Abstract: An electrochemical cell for a medium-temperature thermal battery includes an electrolyte having a melting point between 75° C. and 200° C., a thermal decomposition temperature above 300° C., and consisting essentially of at least one organic salt. The electrolyte is ionically conductive at temperatures from the melting point to at least the thermal decomposition temperature, generating a voltage across a cathode and an anode of the cell. The electrolyte is ionically non-conductive at temperatures below the melting point.

Abstract: Thin electrodes produced by thermal spray techniques are presented, wherein the thermal spray feedstock comprises an active material and a protective barrier coating. In a particularly advantageous feature, the active material feedstock is a metal sulfide, metal selenide, or metal telluride which ordinarily decomposes at thermal spray temperatures or which transforms to a material unsuitable for use as an electrode at thermal spray temperatures. The electrodes find particular utility in thermal batteries.