High-Performance Zn Anodes for Ag/Zn and Ni/Zn Cells

Improved zinc anodes for silver/zinc and nickel/zinc rechargeable electrochemical cells have been invented. This invention will increase the usefulness and decrease cycle-life costs of Ag/Zn and Ni/Zn cells in NASA Space-Station-support applications, for which batteries with high energy densities and long cycle lives are needed; examples of these applications include extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) batteries, the EMU portable life-support subsystem (PLSS) backpack batteries, and batteries in portable tools and equipment for extravehicular activities (EVAs). Inasmuch as many of these portable tools and other items of equipment are modified versions of commercial items (portable tools, lights, cameras, recorders, camcorders, radios, communications equipment, cellular telephones, and medical equipment), this invention might also prove beneficial in numerous commercial applications. Similarly, it could offer benefits in military applications, other government applications, and other applications that involve batteries.