University of California

Other

Frank R McLarnon

Elton J Cairns

Thomas C Adler

Donald T Beldock

Andre Anders

Ian G Brown

Robert Kostecki

Simone Anders

Paul P Craig

Fanping Kong

A light activated photoelectrochromic device is formed of a two-component system formed of a photoactive charge carrier generating material and electrochromic material (plus an elecrolyte). Light interacts with a semiconductive material to generate hole-electron charge carriers which cause a redox reaction in the electrochromic material. One device is formed of hydrated nickel oxide as the electrochromic layer and polycrystalline titanium dioxide as the charge generating material. The materials may be formed as discrete layers or mixed together. Because of the direct charge transfer between the layers, a circuit to apply a voltage to drive the electrochromic reaction is not required, although one can be used to enhance the reaction. The hydrated nickel oxide-titanium dioxide materials can also be used to form a photovoltaic device for generating electricity.

Photochromic, electrochromic, photoelectrochromic and photovoltaic

A low temperature process is disclosed for forming metal suboxides on substrates by cathodic arc deposition by either controlling the pressure of the oxygen present in the deposition chamber, or by controlling the density of the metal flux, or by a combination of such adjustments, to thereby control the ratio of oxide to metal in the deposited metal suboxide coating. The density of the metal flux may, in turn, be adjusted by controlling the discharge current of the arc, by adjusting the pulse length (duration of on cycle) of the arc, and by adjusting the frequency of the arc, or any combination of these parameters. In a preferred embodiment, a low temperature process is disclosed for forming an electrically conductive metal suboxide, such as, for example, an electrically conductive suboxide of titanium, on an electrode surface, such as the surface of a nickel oxide electrode, by such cathodic arc deposition and control of the deposition parameters. In the preferred embodiment, the process results in a titanium suboxide-coated nickel oxide electrode exhibiting reduced parasitic evolution of oxygen during charging of a cell made using such an electrode as the positive electrode, as well as exhibiting high oxygen overpotential, resulting in suppression of oxygen evolution at the electrode at full charge of the cell.

Low temperature formation of electrode having electrically conductive

An improved rechargeable zinc cell is described comprising a zinc electrode and another electrode such as, for example, a nickel-containing electrode, and having an electrolyte containing one or more hydroxides having the formula M(OH), one or more fluorides having the formula MF, and one or more carbonates having the formula M.sub.2 CO.sub.3, where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals. The electrolyte inhibits shape change in the zinc electrode, i.e., the zinc electrode exhibits low shape change, resulting in an improved capacity retention of the cell over an number of charge-discharge cycles, while still maintaining high discharge rate characteristics.

Rechargeable zinc cell with alkaline electrolyte which inhibits shape

An improved rechargeable zinc cell is described comprising a zinc electrode and another electrode such as, for example, a nickel-containing electrode, and having an electrolyte containing KOH and a combination of KF and K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 salts which inhibits shape change in the zinc electrode, i.e., the zinc electrode exhibits low shape change, resulting in an improved capacity retention of the cell over an number of charge-discharge cycles, while still maintaining high discharge rate characteristics.

A sealed battery is provided with a cathode, first and second anodes which are isolated by insulation, first and second current collectors which are separated by the insulation, and an integral switch. The cathode is coupled to a positive terminal of the battery, while the first current collector is coupled to the first anode and to the negative terminal. The second current collector is also coupled to the second terminal via the switch which is easily activated by hand manipulation or by use of a common object such as a ball point pen point. The cathode, first anode, and first current collector provide a large cell. When the large cell is exhausted, as indicated by the failure of the equipment which it is powering to function properly, the reserve cell comprised of the cathode, second anode, and second current collector is readily activated by manipulating the switch. The reserve cell may be smaller than the large cell but provides enough power to properly power the equipment until the batteries can be replaced.

Growing community of inventors

Orinda, CA, United States of America

Frank R McLarnon