Abstract: A rechargeable zinc cell with a longitudinally-folded separator comprising a zinc negative electrode, a positive electrode, an electrolyte and a separator. The separator comprises at least two wicking layers with a microporous layer in the center thereof, and the separator is folded longitudinally to wrap around a long edge of the zinc negative electrode. A method of constructing a rechargeable zinc cell with a longitudinally-folded separator comprising the steps of placing the zinc negative electrode in contact with at least one of the two wicking layers of the separator, folding the separator longitudinally around a long edge of the zinc negative electrode, placing the positive electrode on said separator and rolling the zinc negative electrode, the positive electrode and the separator into a jelly roll structure.

Abstract: A centrifugal impact atomization process for producing zinc or zinc alloy powder from molten zinc. A stream of molten zinc is injected onto the surface of a spinning disk contained within an atomization chamber. The disk has a cup shaped cavity having an open end, opposing closed end and integral side walls. The disk may have baffles protruding into the open cavity core within the disk. The baffles may have straight or curved side surfaces. The disk is rotated at high speeds between about 10,000 and 15,000 rpm (revolutions per minute). The oxygen content in the chamber is preferably between about 1 and 6 vol %. Zinc powder is produced having more smaller size particles. Zinc alkaline cells utilizing such zinc product as anode active material show improved performance, especially as power source in high discharge services such as digital cameras.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide or other gases can be separated from gas streams using ionic liquid, such as in an electrochemical cell. For example, a membrane can contain sufficient ionic liquid to reduce ionic current density of at least one of protons and hydroxyl ions, relative to carbon-containing ionic current density. A gas stream containing carbon dioxide can be introduced on a cathode side, while a source of hydrogen gas can be introduced on the anode side of the membrane. Operation of an electrochemical cell with such a membrane can separate the carbon dioxide from the gas stream and provide it at a separate outlet.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a battery pack with a high energy density and a large format prismatic lithium-ion cell comprising (1) at least one positive electrode, (2) at least one negative electrode, (3) a non-aqueous electrolyte, and (4) a homogeneous microporous membrane which comprises (a) a hot-melt adhesive, (b) an engineering plastics, (c) optionally a tackifier and (d) a filler having an average particle size of less than about 50 ?m. The resulting battery pack can be used as power source for applications such as electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), power-assist HEV (P-HEV), and standby power stations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrolyte for lithium secondary batteries comprising: a chelating agent, which forms complexes with transition metal ions in the battery, and at the same time does not react and coordinate with lithium ions; a non-aqueous solvent; and an electrolyte salt, as well as a lithium secondary battery comprising the electrolyte. The chelating agent, which is contained in the electrolyte for lithium secondary batteries, can suppress a side reaction in which transition metal ions are reduced and deposited as transition metals on the anode. Also, the chelating agent can suppress internal short-circuits in the battery and the resulting voltage drop of the battery and a reduction in the safety and performance of the battery, which can occur when transition metals are deposited on the anode.

Abstract: A battery capable of obtaining a high energy density and obtaining superior cycle characteristics is provided. A spirally wound electrode body 20 having a lamination structure composed of a cathode 21, an anode 22, and a separator 23 is contained in a battery can 11. In the cathode 21, a cathode active material layer 21B containing an ambient temperature molten salt and a cathode active material is provided on a cathode current collector 21A. The content ratio of the ambient temperature molten salt in the cathode active material layer 21B is in the range from 0.1 mass % to 5 mass %. The ambient temperature molten salt is, for example, a tertiary or quaternary ammonium salt that is composed of a tertiary or quaternary ammonium cation and an anion having a fluorine atom.

Abstract: The over charge protection of a lithium ion cell is improved by using an electrolyte comprising at least one redox shuttle additive that comprises an in situ generated soluble oxidizer or oxidant to accelerate other forms of chemical overcharge protection. The oxidizer can be employed in combination with radical polymerization additives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary battery using a liquid electrolyte excellent in storage characteristics. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and a liquid electrolyte, where the cathode and the anode contain at least one mutual active material. This symmetrical electrode configuration, that the at least one active material for the cathode and the anode is mutual, enables equalization of an electrode electric potential difference before charge or after discharge; and thus electrolyte degradation is efficiently restrained to improve storage characteristics.

Abstract: Electrolyte suitable for use in a lithium ion cell or battery. According to one embodiment, the electrolyte includes a fluorinated lithium ion salt and a solvent system that solvates lithium ions and that yields a high dielectric constant, a low viscosity and a high flashpoint. In one embodiment, the solvent system includes a mixture of an aprotic lithium ion solvating solvent and an aprotic fluorinated solvent.

Abstract: A battery comprises an acid electrolyte in which a compound provides acidity to the electrolyte and further increases solubility of at least one metal in the redox pair. Especially preferred compounds include alkyl sulfonic acids and alkyl phosphonic acids, and particularly preferred redox coupled include Co3+/Zn0, Mn3+/Zn0, Ce4+/V2+, Ce4+/Ti3+, Ce4+/Zn0, and Pb4+/Pb0.

Abstract: A load leveling battery (122) comprising an electrolyte that includes a cerium zinc redox pair wherein preferred electrolytes are acid electrolytes, and most preferably comprise methane sulfonic acid. Contemplated load leveling batteries (122) have an open circuit voltage of at least 2.4 Volt per cell. Such batteries are useful at power grid substations (120) and commercial and industrial applications were large amounts of power are used. Preferred capacity is at least 100,000 kWh, more preferably 250,000 kWh.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a lithium carbonate passivation layer on lithium through exposure of the active material to gaseous carbon dioxide prior to cell assembly. This results in an electrochemical cell which possesses improved safety and voltage delay characteristics in comparison to prior art cells comprising unexposed lithium. The preferred cell is of a lithium oxyhalide chemistry.

Abstract: The invention provides a battery with improved battery characteristics such as cycle characteristic and storage characteristic. The battery has a rolled electrode body by rolling a cathode and an anode sandwiching a separator in between. The capacity of the anode is expressed by the sum of a capacity component obtained by insertion and extraction of lithium and a capacity component obtained by deposition and dissolution of lithium. The separator is impregnated with an electrolyte solution obtained by dissolving a lithium salt in a solvent. A compound having a B—O bond or P—O bond such as lithium bis [1,2-benzenediolato (2-)-O,O′]borate or lithium tris [1,2-benzenediolato (2-)-O,O′]phosphate is used as a lithium salt. Thus, the formation of a stable film can suppress the decomposition reaction of the solvent and can also prevent the reaction of a deposited lithium metal with the solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxidizer-treated lithium electrodes, battery cells containing such oxidizer-treated lithium electrodes, battery cell electrolytes containing oxidizing additives, and methods of treating lithium electrodes with oxidizing agents and battery cells containing such oxidizer-treated lithium electrodes. Battery cells containing SO2 as an electrolyte additive in accordance with the present invention exhibit higher discharge capacities after cell storage over cells not containing SO2. Pre-treating the lithium electrode with SO2 gas prior to battery assembly prevented cell polarization. Moreover, the SO2 treatment does not negatively impact sulfur utilization and improves the lithium's electrochemical function as the negative electrode in the battery cell.

Abstract: An electrolyte system suitable for a molten salt electrolyte battery is described where the electrolyte system is a molten nitrate compound, an organic compound containing dissolved lithium salts, or a 1-ethyl-3-methlyimidazolium salt with a melting temperature between approximately room temperature and approximately 250° C. With a compatible anode and cathode, the electrolyte system is utilized in a battery as a power source suitable for oil/gas borehole applications and in heat sensors.

Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride secondary battery comprising electrode group comprising positive electrode comprised mainly of nickel hydroxide, negative electrode comprised mainly of a hydrogen storage alloy, and separator being disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the electrode group is sealed in battery casing, together with an alkali electrolyte liquid, wherein, in the battery, a W element and an Na element are present simultaneously. The nickel-metal hydride secondary battery of the present invention is advantageous not only in that it exhibits high utilization of the active material and excellent self-discharge characteristics in a high temperature storage as well as high charging efficiency in a high temperature environment, but also in that it has excellent large current discharge characteristics.

Abstract: A rechargeable yttrium-ion battery cell comprising a source of yttrium ions, an electrolyte providing ion mobility, and an electrode material capable of reversibly accepting and yielding yttrium ions exhibits substantially increased specific capacity due to the activity of multivalent yttrium ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a lithium electrolyte, wherein the non-aqueous solvent is obtained by adding a phosphoric acid compound prepared by substituting at least one hydrogen atom in phosphoric acid or polyphosphoric acid with a group represented by the general formula [1]: wherein, X represents Si, Ge or Sn atom, and each of R1 to R3 independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the non-aqueous electrolyte contains boric acid ester as a solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid electrolyte comprising a shaped porous polymer structure comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of cells dispersed in the polymer matrix, the polymer matrix containing a crosslinked polymer segment and having a gel content in the range of from 20 to 75%, wherein the shaped porous polymer structure is impregnated and swelled with an electrolytic liquid. A method for producing the hybrid electrolyte and a method for producing an electrochemical device comprising the hybrid electrolyte are also disclosed. The hybrid electrolyte of the present invention has a high ionic conductivity, an excellent stability under high temperature conditions and an excellent adherability to an electrode. Further, by the method of the present invention, the hybrid electrolyte having the above-mentioned excellent properties and an electrochemical device comprising such a hybrid electrolyte can be surely and effectively produced.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrolyte comprising a salt of an organofluorosilicon compound containing silicon, fluorine and carbon, which comprises the step of reacting an organosilane compound containing at least silicon and carbon, with a fluorine compound in a solvent comprising a nonaqueous solvent as a main component.

Abstract: A lithium-ion-conductive solid electrolyte includes a lithium-ion-conductive substance expressed by a general formula Li2S-GeS2-X wherein “X” is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ga2S3 and ZnS, or Li2S-SiS2-P2S5. It is superb in terms of stability and safety at elevated temperatures, since it is a crystalline solid of high ion conductivity. It can be applied to a solid electrolyte for lithium batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-flammable electrolyte compositions of the present invention that comprise a mixed solvent comprising carbonate-, thiocarbonate-, and phosphate-based solvents and inorganic additives such as metal compounds or metal halogen compounds. A mixed ratio of carbonate:thiocarbonate:phosphate-based solvent is in the range of 20˜75:5˜30:15˜50. The metal compounds or metal halogen compounds are exemplified by triphenylbismuth carbonate, triphenylbismuth, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth subcarbonate, dimethyl pyrocabonate, diethyl pyrocarbonate, bismuth fluoride, and the like. The inorganic additives are contained in the electrolytes of the present invention in the amounts of about 0.3 to about 5 weight percent of the mixed solvent.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator and a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte, the non-aqueous liquid electrolyte having an electrical conductivity of 0.05 mS/cm or more and no such a flash point as specified by JIS-K2265 flash point test and comprising an ion nonconductive solvent and a lithium ion conductive solvent, is non-flammable and safe even at high temperatures.

Abstract: An electrolyte for an electrochemical cell is described comprising two or more polyanion-based compounds of the general formula:M.sub.m [X.sub.x Y.sub.y O.sub.z ].nH.sub.2 OwhereM is selected from the group consisting of ammonia and the elements of Groups IA and IIA of the Periodic Table;X and Y are different and are selected from the group consisting of the elements of Groups IIIB, IVB, VB, and VIB of the Periodic Table, and boron, aluminum, gallium, silicon, germanium, tin, phosphorous, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, polonium, indium, and astatine;O is oxygen; andm is an integer from 1 to 10, inclusive;x is an integer from 0 to 1, inclusive;y is an integer from 2 to 13, inclusive;z is an integer from 7 to 80, inclusive; andn is an integer from 2 to 100, inclusive.

Abstract: The mixed powders of a lithium compound and a transition metal based compound are formed into shaped parts, which are packed to form a bed 6 on a porous plate 5 in the bottom of a reaction vessel 7 placed on a support 10 in a firing furnace 8 equipped with an electric heater; the packed parts are fired with an oxidizing gas such as air being forced through the bed 6 at a superficial velocity higher than a specified value via a gas feed pipe 3 connecting an air pump 1, a flow regulator 2 and a preheater 4 and the gas emerging from the bed 6 is discharged into the air atmosphere through a ventilation port 9. Even if increased amounts of the mixed powders have to be fired, the invention process enables the production of a lithium complex oxide as an active material that is homogeneous and which features excellent cell characteristics.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing anodes comprising a composition having graphite particles that have a BET method specific surface area of about 6 to about 12 m2/g and a crystallite height Lc of about 100 nm to about 120 nm, and wherein at least 90% (wt) of the graphite particles are less than 16 &mgr;m in size; a cathode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a solvent and salt that is interposed between the anode and cathode. When employed in an electrochemical cell, the anode can attain a specific electrode capacity of at least 300 mAhr/g. The electrochemical cell has a cycle life of greater than 1500 cycles, and has a first cycle capacity loss of only about 10% to about 15%.