Abstract: Structures (1, 21, 41, 71, 161) of electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell components employ a switch-like article (10, 26, 48, 63, 65, 68, 76, 166) comprised of an electrically conducting material that becomes nonconductive or semiconductive outside of a discrete voltage window. Said switch-like article serves as a reversible, self-regulating electrochemical switch at boundary voltages, thereby protecting the cell against over-charge and or over-discharge, and can be employed in a variety of configurations to provide self-regulating cell architectures. Cell assemblies that include said switch-like articles may themselves serve an auxiliary function as switches for other cells placed in series or parallel, and for external circuits.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating a microscopically dense amorphous carbon material for use as an electrode (20) in an electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of mixing a lignin material with a matrix-enhancing salt, and subsequently heating (72) the mixture.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) includes first and second electrodes (12) and (14) with an electrolyte system (26) disposed therebetween. The electrolyte system includes a polymeric support structure through which is dispersed an electrolyte active species in a solvent. The solvent comprises a poly(vinylidene fluoride) having a number average molecular weight of less than about 50,000 atomic mass units. Alternatively, the solvent may be a blend or copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride and another solvent or polymer.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating an amorphous carbon material for use as an electrode (20) in a rechargeable electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of heating (62) a lignin material until it has fully cured, comminuting (68) the lignin material before it has carbonized, and subsequently heating (70) the lignin material until it has carbonized.

Abstract: A hybrid electrode for a high power, high energy, electrical storage device contains both a high-energy electrode material (42) and a high-rate electrode material (44). The two materials are deposited on a current collector (40), and the electrode is used to make an energy storage device that exhibits both the high-rate capability of a capacitor and the high energy capability of a battery. The two materials can be co-deposited on the current collector in a variety of ways, either in superimposed layers, adjacent layers, intermixed with each other or one material coating the other to form a mixture that is then deposited on the current collector.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) including a positive electrode (20), a negative electrode (30) and a low temperature organic, liquid lithium salt electrolyte (40) is provided. The low temperature lithium salt electrolyte includes a central atom selected from the group of aluminum, boron, gallium, indium, or thallium and at least four substituent groups which are organic, alkoxy groups. A unique characteristic of the electrolyte is that it remains liquid at ambient temperatures, as compared to most lithium salt electrolytes which are solid at room temperatures.