Provided is a method for producing an electrode paste capable of readily and reliably removing bubbles from the produced electrode paste. A method includes a step for performing vacuum-defoaming of bubbles present in an electrode paste (8) by vacuuming the inside of a defoaming tank (6) while introducing the electrode paste (8) to the defoaming tank (6). In the step for performing vacuum-defoaming of bubbles present in an electrode paste (8), a rising velocity (fluid surface rising velocity VL) of the fluid surface of the electrode paste (8) in the defoaming tank (6) is made smaller than a rising velocity (reference bubble rising velocity VGa) of the bubbles in the electrode paste (8) by adjusting a flow rate (supply flow rate Q) of the electrode paste (8) introduced to the defoaming tank (6).

Provided is a method for producing an electrode paste capable of readily and reliably removing bubbles from the produced electrode paste. A method includes a step for performing vacuum-defoaming of bubbles present in an electrode paste (8) by vacuuming the inside of a defoaming tank (6) while introducing the electrode paste (8) to the defoaming tank (6). In the step for performing vacuum-defoaming of bubbles present in an electrode paste (8), a rising velocity (fluid surface rising velocity VL) of the fluid surface of the electrode paste (8) in the defoaming tank (6) is made smaller than a rising velocity (reference bubble rising velocity VGa) of the bubbles in the electrode paste (8) by adjusting a flow rate (supply flow rate Q) of the electrode paste (8) introduced to the defoaming tank (6).

Battery components are generally provided. In some embodiments, the battery components can be used as pasting paper and/or capacitance layers for batteries, such as lead acid batteries. The battery components described herein may comprise a plurality of fibers. The battery component may include, in some embodiments, a plurality of fibers and, optionally, one or more additives such as conductive carbon and/or activated carbon. In certain embodiments, the plurality of fibers include relatively coarse glass fibers (e.g., having an average diameter of greater than or equal to 2 microns), relatively fine glass fibers (e.g., having an average diameter of less than 2 microns), and/or fibrillated fibers. In some instances, such fibers may be present in amounts such that the battery component has a particular surface area, mean pore size, and/or dry tensile strength.

Battery components are generally provided. In some embodiments, the battery components can be used as pasting paper and/or capacitance layers for batteries, such as lead acid batteries. The battery components described herein may comprise a plurality of fibers. The battery component may include, in some embodiments, a plurality of fibers and, optionally, one or more additives such as conductive carbon and/or activated carbon. In certain embodiments, the plurality of fibers include relatively coarse glass fibers (e.g., having an average diameter of greater than or equal to 2 microns), relatively fine glass fibers (e.g., having an average diameter of less than 2 microns), and/or fibrillated fibers. In some instances, such fibers may be present in amounts such that the battery component has a particular surface area, mean pore size, and/or dry tensile strength.

Lead-acid batteries with low water consumption and hydrogen gassing, comprise electrodes of a carbon fibre material having a surface area of less than 50 m.sup.2/g. The carbon fibre material may also comprise non-carbon functional groups less than 22% by mass in the bulk fibre, and at least 78% carbon by mass in the bulk fibre. The carbon fibre material may be heated to a temperature of at least 1000 C. and cooled in an inert atmosphere to prevent non-carbon functional groups reforming on the carbonised carbon fibre material. The batteries are suitable for use in hybrid vehicles.

A system, apparatus and method for cutting battery grids or plates from a continuous strip of a plurality of connected battery grids. The continuous strip moves toward a rotating cutter with at least two cutter blades with cutting edges equally circumferentially spaced apart and extending parallel to the cutter axis of rotation and a rotating cooperating anvil. The cutting edges and the anvil are rotated at the same tangential speed to cut in a nip between them a plate or grid from the continuous strip of connected grids. At a point upstream of the cutter, an electric signal indicative of each lug of the grid of the continuous strip moving past this point is used to control the speed of movement of the strip through the nip to cut a plate or grid from the continuous strip at a longitudinal speed which is essentially the same as the tangential speed of the cutting edges.

A system, apparatus and method for cutting battery grids or plates from a continuous strip of a plurality of connected battery grids. The continuous strip moves toward a rotating cutter with at least two cutter blades with cutting edges equally circumferentially spaced apart and extending parallel to the cutter axis of rotation and a rotating cooperating anvil. The cutting edges and the anvil are rotated at the same tangential speed to cut in a nip between them a plate or grid from the continuous strip of connected grids. At a point upstream of the cutter, an electric signal indicative of each lug of the grid of the continuous strip moving past this point is used to control the speed of movement of the strip through the nip to cut a plate or grid from the continuous strip at a longitudinal speed which is essentially the same as the tangential speed of the cutting edges.

[Problem] To provide a nonwoven fabric (pasting mat) that does not undergo bonding between the nonwoven fabrics (pasting mats) even under severe conditions (a pressure in winding and a high temperature and a high humidity in transportation, storage, and production).

[Means for Resolution] A pasting mat for lead acid batteries, containing a microglass fiber and a heat-fusible binder fiber, wherein the pasting mat has a thickness under a pressure of 20 kPa of 0.02 mm or more and less than 0.1 mm, and has a bonding strength between the pasting mats after being left for 48 hours under a pressure of 5 to 10 kPa in an environment of a temperature of 70 to 90? C. and a humidity of 75% of less than 0.05 N.

An Advanced Graphite, with a lower degree of ordered carbon domains and a surface area greater than ten times that of typical battery grade graphites, is used in negative active material (NAM) of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) type Spiral wound 6V/25 Ah lead-acid batteries. A significant and unexpected cycle life was achieved for the Advanced Graphite mix, where the battery was able to cycle beyond 145,000 cycles above the failure voltage of 9V, in a non-stop, power-assist, cycle-life test. Batteries with Advanced Graphite also showed increased charge acceptance power and discharge power compared to control groups.

An Advanced Graphite, with a lower degree of ordered carbon domains and a surface area greater than ten times that of typical battery grade graphites, is used in negative active material (NAM) of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) type Spiral wound 6V/25 Ah lead-acid batteries. A significant and unexpected cycle life was achieved for the Advanced Graphite mix, where the battery was able to cycle beyond 145,000 cycles above the failure voltage of 9V, in a non-stop, power-assist, cycle-life test. Batteries with Advanced Graphite also showed increased charge acceptance power and discharge power compared to control groups.