Patent ID: 8722221

Claim:
A method of discharging a nickel-metal hydride battery having a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and a separator comprising a substantially non-porous alkali ion conducting material, comprising the steps of: generating an electric potential between the positive and negative electrodes due in part to the following reaction occurring at the positive electrode: NiOOH+H 2 O+Me + +e − →Ni(OH) 2 +MeOH and due in part to the following reaction occurring at the negative electrode: MH ab +M e OH→M+H 2 O+ e − +Me + where M is a hydrogen absorbing alloy, H ab is absorbed hydrogen, and Me is an alkali metal comprising one or more of Na, K or Li; and conducting Me + ions across the alkali ion conducting separator from the negative electrode to the positive electrode.