Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities comprising active cathode chemistry. The active elements of the cathode and anode are sealed with a laminate stack of biocompatible material. In some embodiments, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.

A method of charging a metal-air fuel cell. The method includes a step of orienting an anode chamber horizontally. The method further method includes a step of providing metal particles suspended in an electrolyte to flow through the anode chamber in a downstream direction oriented horizontally. The method further method includes a step of allowing a bed of the metal particles to form on the anode current collector. The plurality of particle collectors perturb the flow of electrolyte through the anode chamber and encourage settling of the particles one of on and between the particle collectors. The method further method includes a step of maintaining uniform formation of the bed.

A method of charging a metal-air fuel cell. The method includes a step of orienting an anode chamber horizontally. The method further method includes a step of providing metal particles suspended in an electrolyte to flow through the anode chamber in a downstream direction oriented horizontally. The method further method includes a step of allowing a bed of the metal particles to form on the anode current collector. The plurality of particle collectors perturb the flow of electrolyte through the anode chamber and encourage settling of the particles one of on and between the particle collectors. The method further method includes a step of maintaining uniform formation of the bed.

Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities comprising active cathode chemistry. The active elements of the cathode and anode are sealed with a laminate stack of biocompatible material. In some embodiments, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.

Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities comprising active cathode chemistry. The active elements of the cathode and anode are sealed with a laminate stack of biocompatible material. In some embodiments, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.

A wire mesh including a warp which includes a first nickel alloy wire having a first peak tensile strength; and a weft which includes a wire including nickel having a second peak tensile strength, wherein the first peak tensile strength is greater than or equal to the second peak tensile strength, is provided. A current collector and a zinc-air battery that includes the wire mesh are also provided.

A wire mesh including a warp which includes a first nickel alloy wire having a first peak tensile strength; and a weft which includes a wire including nickel having a second peak tensile strength, wherein the first peak tensile strength is greater than or equal to the second peak tensile strength, is provided. A current collector and a zinc-air battery that includes the wire mesh are also provided.

A rechargeable alkaline battery including an anode; a cathode; and an electrolyte is described. At least one of the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte includes a solid, ionically conducting polymer material. Methods for the manufacture of same are also described.

A zinc foil is provided that can be used as a negative electrode active material, and in a battery including the zinc foil as a negative electrode active material, the amount of gas generated during long term storage of the battery is reduced as compared with that in a battery including a conventional zinc foil. The zinc foil contains zinc as a main material and bismuth. The bismuth content is 100 ppm or more and 10000 ppm or less on a mass basis. The zinc crystal grain size is 0.2 μm or more and 8 μm or less. The bismuth crystal grain size is less than 1000 nm, as measured in a backscattered electron image obtained using a scanning electron microscope. The zinc foil is free of aluminum and/or lead, or even if the zinc foil contains aluminum and/or lead, the aluminum content is 1% or less on a mass basis and/or the lead content is 200 ppm or less on a mass basis.

A zinc foil is provided that can be used as a negative electrode active material, and in a battery including the zinc foil as a negative electrode active material, the amount of gas generated during long term storage of the battery is reduced as compared with that in a battery including a conventional zinc foil. The zinc foil contains zinc as a main material and bismuth. The bismuth content is 100 ppm or more and 10000 ppm or less on a mass basis. The zinc crystal grain size is 0.2 μm or more and 8 μm or less. The bismuth crystal grain size is less than 1000 nm, as measured in a backscattered electron image obtained using a scanning electron microscope. The zinc foil is free of aluminum and/or lead, or even if the zinc foil contains aluminum and/or lead, the aluminum content is 1% or less on a mass basis and/or the lead content is 200 ppm or less on a mass basis.