Abstract: A method for preparing an electrode is provided including generating aerosol droplets of a precursor capable of being converted into a component of an electrode in a carrier liquid; converting the droplets into precursor particles; converting the precursor particles into particles of the electrode component; and depositing the electrode component onto an electrically conductive substrate. The electrode is characterized by a highly porous structure having a surface area in the range of >4 m.sup.2 /g and a discharge density at least 1.5 times greater than comparable electrodes prepared by conventional methods.

Abstract: A current collector device for a rechargeable electrolytic cell and method for manufacturing same. The device includes an aluminum current collector having a substantially reduced oxidation layer relative to its native oxide layer, to, in turn, exhibit a relatively low interfacial impedance. A layer of electrode material is applied and adhered to the surface of the aluminum current collector to enable electrochemical activity with the particular ions in an electrolyte within the electrolytic cell. A primer may be applied between the electrode material and the aluminum current collector, wherein the primer serves to substantially preclude re-growth of the oxide layer which would otherwise occur absent such a primer.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell having an electrolyte, a first and second electrode and a primer comprised of lithium polysilicate and carbon, applied to at least one of the first and second electrodes, wherein the primer is chemically and electrochemically stable and electronically conductive so as to decrease interfacial resistance in the cell to enhance columbic efficiency.

Abstract: A current collector device for an electrolytic cell and method for manufacturing same. The device includes an aluminum current collector having a substantially reduced oxidation layer relative to its native oxide layer, to, in turn, exhibit a relatively low interfacial resistance. A coating of material which includes an etching agent and a primer are both applied to the surface of the aluminum current collector in a single mixture so that actual etching and bonding of the primer to the surface can be accomplished by a single step. It is also contemplated that the primer material act as an electrode material which enables electrochemical activity with the particular ions in an electrolyte within the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A current collector device for an electrolytic cell and method for manufacturing same. The device includes an aluminum current collector having a substantially reduced oxidation layer relative to its native oxide layer, to, in turn, exhibit a relatively low interfacial resistance. A coating of material which includes an etching agent and a primer are both applied to the surface of the aluminum current collector in a single mixture so that actual etching and bonding of the primer to the surface can be accomplished by a single step. It is also contemplated that the primer material act as an electrode material which enables electrochemical activity with the particular ions in an electrolyte within the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, having cavitands associated with a metal ion source-electrode and an electrolyte. The cavitands, which are anchored to the electrode by a polymer leash, are capable of releasably attracting particular ions, such as lithium ions, which are migrating from the electrolyte, toward the surface of the electrode during electrodeposition. The polymer leash serves to continuously maintain the cavitands at a predetermined distance away from the surface of the electrode, regardless of surface area fluctuations, typically caused during deposition and dissolution of the particular ions. Accordingly, the cavitands facilitate substantially uniform electrodeposition of the particular ions, which, in turn, substantially suppresses and/or controls the formation and growth of a passive film or layer, on the electrode surface, which may otherwise promote the formation of dendrites.

Abstract: An molecular complex is provided which includes a linear polymer associated with a cyclic molecule to form a rotaxane of the general formula, ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are blocking end groups of size and character sufficient to prevent dethreading of the rotaxane and said R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 the same or different;where the cyclic molecule comprises a cyclic skeleton and at least one A functional group, said functional group attached to the cyclic skeleton;where A is selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functional groups, cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species; andwherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and A are selected from the group consisting of cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species.The molecular complex may used in an electrolyte.

Abstract: An molecular complex is provided which includes a linear polymer associated with a cyclic molecule to form a rotaxane of the general formula, ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are blocking end groups of size and character sufficient to prevent dethreading of the rotaxane and said R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 the same or different;where the cyclic molecule comprises a cyclic skeleton and at least one A functional group, said functional group attached to the cyclic skeleton;where A is selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functional groups, cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species; andwherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and A are selected from the group consisting of cation complexing groups, anion complexing groups and ionic species.The molecular complex may used in an electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell using small particle graphite and an electrolytic process wherein the electrolytic cell includes an electrode constructed with a lithium source and another electrode constructed with relatively small graphite particles. The graphite particles possess physical attributes which serve to increase the reversible capacity of the graphite beyond the known theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g of LiC.sub.6.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process wherein the cell includes a metal anode, such as a lithium anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The surface of the anode is treated with a substantially non-continuous electronically conductive particulate coating, wherein the particulate may consist of carbon. This non-continuously applied particulate coating not only provokes the formation of a stable passivating layer (toward suppression of dendritic growth), but it also serves to lower and substantially sustain interfacial resistance at the surface of the anode during the life of the cell.

Abstract: Compounds are provided for use in an electrolyte comprising repeating unit selected from the group consisting of cyclic and heterocyclic species having y carbon atoms and z heteroatoms, X, and where y is 4, 5 or 6 and z is 0, 1 or 2. The heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, S and N. The repeating unit is further substituted by four to six pendant groups having the formula, (CHR.sub.1).sub.m O(CHR.sub.1 CHR.sub.1 O).sub.n Y, where the majority of pendant groups comprises at least two O and further,in which m is 0 or 1,in which n is in the range of 0 to 25,in which each R.sub.1 is the same or different and R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, allylic and alkenyl radicals having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and Y, andin which each Y is the same or different and Y is a functional group selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functionalities, plasticizing agents and ionic species. Electrolytes, plasticizers and macroions prepared from these compounds are described.

Abstract: A solid state laminar electrochemical cell comprising:an alkali metal anode layer;a solid ionically conductive electrolyte layer;a cathode composition layer; anda current collector;wherein said electrolyte layer is interposed between said alkali metal anode layer and said cathode layer and said cathode layer is interposed between said electrolyte layer and said current collector, the surface of said current collector which contacts said electrolyte layer being microroughened to enable the cathode layer to tightly adhere to said current collector is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process wherein the cell includes a metal anode (such as a lithium anode), a cathode and an electrolyte. A surface layer which is applied to the metal anode enables transfer of ions from the metal anode to the electrolyte and thus allows the ions to pass back into contact with the metal anode. The surface layer is also electronically conductive so that the ions will be uniformally attracted back onto the metal anode during electrodeposition to, in turn, substantially suppress dendrite growth and, in turn, substantially increase the cycle life of the cell.

Abstract: Compounds are provided for use in an electrolyte comprising repeating unit selected from the group consisting of cyclic and heterocyclic species having y carbon atoms and z heteroatoms, X, and where y is 4, 5 or 6 and z is 0, 1 or 2. The heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, S and N. The repeating unit is further substituted by four to six pendant groups having the formula, (CHR.sub.1).sub.m O(CHR.sub.1 CHR.sub.1 O).sub.n Y, where the majority of pendant groups comprises at least two O and further,in which m is 0 or 1,in which n is in the range of 0 to 25,in which each R.sub.1 is the same or different and R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, allylic and alkenyl radicals having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and Y, andin which each Y is the same or different and Y is a functional group selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functionalities, plasticizing agents and ionic species. Electrolytes, plasticizers and macro-ions prepared from these compounds are described.

Abstract: An electrochromic printing medium comprising a solid support having an electrochromic composition coated thereon comprising an electrolyte matrix, a radiation-inert ionically conducting liquid, and an ionizable alkali or ammonium slat; a method for preparing such medium; and a method for forming an image employing such electrochromic printing medium.

Abstract: A solid aqueous electrolyte for use in an electrochemical device produced by the process comprising the steps of:forming a homogeneous mixture of an ionically conductive material, water and a radiation curable material, said radiation curable material being capable of crosslinking upon exposure to radition or heat; andsubjecting said mixture to ionizing radiation or heat to thereby crosslink said curable material and an electrochemical cell including the electrolyte are disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state electrochemical laminar single cell comprising:an alkali metal anode,a solid ionically conducting electrolyte,a composite cathode, anda current collector,wherein said electrolyte is interposed between said alkali metal anode and said cathode and said cathode is interposed between said electrolyte and said current collector,said cell being capable of generating a discharge current per unit area greater than or equal to 50 milliamperes/cm.sup.2 at room temperature; and a process for producing the cell is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for making a solid state alkali metal anode cell comprising the steps of:coating a radiation or thermally polymerizable cathode composition layer onto a current collector layer;rolling the external surface of said cathode composition to provide an external surface having minimal surface discontinuities;coating an ionically conductive, radiation or thermally polymerizable electrolyte composition layer onto said cathode composition layer;partially or totally curing said cathode composition and said electrolyte composition;applying a laminar anode onto said electrolyte composition layer to form a cell assembly and the cell produced thereby is disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state laminar electrochemical cell comprising:an alkali metal anode layer;a solid ionically conducting electrolyte layer; anda cathode/current collector layer;wherein said electrolyte layer is interposed between said alkali metal anode layer and said cathode/current collector layer and wherein said cathode/current collector layer comprises an electrically conductive substrate having a plurality of surface voids and a composite cathode composition comprising an intercalation compound, an electrically conductive filler and an ionically conductive electrolyte, said cathode composition being coated on the surface of said substrate facing said electrolyte layer and being maintained in the voids of said surface is disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state electrochemical laminar signal cell comprising:an alkali metal anode,a solid ionically conducting electrolyte,a composite cathode, anda current collector,wherein said electrolyte is interposed between said alkali metal anode and said cathode and said cathode is interposed between said electrolyte and said current collector,said cell being capable of generating a discharge current per unit area greater than or equal to 50 milliamperes/cm.sup.2 at room temperature; and a process for producing the cell is disclosed.