Abstract: A rechargeable cell with an alkali or alkaline earth metal electrode with a coulombic capacity about the same as a metal halide electrode such as CuCl2, CuBr2, and the like, or a metal oxide positive electrode such as LiCoO2, MnO2 and the like or a carbonaceous positive electrode and a sulfur dioxide electrolyte solvent containing a salt that produces a halogen and/or a Lewis acid on overcharge is disclosed. On most discharges, the active metal of the negative electrode is anodically dissolved and any dendrites are anodically dissolved or electrically isolated and scavenged. About every 4 to 50 cycles, the cell is overdischarged in reversal to reduce the state of charge of the positive electrode relative to the negative electrode and compensate for undercharging of the negative electrode during recycling.

Abstract: Method of making a flexible metal halide, specifically CuCl.sub.2, positive electrode for a lithium/sulfur dioxide rechargeable electrochemical cell. CuCl.sub.2 is mixed with graphite and a binder such as TFE. Methylene chloride or 1,1,2 trichlorotrifluoroethane is added to form a slurry. The slurry is pasted onto an inert, electrically-conductive, screen-like substrate. The slurry is dried and then heated to cure the TFE. The resulting electrode structure is pressed between rollers to reduce its thickness.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an oxidizable active anode, a cathode current collector, and an electrolytic solution comprising a liquid cathode material and an electrolyte solute dissolved therein. The cathode current collector includes two catalyst elements; the first is a cylinder of porous carbon material, and the second is a stack of discs of porous nickel material adjacent to one end of the porous carbon element. The amounts of the anode material, electrolytic solution, and porous carbon material are related such that the effectiveness of the porous carbon material as an active catalyst is exhausted prior to the anode material and the electrolytic solution, at which time the porous nickel material becomes effective as the active catalyst material. The electrochemical cell produces a steady output voltage at one level while the porous carbon material is the active catalyst and produces an output voltage at a lower level when the porous nickel material becomes the active catalyst.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an oxidizable anode, for example lithium, and an electrolytic solution including a reducible liquid cathode material, for example thionyl chloride. An additive material, for example polyvinyl chloride, in the form of a gel of polyvinyl chloride and the reducible liquid cathode material is dispersed throughout the electrolytic solution. When the temperature of the cell rises due to abnormal conditions, such as those present during a short circuit, the additive material dissolves in the solution limiting the current flow within the cell.