery are disposed in a projectile that is used as a military targeting device.

Abstract: A grid is obtained by punching or expanding a sheet comprising a pure lead (Pb: 99.99 mass % or more) plate having a lead-tin alloy layer formed at least on one side of the pure lead plate. By using it as a positive electrode of a lead-acid battery, the problem that a pure lead grid shows bad charge acceptance characteristics after deep discharge can be solved, maintaining the excellent trickle life performance which a pure lead grid shows originally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making lithium/air batteries with LiPON as separator and protective barrier, and the resulting cell(s) and/or battery(s). Some embodiments include an apparatus that includes a lithium anode; a polymer-air cathode; and a LiPON separator between the anode and cathode. In some embodiments, the polymer-air cathode includes a carbon-polyfluoroacrylate material. In some embodiments, the anode overlays a copper anode contact.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode material mixture layer formed thereon; a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode material mixture layer formed thereon; and a non-aqueous electrolyte, characterized in that at least one of said positive and negative electrodes has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance; and said non-aqueous electrolyte contains an additive which is stable in the normal operating voltage range of said battery and is able to polymerize at the voltage exceeding the maximum value of said operating voltage range.