Various embodiments are directed to an electrochemical cell having a non-homogeneous anode. The electrochemical cell includes a container, a cathode forming a hollow cylinder within the container, an anode positioned within the hollow cylinder of the cathode, and a separator between the cathode and the anode. The anode comprises at least two concentric anode portions, defined by different anode characteristics. For example, the two anode portions may contain different surfactant types, which provides the two anode portions with different charge transfer resistance characteristics. By lowering the charge transfer resistance of a portion of an anode located proximate the current collector of the cell (and away from the separator) relative to an anode portion located adjacent the separator, improved cell discharge performance may be obtained.

An alkaline battery includes a negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material particle. The negative electrode active material particle includes a center part, a covering layer, and island-form layers. The center part includes zinc as a constituent element. The covering layer covers a surface of the center part and includes gallium as a constituent element. The island-form layers are present on a surface of the covering layer and include indium as a constituent element.

Aspects disclosed in the detailed description include an ingestible power harvesting device and related applications. An ingestible power harvesting device includes a cathode electrode and an anode electrode that can catalyze a power generating reaction to generate a direct current (DC) power when surrounded by an acidic electrolyte. The cathode electrode and the anode electrode are coupled to an encapsulated electronic device that includes power harvesting circuitry configured to harvest the DC power and output a DC supply voltage for a prolonged period. In examples discussed herein, the prolonged period is at least five days. The DC supply voltage powers an electronic circuit in the encapsulated electronic device to support a defined in vivo operation (e.g., controlled drug delivery, in vivo vital signs monitoring, etc.). As such, the ingestible power harvesting device can operate in vivo for the prolonged period without requiring an embedded conventional battery.

Aspects disclosed in the detailed description include an ingestible power harvesting device and related applications. An ingestible power harvesting device includes a cathode electrode and an anode electrode that can catalyze a power generating reaction to generate a direct current (DC) power when surrounded by an acidic electrolyte. The cathode electrode and the anode electrode are coupled to an encapsulated electronic device that includes power harvesting circuitry configured to harvest the DC power and output a DC supply voltage for a prolonged period. In examples discussed herein, the prolonged period is at least five days. The DC supply voltage powers an electronic circuit in the encapsulated electronic device to support a defined in vivo operation (e.g., controlled drug delivery, in vivo vital signs monitoring, etc.). As such, the ingestible power harvesting device can operate in vivo for the prolonged period without requiring an embedded conventional battery.

Cathodes containing active materials and carbon nanotubes are described. The use of carbon nanotubes in cathode materials can provide a battery having increased longevity and volumetric capacity over batteries that contain a cathode that uses conventional conductive additives such as carbon black or graphite.

Cathodes containing active materials and carbon nanotubes are described. The use of carbon nanotubes in cathode materials can provide a battery having increased longevity and volumetric capacity over batteries that contain a cathode that uses conventional conductive additives such as carbon black or graphite.

The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is Li.sub.xA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a−zM.sub.zO.sub.2.nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material. The electrochemically active anode material includes zinc, zinc alloy, and any combination thereof.

The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is Li.sub.xA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a−zM.sub.zO.sub.2.nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material. The electrochemically active anode material includes zinc, zinc alloy, and any combination thereof.

A current collector in the form of a conductive substrate subjected to a special chemical etch to provide the current collector having a multi-thickness structure, is described. The multiple-thickness current collector structure provides an electrochemical cell with increased charge capacity per volume while enabling a robust weld connection thereto. The current collector has a frame and comprises within an inner perimeter of the frame, first strand structures that intersect second strand structures to provide a plurality of openings or interstices bordered by the strands. At least one tab portion having a thicker distal portion spaced from a thinner proximal tab portion that extends from an outer perimeter of the frame.

A method of charging a metal-air fuel cell. The method includes a step of orienting an anode chamber horizontally. The method further method includes a step of providing metal particles suspended in an electrolyte to flow through the anode chamber in a downstream direction oriented horizontally. The method further method includes a step of allowing a bed of the metal particles to form on the anode current collector. The plurality of particle collectors perturb the flow of electrolyte through the anode chamber and encourage settling of the particles one of on and between the particle collectors. The method further method includes a step of maintaining uniform formation of the bed.