A miniature electrochemical cell having a volume of less than 0.5 cc is described. The cell has a casing of first and second ceramic substrates that are hermetically secured to each other to provide an internal space housing an electrode assembly. First and second conductive pathways extend through the ceramic substrates. The pathways have respective inner surfaces that are conductively connected to the respective anode and cathode current collectors and respective outer surfaces that provide for connection to a load. An electrolyte in the internal space of the housing activates the electrode assembly.

A technology for improving molding properties while minimizing curling after molding in a battery packaging material comprising a laminate that is provided with a barrier layer, a heat-sealable resin layer positioned on one surface side of the barrier layer, and a polyester film positioned on the other surface side of the barrier layer. This battery packaging material is configured from at least a laminate provided with a barrier layer, a heat-sealable resin layer positioned on one surface side of the barrier layer, and a polyester film positioned on the other surface side of the barrier layer. The birefringence of the polyester film is in the range of 0.016-0.056.

A technology for improving molding properties while minimizing curling after molding in a battery packaging material comprising a laminate that is provided with a barrier layer, a heat-sealable resin layer positioned on one surface side of the barrier layer, and a polyester film positioned on the other surface side of the barrier layer. This battery packaging material is configured from at least a laminate provided with a barrier layer, a heat-sealable resin layer positioned on one surface side of the barrier layer, and a polyester film positioned on the other surface side of the barrier layer. The birefringence of the polyester film is in the range of 0.016-0.056.

An exterior material for a power storage device, the exterior material being constituted by a laminate including at least a substrate layer, a barrier layer, an adhesive layer, and a thermally adhesive resin layer, in this order, wherein a corrosion-resistant film is provided at least on the surface on the adhesive layer-side of the barrier layer, and when a cross-sectional observation image is acquired using a scanning electron microscope, for the cross section in the thickness direction of the corrosion-resistant film, the corrosion-resistant film is observed in a belt shape in the cross-sectional observation image.

An exterior material for a power storage device, the exterior material being constituted by a laminate including at least a substrate layer, a barrier layer, an adhesive layer, and a thermally adhesive resin layer, in this order, wherein a corrosion-resistant film is provided at least on the surface on the adhesive layer-side of the barrier layer, and when a cross-sectional observation image is acquired using a scanning electron microscope, for the cross section in the thickness direction of the corrosion-resistant film, the corrosion-resistant film is observed in a belt shape in the cross-sectional observation image.

Provided are a secondary battery and a battery pack including the secondary battery. A sealing plate has a positive electrode terminal attachment hole. A positive electrode terminal penetrates the positive electrode terminal attachment hole. An external conductive member is connected to a portion of the positive electrode terminal located on the battery outer side with respect to the sealing plate. The conduction path between a positive electrode plate and the positive electrode terminal is provided with a current interrupting mechanism. A first insulating member made of resin is disposed between the sealing plate and the positive electrode terminal. A second insulating member having higher thermal resistance than the first insulating member is disposed between the external conductive member and the sealing plate.

The present invention provides a nickel-plated heat-treated steel sheet for a battery can (1), having a nickel layer with a nickel amount of 4.4 to 26.7 g/m.sup.2 on a steel sheet (11), wherein when the Fe intensity and the Ni intensity are continuously measured along the depth direction from the surface of the nickel-plated heat-treated steel sheet for a battery can, by using a high frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometric analyzer, the difference (D2-D1) between the depth (D1) at which the Fe intensity exhibits a first predetermined value and the depth (D2) at which the Ni intensity exhibits a second predetermined value is less than 0.04 μm.

The present invention provides a nickel-plated heat-treated steel sheet for a battery can (1), having a nickel layer with a nickel amount of 4.4 to 26.7 g/m.sup.2 on a steel sheet (11), wherein when the Fe intensity and the Ni intensity are continuously measured along the depth direction from the surface of the nickel-plated heat-treated steel sheet for a battery can, by using a high frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometric analyzer, the difference (D2-D1) between the depth (D1) at which the Fe intensity exhibits a first predetermined value and the depth (D2) at which the Ni intensity exhibits a second predetermined value is less than 0.04 μm.

A case having elasticity corresponding to expansion and contraction of a stacked body housed therein and a method for manufacturing the same, a method for inserting the stacked body into the case, and a cell stack using the case are provided. A case configured to house a stacked body includes two opposed contact parts in contact with the stacked body, and two spring structures connecting the two contact parts with each other.

A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator; a case including a first side having an opening to accommodate the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing the first side of the case; a first current collector plate arranged between the electrode assembly and the cap plate and electrically connecting the first electrode plate and the cap plate; a terminal arranged on a second side of the case; a second current collector plate electrically connecting the second electrode plate and the terminal; a first welding portion on an outer surface of the cap plate and welding the cap plate and the first current collector plate; and a second welding portion on the outer surface of the cap plate and welding the case and the cap plate.