Disclosed are a method of manufacturing an electrode for secondary batteries that includes surface-treating a current collector so as to have a morphology wherein a surface roughness R.sub.a of 0.001 μm to 10 μm is formed over the entire surface thereof to enhance adhesion between an electrode active material and the current collector and an electrode for secondary batteries that is manufactured using the method.

An electric generating appliance that supplies a fixed voltage through a voltage regulator connected to one or more primary batteries comprised of cells made of solid metal anodes and solid metal cathodes where the metal for the solid metal anodes is a different type of metal than the metal used for the solid metal cathodes and where each cell has an output duct to expel air or aqueous electrolyte and an input duct to receive air, aqueous electrolyte, or a humidified electrolyte from a circuit-controlled pump connected to a refillable electrolyte container.

An electric generating appliance that supplies a fixed voltage through a voltage regulator connected to one or more primary batteries comprised of cells made of solid metal anodes and solid metal cathodes where the metal for the solid metal anodes is a different type of metal than the metal used for the solid metal cathodes and where each cell has an output duct to expel air or aqueous electrolyte and an input duct to receive air, aqueous electrolyte, or a humidified electrolyte from a circuit-controlled pump connected to a refillable electrolyte container.

Provided is a battery module including: a cell assembly in which a plurality of cells are arranged at a predetermined interval, wherein each of the plurality of cells includes a cell lead; a sensing wire harness disposed around the cell lead and including a connecting terminal corresponding to the cell lead, wherein the connecting terminal is directly bonded to the cell lead; and a connector connected to the sensing wire harness by being fixed at one side of the cell assembly.

An apparatus includes a thermal battery, which includes a housing and one or more battery cells within the housing. Each battery cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte in each battery cell is configured to be in a solid state when the battery cell is inactive. The apparatus also includes a phase change material around at least part of the housing. The phase change material is configured to conduct external heat into the housing in order to melt the electrolyte in each battery cell and activate the battery cell. The phase change material is also configured to change phase in order to reduce conduction of the external heat into the housing.

An apparatus includes a thermal battery, which includes a housing and one or more battery cells within the housing. Each battery cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte in each battery cell is configured to be in a solid state when the battery cell is inactive. The apparatus also includes a phase change material around at least part of the housing. The phase change material is configured to conduct external heat into the housing in order to melt the electrolyte in each battery cell and activate the battery cell. The phase change material is also configured to change phase in order to reduce conduction of the external heat into the housing.

Disclosure is a multi-voltage battery pack which includes: a housing, battery strings disposed inside the housing and including a plurality of battery cells, a battery interface disposed on the housing for use with the power tool, and a converting assembly disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the battery strings. The converting assembly has a first state, a second state, and a third state. The multi-voltage battery pack can separately output a first operating voltage, a second operating voltage, and a third operating voltage. The third operating voltage is greater than the second operating voltage, and the second operating voltage is greater than the first operating voltage.

Battery assembly techniques and a corresponding system are disclosed. In various embodiments, the battery assembly techniques include compressing battery cells and inserting the battery cells in a can. Battery cells are stacked and then compressed using pneumatic cylinders that exert pressure on a first external layer of the stacked battery cells. A first portion of the stacked battery cells is released from the pneumatic cylinders while a second portion of the battery cells remains compressed. The first portion of the stacked battery cells is inserted in a can. In various embodiments, friction decreasing materials are added to the stacked battery cells to compress the stacked battery cells or ease insertion.

Battery assembly techniques and a corresponding system are disclosed. In various embodiments, the battery assembly techniques include compressing battery cells and inserting the battery cells in a can. Battery cells are stacked and then compressed using pneumatic cylinders that exert pressure on a first external layer of the stacked battery cells. A first portion of the stacked battery cells is released from the pneumatic cylinders while a second portion of the battery cells remains compressed. The first portion of the stacked battery cells is inserted in a can. In various embodiments, friction decreasing materials are added to the stacked battery cells to compress the stacked battery cells or ease insertion.

A pouched energy storage device can include a cell housing portion and a sealed portion. The device can also include a stack of electrodes housed within an inner region of the cell housing portion. Each electrode can have dimensions of width, length, and thickness. One or more electrodes can have at least one of the dimensions smaller than a corresponding dimension of other electrodes in the stack of electrodes. The device can also include an indentation on the cell housing portion adjacent the sealed portion. The indentation can form a stepped region in the inner region that is complimentary to the one or more electrodes having at least one of the dimensions smaller than a corresponding dimension of other electrodes in the stack of electrodes. The sealed portion can be folded onto the cell housing portion so that at least a part of the sealed portion resides in the indentation.