A bipolar lead acid battery with increased energy density is provided. The battery includes a number of lead acid wafer cell that each comprise a negative electrode having a negative electrode plate and a negative active material positioned on the negative electrode plate, as well as a positive electrode having a positive electrode plate and a positive active material positioned on the positive electrode plate. The positive electrode plate comprises a metal foil with a conductive film thereon, such as a titanium foil or substrate with a titanium silicide coating thereon. The lead acid wafer cell also includes a separator between the negative and positive electrodes, wherein the separator includes an electrolyte for transferring charge between the negative and positive electrodes.

The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.

In accordance with at least certain embodiments of the present invention, a novel concept of utilizing PIMS minerals as a filler component within a microporous lead-acid battery separator is provided. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, the PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.

In accordance with at least certain embodiments of the present invention, a novel concept of utilizing PIMS minerals as a filler component within a microporous lead-acid battery separator is provided. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, the PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.

A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA. The separators include or exhibit performance enhancing additives or coatings, increased porosity, increased void volume, amorphous silica, higher oil absorption silica, higher silanol group silica, reduced electrical resistance, a shish-kebab structure or morphology, a polyolefin microporous membrane containing particle-like filler in an amount of 40% or more by weight of the membrane and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having shish-kebab formations and the average repetition periodicity of the kebab formation from 1 nm to 150 nm, decreased sheet thickness, decreased tortuosity, separators especially well-suited for enhanced flooded batteries.

Methods of reducing acid stratification with an acid-soluble and acid-stable polymer with a high molecular weight are disclosed herein. Electrolytes and separators for an energy storage device are disclosed herein. The separator includes a coating containing an acid-soluble and acid-stable polymer with a high molecular weight. The electrolyte includes sulfuric acid and an acid-soluble and acid-stable polymer with a high molecular weight. Methods of making the separators disclosed herein and methods of making batteries are also disclosed herein.

A lead acid battery is provided. The battery includes a container and a plurality of electrochemical cells within the container. The electrochemical cells have a plurality of flat positive plates each composed of a grid formed of virgin lead or high purity lead or highly purified secondary lead and a positive battery paste disposed on the grid, the battery paste comprising a lead-containing composition, a positive plate paste vehicle, and a polyvinylsulfonate additive. The electrochemical cells also have a plurality of flat negative plates each composed of a grid and a negative battery paste disposed on the grid, the battery paste comprising a lead-containing composition and a negative plate paste vehicle. An absorbent glass mat is interleaved between the flat positive plate and the flat negative plate. An electrolyte is provided in the container and retained in the absorbent glass mat. The electrolyte includes phosphoric acid. The plurality of flat positive plates and the plurality of flat negative plates are connected by intercell connectors and coupled to one or more terminals. A lid is provided on the container.

A lead acid battery is provided. The battery includes a container and a plurality of electrochemical cells within the container. The electrochemical cells have a plurality of flat positive plates each composed of a grid formed of virgin lead or high purity lead or highly purified secondary lead and a positive battery paste disposed on the grid, the battery paste comprising a lead-containing composition, a positive plate paste vehicle, and a polyvinylsulfonate additive. The electrochemical cells also have a plurality of flat negative plates each composed of a grid and a negative battery paste disposed on the grid, the battery paste comprising a lead-containing composition and a negative plate paste vehicle. An absorbent glass mat is interleaved between the flat positive plate and the flat negative plate. An electrolyte is provided in the container and retained in the absorbent glass mat. The electrolyte includes phosphoric acid. The plurality of flat positive plates and the plurality of flat negative plates are connected by intercell connectors and coupled to one or more terminals. A lid is provided on the container.

A lead-acid battery has a plurality of individual cells and a plurality of measurement circuits which are mounted on the respective individual cells in a manner integrated in the lead-acid battery. Each measurement circuit is designed to measure a respective individual cell voltage. A method is provided for measuring individual cell voltages of the lead-acid battery having the plurality of measurement circuits integrated in the battery and arranged on the individual cells. In the method, the respective individual cell voltages are measured using the measurement circuits.

A lead-acid battery has a plurality of individual cells and a plurality of measurement circuits which are mounted on the respective individual cells in a manner integrated in the lead-acid battery. Each measurement circuit is designed to measure a respective individual cell voltage. A method is provided for measuring individual cell voltages of the lead-acid battery having the plurality of measurement circuits integrated in the battery and arranged on the individual cells. In the method, the respective individual cell voltages are measured using the measurement circuits.