Abstract: A process for forming an electrode involves mixing or homogenizing one or more electrode components in a "fugitive carrier". This mixture is then frozen by dropping the temperature to a level below which the fugitive carrier freezes. This locks the well-mixed electrode components in place in a solid matrix to form an electrode precursor. Thereafter, the fugitive carrier is sublimated from the electrode precursor to form an electrode in which the components are substantially unsegregated.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrolyte solvents for ambient-temperature lithium-sulfur batteries. The disclosed solvents include at least one ethoxy repeating unit compound of the general formula R.sub.1 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n R.sub.2, where n ranges between 2 and 10 and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are different or identical alkyl or alkoxy groups (including substituted alkyl or alkoxy groups). Alternatively, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may together with (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n form a closed ring. Examples of linear solvents include the glymes (CH.sub.3 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.3). Some electrolyte solvents include a donor or acceptor solvent in addition to an ethoxy compound as described.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkali metal negative electrode having a protective layer. Specifically, the disclosed negative electrode includes a glassy or amorphous surface protective layer which conducts alkali metal ions but effectively blocks the alkali metal in the electrode from direct contact with the ambient. The protective layer has improved smoothness and reduced internal stress in comparison to prior protective layers such as those formed by sputtering. In a specific embodiment, the protective layer is formed on the lithium metal electrode surface by a plasma assisted deposition technique.

Abstract: Batteries including a lithium electrode and a sulfur counter electrode that demonstrate improved cycling efficiencies are described. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell having a lithium electrode and a sulfur electrode including at least one of elemental sulfur, lithium sulfide, and a lithium polysulfide is provided. The lithium electrode includes a surface coating that is effective to increase the cycling efficiency of said electrochemical cell. In a more particular embodiment, the lithium electrode is in an electrolyte solution, and, more particularly, an electrolyte solution including either elemental sulfur, a sulfide, or a polysulfide. In another embodiment, the coating is formed after the lithium electrode is contacted with the electrolyte. In a more particular embodiment, the coating is formed by a reaction between the lithium metal of the lithium electrode and a chemical species present in the electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical device having a shuttle-type redox mechanism for overcharge protection in which the redox reaction is "tuned" with a tuning agent to adjust the potential at which the redox reaction occurs. Such device may be characterized as including the following elements: (1) a negative electrode (e.g., lithium); (2) a positive electrode containing one or more intermediate species (e.g., polysulfides) which are oxidized to one more oxidized species during overcharge; and (3) a tuning species (e.g., an organosulfur compound) which adjusts the rate at which the oxidized species are reduced and thereby adjusts the voltage at which overcharge protection is provided. The oxidized species produced during overcharge move to the negative electrode where they are reduced back to said intermediate species as in a normal redox shuttle. However, the oxidized species react more rapidly than the intermediate species at the negative electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are positive electrodes containing active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The cells include active-sulfur, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. These materials are provided in a manner allowing at least about 10% of the active-sulfur to be available for electrochemical reaction. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The method begins with a step of combining the electrode components in a slurry. Next, the slurry is homogenized such that the electrode components are well mixed and free of agglomerates. Thereafter, before the electrode components have settled or separated to any significant degree, the slurry is coated on a substrate to form a thin film. Finally, the coated film is dried to form the electrode in such a manner that the electrode components do not significantly redistribute.

Abstract: Disclosed are positive electrodes containing active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The cells include active-sulfur, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. These materials are provided in a manner allowing at least about 10% of the active-sulfur to be available for electrochemical reaction. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The method begins with a step of combining the electrode components in a slurry. Next, the slurry is homogenized such that the electrode components are well mixed and free of agglomerates. Thereafter, before the electrode components have settled or separated to any significant degree, the slurry is coated on a substrate to form a thin film. Finally, the coated film is dried to form the electrode in such a manner that the electrode components do not significantly redistribute.

Abstract: Disclosed are positive electrodes containing active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The cells include active-sulfur, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. These materials are provided in a manner allowing at least about 10% of the active-sulfur to be available for electrochemical reaction. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The method begins with a step of combining the electrode components in a slurry. Next, the slurry is homogenized such that the electrode components are well mixed and free of agglomerates. Thereafter, before the electrode components have settled or separated to any significant degree, the slurry is coated on a substrate to form a thin film. Finally, the coated film is dried to form the electrode in such a manner that the electrode components do not significantly redistribute.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making solid-phase active-sulfur-based composite electrodes. The method begins with a step of combining the electrode components (including an electrochemically active material, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor) in a slurry. Next, the slurry is homogenized such that the electrode components are well mixed and free of agglomerates. Very soon thereafter, before the electrode components have settled or separated to any significant degree, the slurry is coated on a substrate to form a thin film. Finally, the coated film is dried to form the electrode in such a manner that the electrode components do not significantly redistribute.

Abstract: Disclosed are battery cells comprising a sulfur-based positive composite electrode. Preferably, said cells are secondary cells, and more preferably thin film secondary cells. In one aspect, the cells can be in a solid-state or gel-state format wherein either a solid-state or gel-state electrolyte separator is used. In another aspect of the invention, the cells are in a liquid format wherein the negative electrode comprises carbon, carbon inserted with lithium or sodium, or a mixture of carbon with lithium or sodium. The novel battery systems of this invention have a preferred operating temperature range of from -40.degree. C. to 145.degree. C. with demonstrated energies and powers far in excess of state-of-the-art high-temperature battery systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are battery cells comprising a sulfur-based positive composite electrode. Preferably, said cells are secondary cells, and more preferably thin film secondary cells. In one aspect, the cells can be in a solid-state or gel-state format wherein either a solid-state or gel-state electrolyte separator is used. In another aspect of the invention, the cells are in a liquid format wherein the negative electrode comprises carbon, carbon inserted with lithium or sodium, or a mixture of carbon with lithium or sodium. The novel battery systems of this invention have a preferred operating temperature range of from -40.degree. C. to 145.degree. C. with demonstrated energies and powers far in excess of state-of-the-art high-temperature battery systems.

Abstract: A novel battery cell is disclosed which is characterized by a metal-organosulfur positive electrode which has one or more metal-sulfur bonds wherein when the positive electrode is charged and discharged, the formal oxidation state of the metal is changed. The positive electrode has the general formula(M'.sup.z.spsp.+.sub.(c/z) [M.sub.q (RS.sub.y).sub.x.sup.c- ]).sub.nwhereinz=1 or 2; y=1 to 20; x=1 to 10; c=0 to 10; n.gtoreq.