A heat generating method includes: heating, with a heater, a heat generating element and causing a first heat generating reaction in which the heat generating element generates heat with a first heat generation amount and triggering a second heat generating reaction in which the heat generating element generates heat with a second heat generation amount larger than the first heat generation amount, by imparting a perturbation to an input power to be applied to the heater in a state where the first heat generating reaction is occurring. The heat generating element includes a base made of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor, and a multilayer film provided on a surface of the base, with a stacked configuration of a first layer and a second layer made of different materials and both having a thickness of less than 1,000 nm.

Disclosed is a negative electrode for an alkaline secondary battery, which can suppress elution of iron to improve the long-period storage property of the battery capacity even under conditions in which elution of iron in a substrate into an electrolyte solution tends to occur, and which can also suppress lowering of initial capacity and increase in internal resistance. Even under conditions in which the elution of iron in the substrate into an electrolyte solution tends to occur, including a case where there is a thin conductive protecting layer at the surface or where the conductive protecting layer has defects, by adding magnesium or a magnesium compound to the negative electrode for an alkaline secondary battery (excluding the case where magnesium is contained as a constituent element of a hydrogen storage alloy), the elution of iron can be suppressed, and thereby, the long-period storage property of the battery capacity can be improved and the lowering of the initial capacity and the increase in internal resistance can be suppressed.

A method for adjusting a battery module including a plurality of connected cells is provided. Each of the connected cells is a nickel-metal hydride battery including a positive electrode containing an active material of which a main component is nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen adsorption alloy, and an electrolytic solution that is an alkali solution. The method includes over-discharging the battery module so that a state of charge reaches 0% in every one of the connected cells.

BCC metal hydride alloys historically have limited electrochemical capabilities. Provided are a new examples of these alloys useful as electrode active materials. BCC metal hydride alloys provided include a disordered structure that is formed of a BCC primary phase and three or more electrochemically active secondary phases that are induced to create structural disorder in the system. The structurally disordered hydrogen storage alloys possess unexpectedly superior electrochemical characteristics relative to compositionally similar materials.

An electrode for a biplate assembly includes an active material made from a compressed powder 11, and a non-metal carrier 10. A biplate assembly 20 includes electrodes 27, 28 each having a non-metal carrier 10. A method is disclosed for manufacturing an electrode 13 having a non-metal carrier 10. An apparatus 30 is disclosed for manufacturing such an electrode 13. A bipolar battery includes at least one such an electrode 13. The non-metal carrier 10 is preferably a non-conductive carrier.

The present invention pertains to a fuel cell with a storage unit (4) for storing hydrogen (H.sub.x), with a proton conductive layer, which covers a surface of the storage unit (4), and with a cathode (7) on a side of the proton conductive layer, which side is located opposite, wherein the storage unit (4) is directly coupled with an anode and/or the storage unit (4) is incorporated in a substrate (1) of a semiconductor. The storage unit (4) is preferably connected to the substrate (1) at least via a stress compensation layer (3).

According to the invention there is provided a fluidic port (8-9) for a refillable structural composite electrical energy storage device (1), and a method of producing same. The device may be a battery or supercapacitor with first and second electrodes (2,3) which are separated by a separator structure (6), wherein the device contains an electrolyte (4) which may further contain active electrochemical reagents. The fluidic port allows the addition, removal of electrolyte fluids, and venting of any outgassing by products.

A rechargeable electrochemical system is disclosed that operates using ultra-pure water and a preconditioned electrode without added salts, acids, bases, or catalysts. The electrode is infused with reactive hydrogen species, such as atomic hydrogen, through methods including electrolysis, thermal exposure, or ambient-compatible water jet impact. Upon immersion in ultra-pure water and pairing with a second electrode, the infused electrode induces a spontaneous electrochemical potential. The water, initially non-conductive, becomes weakly alkaline and functions as an electrolyte. The system generates measurable voltage and current under ambient conditions. After discharge, the infused electrode can be restored by reapplying the hydrogen-infusion process or an external potential, enabling repeated charge-discharge cycles. Experimental validation shows consistent electrochemical behavior and power output sufficient for common electronic components. This system offers a scalable, environmentally compatible alternative to conventional batteries and hydrogen energy systems, enabling novel electrochemical operation under benign conditions and opening pathways in low-energy nuclear processes.

A production method for a negative electrode active material in the present disclosure includes: obtaining a thin piece by cooling molten metal of a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing Ti, Zr, Cr, Mn, and Ni, at a speed of 110.sup.2 C./second to 110.sup.4 C./second, at least to lower than 500 C.; and performing heat treatment of the thin piece at 500 C. to 900 C. for 1 hour to 10 hours in a vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere. The negative electrode active material obtained by the production method includes hydrogen absorbing alloy including a plurality of main phases and a grain boundary phase that exists between mutually adjacent main phases of the main phases, each of the main phases include an AB.sub.2 alloy phase, the grain boundary phase includes an AB alloy phase, and the average distance between the mutually adjacent main phases is 1.0 m or less.

There is provided a plate for a battery stack including: a plate-shaped terminal to which an electric wire is connected; and a plate-shaped housing having an accommodating recess where the terminal is accommodated. The accommodating recess includes a retaining hole, and the terminal includes a connection portion that is electrically connected to a counterpart member, and a retaining piece that is inserted into the retaining hole and locked to the retaining hole.