Nickel-metal hydride (Ni/MH) batteries are nowadays the most promising syst
em, in the raid-term, for hybrid vehicles. Battery power requirements for t
he hybrid vehicle application are quite high, both for acceleration and for
an effective quick battery recharging. This paper deals with the design an
d development of metal hydride electrodes and of prismatic Ni/MH batteries
for high power automotive applications: hybrid vehicle and energy systems f
or the future 42 V electrical network in conventional ICE vehicles.
Electrode studies have focused on the substrate characteristics, the electr
ode preparation conditions and the additives to improve the performance of
the active material, in terms of conductivity and avoidance of the active m
aterial shedding. The 25 Ah Ni/MH batteries have been designed to achieve m
aximum power drain (minimum electrical resistance), with a minimum weight a
nd a valve regulated maintenance-free system. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V
. All rights reserved.