(JP10310806-A)      A porous metal sheet is prepared by spreading metal powder onto a feeder belt that is continuously advancing through a sintering zone.so that the particles are bonded together at their contact points. Preferably the belt is endless and comprises a solid metal sheet, an inorganic sheet incorporating a porous metal sheet, or a laminate of those two components. In a modification the powder is spread onto a support sheet that is transported on the feeder belt ; the support sheet may be of solid or porous resin, or may be a solid metal or porous metal sheet or a laminate thereof. After sintering the sheet may be rolled to increase its strength and/or further powder may be spread onto the surface and the assembly re-sintered. The feeder belt or support sheet may be sinuous and pass under a scraper after deposition of the powder so that the peaks of the belt create large holes in the product ; alternatively a similar result is obtained by mixing a fugitive material with the powder and burning off prior to sintering. The porous metal sheet product of any of these processes is impregnated and coated with active material to create a battery electrode ; the active substance may be a hydrogen-storing alloy, possibly mixed or coated with transition metal.    USE -   Nickel-hydrogen, nickel-cadmium, or lithium primary or secondary batteries, alkali dry cells, fuel cells, or vehicle batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Thickness and size and shape of pores are readily controllable. Sheet is prepared without use of adhesive. Active material can be loaded without binder to give improved electrical collection performance.    (US6080357-A)      A porous metal sheet is prepared by spreading metal powder onto a feeder belt that is continuously advancing through a sintering zone.so that the particles are bonded together at their contact points. Preferably the belt is endless and comprises a solid metal sheet, an inorganic sheet incorporating a porous metal sheet, or a laminate of those two components. In a modification the powder is spread onto a support sheet that is transported on the feeder belt ; the support sheet may be of solid or porous resin, or may be a solid metal or porous metal sheet or a laminate thereof. After sintering the sheet may be rolled to increase its strength and/or further powder may be spread onto the surface and the assembly re-sintered. The feeder belt or support sheet may be sinuous and pass under a scraper after deposition of the powder so that the peaks of the belt create large holes in the product ; alternatively a similar result is obtained by mixing a fugitive material with the powder and burning off prior to sintering. The porous metal sheet product of any of these processes is impregnated and coated with active material to create a battery electrode ; the active substance may be a hydrogen-storing alloy, possibly mixed or coated with transition metal.    USE -   Nickel-hydrogen, nickel-cadmium, or lithium primary or secondary batteries, alkali dry cells, fuel cells, or vehicle batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Thickness and size and shape of pores are readily controllable. Sheet is prepared without use of adhesive. Active material can be loaded without binder to give improved electrical collection performance.    (TW387826-A)      A porous metal sheet is prepared by spreading metal powder onto a feeder belt that is continuously advancing through a sintering zone.so that the particles are bonded together at their contact points. Preferably the belt is endless and comprises a solid metal sheet, an inorganic sheet incorporating a porous metal sheet, or a laminate of those two components. In a modification the powder is spread onto a support sheet that is transported on the feeder belt ; the support sheet may be of solid or porous resin, or may be a solid metal or porous metal sheet or a laminate thereof. After sintering the sheet may be rolled to increase its strength and/or further powder may be spread onto the surface and the assembly re-sintered. The feeder belt or support sheet may be sinuous and pass under a scraper after deposition of the powder so that the peaks of the belt create large holes in the product ; alternatively a similar result is obtained by mixing a fugitive material with the powder and burning off prior to sintering. The porous metal sheet product of any of these processes is impregnated and coated with active material to create a battery electrode ; the active substance may be a hydrogen-storing alloy, possibly mixed or coated with transition metal.    USE -   Nickel-hydrogen, nickel-cadmium, or lithium primary or secondary batteries, alkali dry cells, fuel cells, or vehicle batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Thickness and size and shape of pores are readily controllable. Sheet is prepared without use of adhesive. Active material can be loaded without binder to give improved electrical collection performance.    (EP864389-B1)      A porous metal sheet is prepared by spreading metal powder onto a feeder belt that is continuously advancing through a sintering zone.so that the particles are bonded together at their contact points. Preferably the belt is endless and comprises a solid metal sheet, an inorganic sheet incorporating a porous metal sheet, or a laminate of those two components. In a modification the powder is spread onto a support sheet that is transported on the feeder belt ; the support sheet may be of solid or porous resin, or may be a solid metal or porous metal sheet or a laminate thereof. After sintering the sheet may be rolled to increase its strength and/or further powder may be spread onto the surface and the assembly re-sintered. The feeder belt or support sheet may be sinuous and pass under a scraper after deposition of the powder so that the peaks of the belt create large holes in the product ; alternatively a similar result is obtained by mixing a fugitive material with the powder and burning off prior to sintering. The porous metal sheet product of any of these processes is impregnated and coated with active material to create a battery electrode ; the active substance may be a hydrogen-storing alloy, possibly mixed or coated with transition metal.    USE -   Nickel-hydrogen, nickel-cadmium, or lithium primary or secondary batteries, alkali dry cells, fuel cells, or vehicle batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Thickness and size and shape of pores are readily controllable. Sheet is prepared without use of adhesive. Active material can be loaded without binder to give improved electrical collection performance.