A recharger includes a manifold having an input to couple to a hydrogen generating module and an output port to couple to at least one rechargeable fuel cell. A vacuum pump is coupled to the manifold to evacuate the manifold. A valve is coupled to the manifold between the vacuum pump and the input of the manifold. A controller is coupled to control the vacuum pump and the valve, as well as an optional fan.

A method for managing the lifetime of a battery is disclosed herein. An ambient temperature is measured near a battery. The ambient temperature rises above a first threshold and, in response to detecting that the ambient temperature has risen above the first threshold, the battery is discharged. A battery system and a device operable with a battery are also disclosed.

An electrochemical system can include transition metal nanoparticles as a promoter for an electrode. The transition metal nanoparticles can include molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), and/or the oxides thereof, which can lower recharge potentials and enhance the efficiency. These promoters promote especially the generation of oxygen and this for several cycles of usage of the electrochemical system which is, as a result, rechargeable.

This invention is directed to electrolysis-based devices and methods for recycling of electrolyte solutions. Specifically, the invention is related to regeneration of spent electrolyte solutions comprising metal ions such as electrolyte solutions used in metal/air batteries.

This invention is directed to electrolysis-based devices and methods for recycling of electrolyte solutions. Specifically, the invention is related to regeneration of spent electrolyte solutions comprising metal ions such as electrolyte solutions used in metal/air batteries.

This invention is directed to electrolysis-based devices and methods for recycling of electrolyte solutions. Specifically, the invention is related to regeneration of spent electrolyte solutions comprising metal ions such as electrolyte solutions used in metal/air batteries.

A metal-air battery may include a housing, at least one hollow-cylindrical cathode arranged in the housing between an air chamber and an electrolyte chamber, and at least one metallic anode arranged in the electrolyte chamber. The battery may also include an air path leading through the housing from an air inlet to an air outlet of the housing, both of which may be fluidically connected to the air chamber, and an air supply device for generating an air flow following the air path and impinging on the cathode. The battery may further include an electrolyte path leading through the housing from an electrolyte inlet to an electrolyte outlet of the housing, both of which may be fluidically connected to the electrolyte chamber, and an electrolyte supply device for generating an electrolyte flow following the electrolyte path and impinging on the anode and the cathode.

This invention is directed to a metal-air electrochemical power sources, specifically zinc-air batteries and fuel cells, and methods for removing solid or semi-solid spent fuel using a thickener-liquefier pair.

An air cathode battery is provided that uses a zinc slurry anode with carbon additives. The battery is made from an air cathode and a zinc slurry anode. The zinc slurry anode includes zinc particles, an alkaline electrolyte, with a complexing agent and carbon additives in the alkaline electrolyte. A water permeable ion-exchange membrane and electrolyte chamber separate the zinc slurry from the air cathode. The carbon additives may, for example, be graphite, carbon fiber, carbon black, or carbon nanoparticles. The proportion of carbon additives to zinc is in the range of 2.5 to 10% by weight. The proportion of alkaline electrolyte in the zinc slurry is in the range of 50 to 80% by volume.

Aspects of the invention are related to a system for replacing electrolyte in a battery. The system comprising: a first tank for holding off-board electrolyte and a second tank for receiving on-board electrolyte. The system further includes fluid conduits to connect the first tank and the second tank to the battery and a controller to control transfer of the on-board electrolyte from the battery to the second tank and to control transfer of off-board electrolyte from the first tank to the battery.