Abstract: An improved anode for use in non-aqueous active metal secondary cells include a substrate current collector, a layer of active metal anode material on said current collector and a relatively narrow peripheral band of material capable of accepting reversible insertion of the active metal for capturing dendrite material formed in charging the anode on said current collector surrounding said layer of active metal anode material.

Abstract: An active metal non-aqueous electrochemical cell includes an anode selected from lithium metal and intercalated lithium compounds, an electrolyte system consisting essentially of an SO.sub.2 solvent containing an amount of electrolyte salt, and a solid liquid or gaseous cathode active material selected from a class of materials which are reduced in preference to SO.sub.2, wherein the amount of cathode material is generally limiting with respect to the desired discharge reaction.

Abstract: A primary or secondary electrochemical cell includes an anode containing lithium when in a charged state, a relatively solid gelled electrolyte system including an amount of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), an amount of solvent and plasticizer that includes .gamma.-butyrolactone (.gamma.-BL) and an amount of lithium electrolyte salt, preferably a combination of LiAsF.sub.6 and LiBF.sub.4, and a cathode having a cathode active material selected from transition metal oxides and lithium transition metal oxide intercalation compounds.

Abstract: Exothermic reactions at elevated temperatures in high rate non-aqueous active metal electrochemical cells which include an alkali metal anode, an electrolyte system including an electrolyte salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent depolarizer, by the provision of a reaction limiting positive electrode material which includes an amount of carbon black, an amount of binder and an amount of ceramic material, said ceramic material being substantially unreactive with other cell species below a predetermined temperature but capable of reacting to form substantially inactive products with the metal of the anode material at or above the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A container for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is molded from a partially hologenated alkaline polymer and has integral electrical leads and vents.

Abstract: Problems associated with voltage reversal hazards in high energy density non-aqueous electrochemical cells are prevented for all except extremely high discharge rates by the provision of a safety separator which is sufficiently porous to allow normal cell operation in the forward direction but which prevents voltage reversal in all but the most extreme cases. The separator may take the form of a thin sheet of ceramic material which need not contact either the anode or the cathode but which forms an ion-permeable mechanical barrier separating the electrodes while allowing normal cell operation.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a lithium anode, a thionyl chloride depolarizer and a sulphur dioxide passivation control agent which further includes having the pressure relieved to substantially reduce the internal pressure of the cell. The internal cell pressure is relieved by venting for sufficient time at an elevated temperature to reduce the internal cell pressure to less than five psi at room temperature, preferably by a plurality of venting cycles and a temperature ranging from room temperature to the elevated temperature. Normally, the elevated temperature ranges from at least 100.degree. F. to greater than 150.degree. F.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having substantially longer storage life comprising a lithium anode, a thionyl chloride depolarizer and solvent, a lithium aluminum chloride electrolyte salt and a quantity of sulfur dioxide admixed in the solvent in an amount sufficient to regulate the growth of lithium chloride crystals formed on the lithium anode. This amount of sulfur dioxide is preferrably sufficient to cause the ratio of moles of lithium aluminum chloride to moles of sulfur dioxide to range from 0.9 to 1.5. A most preferred range is from 1.0 to 1.2.