There is disclosed a cartridge for a portable electronic device power system configured as a flat, prismatic, air-breathing zinc-air battery comprising (a) an anode assembly having a structural backbone, current collectors, and a gel solution comprising a mixture of amalgamated zinc powder, aqueous potassium hydroxide and a gelling agent, (b) a porous separator sheet, and (c) an air-breathing cathode having an electrode impregnated with reductive catalyst, and (d) a serialized electrical connectivity path having low ohmic resistance characteristics. More specifically, there is disclosed a prismatic format, flat rectangular disposable primary battery having two or more zinc-air batteries connected in series, wherein each zinc air battery comprises: (a) an anode assembly having a structural backbone, current collectors, and a gel solution comprising a mixture of amalgamated zinc powder, aqueous potassium hydroxide and a gelling agent, (b) a porous separator sheet, and (c) a catalytically active oxygen-reductive cathode.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid electrolyte for batteries, which has excellent ion conductivity, a method for producing the liquid electrolyte and a battery including the liquid electrolyte. Disclosed is a liquid electrolyte for batteries, comprising a mesoionic compound represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

A battery and an associated method are provided for generating power using an air cathode battery with a slurry anode. The method provides a battery with an air cathode separated from an anode current collector by an electrically insulating separator and an extrusion gap. The anode current collector extruder has a first plate with a plurality of slurry outlet perforations, and a sleeve having a first partition immediately adjacent to the extruder first plate, with a plurality of slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry is provided under pressure to an extruder inlet, and the extruder first plate slurry outlet perforations are selectively aligned with sleeve first partition slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry deposits are formed in the extrusion gap to mechanically charge the battery. In the discharge position, the sleeve moves so that the perforations no longer align, and slurry in the extruder is isolated from slurry in the extrusion gap.

A battery and an associated method are provided for generating power using an air cathode battery with a slurry anode. The method provides a battery with an air cathode separated from an anode current collector by an electrically insulating separator and an extrusion gap. The anode current collector extruder has a first plate with a plurality of slurry outlet perforations, and a sleeve having a first partition immediately adjacent to the extruder first plate, with a plurality of slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry is provided under pressure to an extruder inlet, and the extruder first plate slurry outlet perforations are selectively aligned with sleeve first partition slurry inlet perforations. Active slurry deposits are formed in the extrusion gap to mechanically charge the battery. In the discharge position, the sleeve moves so that the perforations no longer align, and slurry in the extruder is isolated from slurry in the extrusion gap.

Corrosion mitigation in a metal-air battery includes displacing an electrolyte within a gap of the metal-air battery with a liquid. The liquid may be substantially nonreactive with the electrolyte, and the anode of the metal-air battery is less reactive with the liquid than with the electrolyte. Upon displacement of the electrolyte from the gap, the liquid may remain in the gap of the metal-air battery to reduce the likelihood of corrosion of the anode and, therefore, reduce the power drain of the battery resulting from such corrosion. To return the metal-air battery to an activated state for generating power, the electrolyte may be moved back into the gap to displace the liquid. A fluid circuit may be in fluid communication with the gap and may displace one of the liquid and the electrolyte in the gap with the other one of the liquid and the electrolyte from the fluid circuit.

Corrosion mitigation in a metal-air battery includes displacing an electrolyte within a gap of the metal-air battery with a liquid. The liquid may be substantially nonreactive with the electrolyte, and the anode of the metal-air battery is less reactive with the liquid than with the electrolyte. Upon displacement of the electrolyte from the gap, the liquid may remain in the gap of the metal-air battery to reduce the likelihood of corrosion of the anode and, therefore, reduce the power drain of the battery resulting from such corrosion. To return the metal-air battery to an activated state for generating power, the electrolyte may be moved back into the gap to displace the liquid. A fluid circuit may be in fluid communication with the gap and may displace one of the liquid and the electrolyte in the gap with the other one of the liquid and the electrolyte from the fluid circuit.

A fuel cell stack, includes a plurality of fuel cells. Each fuel cell includes a shell, an anode and a cathode mounted in the shell. A liquid storage chamber used for storing electrolyte and a communicating part used for communicating the liquid storage chamber are provided in the shell of each fuel cell. The liquid storage chambers of every two adjacent fuel cells communicate by the communicating part. The liquid storage chambers of every two adjacent fuel cells communicate through the communicating part, so that the electrolyte of each fuel cell can cross flow each other to make the electrolyte of each unit highly consistent. Therefore, the performance parameters of each fuel cell in the same fuel cell stack are basically the same, rendering the working performance of fuel cell stack improved. The present invention also relates to a fuel cell and a shell.

Electrochemical metal-air cells having nested electrodes provided in an annular or cylindrical configuration, including systems that contain such cells in a sealed container. Each cell may include an oxidant electrode (air cathode) and a fuel electrode (anode), both configured in annular form. A series of permeable bodies, screens, or current collectors may be provided as part of the fuel electrode. An annular oxygen evolution electrode may also be provided in the cells. In some cases, the fuel electrode is nested within the oxidant electrode, or vice versa. Optionally, a second oxidant electrode may be included in the cells. Ionically conductive medium or electrolyte may be contained in the cell. Each cell may have its own cell housing. Optionally, an air space or pocket may be formed in a cell via an oxidant electrode. The sealed container may contain the cells such that they are surrounded by air or an electrolyte.

A hybrid system for producing electricity by a metal-air cell and for utilizing hydrogen released during the operation of the metal-air cell for producing energy in the form of electricity, mechanical power or heat energy. The hybrid electric energy system includes at least one metal-air cell and at least one hydrogen conversion unit.

A hybrid system for producing electricity by a metal-air cell and for utilizing hydrogen released during the operation of the metal-air cell for producing energy in the form of electricity, mechanical power or heat energy. The hybrid electric energy system includes at least one metal-air cell and at least one hydrogen conversion unit.