Abstract: Provided is an anode for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode active layer has a first layer comprising lithium metal and a multi-layer structure comprising single ion conducting layers and polymer layers in contact with the first layer comprising lithium metal or in contact with an intermediate protective layer, such as a temporary protective metal layer, on the surface of the lithium-containing first layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an anode active layer formed by the in-situ deposition of lithium vapor and a reactive gas. The anodes of the current invention are particularly useful in electrochemical cells comprising sulfur-containing cathode active materials, such as elemental sulfur.

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for use in electrochemical cells which comprise at least one microporous pseudo-boehmite layer, which separator is in contact with at least one protective coating layer positioned on the anode-facing side of the separator opposite from the cathode active layer in the cell; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of forming solid composite cathodes with cathode active layers which comprise an electroactive sulfur-containing material and an electrically conductive material, wherein the electroactive sulfur-containing material is heated to a temperature above its melting point to form a melt layer and then is resolidified to form a cathode active layer having redistributed electroactive sulfur-containing material of high volumetric density and improved adhesion and cohesion. The present invention also pertains to methods of forming electric current producing cells comprising such solid composite cathodes and having a high electrochemical utilization and to solid composite cathodes and electric current producing cells formed using such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electroactive energy storing organic polymers, which organic polymers, in their oxidized or fully charged state, comprise polysulfur components. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising composite cathodes utilizing such polymers, and methods of making such composite cathodes and cells.

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of forming solid composite cathodes with cathode active layers which comprise an electroactive sulfur-containing material and an electrically conductive material, wherein the electroactive sulfur-containing material is heated to a temperature above its melting point to form a melt layer and then is resolidified to form a cathode active layer having redistributed electroactive sulfur-containing material of high volumetric density and improved adhesion and cohesion. The present invention also pertains to methods of forming electric current producing cells comprising such solid composite cathodes and having a high electrochemical utilization and to solid composite cathodes and electric current producing cells formed using such methods.

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for use in electrochemical cells which comprise at least one microporous pseudo-boehmite layer, which separator is in contact with at least one protective coating layer positioned on the anode-facing side of the separator opposite from the cathode active layer in the cell; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of preparing prismatic cells which comprise the steps of winding lithium metal anode, separator, and cathode layers on a rounded mandrel having a large circumference relative to the external dimensions of the prismatic cell stack and of compressing the multilayer rounded cell stack into a prismatic shape and then filling the prismatic subassembly with electrolyte to form a prismatic ell stack, or alternatively of winding into such a rounded cell stack and filling with electrolyte and then compressing into a prismatic cell stack, prior to enclosing the prismatic cell stack in a barrier material film and sealing to form the casing of the prismatic cell. The present invention also pertains to electric current producing cells prepared according to such methods.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to non-aqueous electrolyte solvents which comprise a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone and which are suitable for use in secondary electric current producing cells. The present invention also pertains to electrolyte elements comprising such solvents, electric current producing cells comprising such electrolyte elements, and methods for making such electric current producing cells. More particularly, the present invention pertains to electrolyte elements comprising a non-aqueous electrolyte solvent, which solvent comprises a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone of the general formula R1—SO2—R2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently linear or branched alkyl or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, wherein R1 and R2 are different, and wherein —SO2— denotes the sulfone group.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to composite cathodes suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, said cathodes comprising: (a) an electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, in its oxidized state, comprises a polysulfide moiety of the formula —Sm—, wherein m is an integer equal to or greater than 3; and, (b) an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition, which encapsulates said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, and which retards the transport of anionic reduction products of said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, said electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition comprising an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide having the formula MjYk (OR)l wherein: M is a transition metal; Y is the same or different at each occurrence and is oxygen, sulfur, or selenium; R is an organic group and is the same or different at each occurrence; j is an integer ranging from 1 to 12; k is

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) two microporous pseudo-boehmite layers and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer interposed between the microporous pseudo-boehmite layers; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to solid composite cathodes which comprise (a) an electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material which, in its oxidized state, comprises a polysulfide moiety of the formula, —Sm—, wherein m is an integer from 3 to 10; and (b) a non-electroactive particulate non-fibrous material having a strong adsorption of soluble polysulfides. The present invention also pertains to electric current producing cells comprising such solid composite cathodes, and methods of making such solid composite cathodes and electric current producing cells.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to electroactive, energy-storing, highly crosslinked organic polymers and copolymers with a carbocyclic repeat unit comprising a non-aromatic carbocycle with from 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms, wherein each repeat unit is covalently linked via divalent polysulfide linkages having the formula, —Sm—, where m is the same or different at each occurrence and is an integer from 3 to 10. The present invention also pertains to methods of making such polymers and copolymers, which methods generally comprise reacting an alkali metal polysulfide with a halogen-substituted carbocyclic precursor.

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of preparing prismatic cells which comprise the steps of winding lithium metal anode, separator, and cathode layers on a rounded mandrel having a large circumference relative to the external dimensions of the prismatic cell stack and of compressing the multilayer rounded cell stack into a prismatic shape and then filling the prismatic subassembly with electrolyte to form a prismatic ell stack, or alternatively of winding into such a rounded cell stack and filling with electrolyte and then compressing into a prismatic cell stack, prior to enclosing the prismatic cell stack in a barrier material film and sealing to form the casing of the prismatic cell. The present invention also pertains to electric current producing cells prepared according to such methods.

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) two microporous pseudo-boehmite layers and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer interposed between the microporous pseudo-boehmite layers; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electroactive energy storing polyacetylene-co-polysulfur (PAS) materials of general formula (C2Sx)n wherein x is greater than 1 to about 100, n is equal to or greater than 2, and the sulfur chain is bound to the polymer by both terminal sulfur atoms. This invention also relates to novel rechargeable electrochemical cells containing positive electrode materials comprised of said polyacetylene-co-polysulfur materials with improved storage capacity and cycle life at ambient and sub-ambient temperatures.

Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electroactive energy storing polyacetylene-co-polysulfur (PAS) materials of general formula (C.sub.2 S.sub.x).sub.n wherein x is greater than 1 to about 100, and n is equal to or greater than 2. This invention also relates to novel rechargeable electrochemical cells containing positive electrode materials comprised of said polyacetylene-co-polysulfur materials with improved storage capacity and cycle life at ambient and sub-ambient temperatures.

Abstract: An infrared radiation source for sensor and spectroscopic use has a thin, electrically conducting film adapted to emit infrared radiation when heated. The film is formed from a gas or vapor phase and includes a network of diamond-like carbon. Depending on the percentage of metal atoms in the film, the film may have metal atoms which are either distributed in the diamond-like carbon network or else form an additional metallic network. The metal may be tungsten, chromium, or titanium, and the film may include silicon and oxygen.