batteries Review Reviews on the U.S. Patents Regarding Nickel/Metal Hydride Batteries Shiuan Chang 1, Kwo-hsiung Young 2,3,*, Jean Nei 3 and Cristian Fierro 3 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
[email protected] 2 Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA 3 BASF/Battery Materials–Ovonic, 2983 Waterview Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, USA;
[email protected] (J.N.); cristian.fi
[email protected] (C.F.) * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +1-248-293-7000 Academic Editor: Andreas Jossen Received: 21 February 2016; Accepted: 31 March 2016; Published: 12 April 2016 Abstract: U.S. patents filed on the topic of nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) batteries have been reviewed, starting from active materials, to electrode fabrication, cell assembly, multi-cell construction, system integration, application, and finally recovering and recycling. In each category, a general description about the principle and direction of development is given. Both the metal hydride (MH) alloy and nickel hydroxide as active materials in negative and positive electrodes, respectively, are reviewed extensively. Both thermal and battery management systems (BMSs) are also discussed. Keywords: metal hydride (MH); nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) battery; nickel hydride; electrode fabrication; U.S. patent 1. Introduction The nickel/metal hydride (Ni/MH) battery is an essential electrochemical device for consumer, propulsion, and stationary energy storages. Since its commercial debut in the late 1980s, many researchers have worked diligently in the Ni/MH battery field. Their contributions were publicized through two routes: academic publications and patent applications.