Small capacity, low cost (Ni-H2) design concept for commercial, military, and higher-volume aerospace applications

The development of Ni-H₂ cells in capacities of 20 ampere-hours (Ah) or less is discussed. A low-cost, small cell design has been developed. Eagle-Picher has now successfully produced a prototype of this technology (a 5 Ah common-pressure-vessel design). The purpose of this phase has been to confirm the feasibility of producing cells of this type and size. The details of this unit and Eagle-Picher´s on-going development efforts in this area are described. This concept will be ideally suited for small satellites and commercial markets which, increasingly, are calling for large numbers of less-expensive satellites