Exergy Power Systems, Inc.

The University of Tokyo

The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.

Kaduo Tsutsumi

Masateru Nakoji

Atsushi Tsutsumi

Takashi Mukai

Yuta Ikeuchi

Naoto Yamashita

Kazuya Kubo

Taichi Sakamoto

Tomohiro Ueno

Hiroshi Kawano

Toshio Takahashi

A conventional bipolar battery is constituted of a combination of cells hermetically sealed for preventing a liquid junction and preventing corrosion of a peripheral device due to a liquid leakage. Therefore, electrolytic solution injecting processes are carried out as many as the number of cells, so that much times and costs have been required for manufacturing a large-scale battery. In addition, a wiring space has been required since the cells are connected to one another with wires. The use of a current collector formed of a one-end closed tubular conductor, the current collector having a bottom protruding outward to form a protrusion, eliminates the wiring space and achieves a reduction in ohmic loss due to the wires. In addition, an electrolytic solution in one cell is separated by a water-repellent sheet from an electrolytic solution in another cell, so that a liquid junction is prevented.

Bipolar battery

An electrode block includes: an electrode group having a stacked structure with a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; lid members disposed on two ends of the electrode group in the stacked direction; and a first holding member attached to outer surfaces of the electrode group and lid members. The first holding member is electrically connected to a first electrode which is one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and is not electrically connected to a second electrode which is the other one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Further, holes in the electrode group and lid members form a through hole, and a second holding member is attached to the through hole. Thus, the electrode block is fabricated. Then the plurality of electrode blocks is housed in an outer jacket in a stacked manner, and a current collector is inserted into the through hole. Thus, a layered cell is fabricated.

Electrode block, layered cell, and assembly method for layered cell

Carbon or cobalt, which is used as a conductive agent in an electrode of an alkaline secondary cell, is oxidized by oxygen generated from a positive electrode. The conductive agent degraded by oxidization loses its conductivity through repetitive charge and discharge, resulting in shortening of the cycle life of the cell. In an alkaline secondary cell filled with hydrogen, hydrogen generated from a positive electrode is bound to the hydrogen. This prevents a conductive agent in an electrode from being degraded by oxidization. A cell with excellent cycle life characteristic is thus provided.

Alkaline secondary cell

A layer cell includes an outer casing, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrically conductive current collector passing through the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator in an axial direction of the outer casing. The positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator are stacked in the axial direction of the outer casing. A first electrode which is one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is in contact with an inner surface of the outer casing, but is not in contact with the current collector. A second electrode which is the other electrode is not in contact with the outer casing, but is in contact with the current collector. An outer edge of the second electrode is covered with the separator. A peripheral edge of a hole, through which the current collector passes, in the first electrode is covered with the separator.

Layer cell, assembled battery including layer cell, and method for assembling layer cell

A battery negative electrode includes a hydrogen storage alloy as a negative electrode active material, wherein the hydrogen storage alloy has a mean volume diameter within a range from 4 &#x3bc;m to 12 &#x3bc;m, and is disposed to be capable of being in contact with hydrogen in a hydrogen containing part in which hydrogen is contained.

Battery negative electrode, battery, and manufacturing method of battery negative electrode

Layer cell includes an outer casing, positive electrode, negative electrode, separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and electrically conductive current collector passing through the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator in an axial direction of the outer casing. The positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator are stacked in the axial direction of the outer casing. First electrode which is one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is in contact with an inner surface of the outer casing, but is not in contact with the current collector. Second electrode which is the other electrode is not in contact with the outer casing, but is in contact with the current collector. An outer edge of the second electrode is covered with the separator. Peripheral edge of a hole, in the first electrode is covered with the separator.

A reversible fuel cell includes a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage material, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte. Each of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is an electrode for power generation and is also an electrode that applies electrolysis to the electrolyte using electric current to be fed from the outside. This cell is capable of storing electric energy to be supplied at the time of overcharge by converting the electric energy into gas, and is also capable of reconverting the gas into electric energy in order to utilize the electric energy. Accordingly, there are provided a reversible fuel cell and a reversible fuel cell system each of which is excellent in energy utilization efficiency, energy density and load following capability.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Kaduo Tsutsumi