Abstract: A method for forming at least one alkali metal or alkaline earth metal electrode, said method comprising: a) providing a metal foil; b) cutting the metal foil to form at least one electrode; c) placing an electrode on a carrier; d) applying one or more protection layers to one or both sides of the electrode; and e) removing the electrode from the carrier.

Abstract: A method for forming at least one electrode, said method comprising: a) providing an electronically conductive, inert material; b) cutting the substrate material to form at least one current collector; c) placing at least one current collector on a carrier; d) applying one or more protection layers to one or both sides of the current collector to form a coated electrode; and e) removing the electrode from the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell comprising an anode; an electrolyte having a solubility for sulfur-containing species of less than 15 mM; a cathode comprising greater than 65 wt. % sulfur, wherein the cathode comprises a carbon-sulfur composite material; and wherein the composite material comprises greater than 65 weight % sulfur based on the total weight of the composite material; and wherein the carbon sulfur composite material is formed from an electroconductive carbon material having an average pore volume of 1.5?3 cm3 g?1 and an average pore diameter of less than 3 nm.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising: i. an anode comprising an alkali metal or alkali metal alloy or silicon; ii. a cathode comprising a particulate mixture deposited on a current collector, said particulate mixture comprising electrochemically active sulfur material and electronically conductive carbon material, wherein the porosity of the cathode is less than 40%; and iii. an electrolyte having a polysulfide solubility of less than 500 mM.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly comprising: at least one electrochemical cell or cells comprising—a cathode comprising an electrochemically active material; —an anode comprising an alkali metal or alkali metal alloy layer and a protection layer containing a first layer and a second layer; wherein the first layer comprises a metal and/or non-metal that alloys with an alkali metal and is formed on the alkali metal or alkali metal alloy layer, and an second layer deposited on the first layer, wherein the second layer is an ionically conducting layer having an electronic conductivity of less than 10?5 S cm?1; and—an electrolyte, and wherein the cell assembly further comprises a means of applying pressure to the at least one electrochemical cell or cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly comprising: at least one electrochemical cell or cells comprising—a cathode comprising an electrochemically active material, wherein alkali metal is present in the cathode;—an anode comprising a current collector comprising an electronically conducting, inert metal or non-metal; and said anode further comprising a protection layer containing a first layer and a second layer; wherein the first layer comprises a metal and/or non-metal that alloys with an alkali metal and is formed on the current collecting layer, and an second layer deposited on the first layer, wherein the second layer is an Tonically conducting layer having an electronic conductivity of less than 10?5 S cm?1; wherein the cell assembly further comprises a means of applying pressure to the at least one electromechanical cell or cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising: an anode comprising lithium or sodium metal, or lithium or sodium metal alloy; an ionically conductive cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur material; and a liquid electrolyte comprising at least one lithium salt or at least one sodium salt, wherein the polysulfide solubility of the electrolyte is less than 500 mM.