Flexible thin layer open electrochemical cell

• US RE39,676 E1
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Power Flex Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Power Paper Ltd. (Products To Go, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nitzan, Zvi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell; Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US10/998,354
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 429/127, 429/82, 429/152, 429/162, 429/224, 429/229, 428/209, 428/210, 428/688, 428/701
• US Class Current: 429/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/248 the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/127 with bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2/0257 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2/0275 of flexible envelopes or bags around open cell elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2/16 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2/20 Current conducting connections for cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0002 Aqueous electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0014 Alkaline electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0085 Immobilising or gelification of electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/621 Binders
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/12 with flat electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/181 with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/22 Immobilising of electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/40 Printed batteries , e.g. thin film batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/42 Grouping of primary cells into batteries H01M6/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/48 with bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24917 : including metal layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24926 : including ceramic, glass, porcelain or quartz layer

Abstract

A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell which can be used as a primary or rechargeable power supply for various miniaturized and portable electrically powered devices of compact design. The cell includes a wet electrolyte, yet maintains a fexible, thin and open configuration, thus devoid of accumulation of gases upon storage. The cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, the third layer being disposed between the first and second layers and including a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times; an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and, a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering the first and second layers to the third layer. The electrochemical cell of the present invention is preferably produced using a suitable printing technology.

Claims

1. A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layer and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer.

2. A cell as in claim 1, wherein said first layer of insoluble positive pole includes manganese-dioxide powder and said second layer of insoluble negative pole includes zinc powder.

3. A cell as in claim 2, wherein A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer;

wherein said first layer of insoluble negative pole includes zinc powder, said second layer of insoluble positive pole includes manganese-dioxide powder, and said electroactive soluble material is selected from the group consisting of zinc-chloride, zinc-bromide, zinc-fluoride and potassium-hydroxide.

4. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said first layer of insoluble negative pole includes silver-oxide powder zinc powder and said second layer of insoluble positive pole includes zinc powder silver-oxide powder.

5. A cell as in claim 4, wherein said electroactive soluble material is potassium-hydroxide.

6. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemial cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said first layer of insoluble negative pole includes cadmium powder and said second layer of insoluble positive pole includes nickel-oxide powder.

7. A cell as in claim 6, wherein said electroactive soluble material is potassium-hydroxide.

8. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said first layer of insoluble negative pole includes iron powder and said second layer of insoluble positive pole includes nickel-oxide powder.

9. A cell as in claim 8, wherein said electroactive soluble material is potassium-hydroxide.

10. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said first layer of insoluble negative pole and said second layer of insoluble positive pole include lead-oxide powder, the cell is charged by voltage applied to said poles.

11. A cell as in claim 10, wherein said electroactive soluble material is sulfuric-acid.

12. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said deliquescent material and said electroactive soluble material are the same material.

13. A cell as in claim 12, wherein said same material is selected from the group consisting of zinc-chloride, zinc-bromide, zinc-fluoride and potassium-hydroxide.

14. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said deliquescent material is selected from the group consisting of calcium-chloride, calcium-bromide, potassium-biphosphate and potassium-acetate.

15. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said watersoluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylpyrolidone, polyethylenoxide, agar, agarose, starch, hydroxyethylcellulose and combinations and copolymers thereof.

16. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, wherein said watersoluble polymer and said deliquescent material are the same material.

17. A cell as in claim 1 16, wherein said same material is selected from the group consisting of dextrane, dextranesulfate and combinations and copolymers thereof.

18. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, further comprising terminals, each of said terminals being in electrical contact with one of said first and second pole layers.

19. A cell as in claim 18, wherein said terminal terminals are made of graphite.

20. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, further comprising at least one conductive layer improving the electronic conductivity of at least one of said first and second pole layers.

21. A cell as in claim 20, wherein said conductive layer is selected from the group consisting of a graphite paper and carbon cloth.

22. A cell as in claim 1 A flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer, further comprising an external layer selected from the group consisting of an adhesive backing layer, a lamina protective layer and a combination of adhesive backing layer and a lamina protective layer.

23. An electrical power supply comprising two cells as in claim 1 being connected in a head to tail orientation in a bipolar-connection wherein the cells are each a flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer being disposed between said first and second layers and including:

(a) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(b) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic conductivity; and

(c) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for adhering said first and second layers to said third layer.

24. An electrical power supply as in claim 23, wherein said connection is by an adhesive selected from the group consisting of a conductive double sided adhesive tape and a conductive glue layer.

25. An electrical power supply as in claim 24, wherein said conductive double sided adhesive tape and said conductive glue layer are applied by a printing technology.

26. A method of making a flexible thin layer open liquid state electrochemical cell comprising the steps of:

(a) wetting a porous substance having a first side and a second side with an aqueous solution containing a deliquescent material, an electroactive soluble material and a watersoluble polymer;

(b) applying onto said first side a layer of negative pole; and

(c) applying onto said second side a layer of positive pole.

27. A method as in claim 26, wherein said wetting is by a dipping technology.

28. A method as in claim 26, wherein said wetting is by a printing technology.

29. A method as in claim 26, wherein said layers of negative and positive poles include active insoluble powder materials mixed with said deliquescent material, electroactive soluble material and watersoluble polymer.

30. A method as in claim 26, wherein said application of said layers of negative and positive poles is by a printing technology.