Systems, apparatus, and methods for managing power in a hybrid battery cartridge. The hybrid battery cartridge may output single-use battery power, rechargeable battery power, or both. Thus, a single battery cartridge may store multiple types of batteries and allow the batteries to be used separately or concurrently. In one example usage, the battery cartridge may be inserted into other devices to provide power. Additionally, the intelligent hybrid battery cartridge may be used as a stand-alone charger to charge other devices. The intelligent hybrid battery cartridge is designed to allow for retrofitting into existing single-use battery powered devices such as flashlights and lanterns to make them hybrid power enabled. The hybrid battery cartridge may select a power source based the type of load and/or on a reserve power threshold.

A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor, a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor, an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a connector. The connector is electrically connected to the voltage sensor, and the connector is adapted to be removably connected to a battery, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the battery. An electrical circuit is completed between the voltage sensor and the battery and the voltage sensor. The connection mechanism includes part of an electrical lock and key assembly.

A state of charge indicator including an indicator with a display threshold and an indicator circuit electrically coupled to the indicator such that when a main cell voltage of a main cell is greater than a display threshold, the indicator circuit applies a driver voltage to the indicator such that the indicator is inactive and when the main cell voltage is less than the display threshold, the indicator circuit applies the driver voltage to the indicator such that the indicator is active.

The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is Li.sub.xA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a−zM.sub.zO.sub.2.nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material. The electrochemically active anode material includes zinc, zinc alloy, and any combination thereof.

An apparatus for determining a state of a rechargeable battery or of a battery has a sensor device and an evaluation device. The sensor device brings about an interaction between an optical signal and a part of the rechargeable battery or of the battery, which part indicates optically acquirable information about a state of the rechargeable battery or of the battery, and detects an optical signal caused by the interaction. The sensor device furthermore provides a detection signal having information about the detected optical signal. The evaluation device determines information about a state of the rechargeable battery or of the battery on the basis of the information of the detection signal. Furthermore, the evaluation device provides a state signal having the information about the determined state.

A disposable portable vehicle starting unit including a housing having a handle for carrying the disposable portable vehicle starting unit by hand or by attaching to clothing, a lithium ion 28 volt battery enclosed in the housing, and a 3-pin connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to positive and negative terminals of the lithium ion 28 volt battery, the 3-pin connector being externally accessible.

A Medical Device Application (MDA) is disclosed for an external device (e.g., a cell phone) that can communicate with an Implantable Medical Device (IMD). The MDA receives data logged in the IMD, processes that data in manners reviewable by an IMD patient, and that can control the IMD based on such processed data. The MDA can use the logged data to adjust IMD therapy based on patient activity or posture, and allows a patient to learn optimal therapy settings for particular activities. The MDA can also use the logged data to allow a patient to review details about IMD battery performance, whether such battery is primary or rechargeable, and to control stimulation parameters based on that performance. The MDA also allows a patient to enter medicine dose information, to review the relationship between medicinal therapy and IMD therapy, and to adjust IMD therapy based on the dosing information.

The invention is directed towards a battery. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes a conductive additive and an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode material includes a beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has a chemical formula. The chemical formula is Li.sub.xA.sub.yNi.sub.1+a−zM.sub.zO.sub.2.nH.sub.2O where x is from about 0.02 to about 0.20; y is from about 0.03 to about 0.20; a is from about 0 to about 0.2; z is from about 0 to about 0.2; and n is from about 0 to about 1. Within the chemical formula, A is an alkali metal. The alkali metal includes potassium, rubidium, cesium, and any combination thereof. Within the chemical formula, M comprises an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a non-transition metal, and any combination thereof. The anode includes an electrochemically active anode material. The electrochemically active anode material includes zinc, zinc alloy, and any combination thereof.

The invention is directed towards an electrochemically active cathode material. The electrochemically active cathode includes beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide and an electrochemically active cathode material selected from the group consisting of manganese oxide, manganese dioxide, electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), chemical manganese dioxide (CMD), high power electrolytic manganese dioxide (HP EMD), lambda manganese dioxide, gamma manganese dioxide, beta manganese dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide has an X-ray diffraction pattern. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the beta-delithiated layered nickel oxide includes a first peak from about 14.9°2θ to about 16.0°2θ; a second peak from about 21.3°2θ to about 22.7°2θ; a third peak from about 37.1°2θ to about 37.4°2θ; a fourth peak from about 43.2°2θ to about 44.0°2θ; a fifth peak from about 59.6°2θ to about 60.6°2θ; and a sixth peak from about 65.4°2θ to about 65.9°2θ.

The invention is directed towards a cathode. The cathode includes an electrochemically active cathode material and at least one cathode additive. The at least one cathode additive includes a head group and at least one hydrocarbon tail group. The head group includes at least one p-element atom that is bonded to a second p-element atom. The at least one p-element atom has an electronegativity and the second p-element atom has an electronegativity. The electronegativity of the at least one p-element atom is different from the electronegativity of the second p-element atom.