Electrochemical impregnation and cycle life of lightweight nickel electrodes for nickel-hydrogen cells

The nickel electrode has been identified as the heaviest component of the nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H/sub 2/) cell. As part of an overall goal to develop a high specific energy and specific volume Ni-H/sub 2/ cell for the low Earth orbit cycle regime, an improved lighter weight nickel electrode is being developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Lightweight plaques were used as conductive supports for the nickel hydroxide active material. These plaques are commercial products that are fabricated into nickel electrodes by electro-chemically impregnating them with active material. The electrodes were life-cycle tested in a low Earth orbit regime at 40 and 80% depths-of-discharge.<>