Abstract: A primary lithium cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising electrochemically active material selected from silver copper oxides having the formula AgCuO2 or Ag2Cu2O3 or mixtures thereof. The cathode can include a manganese dioxide in admixture with said silver copper oxides. The cell exhibits higher capacity and energy output than conventional lithium cells having an anode comprising lithium and cathode comprising manganese dioxide.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising silver copper oxide AgCuO2, or Ag2Cu2O3, desirably in admixture with MnO2. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphtic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising silver copper oxide selected from the compounds AgCuO2 Ag2Cu2O3 or any mixture thereof. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphitic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: A primary lithium cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising electrochemically active material selected from silver copper oxides having the formula AgCuO2 or Ag2Cu2O3 or mixtures thereof. The cathode can include a manganese dioxide in admixture with said silver copper oxides. The cell exhibits higher capacity and energy output than conventional lithium cells having an anode comprising lithium and cathode comprising manganese dioxide.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising silver copper oxide selected from the compounds AgCuO2 Ag2Cu2O3 or any mixture thereof. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphitic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, an alkaline electrolyte solution, a separator, and a cathode comprising silver copper oxide AgCuO2, or Ag2Cu2O3, desirably in admixture with MnO2. The cathode preferably also includes a graphitic carbon to improve electrical conductivity. The graphtic carbon can comprise natural or synthetic graphites including expanded graphites and graphitic carbon fibers. The carbon nanofibers desirably have a mean average diameter less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: Carbonaceous insertion compounds and methods for preparation are described wherein the compounds comprise a highly disordered, impurity free, hard pre-graphitic carbonaceous host. Carbonaceous insertion compounds can be prepared which have large reversible capacity for lithium yet low irreversible capacity and voltage hysteresis. Such insertion compounds can be prepared by simple pyrolysis of suitable epoxy, phenolic resin, or carbohydrate precursors at an appropriate temperature. These insertion compounds may be suitable for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Carbonaceous insertion compounds and methods for preparation are described wherein the compounds comprise a highly disordered, impurity free, hard pre-graphitic carbonaceous host. Carbonaceous insertion compounds can be prepared which have large reversible capacity for lithium yet low irreversible capacity and voltage hysteresis. Such insertion compounds can be prepared by simple pyrolysis of suitable epoxy, phenolic resin, or carbohydrate precursors at an appropriate temperature. These insertion compounds may be suitable for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Cells, especially solid state rechargeable lithium ion-containing cells having significantly improved cell shelf-life, cycle life and reduced impedance growth. A non-cathode active lithium compound containing one or more non-metallic elements, such as Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and Li.sub.2 B.sub.4 O.sub.7, substantially insoluble in the non-aqueous electrolyte of the cell, is dispersed throughout the cathode and is further dispersed within at least one of the anode and separator.

Abstract: Carbonaceous insertion compounds and methods for preparation are described wherein the compounds comprise silicon and oxygen and are characterized by x-ray diffraction patterns that resemble that of amorphous silicon dioxide. The compounds can exhibit a large reversible capacity for lithium and can be prepared by simple pyrolysis of suitable polymer/s containing silicon, oxygen and carbon at an appropriate temperature. These insertion compounds may be suitable for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries.