A lead alloy is described that is capable of manufacturing a positive electrode for a lead storage battery less likely to cause corrosion penetrating through a lead layer for the positive electrode in the thickness direction. The lead alloy contains 0.4% by mass or more and 2% by mass less of tin and 0.004% by mass or less of bismuth, with the balance being lead and inevitable impurities. When image analysis of a crystal orientation distribution map created by analyzing the surface of the lead alloy by an electron backscatter diffraction method is performed, intersection points of misorientation boundaries between crystal grains with a crystal misorientation of 5° or more and a straight line extending in one specific direction are extracted. The distances between two adjacent intersection points among the extracted intersection points are measured, and the average value of the distances is 50 μm or less.

A method of sealing together two elements of a bipolar battery, the method comprising: interposing an inductive heating element between the two elements; applying a current to the inductive heating element to generate localized heat to melt material in the vicinity of the heating element to seal the two elements together.

A method of sealing together two elements of a bipolar battery, the method comprising: interposing an inductive heating element between the two elements; applying a current to the inductive heating element to generate localized heat to melt material in the vicinity of the heating element to seal the two elements together.

An electrode/separator assembly for use in an electrochemical cell includes a current collector; a porous composite electrode layer adhered to the current collector, said electrode layer comprising at least electroactive particles and a binder; and a porous composite separator layer comprising inorganic particles substantially uniformly distributed in a polymer matrix to form nanopores and having a pore volume fraction of at least 25%, wherein the separator layer is secured to the electrode layer by a solvent weld at the interface between the two layers, said weld comprising a mixture of the binder and the polymer. Methods of making and using the assembly are also described.

An electrode/separator assembly for use in an electrochemical cell includes a current collector; a porous composite electrode layer adhered to the current collector, said electrode layer comprising at least electroactive particles and a binder; and a porous composite separator layer comprising inorganic particles substantially uniformly distributed in a polymer matrix to form nanopores and having a pore volume fraction of at least 25%, wherein the separator layer is secured to the electrode layer by a solvent weld at the interface between the two layers, said weld comprising a mixture of the binder and the polymer. Methods of making and using the assembly are also described.

A bipolar battery (1) comprising a stack of multiple bipolar plates (9) sandwiched between two monopolar plates (6, 8) is disclosed. The bipolar plates (9) each comprise a conductive polymer core (22) and an integrally formed non-conductive polymer surround (4), a layer of cathode material (16) on a first side of the bipolar plate (9), and a layer of anode material (28) on a second, opposite side of the bipolar plate (9). The integrally formed non-conductive polymer surround (4) extends from the conductive polymer core (22) further on one side than the other, such that on one side a first recess (19) is defined for accommodating electrolyte material of the battery (1). The layers of anode material (28) and cathode material (16) are contained within a casing formed at least in part by the integrally formed non-conductive polymer surrounds (4) of all of the bipolar plates (9).

A bipolar battery (1) comprising a stack of multiple bipolar plates (9) sandwiched between two monopolar plates (6, 8) is disclosed. The bipolar plates (9) each comprise a conductive polymer core (22) and an integrally formed non-conductive polymer surround (4), a layer of cathode material (16) on a first side of the bipolar plate (9), and a layer of anode material (28) on a second, opposite side of the bipolar plate (9). The integrally formed non-conductive polymer surround (4) extends from the conductive polymer core (22) further on one side than the other, such that on one side a first recess (19) is defined for accommodating electrolyte material of the battery (1). The layers of anode material (28) and cathode material (16) are contained within a casing formed at least in part by the integrally formed non-conductive polymer surrounds (4) of all of the bipolar plates (9).

Apparatus and techniques herein related battery plates. For example, a first battery plate can include a conductive silicon wafer. A first mechanical support can be located on a first side of the conductive silicon wafer. A first active material can be adhered to the first mechanical support and the first side of the conductive silicon wafer, the first active material having a first polarity. In an example, the battery plate can be a bipolar plate, such as having a second mechanical support located on a second side of the conductive silicon wafer opposite the first side, and a second active material adhered to the second mechanical support and the second side of the conductive silicon wafer, the second material having an opposite second polarity.

Apparatus and techniques herein related battery plates. For example, a first battery plate can include a conductive silicon wafer. A first mechanical support can be located on a first side of the conductive silicon wafer. A first active material can be adhered to the first mechanical support and the first side of the conductive silicon wafer, the first active material having a first polarity. In an example, the battery plate can be a bipolar plate, such as having a second mechanical support located on a second side of the conductive silicon wafer opposite the first side, and a second active material adhered to the second mechanical support and the second side of the conductive silicon wafer, the second material having an opposite second polarity.

A battery assembly, such as a bipolar battery assembly, generally includes a first casing portion comprising an optically-absorbing region, and a second casing portion comprising an optically-transmissive region. The first and second features form a welded joint. Fabrication of such an assembly can include physically mating the first casing portion with the second casing portion, and irradiating, such as using a laser, the optically-absorbing region defining the first feature through the optically-transmissive region to form the welded joint.