Development of sintered fiber nickel electrodes for aerospace batteries

The nickel electrode is the specific energy limiting component in nickel battery systems. A concerted effort is underway to improve NiH/sub 2/ performance while decreasing system cost. Increased performance with electrode specific energy (mAh/g) is the major goal of this effort. However, cost reduction is also an important part of the overall program, achieved by reducing the electrode weight. A lightweight, high energy density nickel electrode is being developed based on a highly porous, sintered fiber, nickel substrate. This developing technology has many applications, but is highly applicable to the military and aerospace industries.