A hybrid solid fuel battery system includes a power module having a module housing that stores reactive fuel plates, insulating separators and cathode rings. The reactive fuel plates are stacked together and electrically coupled together within the module housing. Each reactive fuel plate is partially covered by a non-reactive layer to form an exposed bottom portion. Each reactive fuel plate in the power module is separated from an adjacent reactive fuel plate by one of the insulating separators. Each cathode ring is secured around one of the reactive fuel plates within the module housing. A container storing an electrolyte solution is connected to the power module by a pipe. A controller connected to the container permits the electrolyte solution to flow to the interior of the module housing. This facilitates an interaction between the electrolyte solution and exposed bottom portions of the stacked reactive fuel plates, thereby generating electrical power.

The present disclosure is directed to a zinc air cell with improved voltage and reduced polarization. The combination of an anode corrosion inhibitor with a surfactant system yields enhanced cell voltage and capacity for the cell that are above the individual contributions of the corrosion inhibitor and the surfactant system.

Substituted -MnO.sub.2 compounds are provided, where a portion of the Mn is replaced by at least one alternative element. Electrochemical cells incorporating substituted -MnO.sub.2 into the cathode, as well as methods of preparing the substituted -MnO.sub.2, are also provided.

Electrochemical cells are provided, wherein a metal ion is adsorbed to a manganese dioxide- or carbon-containing electrode due to the addition of a metal additive to the cell's electrolyte and/or cathode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided. In particular embodiments, the electrochemical cells are alkaline electrochemical cells, and the electrode contains manganese dioxide.

The disclosure relates to a self-charging device for energy harvesting and storage. The self-charging device for energy harvesting and storage includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, a solid electrolyte bridging the first electrode and the second electrode, and a water absorbing structure. The water absorbing structure is located on the second electrode, absorbs water from external environment and transmits the absorbed water to the solid electrolyte.

A portable water-activated power generating device, comprising a first supporting structure, a second supporting structure, a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, a water-absorbent sheet, and a soft container. The second electrode plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the water-absorbent sheet surrounds the second electrode plate and is in contact with the first surface and the second surface. The soft container is used for accommodating the second electrode plate and the water-absorbent sheet. The first electrode plate and the soft container are disposed between the first supporting structure and the second supporting structure.

A separator medium for electrochemical cells that contains at least one nonwoven sheet of polymeric fibers. The nonwoven sheet has a surface area of about 0.5 to about 1.5 m.sup.2/g and has a maximum pore size that is equal to or more than 2.5 times the mean flow pore size and more than 11 times the minimum pore size. The sheet may be sulfonated to a level of 0.67% and demonstrates superior tensile properties after sulfonation and relative to previously known separators.

Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, wherein dissolved zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included at least in the free electrolyte solution, and/or solid zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included in the anode, so as to slow formation of a zinc oxide passivation layer on a zinc electrode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided.

The present technology provides a battery that includes an air cathode, an anode, an aqueous electrolyte that includes an amphoteric surfactant, and a housing that includes one or more air access ports defining a total area of void space (vent area), where (1) the battery is a size 13 metal-air battery and the total vent area defined by all of the air access ports is from about 0.050 mm.sup.2 to about 0.115 mm.sup.2; or (2) the battery is a size 312 metal-air battery and the total vent area defined by all of the air access ports is from about 0.03 mm.sup.2 to about 0.08 mm.sup.2.

The present invention relates to a device for an electrochemical cell, comprising a first layer of substrate material having a plurality of first hydrophilic areas of the substrate and at least one hydrophobic area separating said first hydrophilic areas, the first layer of substrate material comprising at least two first electrodes made on at least two first hydrophilic areas; a second layer of substrate material having a plurality of second hydrophilic areas of the substrate and at least one hydrophobic area separating said second hydrophilic areas, the second layer of substrate material comprising at least two second electrodes made on at least two second hydrophilic areas; and one or more electrical conductors connected to at least two of said first electrodes. The first layer of substrate material and the second layer of substrate material are positioned on top of one another such that the at least two first electrodes are aligned with the at least two second electrodes in order to form at least two electrochemical cells for producing voltage when the at least two hydrophilic areas are contacted with an aqueous liquid.