Abstract: In an electrochemical cell having an active metal negative electrode, a positive electrode and a electrolyte separator there is provided a first layer between the negative electrode and the electrolyte separator, the layer comprises a carbon-based material which is a conductor of electrons and a conductor of metal ions of the negative electrode. The layer restricts penetration of electrolytic organic and anionic salt constituents therethrough and prevents degradation of the negative electrode.

Abstract: In an electrochemical lithium cell having a negative electrode, a positive electrode and an electrolyte separator there is provided a positive electrode current collector which comprises a redox active conductive polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium battery comprising a cathode active material having as its major component amorphous V.sub.2 O.sub.5. The amorphous V.sub.2 O.sub.5 is prepared by electrochemically reacting crystalline vanadium pentoxide (V.sub.2 O.sub.5) with lithium in a cell to a voltage sufficient to transform crystalline vanadium pentoxide to amorphous vanadium pentoxide. Preferably, the electrochemical reaction is conducted in a V.sub.2 O.sub.5 --Li cell of about 1.5 V at a relatively constant current in a range of about 0.05 milliamps per cm.sup.2 to about 0.5 milliamps per cm.sup.2.

Abstract: In a preferred battery, a negative electrode contains metallic lithium, a positive electrode contains transition metal chalcogen compound having a reversible lithium insertion ability, a solid electrolyte is disposed between the electrodes, and a protective layer is disposed between the solid electrolyte and the negative electrode. The protective layer contains polyvinyl pyridine (PVP) or derivatives thereof and iodine complexed with the PVP or derivatives thereof for reducing passivation of the lithium-containing negative electrode. Preferably the polyvinyl pyridine is poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred method, a new cathode composition is prepared in situ, in a cell, whereby such in situ formation method results in enhanced contact between the cathode composition and the current collector and between the electrolyte layer and the cathode composition. The new method provides such in situ prepared cathode composition comprising first and second polymeric materials, the first being radiation cured and ionically conductive and the second being electrochemically cured and electrically conductive. In accordance with the preferred method, the first is radiation cured before the second is electrochemically cured and the second polymeric material is cured in an electrochemical cell which comprises a preferred alkali metal-containing anode layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium battery comprising a cathode active material comprising an oxide of vanadium, which is a compound of the general formula M.sub.(1+y) (V.sub.3 O.sub.8).sub.2. M is a divalent ion having a +2 valency and y is equal to or greater than zero and preferably is less than 2. The vanadium oxide active material of the invention is prepared by a series of steps in which solid precursor compounds are successively finely divided and heat treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium battery comprising a cathode active material having as its major component an oxide of vanadium, which is a compound of the general formula M.sub.x V.sub.3 O.sub.8. The vanadium oxide active material of the invention is prepared by a series of steps in which a precursor ZV.sub.3 O.sub.8 -based compound undergoes quantitative ionic substitution to provide M.sub.x V.sub.3 O.sub.8, where M is a mono-, di-, tri- or tetravalent metal or semi-metal element.

Abstract: Fine particles of vanadium oxide or compound thereof, respectively represented by the general formulas V.sub.2 O.sub.5 and LiV.sub.3 O.sub.8, are prepared by freeze-drying a wet mixture containing a precursor. Alternatively, such oxide or compound is prepared in fine particle form intimately mixed with fine particles of carbon, also by freeze-drying.

Abstract: Fine particles of vanadium oxide or lithiated vanadium oxide are less than 100 microns in size and on the order of 30 microns in size. Such fine particles are prepared by spray-drying a precursor mixture. Such oxide particles are also intermingled with fine particles of carbon by including carbon particles in the precursor mixture.

Abstract: In an electrochemical lithium cell having an active metal negative electrode, a positive electrode and an electrolyte separator there is provided a layer between the current collector and the positive electrode, which layer comprises a carbon-based material which is a conductor of electrons and which restricts penetration of electrolyte therethrough to prevent corrosion of the positive electrode.

Abstract: A process for forming a layer of metal on a substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a bath of a molten metal in a vessel; (b) circulating said molten metal in said bath such that said molten metal is projected above the upper surface of said vessel (c) transporting a substrate along a path which traverses the upper surface of said vessel; and (d) transferring said molten metal to one surface of said substrate by directly or indirectly contracting said molten metal with said surface of said substrate, and an apparatus for performing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for forming a layer of metal on a substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a bath of a molten metal in a vessel; (b) circulating said molten metal in said bath such that said molten metal is projected above the upper surface of said vessel; (c) transporting a substrate along a path which traverses the upper surface of said vessel; and (d) transferring said molten metal to one surface of said substrate by directly or indirectly contacting said molten metal with said surface of said substrate, and an apparatus for performing the method is disclosed.