Abstract: Through use of novel modern/rapid processing
techniques such as screen printing and Near-Infrared (NIR) radiative
curing, process time for the sintering of sintered nickel plaques,
applicable to alkaline nickel battery chemistries, has been drastically
reduced from in excess of 200 minutes with conventional convection
methods to below 2 minutes using NIR curing methods. Steps have
also been taken to remove the need for forming gas as a reducing
agent by implementing carbon as an in-situ reducing agent, within the
ink formulation.