HIGH RATE, THIN FILM, BIPOLAR, NICKEL ZINC BATTERY HAVING OXYGEN RECOMBINATION FACILITY

摘要

A high rate, alkaline nickel zinc cell (12) is structured as a bipolar cell having a current collector (22), with a positive nickel hydroxide electrode (14) on one side and a zinc negative electrode (46) on the other side. The current collector comprises a sheet copper substrate in contact with the negative electrode. A sheet nickel substrate (24) is laminated to the copper current collector, and is in contact with the positive electrode. The nickel hydroxide positive electrode is applied in a thin film to the respective face of the sheet nickel substrate. The zinc negative electrode comprises copper foam which is secured to the copper current collector at its edges, and is pasted. The copper foam is pressed so as to form a plurality of pockets (50) which face the copper current collector when assembled. Thus, access is provided to the negative electrode for oxygen generated at the positive electrode during overcharge conditions.