Nickel-metal hydride battery configurations for grid-scale energy storage.

Abstract

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal-hydrogen battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a container; a plurality of electrode stacks disposed within the container, wherein each electrode stack of the plurality of electrode stacks includes: a plurality of layers of electrodes, the electrode layers including alternating cathode electrodes and anode electrodes, the anode electrodes being formed with a catalyst from a transition metal anode; one or more separators separating the electrode layers; and an electrolyte saturating each of the electrode stacks in the plurality of electrode stacks.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Related Applications] This disclosure claims priority to Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 17 / 898,098, filed August 29, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to metal-hydrogen batteries, and more particularly to configuring metal-hydrogen batteries for grid-scale energy storage. [Background technology]

[0003] For renewable energy resources such as wind and solar to compete with traditional fossil fuels, large-scale energy storage systems are needed to mitigate their inherent intermittency. To build large-scale energy storage, cost and long-term lifespan are paramount considerations. Pumped hydroelectric storage dominates the current grid energy storage market because it is an inexpensive means of storing large amounts of energy for long periods (approximately 50 years), but it is constrained by a lack of suitable locations and its environmental footprint. Other technologies, such as compressed air and flywheel energy storage, offer several distinct advantages, but their relatively low efficiency and high cost must be significantly improved for grid storage. Rechargeable batteries offer significant opportunities for low-cost, high-capacity, and highly reliable systems for large-scale energy storage. Improving the reliability of rechargeable batteries and reducing their cost are key challenges for realizing large-scale energy storage.

[0004] One of the major factors in the cost of providing a metal-hydrogen battery is the cost of the container that the battery is housed in. Therefore, there is interest in providing container and battery configurations with fewer parts that reduce the overall cost of metal-hydrogen batteries and simplify manufacturing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a metal-hydrogen battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a container; a plurality of electrode stacks disposed within the container, wherein each electrode stack of the plurality of electrode stacks includes: a plurality of layers of electrodes, the electrode layers including alternating cathode electrodes and anode electrodes, the anode electrodes being formed with a catalyst from a transition metal anode; one or more separators separating the electrode layers; and an electrolyte saturating each of the electrode stacks in the plurality of electrode stacks.

[0006] Other embodiments are envisioned and described later in this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] Particular features of various embodiments of the present technology are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present technology will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the present disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic of a metal-hydrogen battery according to some embodiments.

[0009] [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates an example of a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates an example of a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] 1 illustrates an example of a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2D] 1 illustrates an example of a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2E]1 illustrates an example of a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2F] 1 illustrates an example of a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2G] 1 illustrates an example of a common pressure vessel (CPV) battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates an example of an electrode stack that may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates an example of an electrode stack that may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 3C] 3C illustrates a bridge conductor plate of the exemplary electrode stack illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0012] [Figure 3D] 3C illustrates the assembly of multiple electrode stacks as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0013] [Figure 3E] 3C illustrates the welding of multiple electrode stacks as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. [Figure 3F] 3C illustrates the welding of multiple electrode stacks as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0014] [Figure 3G] 3D through 3F illustrate the assembly of a battery using multiple electrode stacks as illustrated in FIG. [Figure 3H] 3D through 3F illustrate the assembly of a battery using multiple electrode stacks as illustrated in FIG.

[0015] [Figure 3I] 3G and 3H illustrate the performance characteristics of the battery illustrated in FIG. [Figure 3J] 3G and 3H illustrate the performance characteristics of the battery illustrated in FIG. [Figure 3K] 3G and 3H illustrate the performance characteristics of the battery illustrated in FIG. [Figure 3L] 3G and 3H illustrate the performance characteristics of the battery illustrated in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be practiced without these details. Furthermore, while various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, many adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure in accordance with the common general knowledge of those skilled in the art. Such modifications include the substitution of known equivalents for any aspect of the present disclosure to achieve the same result in substantially the same way.

[0017] Unless the context otherwise requires, throughout this specification and claims, the term "comprise" and variations thereof, such as "comprises" and "comprising," are to be construed in their open, inclusive sense, i.e., "including, but not limited to." Throughout this specification, the recitation of numerical ranges of values ​​is intended to serve as a shorthand notation for individually referring to each separate value within that range, inclusive of the values ​​defining the range, and each separate value is incorporated herein as if it were individually set forth herein. Furthermore, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] Throughout this specification, a reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, although in some cases they may. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0019] Metal-hydrogen batteries can be constructed in several ways. In each case, the battery itself includes one or more electrode stacks, each having a series of electrodes (alternating layers of cathode and anode material) separated by electrically insulating separators. The electrode stacks, saturated with electrolyte, are housed in one or more pressure vessels. The electrode stacks may provide an array of cells (i.e., pairs of cathode and anode electrodes) that may be electrically connected in series or parallel. Each electrode stack may be arranged such that the cells formed in the electrode array are connected in parallel. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressure vessels, each containing one or more electrode stacks, may be housed in a common pressure vessel (CPV).

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an individual pressure vessel (IPV) metal-hydrogen battery 100. The metal-hydrogen battery 100 includes an electrode stack assembly 101 including stacked electrodes separated by separators 106. The electrodes include a cathode 102 and an anode 104. The separator 106 is disposed between the cathode 102 and the anode 104. Each pair of cathode 102 and anode 104 electrodes may be considered a cell. The electrode stack 101 may further include a frame 110 that secures the cathode 102, anode 104, and separator 106 in place. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 1A, the anode 104 is at both the top and bottom of the stack 101 adjacent to the frame 106, although other arrangements may be formed.

[0021] The electrode stack 101 may be contained within a pressure vessel 108. The pressure vessel 108 may contain an electrolyte 126 and hydrogen gas. The cathode 102, anode 104, and separator 106 are porous to allow the electrolyte 126 to flow between the cathode 102 and the anode 104. The electrode stack 101 is saturated with the electrolyte 126. In some embodiments, the separator 106 may be omitted, as long as the cathode 102 and the anode 104 can be electrically insulated from each other. For example, the space occupied by the separator 106 may be filled with the electrolyte 126. The metal-hydrogen battery 100 may further include a fill tube 122 configured to introduce the electrolyte or a gas (e.g., hydrogen gas) into the pressure vessel 108.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrode stack 101 includes several stacked layers of alternating cathodes 102 and anodes 104 separated by separators 106. The stack 101 includes at least one pair of cathodes 102 and anodes 104. A cell may be formed by a pair of cathode 102 and anode 104 layers. While the cells in the electrode stack assembly 101 can be connected either in parallel or in series, in the example battery 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A , the cells are connected in parallel. In particular, each of the cathodes 102 is connected to a conductor 118, and each of the anodes 104 is connected to a bridge conductor 116. While FIG. 1A illustrates the fill tube 122 as being located on the anode bridge conductor 116 side, it may alternatively be located on the cathode bridge conductor 118 side or on the sidewall of the pressure vessel 108. The fill tube 122 may include one or more valves (not shown) or may otherwise be sealed after the pressure vessel 108 is charged with an operating level of electrolyte 126 .

[0023] Further, in the example of FIG. 1A , the pressure vessel 108 is depicted as a cylindrical vessel containing a single electrode stack 101. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressure vessel 108 may be of any shape large enough to accommodate multiple electrode stacks 101 and withstand the pressures involved during operation. Further, in FIG. 1 , the electrode stack 101 is depicted as oriented along the length of the pressure vessel 108. However, the electrode stack 101 may instead be positioned so that the electrodes are oriented transversely. Thus, the electrode stack 101 may be of any shape, have any number of cells, and have any orientation relative to the pressure vessel 108.

[0024] 1 , bridge conductor 116 coupled to anode 104 is electrically coupled to anode feedthrough terminal 120, which may represent the negative terminal of battery 100. Terminal 120 may include a feedthrough to allow terminal 120 to extend outside of pressure vessel 108, or bridge conductor 116 may be connected directly to pressure vessel 102. Similarly, cathode conductor 118 coupled to cathode 102 may be coupled to cathode feedthrough terminal 124, which represents the positive side of battery 100. Terminal 124 may also pass through a feedthrough to allow insulated terminal 124 to extend outside of pressure vessel 108.

[0025] As discussed above, each cell included in the electrode stack 101 includes a cathode 102 and an anode 104 separated by a separator 106. The electrode stack 101 is positioned within a pressure vessel 108, which allows an electrolyte 126 to flow between the cathode 102 and the anode 104. As discussed further below, the cathode 102 is formed from a conductive substrate coated with a metal compound. Similarly, the anode 104 is formed from a porous conductive substrate coated with a porous catalyst. The separator 106 is a porous insulator that separates the alternating layers of the cathode 102 and anode 104 and can allow the electrolyte 126 to flow between the cathode 102 and the anode 104. In some embodiments, the electrolyte 126 is an alkaline (pH greater than 7) aqueous electrolyte. Each of the anode 104 and the cathode 102 can be formed as an electrode assembly with a multi-layer structure.

[0026] 1 shows a schematic of a metal-hydrogen battery 100 including an electrode stack 101 that can be included in embodiments of the present disclosure. The electrode stack 101 includes at least one layer including a cathode 102, an anode 104, and a separator 106 disposed between the cathode 102 and the anode 104. The layer 101 is contained within a housing 108. An electrolyte 126 is disposed within the housing 108. The cathode 102, the anode 104, and the separator 106 are porous, allowing the electrolyte 126 to communicate between the cathode 102 and the anode 104. The pressure vessel 108 of the metal-hydrogen battery 100 further includes a fill tube 122 configured to exchange hydrogen gas and the electrode 126 with the interior of the housing 108.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 and discussed above, each layer 101 includes one or more layers of cathode 102 and anode 104 separated by separator 106. The electrode stack 101 is positioned within a container 108, where an electrolyte 126 can flow between the cathode 102 and the anode 104. As discussed further below, the cathode 102 is formed from one or more layers of material, each formed from a porous conductive substrate coated with a porous catalyst. Similarly, the anode 104 is formed from one or more layers of material, each formed from a porous conductive substrate coated with a porous catalyst. In some embodiments, the electrolyte 126 is an alkaline (pH greater than 7) aqueous electrolyte. Each of the anode 104 and cathode 102 can be formed as an electrode assembly with a multi-layer structure.

[0028] According to some embodiments, a battery layer configuration is presented in which all battery layers are contained within a common container. As discussed further below, some embodiments may include a Ni-H2 cell, which may include a nickel-hydroxide cathode, an H2-catalyzed anode, and a porous separator saturated in 26% potassium hydroxide, all sealed inside a metal pressure vessel, although other configurations are possible as discussed above. A typical cell design contains many pairs of cathodes and anodes separated by porous separators, with each pair connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 1. This configuration is referred to as an individual pressure vessel or IPV design. IPV designs allow for high energy capacity, but only achieve a nominal voltage of 1.25 V under typical conditions. The pressure vessel 108 is leak-proof and capable of withstanding pressures greater than 1000 psi, which is a major cost factor for Ni-H2 cells.

[0029] One embodiment of the electrode stack 101 illustrated above, used in an individual pressure vessel (IPV) configuration, is described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 830,193, filed June 1, 2022, entitled "Electrode Stack Assembly for a Metal Hydrogen Battery," which is incorporated herein by reference. Another embodiment of the electrode stack 101 is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 687,527, filed March 4, 2022, entitled "Electrode Stack Assembly for a Metal Hydrogen Battery," which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. These and other electrode stacks may be utilized in embodiments of the present disclosure, as described below.

[0030] A common pressure vessel (CPV) battery, as described herein, is a large-format battery in which multiple electrode stacks connected in series, parallel, or both are enclosed within a common pressure vessel. Compared to the IPV illustrated in FIG. 1 , or a collection of IPVs, for the same energy capacity, a CPV has fewer components (end caps, feedthroughs, fill ports, bus bars, wires, BMS, etc.), fewer welds, and exhibits lower weight and cost. At the same time, a CPV according to some embodiments of the present disclosure typically performs better than a battery incorporating individual IPVs to achieve similar capacity because the CPV has improved inter-stack connections. In some examples, as discussed further below, adjacent stacks can be welded together instead of wired, thereby improving the electrical connection between the stacks.

[0031] Some embodiments of the present disclosure include multiple stacks 101, as described above, arranged in a CPV configuration. In other words, the battery configuration includes batteries, each battery formed from multiple electrode stacks 101, each electrode stack 101 having several layers, as described above, arranged within a single pressure vessel.

[0032] 2A and 2B illustrate advantages of a CPV configuration 200 over an IPV configuration 208 configuration according to some aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A illustrates individual pressure vessels (IPVs) 202, each having a stack 204 to form a battery. The stacks 204 may be, for example, an embodiment of the stack 101 illustrated in FIG. 1. Each of the stacks 204 is coupled to terminals 206 and 208. As discussed above, the IPVs 202 may be connected in series or parallel by the terminals 206 and 208 to form a larger battery system. However, each of the IPVs includes its own pressure vessel around each of the stacks.

[0033] Figure 2B illustrates an example of a CPV configuration 200. In the example illustrated in Figure 2B, each of the CPV configurations 200 includes a combination of multiple stacks 210 connected in series and enclosed within a single pressure vessel 212. As illustrated in Figure 2B, each CPV configuration 200 includes N stacks 210. Although Figure 2B illustrates the stacks 210 as being connected in series, some embodiments may include stacks 210 connected in parallel.

[0034] 2B , each of the CPV configurations 200 includes terminals 214 and 216. The stacks 210 may be welded together at welds 218 such that only the ends of the stacks 210 are coupled to one of the terminals 214 or 216. Thus, the CPV configuration 200 may include energy storage of multiple individual stacks 210 all enclosed within a single pressure vessel 212. The stacks 210 are welded together, which provides better electrical and physical connectivity than a similar number of stacks 204. Furthermore, because there is a single pressure vessel, there is only one pair of end caps enclosing the pressure vessel, which reduces the amount of material required for construction.

[0035] Figure 2B further illustrates multiple CPV configurations 200. Multiple CPV configurations 200 illustrated in Figure 2B may themselves be electrically connected in series or parallel to form a larger battery system.

[0036] FIG. 2C illustrates an example of a CPV configuration 200. CPV configuration 200 includes electrode stacks 210-1 through 210-N coupled between end plates 220 and 222. As shown, electrode stacks 210-1 through 210-N are welded together at welds 218. Electrodes 216 extend through end plates 220, e.g., with feedthroughs, and are connected to electrode stacks 210-N. Similarly, terminal rods 214 (FIG. 2B) extend through end plates 222, e.g., through feedthroughs, and are connected to electrode stack 210-1. In some embodiments, vessel walls may be connected by end plates 220 and 222 to form pressure vessel 212. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2C, unless a separate pressure vessel wall is included between end plates 220 and 222, electrolyte and hydrogen communication may occur between CPV configuration 200 and its environment. In some embodiments, a cover may be provided between plates 220 and 222 that allows transport of hydrogen but not electrolyte between CPV arrangement 200 and its environment.

[0037] 2D illustrates the relative sizes of various embodiments of CPV configurations 200 having different values ​​of N (i.e., number of electrode stacks 210): CPV configuration 232, for example, includes two (2) stacks 210 (N=2), CPV configuration 234 may include four (4) stacks 210 (N=4), CPV configuration 236 may include five (5) stacks 210 (N=5), CPV configuration 238 may include six (6) stacks 210 (N=6), configuration 240 may include seven (7) stacks 210 (N=7), and configuration 242 may include eight (8) stacks 210 (N=8). As illustrated, CPV configurations 200 are sized according to the number of stacks 210 included.

[0038] Figures 2E, 2F, and 2G illustrate example arrangements of CPV configurations 200. Figure 2E illustrates a parallel arrangement 250 of CPV configurations 200, as illustrated in Figure 2C. Figure 2F illustrates another parallel arrangement 252 of CPV configurations 200, in which each of the CPV configurations 200 is enclosed in a cover 260 that allows for the transport of hydrogen and may contain an electrolyte. Figure 2G illustrates an arrangement 254 having a parallel arrangement 258 of CPV configurations 200 enclosed in a barrel pressure vessel 256. The parallel arrangement 258 can be, for example, the arrangement 252 illustrated in Figure 2E or the arrangement 258 illustrated in Figure 2F. The barrel pressure vessel 256 can then form a common pressure vessel for the parallel arrangement 258.

[0039] 3A through 3K illustrate one embodiment of a battery 632 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, multiple electrode stacks 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 are electrically connected in series and housed within a pressure vessel 634 to form the battery 632 (see FIG. 6E). In particular, each of the electrode stacks 101 includes a bridge conductor that is easily welded to a corresponding bridge conductor of an adjacent electrode stack 101 when the stacks 101 are aligned. These bridge conductors between adjacent stacks 101 function as bipolar plates (i.e., the anode bridge of one stack is connected to the cathode bridge of an adjacent stack). While FIGS. 3A through 3K illustrate an embodiment in which the electrode stack 200 is an embodiment of the electrode stack 101 illustrated in FIG. 1, other stack arrangements may be used.

[0040] FIG. 3A illustrates an electrode stack 101 as described above with respect to FIG. 1. The electrode stack 101 may be, for example, the electrode stack 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2F. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 1, the electrode stack 101 is formed by alternating layers of anodes 104 and cathodes 102 separated by separators 106, all of which are held within a frame 110. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, each of the separators 106 includes a wick tab that, upon engagement with the inner wall of the pressure vessel, wicks any electrolyte 126 back into the electrode stack 101. This design significantly improves the recovery and redistribution of electrolyte between components within the stack, thereby enhancing the lifespan of a CPV formed with the electrode stack 101. The anode conductor 116 and the cathode conductor 118 are each formed by bridge conductors 302 and 304, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3A, a terminal 306 is connected to the bridge conductor 302. The bridge conductor 304 may be connected to the bridge conductor 302 of an adjacent electrode stack 101 .

[0041] As further shown in Figure 3A, the anode 104 and the cathode 102 each include tabs, tabs 308 and 310, shown in Figure 3A. One of the tabs 308 and 310 is part of the anode 104, and the other is part of the cathode 102. The tabs 308 and 310 are connected to bridge conductors 304 and 302, respectively. The bridge conductors 302 and 304 may be connected to bridge conductors of adjacent electrode stacks 101, or may be connected to terminal rods, such as terminal 306 shown in Figure 3A, to form a stacked arrangement.

[0042] 3B illustrates a blowout of the exemplary electrode stack 101 illustrated in FIG. 3A. An isolator 312 is mechanically attached to the frame 110 of the electrode stack 101. A bridge conductor 304 may be mechanically attached to the isolator 312. A tab 308 of the electrode stack 101 is connected to the bridge conductor 304. An isolator 316 is attached to the frame 110, and the bridge conductor 302 is connected to the isolator 316.

[0043] 3C illustrates a bridge conductor 320, which is an example of one of the bridge conductors 304 or 302. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the bridge conductor 320 includes a bridge frame 324 configured to mate with the isolator 312 or the isolator 316. Furthermore, the bridge frame 324 is configured to be mechanically connected (e.g., welded) to the bridge frame 324 of an adjacent one of the electrode stacks 101 or to a terminal rod, such as the terminal rod 306 illustrated in FIG. 3A. In some embodiments, the bridge frame 324 is configured to be stacked relative to another bridge frame 324.

[0044] 3C, a slot 322 is formed in the bridge conductor 320. The slot 322 is configured to receive the tab 308 or 310. In some embodiments, the slot 322 may have the same arrangement as the bridge conductor 302 and the bridge conductor 304. In some embodiments, the slot 322 may be different for the anode and cathode electrodes.

[0045] 3D illustrates an arrangement of N electrode stacks 101 (electrode stacks 101-1 to 101-N) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3D, electrode stacks 101-1 to 101-N are connected in series to form stack arrangement 326, with the anode of one of electrode stacks 101 connected to the cathode of an adjacent electrode stack 101. Bridge 304-1 is connected to terminal rod 328. Bridge 302-N is connected to terminal rod 306.

[0046] 3E illustrates an assembled battery 332, according to some embodiments. As shown, after connecting each of the electrode stacks 101-1 to 101-N in series, the stack arrangement 326 is enclosed within a pressure vessel 334 to form the battery 332. Terminals 328 and 306 extend through the pressure vessel 334, for example, by feedthroughs. A fill tube 336 is provided to charge the pressure vessel 334 with hydrogen and electrolyte for operation. The electrode stacks 101-1 to 101-N are connected at bridge conductors 304 and 302 of each of the electrode stacks 101-1 to 101-N.

[0047] Figure 3F illustrates the connections between random adjacent pairs of electrode stacks 101, electrode stack 101-j, and electrode stack 101-(j+1) at the connections in area 330 illustrated in Figure 3E. As illustrated in Figure 3F, bridge conductor 304 of electrode stack 101-j is coupled to bridge conductor 302 of electrode stack 101-(j+1). In particular, tab 308 of electrode stack 101-j and tab 310 of electrode stack 101-(j+1) are coupled and welded to both bridge conductors 304 and 302.

[0048] Figure 3G illustrates an exemplary formation of a CPV battery 332. As shown, the CPV battery 332 includes a cylindrical portion 340 and two end portions 338 and 342. As shown in Figure 3G, the electrode stack assembly 326 is positioned within the cylindrical portion 340, and the end caps 338 and 342 are mechanically attached to form the battery 332. Figure 3H illustrates the assembled battery 332.

[0049] The electrode stack configurations illustrated in Figures 3A through 3H can be used in any of the configurations illustrated in Figures 2A through 2G. In the configurations illustrated in Figures 2A through 2G, configuration 200 can include electrode stack 101 illustrated in Figures 3A through 3H.

[0050] 3I illustrates efficiency as a function of cycle for some embodiments of a CPV battery 332 having N=6 series-connected electrode stacks 101, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 3I illustrates Coulomb efficiency (CE), voltage efficiency (VE), and energy efficiency (EE) as a function of cycle. FIG. 3I illustrates the exceptional stability during operation of a battery having multiple electrode stacks 101 according to some embodiments (no noticeable efficiency fade for over 250 cycles).

[0051] 3J illustrates charge / discharge capacity as a function of cycles for one embodiment of a battery 332 having N=6 series-connected electrode stacks 101, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3J further illustrates the exceptional stability during operation of a battery having multiple electrode stacks 101, according to some embodiments (no significant capacity fade for over 250 cycles).

[0052] 3K illustrates battery capacity retention as a function of cycle for two separate CPV batteries according to embodiments of the present disclosure having N=6 series-connected electrode stacks 101 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, charging and discharging were performed at a constant current of 40 A (C / 4). As shown, both batteries exhibited nearly identical performance over approximately 300 cycles without any loss in capacity, further illustrating the stability of batteries according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] 3L illustrates the voltage versus capacity curves of a CPV battery 332 having N=6 series-connected electrode stacks 101 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The charge-discharge curves for the 20th and 250th cycles are overlaid. As shown, there is little difference between the two curves, which further demonstrates the stability of batteries according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] The foregoing description of the present disclosure has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including any relevant combination of the disclosed features. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure, with various modifications suitable for particular uses contemplated, for various embodiments. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. container; a plurality of electrode stacks disposed within the vessel, wherein each electrode stack of the plurality of electrode stacks comprises: a plurality of layers of electrodes, the layers of electrodes including alternating cathode and anode electrodes, the anode electrodes being formed of a transition metal anode using a catalyst; having one or more separators separating the layers of the electrodes; and an electrolyte that saturates each of the electrode stacks in the plurality of electrode stacks; A metal-hydrogen battery comprising:

2. 2. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a nickel-molybdenum-cobalt alloy.

3. 2. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is KOH.

4. 10. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1, wherein the layers in each cell are electrically connected in parallel.

5. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrode stacks are arranged in a planar configuration in the container.

6. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrode stacks are arranged to form an assembly.

7. 10. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrode stacks are electrically connected in series.

8. 2. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electrode stacks is formed of alternating layers of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes separated by separators, each of the anode electrodes being connected to an anode bridge and each of the cathode electrodes being connected to a cathode bridge.

9. 9. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 8, wherein the plurality of electrode stacks are arranged in series such that the anode bridge conductor is connected to the cathode bridge conductor of an adjacent electrode stack.

10. 10. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1, wherein the metal-hydrogen battery is coupled to one or more other metal-hydrogen batteries.

11. 11. The metal-metal hydride battery of claim 10, wherein the metal-metal hydride battery is connected in series with the one or more other metal-metal hydride batteries.

12. 11. The metal-metal hydride battery of claim 10, wherein the metal-metal hydride battery is connected in parallel with the one or more other metal-metal hydride batteries.

13. The metallic hydrogen of claim 10 , wherein the metallic hydrogen battery and the one or more other metallic hydrogen batteries are enclosed in a barrel pressure vessel.

14. 14. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 13, wherein the container is a cover that allows hydrogen exchange between the metal-hydrogen battery and the one or more other metal-hydrogen batteries enclosed in the barrel pressure vessel.

15. 10. The metal-hydrogen battery of claim 1, wherein the vessel is a pressure vessel.

16. Assembling a plurality of electrode stacks in a container, wherein each electrode stack of the plurality of electrode stacks comprises: a plurality of layers of electrodes, the layers of electrodes having alternating cathode and anode electrodes, the anode electrodes being formed with a transition metal anode using a catalyst; and one or more separators separating the layers of the electrodes; charging the container with an electrolyte that saturates each of the electrode stacks in the plurality of electrode stacks; 1. A method for providing a metal hydride battery, comprising:

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the catalyst is a nickel-molybdenum-cobalt alloy.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the electrolyte is KOH.

19. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the layers in each cell are electrically connected in parallel.

20. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein assembling the plurality of electrode stacks comprises arranging the plurality of electrode stacks in a planar configuration in the container.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein assembling the plurality of electrode stacks comprises connecting the plurality of electrode stacks in series.

22. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein connecting the plurality of electrode stacks in series comprises welding adjacent ones of the plurality of electrode stacks.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of electrode stacks is formed of alternating layers of anode and cathode electrodes separated by separators, each of the anode electrodes being connected to an anode bridge and each of the cathode electrodes being connected to a cathode bridge.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of electrode stacks are arranged in series such that the anode bridge conductor is connected to the cathode bridge conductor of an adjacent electrode stack.

25. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of coupling the metal hydride battery further comprises coupling with one or more other metal hydride batteries.

26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein linking the metal-metal hydride battery comprises linking the metal-metal hydride battery in series with the one or more other metal-metal hydride batteries.

27. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein linking the metal-metal hydride batteries comprises linking the metal-metal hydride batteries in parallel with the one or more other metal-metal hydride batteries.

28. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising enclosing the metal-hydride battery and the one or more other metal-hydride batteries in a barrel pressure vessel.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the vessel is a cover that allows hydrogen exchange between the metal-hydrogen battery and the one or more other metal-hydrogen batteries enclosed in the barrel pressure vessel.

30. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the vessel is a pressure vessel.

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