Abstract: A secondary battery includes a container an electrode assembly mounted in the container having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a cap assembly fixed to the container to seal the container. The cap assembly includes a cap plate having a terminal, a current breaker electrically connected to the cap plate; and a vent plate having a safety vent electrically connected to the current breaker, the shape of the vent plate being altered by the internal pressure of the secondary battery to alter the shape of the current breaker, and the current breaker cutting off the current path of the cap assembly.

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.

Abstract: A battery cell carrier assembly having a battery cell carrier for holding a battery cell is provided. The battery cell carrier includes a trapping member for holding the battery cell. The battery cell carrier has at least one aperture extending therethrough for allowing air to flow therethrough to contact the first side of the battery cell for cooling the battery cell. The battery cell carrier further includes a panel member configured to be coupled to the trapping member for holding the battery cell therebetween. The panel member has at least one aperture extending therethrough for allowing air to flow therethrough to contact the battery cell for cooling the battery cell.

Abstract: A battery assembly may include a battery and a battery housing. The battery may include an electrolyte vent to provide a pressurized electrolyte discharge during an electrolyte discharge event. The battery housing may contain the battery and may include an electrolyte control member to dissipate energy from and inhibit dispersion of the pressurized electrolyte discharge from the electrolyte vent during the electrolyte discharge event.

Abstract: A battery vent comprising a chamber bounded by a sidewall and a plate. In the chamber, a frit housing has a retainer wall extending from the plate into the chamber to an open retainer wall lower face. A vent tube extends outwardly from the frit housing and has a vent channel which is open to the retainer wall inside face. A frit is applied over the open retainer wall lower face and secured thereto by over molding.

Abstract: A battery, which can inhibit raise of an internal resistance even when temperature change or mechanical shock is applied, and which has superior productivity is provided. A safety mechanism and a battery cover are installed at an open part of a battery case by caulking through a gasket. Inside of the battery case is sealed. A flange part of the battery cover contacts with a flange part of a safety valve of the safety mechanism. A surface roughness of the contact face is set to be in the range from about 0.5 ?m to about 5.5 ?m based on an arithmetic average roughness Ra. A contact resistance between the battery cover and the safety valve is thereby reduced. Further, a maximum height Ry of the contact face is preferably in the range from about 8.0 ?m to about 50.0 ?M.

Abstract: Provision of an extension-type battery pack which is improved in safety thereof against dropping and impact application. Although a battery pack is susceptible to damage caused by an impact since partial battery cells are located outside the outline of a notebook PC when it is mounted on the notebook PC, the battery pack is provided with a partition wall structure including an air space and a fireproof wall formed of a material which does not melt at a temperature of combustible gas discharged from a gas discharge valve of the respective battery cells. The material of the fireproof wall is preferably mica or the like. The partition wall structure can be provided between an inside battery compartment and an outside battery compartment of the battery pack or can be provided among other battery cells. This prevents fire spreading to other battery cells even if high-temperature combustible gas is discharged from a battery cell damaged by an impact or the like.

Abstract: Provided is a package for sodium-sulfur batteries in which the inner temperature can be suitably controlled even when it is installed in the place where temperatures and direction of wind change violently. Specifically, there is provided a package 101 for sodium-sulfur batteries in which air guiding plates 106a, 106b are provided being inclined obliquely and downwardly toward wall faces 109a, 109b between bottom surfaces of module batteries 4a, 4b and wall faces 109a, 109b, and in addition, flow rectifying plates 107a, 107b are provided being inclined obliquely and upwardly toward space 8 from the upper surface of module batteries 4a, 4b.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a system configured for passing a fluid past at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells in a parallel manner.

Abstract: A serial interface interposed between two serially connected unit cells provides mechanical strength to the serial connection and conductive coupling therebetween. The serial interface includes an inter-connector having a first vent hole formed therein configured for conductively coupling an anode outer wall of a first unit cell and a cathode terminal of a second unit cell to each other; and a spacer having a second vent hole formed therein and configured to be disposed between the inter-connector and an anode outer wall of the second unit cell to prevent a short-circuit due to the movement of the inter-connector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a metal-air cell having a tab system that covers an air entry port of the metal-air cell are provided. In one representative embodiment the tab system includes polymer layer and an adhesive layer between the metal-air cell and the polymer layer. The tab system has a loss stiffness of less than 55,000 N/m at 20° C. to 25° C.

Abstract: A cap assembly and a secondary battery having the same which can prevent current from flowing out of the battery by preventing contact of a broken vent member with a cap. The vent member is broken due to an internal pressure of the secondary battery greater than a predetermined level. The cap assembly includes a vent member having a plurality of notches formed in a radial direction from the center of the vent member and a plurality of reinforcement parts formed between the notches. The cap assembly may include a vent member having a plurality of notches formed between two adjacent notches so that the vent member folds when the internal pressure of the secondary battery is too great.

Abstract: In a battery cooling structure, a battery case housing a large number of battery modules is formed into the shape of a rectangular tube having a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet, and V-shaped cooling air guide channels having a decreasing flow-path cross sectional area are provided on inner faces of air guide plates that define upper and lower faces of the rectangular tube. The flow of cooling air is deflected by these V-shaped cooling air guide channels toward a central part on the downstream side, thus effectively cooling the battery modules disposed in the central part, for which the cooling effect is poor to make uniform the temperature of the battery modules, resulting in a suppressed variation in capacity and lifetime. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a bypass passage in the battery case, it is possible to simplify the structure of the battery case, reduce the dimensions, and improve the degree of freedom in the layout.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based system including equipment not classified to operate in a flammable environment, a detector to detect a flammable gas, and a component capable of leaking a flammable gas are arranged in an enclosure. The component is positioned above the unclassified equipment and below the sensor, and a buoyancy path is provided such that the unclassified equipment is isolated from flammable gas emitted by the component in the enclosure while a ventilation system is not energized. In addition, the detector is placed in the buoyancy path so that when the system is started from a de-energized state, the detector can determine whether an unacceptable concentration of flammable gas is present in the enclosure. When the system is energized, the ventilation system creates an air stream through the enclosure. The ventilation system is arranged such that unclassified equipment is upstream of flammable gas that is emitted by the component in the enclosure.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a secondary battery, which can interrupt current flow in a reliable manner, and a secondary battery having the same, are provided. The safety apparatus includes a case made of an insulating resin material, sealed to have a space inside and mounted inside the secondary battery, at least a portion of the case being shrinkable by an increase in external pressure, and an electrical connection member installed to penetrate the case such that its one end is electrically connected to an electrode plate of an electrode assembly of the battery and the other end is electrically connected to a terminal portion of the electrode plate, the electrical connection member being cut by the shrinking portion of the case.

Abstract: A secondary battery has a safety vent which has an asymmetric structure and provides a substantial opening for the battery, instead of having a local crack, to rapid vent to atmosphere in order to prevent the secondary battery from bursting when the internal pressure of a battery increases excessively or external impact is applied thereto. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly charging/discharging functions, a can housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly that includes a cap plate closing up an open part of the can, and a safety vent having an asymmetric track shape that is provided in the cap plate of the cap assembly.

Abstract: A method comprising: assembling a battery pack core; holding the core in a mold that forms a molded resin region; closing a cavity of the mold; injecting synthetic resin into the closed cavity; and ejecting the battery pack from the cavity to configure the battery pack with the battery pack core insert-molded in the molded resin region. A projection that protrudes towards an inner surface of the mold cavity is provided on the surface of the insulating cover fixed on the battery. In the resin injection step, the projection on the insulating cover is pressed directly or indirectly by the mold in a direction putting the insulating cover tightly in contact with the surface of the battery; and synthetic resin is injected into the cavity of the mold in this pressed configuration.

Abstract: An energy storage device, such as an electrical storage battery, having a unique terminal structure, sealing arrangement and an S-shaped mandrel for the electrode assembly. The battery generally includes a case in which an electrode assembly is dispose, and a cover provided with a fill hole and fill plug, and a terminal structure that forms a battery terminal. The terminal hole and the fill hole have counter bore structure to provide tighter sealing. A nickel layer is provided on the aluminum fill plug to facilitate electrical contact with the external circuit. A mandrel is provided for the rolled electrode assembly, and is electrically coupled to the terminal structure via a push-in tab inserted into a space in the S-shape of the mandrel.

Abstract: A battery accommodation casing includes a casing member having an approximate flat shape to house a laminate-sheathed cell therein in a sealing manner, a recess having a hollow shape in cross section and formed on a surface of the casing member, and a gas release mechanism located on a wall of the recess and releasing gas to outside, the gas being emitted from the laminate-sheathed cell within the casing member in an abnormal situation. Therefore, even where the casing member itself is somewhat deformed by the gas, the gas release mechanism can release the gas to outside, thus improving reliability in an abnormal situation.

Abstract: A battery includes an air electrode and an air access passageway that is closed by a non-liquid valve actuable by differential pressure to provide an opening therein to admit air to the battery.

Abstract: A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an electrochemical cell. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve body having an aperture and a microactuator movable from a first position where the microvalve body aperture is closed to fluid flow to at least a second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body aperture. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell potential or a separate source to open and close the microvalve. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can be located outside the cell housing or inside the cell housing, for example between one or more fluid inlet apertures and the fluid consuming electrode. The invention includes a method of making a multilayer microvalve assembly, particularly one for use in a fluid depolarized battery, using a printing process to deposit at least one of the layers.

Abstract: Air depolarized electrochemical cells are formed having a cell construction for improving or enhancing air flow to an air electrode. The electrochemical cell includes a layer of material disposed between a positive air electrode and an inner surface of a base of a cell casing, and having a surface facing the base, with the layer of material being an air permeable, hydrophobic layer or an air and water permeable layer. At least one of the inner surface of the base and the surface of the layer of material facing the base comprises at least one projection or at least one groove or a combination thereof whereby an open air channel is provided between the inner surface of the base and the layer of material, with the air channel being in contact with at least one air aperture of the cell. Methods for producing air depolarized electrochemical cells having air flow channels are disclosed.

Abstract: A battery module comprises: first and second rechargeable batteries, each of which includes a casing for storing an electrode assembly and a cap assembly provided on top of the casing; an interconnector provided between an upper portion of the first rechargeable battery and a lower portion of the second rechargeable battery so as to connect the first and second rechargeable batteries with each other; and an insulation cover which covers interconnected portions of the first and second rechargeable batteries, and which has at least one ventilation outlet.

Abstract: Noise generated from some air leaking from a water drain hole formed in an exhaust duct is reduced. A first water drain hole for exhausting liquid that has collected within the exhaust duct to outside the exhaust duct is formed in a bottom face of the exhaust duct for exhausting air after cooling a battery stack and a second water drain hole for exhausting liquid, which was exhausted from the first water drain hole, to outside a lower case is formed in the lower case housing the battery stack and the exhaust duct, with the second water drain hole formed at a position not on a line extending from the direction of outflow of air leaking out from the first water drain hole.

Abstract: The present invention is a secondary battery, comprising an upper housing, an upper accommodated tank, a main component of battery, a lower accommodated tank, a lower housing each is laminated orderly by layers to form a sealed structure of the secondary battery. The upper accommodated tank is made of a printed circuit board (PCB) material and is used to accommodate electrolyzed material. The lower accommodated tank is made of printed circuit board material and used to accommodate the electrolyzed material. The main component of the secondary battery is inserted between the upper accommodated tank and the lower accommodated tank. The upper tank made of a printed circuit board material is used to cover the upper accommodated tank closely, while the lower tank made of a printed circuit board material is used to cover the lower accommodated tank closely.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having a reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover is welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism and is welded via at least three welds, wherein two adjacent welds are angularly separated by more than 120°.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that allows for effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The cell includes a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent mechanism having an offset C-shaped reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. A cover can be welded to the closed end wall of the container over the pressure relief vent mechanism.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an enhanced pressure relief vent formed in a closed end of the cell container that achieves effective venting of gas from the closed end of the container. The electrochemical cell including a container having a first end, a second end, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an end wall extending across the first end. The cell has a positive electrode, a negative, and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, all disposed in the container. The cell further includes a pressure relief vent having a reduced thickness groove formed in the end wall of the container. The reduced thickness groove is formed having eight segments extending radially from a central location. A cover is welded on the end wall of the container via at least three welds, wherein the angular spacing between two adjacent welds is greater than 120°.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising MnO2. The housing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the housing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. There can be a gap between separator and cathode for insertion of additional electrolyte. 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 housing which may activate at higher pressure levels.

Abstract: The secondary battery according to the present invention has a vent deformation accelerator which promotes the operation of a vent formed on a wide side of a can in the cap plate, a bottom side of a can or a narrow side of a can so that the vent operates at the low pressure. Therefore, a secondary battery is provided with a vent which operates at a lower pressure than the operating pressure of existing vents. Also, the vent can be formed relatively thick when the operating vent which operates at the same pressure as the operating pressure of an existing vent so that it can avoid forming a vent having a minute thickness, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and processing time.

Abstract: The invention provides a closed type battery comprising a battery element covered with a covering film and a heat fusion seal portion formed by heat fusion on a periphery of the covering film, wherein the cleaving strength upon an internal pressure rise of a seal portion positioned between a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal is larger than that of any other seal portion, and a safety valve adapted to release pressure upon a battery's internal pressure rise is located at a portion other than said inter-terminal seal portion. The invention also provides an assembled battery wherein a plurality of closed type batteries are stacked one upon another while a safety valve adapted to release pressure upon an increase in the internal pressure of the battery is located at a position in no contact with the covering film surface of an adjoining battery.

Abstract: The battery 2 of the battery pack is temporarily held in a mold 30 to form a molded resin region 1, synthetic resin injected into the mold cavity 31 to form the molded resin region 1 attaches to the battery 2, and the molded resin region 1 attaches to a safety valve opening surface 20 established at the battery safety valve opening region 9. Further, insulating material 15 is attached at the interface between the battery safety valve opening surface 20 and the molded resin region 1 in a position which closes off the safety valve opening region 9.

Abstract: A battery includes a casing made of metal; and a safety valve made of a thin plate. The casing includes a vent hole that provides communication between the inside of the battery and the outside of the battery. A seal member made of synthetic resin is provided between the peripheral edge portion around the vent hole and the peripheral edge portion of the safety valve. The seal member connects the peripheral edge portion around the vent hole to the peripheral edge portion of the safety valve such that the peripheral edge portion around the vent hole does not contact the peripheral edge portion of the safety valve.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pressure relief vent formed in a metal plate disposed in at least one of the closed end and the open end of the container. The pressure relief vent has an annular ring that includes a reduced thickness groove, interrupted in at least two places by unthinned sections of the plate. When the vent opens to relieve pressure from within the cell, the area of the plate within the annular ring remains attached to the remainder of the plate by at least one of the unthinned sections. A can with such a pressure relief vent formed in the can bottom is useful as an electrochemical cell container.

Abstract: A battery venting system that is useful for cordless power tools. The system can include a cell that may have a sleeve with a plurality of apertures surrounding a peripheral side face of the cell to enhance heat dissipation from the cell. A plurality of cells may be electrically connected to form a cell pack. A carrier includes an upper carrier and a lower carrier to sandwich a plurality of cells that are aligned parallel to each other. The carriers include at least one vent hole that are aligned with a gap formed from adjacent cells to define an elongated fluid flow path. A charger may be provided to receive a housing containing the carrier and may be provided with a fan to direct a flow into the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing (3) having a plurality of cooling opening (2a, 2b) formed therein, and at least one separation wall (5) formed of a plurality of current cells (4) arranged flow-tight adjacent to each other, with the at least one separation wall (5) being arranged between at least two cooling openings (2a, 2b) and projecting flow-tight into an interior at the housing (3) at the side of the openings, so that the separation wall (5) is cooled by an air stream flowing therearound.

Abstract: A venting plug for a wet, lead-acid storage battery, a battery containing the same, a method of molding the venting plug body, and a mold for molding the venting plug body are disclosed. The sealing surfaces of the venting plug do not include a mold parting line along which acid from inside of the battery could seep between the seal and sealing surfaces. The venting plug body, however, includes a coupling structure that includes a mold parting line. The sealing surfaces of the venting plug body are molded by a single plate such that no mold parting line results along the sealing surfaces, while the coupling structure is molded by plurality of mold components such that a mold parting line results in the vicinity of the coupling structure.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing having at least two cells and a cover which closes the housing. The cover includes a lower part which is coupled to the housing, an upper part which is arranged at a distance from the lower part and closes the lower part forming a seal, and labyrinth-like outlet channels provided between the lower part and the upper part for acid deposition. The lower part is cut through in the area of the upper part adjacent to the outlet channels. The cells in the cut-through areas are separated from one another in a liquid-tight manner by cell separating wall sections which are adjacent to the upper part, and which are closed by the upper part.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising MnO2. The housing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the housing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 100 and 300 psig (6.89×105 and 20.69×105 pascal gage). The cell can have primary and supplemental vent mechanisms such as welded or thinned regions on the surface of the housing which may activate at different pressure levels. The cathode can be formed of a plurality of stacked slabs having aligned hollow centers with an elongated opening for anode material to be inserted therein.

Abstract: An electric accumulator battery, constituted of a series of independent modules, each of which comprises a recipient with a lid subdivided into cells in which positive and negative helically wound electrodes and an intermediate separator are housed. The recipient of each module comprises an outer wall, of straight rectangular prismatic shape, and an inner wall which defines three cylindrical cells (9) of coplanar axes, tangent to each other and closed on the lower base. Axial ventilation passages are defined between these two walls, which pass through the base through openings (5 and 6).

Abstract: A method for separating gases within a barrier, and a metallic barrier separating the gases is provided for use in solid oxide fuel cells, or SOFC. A network of pores can vent steam formed within the barrier by the reaction of hydrogen diffusing from one side and oxygen diffusing from the other side. This venting prevents the buildup of destructive pressure within the barrier, while retaining the required gas separation and electrical conductivity properties. The invention can be applied to systems other than solid oxide fuel cells and includes barriers made of noble metals and non-noble metals.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery comprises a casing (1) presenting a surface of revolution about an axis, having at least one air inlet opening (4) and at least one air outlet opening (5), and housing firstly in a central portion (6), fan means (7), and secondly around the periphery of the central portion, secondary electrochemical cells (8) arranged in such a manner as to deliver selected electrical characteristics. The air flow generated by the axial fan means (7) between the air inlet opening (4) and the air outlet opening (5) sweep over the cells (8), thereby regulating their temperature.

Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed, electrochemical power source, includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a membrane in fluid communication with an environment external to the battery. The second electrode is between the separator and the membrane. The membrane includes a first portion having a different property, e.g., density, porosity, mass transport resistance, thickness, or gas permeability, than a second portion of the membrane. Methods of designing an electrochemical cell cartridge are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical battery for multi-cellular interconnection in series, parallel or series and parallel has a protrusion and a recess, such as a tongue and a groove, extending on outer surfaces of the sidewalls of the battery case such that when a protrusion of one battery is slid into a recess of another, the two batteries are electrically connected by the portions of the protrusion and the recess that are made of electrically conductive materials connected to the voltage producing elements inside the case. The battery further includes hollow plug-in posts and plug-in pins at the top and the bottom of the case that are connected to the voltage producing elements of the battery so that when the plug-in pins of one battery are inserted into the plug-in posts of another, the two batteries are in electrical interconnection. The battery also includes an electrolyte recirculation, gas purging, and automatic watering systems.

Abstract: Secondary batteries are subjected to power cycling, and those which have a liquid electrolyte within the interior volume are equipped with a pressure relief valve. A void space over the liquid electrolyte may be subjected to gas pressure variations with respect to the ambient. The pressure relief valve structure comprises a vertically oriented gas flow chamber, and an outer relief vent adapted to open only when gas pressure within the battery and the gas flow chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure with respect to the ambient pressure. The gas flow chamber extends below the top surface of the battery, and has a dome-like cap which extends downwardly and has a plurality of openings so as to permit unimpeded gas flow between the interior of the battery and the gas flow chamber. There is a porous membrane covering the dome which permits gas flow between the interior of the battery and the gas flow chamber, but precludes flow of liquid electrolyte from the interior volume of the battery to the gas flow chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a sealing unit including a conductive support plate, wherein the conductive support plate contains at least one kind of a conductive material selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy and a composite metallic material, each of the metal, the alloy and the composite metallic material has a modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) at 25° C. that falls within a range from 1×1011 Pa to 3.27×1011 Pa, and the conductive support plate has an area resistance value RS at 20° C. falling within a range from 0.032 (??·cm2) to 1.24 (??·cm2).

Abstract: An end cap seal assembly for an electrochemical cell such as an alkaline cell is disclosed. The end cap assembly comprises a convoluted metal support disk and underlying insulating sealing disk. The convoluted support disk has a downwardly extending wall with at least one aperture therethrough which preferably faces the ambient environment. The insulating disk has a slanted downwardly extending wall forming a rupturable membrane which underlies and abuts the inside surface of the downwardly extending wall of the support disk. The rupturable membrane is slanted downwardly at an acute angle with the cell's longitudinal axis. The rupturable membrane underlies and abuts the aperture in the downwardly extending wall of the end cap. When gas pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined level the rupturable membrane pushes through said aperture and ruptures allowing gas to escape therefrom to the environment. A separate terminal plate can be stacked onto the metal support disk and welded thereto.

Abstract: The bipolar electrochemical battery of the invention comprises: a stack of at least two electrochemical cells electrically arranged in series with the positive face of each cell contacting the negative face of an adjacent cell, wherein each of the cells comprises (a) a negative electrode; (b) a positive electrode; (c) a separator between the electrodes, wherein the separator includes an electrolyte; (d) a first electrically conductive lamination comprising a first inner metal layer and a first polymeric outer layer, said first polymeric outer layer having at least one perforation therein to expose the first inner metal layer, said first electrically conductive lamination being in electrical contact with the outer face of the negative electrode; and (e) a second electrically conductive lamination comprising a second inner metal layer and a second polymeric outer layer, said second polymeric outer layer having at least one perforation therein to expose the second inner metal layer, said second electrically c

Abstract: A microvalve (10) for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion (14) having at least one opening (18) formed therein, a shutter (12) located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism (20, 22) for causing the shutter to pivot with resect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.

Abstract: A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell which can be used as a primary or rechargeable power supply for various miniaturized and portable electrically powered devices of compact design. The cell includes a wet electrolyte, yet maintains a fexible, thin and open configuration, thus devoid of accumulation of gases upon storage. The cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, the third layer being disposed between the first and second layers and including a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times; an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and, a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering the first and second layers to the third layer. The electrochemical cell of the present invention is preferably produced using a suitable printing technology.