Abstract: Voltage delay in an active metal anode/liquid cathode battery cell can be significantly reduced or completely alleviated by coating the active metal anode (e.g., Li) surface with a thin layer of an inorganic compound with Li-ion conductivity using chemical treatment of Li surface. Particularly, preferred examples of such compounds include lithium phosphate, lithium metaphosphate, and/or their mixtures or solid solutions with lithium sulphate. These compounds can be formed on the Li surface by treatment with diluted solutions of the following individual acids: H3PO4, HPO3 and H2SO4, their acidic salts, or their binary or ternary mixtures in a dry organic solvent compatible with Li, for instance in 1,2-DME; by various deposition techniques. Such chemical protection of the Li or other active metal electrode significantly reduces the voltage delay due to protected anode's improved stability toward the electrolyte.

Abstract: This invention provides new and novel devices and methods for administering donor ions to a mammalian subject, especially the delivery of alkali, alkaline earth, transition metal ions and simple anions (donor ions) to a body component, for example across a body or tissue surface such as skin or a mucosal membrane, or for delivery of donor ions directly to bodily fluids in a controllable and reproducible manner. In certain embodiments the device comprises a donor electrode that is a source of a donor ion; a protective architecture that is ionically conductive to the donor ion, configured for application to a skin surface and positioned to isolate the donor electrode from the skin surface; and a counter electrode assembly configured for application to a skin surface, where the counter electrode assembly comprises a counter electrode operably coupled to the donor electrode.

Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.

Abstract: Voltage delay in an active metal anode/liquid cathode battery cell can be significantly reduced or completely alleviated by coating the active metal anode (e.g., Li) surface with a thin layer of an inorganic compound with Li-ion conductivity using chemical treatment of Li surface. Particularly, preferred examples of such compounds include lithium phosphate, lithium metaphosphate, and/or their mixtures or solid solutions with lithium sulphate. These compounds can be formed on the Li surface by treatment with diluted solutions of the following individual acids: H3PO4, HPO3 and H2SO4, their acidic salts, or their binary or ternary mixtures in a dry organic solvent compatible with Li, for instance in 1,2-DME; by various deposition techniques. Such chemical protection of the Li or other active metal electrode significantly reduces the voltage delay due to protected anode's improved stability toward the electrolyte.

Abstract: A drug electrode assembly usefully employed in an electrotransport device for the delivery of drugs across a tissue surface includes an electrode, a drug reservoir which stores the drug (including an ionized (e.g., anionic) or neutrally charged drug species), and a liquid impermeable solid-state assist ion conducting barrier layer interposed between the electrode and the drug reservoir. The barrier layer can be a single-ion conductor of a specific (unique) species of ion called the assist ion. During drug delivery, the assist ion moves across the barrier layer into or out of the drug reservoir, and as the assist ion crosses the barrier layer/drug reservoir interphase, the drug species moves to the tissue surface. The assist ion can be, for example, sodium ions (Na+), and the electrode can be an electrode of the assist ion (i.e., a sodium electrode).

Abstract: Electrochemical structures with a protective interlayer for prevention of deleterious reactions between an active metal electrode and polymer electrolytes, and methods for their fabrication. The structures may be incorporated in battery cells. The interlayer is capable of protecting an active metal anode and a polymer electrolyte from deleterious reaction with one another while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to enhance performance of a battery cell in which the structure is incorporated. The interlayer has a high ionic conductivity, at least 10?7 S/cm, generally at least 10?6 S/cm, and as high as 10?3 S/cm or higher. The interlayer may be composed, in whole or in part, of active metal nitrides, active metal phosphides or active metal halides. These materials may be applied preformed, or they may be formed in situ by conversion of applied precursors on contact with the active metal anode material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the electrolytic separation of fluorine from a mixture of gases is disclosed. Also described is the process and apparatus for the generation of fluorine from fluorine/fluoride containing solids, liquids or gases.

Abstract: Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode.

Abstract: Electrochemical structures with a protective interlayer for prevention of deleterious reactions between an active metal electrode and polymer electrolytes, and methods for their fabrication. The structures may be incorporated in battery cells. The interlayer is capable of protecting an active metal anode and a polymer electrolyte from deleterious reaction with one another while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to enhance performance of a battery cell in which the structure is incorporated. The interlayer has a high ionic conductivity, at least 10?7 S/cm, generally at least 10?6 S/cm, and as high as 10?3 S/cm or higher. The interlayer may be composed, in whole or in part, of active metal nitrides, active metal phosphides or active metal halides. These materials may be applied preformed, or they may be formed in situ by conversion of applied precursors on contact with the active metal anode material.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite (e.g., a mixed electrode) by infiltration of a porous structure (e.g., one formed from an ionically conductive material) with a solution of a precursor (e.g., for an electronically conductive material) results in a particulate layer on and within the porous structure with a single infiltration. The method involves forming a solution comprising at least one metal salt and a surfactant; heating the solution to substantially evaporate solvent and form a concentrated salt and surfactant solution; infiltrating the concentrated solution into a porous structure to create a composite; and heating the composite to substantially decompose the salt and surfactant to oxide and/or metal particles. The result is a particulate layer on the pore walls of the porous structure. In some instances the particulate layer is a continuous network. Corresponding devices have improved properties and performance.

Abstract: Protected anode architectures have ionically conductive protective membrane architectures that, in conjunction with compliant seal structures and anode backplanes, effectively enclose an active metal anode inside the interior of an anode compartment. This enclosure prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment external to the anode compartment, which may include aqueous, ambient moisture, and/or other materials corrosive to the active metal. The compliant seal structures are substantially impervious to anolytes, catholytes, dissolved species in electrolytes, and moisture and compliant to changes in anode volume such that physical continuity between the anode protective architecture and backplane are maintained. The protected anode architectures can be used in arrays of protected anode architectures and battery cells of various configurations incorporating the protected anode architectures or arrays.

Abstract: This invention provides new and novel devices and methods for administering lithium (Li) ions to a mammalian subject, especially the delivery of lithium (Li) ions to a body component for example across a body or tissue surface such as skin or a mucosal membrane, or for delivery of lithium ions directly to bodily fluids in a controllable and reproducible manner. In certain embodiments the device comprises a donor electrode that is a donor of a lithium ion; a protective architecture that is ionically conductive to the lithium ion, configured for application to a skin surface and positioned to isolate said donor electrode from the skin surface; and a counter electrode assembly configured for application to a skin surface, where said counter electrode assembly comprises a counter electrode operably coupled to said donor electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are ionically conductive membranes for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The membranes may be incorporated in active metal negative electrode (anode) structures and battery cells. In accordance with the invention, the membrane has the desired properties of high overall ionic conductivity and chemical stability towards the anode, the cathode and ambient conditions encountered in battery manufacturing. The membrane is capable of protecting an active metal anode from deleterious reaction with other battery components or ambient conditions while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to facilitate manufacture and/or enhance performance of a battery cell in which the membrane is incorporated.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for alleviating the problem of reaction of lithium or other alkali or alkaline earth metals with incompatible processing and operating environments by creating an ionically conductive chemical protective layer on the lithium or other reactive metal surface. Such a chemically produced surface layer can protect lithium metal from reacting with oxygen, nitrogen or moisture in ambient atmosphere thereby allowing the lithium material to be handled outside of a controlled atmosphere, such as a dry room. Production processes involving lithium are thereby very considerably simplified. One example of such a process is the processing of lithium to form negative electrodes for lithium metal batteries.

Abstract: Porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, such as solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), are low-cost, mechanically strong and highly electronically conductive. Some preferred structures have a thin layer of an electrocatalytically active material (e.g., Ni—YSZ) coating a porous high-strength alloy support (e.g., SS-430) to form a porous SOFC fuel electrode. Electrode/electrolyte structures can be formed by co-firing or constrained sintering processes.

Abstract: Disclosed are ionically conductive composites for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The composites may be incorporated in active metal negative electrode (anode) structures and battery cells. In accordance with the invention, the properties of different ionic conductors are combined in a composite material that has the desired properties of high overall ionic conductivity and chemical stability towards the anode, the cathode and ambient conditions encountered in battery manufacturing. The composite is capable of protecting an active metal anode from deleterious reaction with other battery components or ambient conditions while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to facilitate manufacture and/or enhance performance of a battery cell in which the composite is incorporated.

Abstract: Disclosed are ionically conductive composites for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The composites may be incorporated in active metal negative electrode (anode) structures and battery cells. In accordance with the invention, the properties of different ionic conductors are combined in a composite material that has the desired properties of high overall ionic conductivity and chemical stability towards the anode, the cathode and ambient conditions encountered in battery manufacturing. The composite is capable of protecting an active metal anode from deleterious reaction with other battery components or ambient conditions while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to facilitate manufacture and/or enhance performance of a battery cell in which the composite is incorporated.

Abstract: Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated electrochemical device having a dense electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode preferably deposited as thin films is bonded to a porous electrically conductive support. A second porous electrically conductive support may be bonded to a counter electrode of the electrochemical device. Multiple electrochemical devices may be bonded in parallel to a single porous support, such as a perforated sheet to provide a planar array. Planar arrays may be arranged in a stacked interconnected array. A method of making a supported electrochemical device is disclosed wherein the method includes a step of bonding a pre-fabricated electrochemical device layer to an existing porous metal or porous metal alloy layer.

Abstract: The process described herein provides a simple and cost effective method for making crack free, high density thin ceramic film. The steps involve depositing a layer of a ceramic material on a porous or dense substrate. The deposited layer is compacted and then the resultant laminate is sintered to achieve a higher density than would have been possible without the pre-firing compaction step.