Abstract: A battery is prepared by dipping battery elements (which may be surrounded by a thin, lightweight material, such as a plastic bag) into a liquid encapsulating, acid-resistant liquid material such as a rubber or resin. Individual elements can be connected either before or after hardening of the liquid to create a battery of the desired voltage. Heavy thermoplastic resin containers need not be used, and the weight of the resultant battery is thereby substantially reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a high temperature electrochemical power storage cell which has a cathode compartment containing a molten alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte and a cathode which comprises an electronically conductive electrolyte-permeable porous matrix. The matrix has, dispersed therein, an active cathode substance THal.sub.2 in which Hal is the halide of the electrolyte and T is a transition metal selected from Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn and mixtures thereof, the matrix being impregnated with said molten electrolyte. The matrix comprises the transition metal T of the active cathode substance in porous form and the cathode includes, embedded in the matrix, a metallic current collector having a coating thereon which is chemically and electrochemically inert in the cell environment and is electronically conductive, the metal of the current collector being no more noble than any transition metal of the active cathode substance.

Abstract: An alkali metal, such as lithium, is the anodic reactant, carbon dioxide or a mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is the cathodic reactant, and carbonate of the alkali metal is the electrolyte in an electrochemical cell for the storage and delivery of electrical energy. Additionally, alkali metal-carbon dioxide battery systems include a plurality of such electrochemical cells. Gold is a preferred catalyst for reducing the carbon dioxide at the cathode.

Abstract: A high temperature rechargeable electrochemical power storage cell comprises an anode compartment containing a molten alkali metal anode; a cathode compartment containing an alkali metal aluminum halide molten salt electrolyte, and a cathode which comprises an electronically conductive electrolyte-permeable porous matrix which has dispersed therein an active cathode substance, with the matrix being impregnated with said molten electrolyte; a separator separating the anode compartment from the electrolyte; and at least one bimetallic current collector in one of the cell compartments. The bimetallic current collector is such that, when the cell is at ambient temperature, the current collector is in a first non-deformed configuration. However, when the cell is at its normal operating temperature, the current collector is in a second deformed configuration.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electrode for use in a metal chloride battery and an electrode are provided. The electrode has relatively larger and more uniform pores than those found in typical electrodes. The fabrication method includes the steps of mixing sodium chloride particles selected from a predetermined size range with metal particles selected from a predetermined size range, and then rigidifying the mixture. The electrode exhibits lower resistivity values of approximately 0.5 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2 than those resistivity values of approximately 1.0-1.5 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2 exhibited by currently available electrodes.

Abstract: The invention provides a high temperature rechargeable electrochemical power storage cell comprising a cell housing defining a cathode compartment containing a cathode and containing an anode structure located within the cathode compartment and comprising a plurality of holders filled with active anode material which is molten at the operating temperature of the cell. The anode structure defines a conduit containing active anode material and the holders are flattened in shape and spaced along the conduit in series from one another. The interior of each holder is in communication with the conduit and each holder has a pair of oppositely outwardly facing major faces extending transversely to the conduit and comprising a material which is a conductor of the active anode material.

Abstract: A high temperature rechargeable electrochemical power storage cell comprises an anode compartment containing a molten alkali metal anode; a cathode compartment containing an alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte as well as a cathode which comprises an electronically conductible electrolyte-permeable porous matrix which has dispersed therein an active cathode substance, with the matrix being impregnated with said molten electrolyte; a separator separating the anode compartment from the electrolyte; and a wick in the anode compartment to enhance contact of alkali metal with the separator in the anode compartment. The wick comprises a layer of alkali metal wettable particles on the separator surface, and a metallic anchoring component abutting the wettable particles and protruding into the anode compartment.

Abstract: A high temperature rechargeable electrochemical cell which comprises a cell housing divided by a separator into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. The anode compartment contains an active anode substance which is a molten alkali metal M, the separator being capable of conducting ions of the alkali metal of the anode therethrough. The cathode compartment contains a cathode comprising an electronically conductive electrolyte-permeable porous matrix having, dispersed therein, a solid active cathode substance the matrix being impregnated with a molten salt electrolyte. The cathode comprises also, in contact with the matrix, a porous, electrolyte-permeable reservoir of material which is electrochemically and chemically inert in the cathode environment, said reservoir having an ability to wick the molten salt electrolyte at the operating temperature of the cell which ability is less than the ability of the matrix to wick said molten salt electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention provides a high temperature electrochemical cell having an anode and a cathode separated by a separator. The cell has a housing divided by the separator into two cell compartments for the anode and cathode, each of which compartments contains liquid at the cell operating temperature, and has a gas space therein above the liquid, containing an inert gas. The cell compartments are in communication with each other, e.g. by passage, and are otherwise sealed. This communication is above the levels of the liquid in the compartments at all stages of charge of the cell.

Abstract: A separator for use in an advanced rechargeable electrochemical battery cell includes a thin plate of beta" alumina affixed to a molded monolithic frame shaped similar to a window frame. The strength and support provided by the frame permits use of extremely thin beta" alumina plates. When used in a sodium sulfur or sodium metal chloride battery cell, the separator permits maximum cell power without a decrease in cell energy capacity. A battery prepared by stacking a plurality of such cells is light and compact, yet has sufficient power and capacity for use in an electric vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides an anode for an electrochemical cell. There is an anode holder containing a molten sodium anode. The holder is a ceramic envelope which is a sodium conductor and the holder has a current collector in contact with the sodium and projection through an opening in the envelope wall. The envelope interior contains a unitary porous solid matrix permeable by and impregnated by sodium. The matrix is bonded to at least part of the inner surface of the wall of the envelope. The invention provides also a holder for the anode which is empty of sodium; and provides an electrochemical cell employing the anode; and it provides a method of making said anode and holder.

Abstract: A high temperature molten salt thermal cell is provided where the active hodic materials are ternary metal sulfides as for example, BaNiS.sub.2, BaFeS.sub.2, and BaCoS.sub.2.

Abstract: An improved high temperature rechargeable molten salt battery is obtained the use of alkaline earth metal sulfides as cathode additives in transition metal sulfide cathodes in these batteries.

Abstract: A method of making an electrochemical cell comprises loading into the cathode compartment of a cell housing comprising an anode compartment separated from a cathode compartment by a separator which is a solid conductor of ions of alkali metal M or is a micromolecular sieve which contains alkali metal M sorbed therein; an alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte having the formula MAlHal.sub.4 wherein M is the alkali metal of the anode and Hal is a halide; Cu as an active cathode substance; and an alkali metal halide MHal wherein M and Hal are respectively an alkali metal and a halide; thereby to make an electrochemical cell precursor.

Abstract: A thermal battery activated by external heat comprising an anode, e.g. composed of a lithium-aluminum alloy, a cathode, e.g. composed of iron disulfide, and an electrolyte, e.g. a lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic, the electrolyte being inactive at ambient temperature but being activated by melting at a predetermined temperature when exposed to external heating. The battery can be used as a sensor or to ignite pyrotechnic and power electronic devices, in a system for reducing the hazard of ordnance exposed to detrimental heating. A particular application is the use of the battery to activate a squib to function in conjunction with one or more other components, to vent an ordnance case, preventing its explosion in a fire.

Abstract: A method of making an electrochemical cell comprises loading into a cathode compartment of a cell housing comprising an anode compartment separated from a cathode compartment by a separator which is a solid conductor of ions of alkali metal M or is a micromolecular sieve which contains alkali metal M sorbed therein, an alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte having the formula MAlHal.sub.4 wherein M is the alkali metal of the separator and Hal is a halide; an alkali metal halide MHal wherein M and Hal are respectively an alkali metal and a halide; a transition metal T selected from the group comprising Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn and mixtures thereof, as an active cathode substance; and a current collector comprising at least one of copper, a copper-based substance, and a copper-coated substance, thereby to make an electrochemical cell precursor.

Abstract: The invention provides a high temperature rechargeable electrochemical power storage cell having an alkali metal anode molten at the cell operating temperatrure. A solid electrolyte separator conductive of ions of the anode separates the anode from a cathode having an electronically conductive electrolyte-permeable porous matrix impregnated with liquid electrolyte comprising cations of the anode metal and halide ions. Dispersed in the porous interior of the matrix is an electronically active cathode substance substantially insoluble in the liquid electrolyte. The separator is a sheet and the matrix of the cathode has the same peripheral outline as the sheet. The matrix is opposed to the sheet and is in register face-to-face therewith. The separator and sheet are located in a cell housing divided by the separator into an anode compartment containing the anode and a cathode compartment containing the cathode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a molten alkali metal anode separated by a separator which is a conductor of anode ions from an alkali metal aluminium halide molten electrolyte which couples the anode to a cathode having an active material comprising Fe, Ni, Co, Cr and/or Mn. The molten electrolyte is doped by a dopant M.sub.2 X, MY or M.sub.A Z in which M is the anode metal, X, Y and Z are respectively anions which are divalent, monovalent and polyvalent. The dopant acts to reduce the Lewis acidity of the molten electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell 10 comprises, in its charged state, an anode 14 comprising, as an active anode substance, (i) a metal halide T(1).sup.m+ X.sub.m.sup.- where T(1) is a metal selected from the group consisting in the first series of transition elements, the second series of transition elements, tungsten, aluminium, silicon, tin and lead, m+ is the valency of the metal T(1), and X is a halogen. The cell also comprises a cathode 18 comprising, as an active cathode substance, a metal halide T(2).sup.n+ X.sub.n.sup.-, where T(2) is a metal selected from the group consisting in the first series of transition elements, the second series of transition elements, tungsten, aluminium, silicon, tin and lead, n+ is the valency of the metal T(2), and X is a halogen. The cell further comprises a liquid electrolyte 22, E, containing halogen ions X.sup.-, when the active anode and cathode substances are T(1).sup.m+ X.sub.m.sup.- and T(2).sup.n+ X.sub.n.sup.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode for an electrochemical cell, a cell incorporating the cathode, and a method of rendering the cathode resistant to a drop in capacity associated with cell cycling. The invention involves dispersing a transition metal, other than Ni, Fe, Cr, Co or Mn, in the active cathode substance, the cathode comprising an electronically conductive porous matrix impregnated with sodium aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte containing chloride ions. Said active cathode substance is an chlorinated nickel-containing substance dispersed in the matrix.

Abstract: A primary rechargeable electrical energy storage device comprising a housing having an electrically non-conductive interior surface, at least one cell postioned in said housing, each cell comprising an anode consisting of a low melting metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkali metal alloy and alkali metal eutectic mixture, said anode having a barrier of lithium nitride, a separator surrounding said anode, said separator being capable of transporting ionic species and electrically isolating said anode, a cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: The use of cobalt oxide (Co.sub.3 O.sub.4) in a thermal cell as the cathode aterial results in a thermal cell with higher open circuit voltage than the present used iron disulfide cathodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a eutectic aluminum base alloy and anode made therefrom which may include at least two elements from the group consisting of scandium, bismuth, cadmium, gallium, indium, lead, mercury, thallium, tin, and zinc. The alloying elements are present in the aluminum alloy in such quantity that they are at least in part liquid at the sites of local reaction on the anode. The preferred alloying components are eutectics of the elements. The alloys and anodes have a high overpotential for water reduction. The purity of the aluminum is preferably at least about 99.99%. Preferred compositions are aluminum-gallium-indium, aluminum-gallium-indium-tin, aluminum-gallium-indium-tin-zinc, aluminum-gallium-indium-zinc, aluminum-gallium-zinc, aluminum-gallium-tin, and aluminum-bismuth-cadium-indium-lead-tin. The alloying elements may preferably be present in a total amount of about 0.01 to 3.0 percent based on total alloy weight. In an alternate embodiment a molten anode may be employed.

Abstract: The negative electrode of an electrochemical cell with lithium as the electroactive species includes a metal silicide. This metal silicide can be an alloy (that is, a multimetallic silicide) that reacts with lithium and acts as a reversible lithium reservoir during cell operation. Electrochemical cells in accordance with the invention have excellent kinetics and higher theoretical specific energy that the Li-Si binary alloys presently used in some thermal batteries. Magnesium silicide, calcium silicide and molybdenum silicide are particularly preferred materials for these negative electrodes due to their thermodynamic properties.

Abstract: Higher energy and power densities are achieved in a secondary battery based on molten sodium and a solid, ceramic separator such as a beta alumina and a molten catholyte such as sodium tetrachloroaluminate and a copper chloride cathode. The higher cell voltage of copper chloride provides higher energy densities and the higher power densities result from increased conductivity resulting from formation of copper as discharge proceeds.

Abstract: The invention provides a high temperature rechargeable electrochemical power storage cell which comprises an alkali metal anode which is molten at the operating temperature of the cell. The cell has a cathode and a separator which separates the anode from the cathode and which is a conductor of ions of the metal of the anode. The surface of the separator which is exposed to the anode is at least partly enclosed by and in contact with a layer of particulate material which acts as a wick for the molten alkali metal of the anode. The material of the particles of the layer is electronically conductive and chemically inert at the operating temperatures of the cell to the alkali metal of the anode and to the separator, and the particles thereof are coated by a surface coating.

Abstract: The invention provides a rechargeable electrochemical power storage cell. The cell has an anode compartment defined between a cell casing and a separator, the anode compartment containing active anode material which is liquid at the operating temperature of the cell. The separator defines a cathode compartment containing an electrolyte which is liquid at the operating temperature of the cell, and an active cathode material. The separator separates said compartments from each other and during discharge of the cell the active anode material passes from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment through the separator, to enter the cathode compartment in ionic form. The active anode material passes through the separator from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment during charging of the cell.

Abstract: An alkali metal plus halide electrical battery cell of, for example, the sodium and sulfuryl chloride type is disclosed. The disclosed cell provides accommodation for cell chemical reaction products that otherwise preclude achievement of secondary battery action or rechargeable nature in such cells and provides two physical accommodation changes, a reaction space and a reaction space temperature, in the cell arrangement to enable repeated charge and discharge cycling of the cell. The disclosed cell is shown to be embodied in a laboratory type structure and is described with net reaction or end result equations of a combined chemical and physical nature.

Abstract: A primary rechargeable electrical energy storage device comprising a housing having an electrically non-conductive interior surface, at least one cell positioned in said housing, each cell comprising an anode consisting of a low melting metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkali metal alloy and alkali metal eutectic mixture, a separator surrounding said anode, said separator being capable of transporting ionic species and electrically isolating said anode, a cathode comprising a carbonaceous graphite cloth, and a non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: The bypass element is connected in parallel with a single battery cell or a group of battery cells of a high-temperature storage battery including a plurality of series-connected electrochemical battery cells and is used both for balancing the charging state of undamaged battery cells and for the irreversible bypassing of destroyed cells which have failed with high impedance. The bypass element includes two series-connected semiconductor components, in particular semiconductor diodes, varistors or NTC resistances in each case having a different current/voltage characteristic or curve. In the event of potentiostatic overcharging of a battery cell, the first semiconductor component goes to low impedance so that the current flow necessary for charging further battery cells is determined only by the leakage current of the second semiconductor component. If a destroyed battery cell fails with high impedance, both semiconductor components break down and irreversibly short-circuit the cell with a low impedance.

Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell includes a source of hydrogen as the hydrogen-providing reactant and an alkali or alkaline earth metal as the metal reactant. Hydrogen may be from H.sub.2 gas or a metal hydride. By separating the two reactants by a barrier selective for the passage of hydrogen ions, current flow may be induced in an external circuit connected across the barrier. The barrier is typically an electrolytic salt enclosed between a pair of solid metal electrodes. Electrons are gained by the hydrogen as it enters the electrolyte and lost by the hydrogen as it leaves the electrolyte. By connecting the metal electrodes, a circuit is established.

Abstract: A high energy density lithium-oxygen secondary cell comprising a lithium-containing negative electrode in contact with a lithium ion conducting molten salt electrolyte separated from the positive electrode by an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte. Upon electrochemical cell charging, unit activity lithium is deposited at the interface of the negative electrode with the molten salt electrolyte and oxygen gas is evolved at the positive electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making an electrochemical cell. The method comprises loading, into the cathode compartment of the cell an alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte having the formula MAlHal.sub.4 wherein M is the alkali metal of the separator and Hal is a halide; an alkali metal halide MHal wherein M and Hal are respectively the same alkali metal and halide as in the molten salt electrolyte; aluminium; and an active cathode substance which includes a transition metal T selected from the group conprising Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn and mixtures thereof. An electrochemical cell precursor is thereby made. When the precursor is subjected to charging at a temperature at which the molten salt electrolyte and alkali metal M are molten, aluminium reacts with the alkali metal halide MHal to produce further said molten salt electrolyte and to form said alkali metal M, the alkali metal M passing through the separator into the anode compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of protecting an electrochemical cell which has a molten sodium anode, a chloride-ion containing sodium aluminum halide molten salt electrolyte, an iron-containing cathode in contact with the electrolyte and a solid conductor of sodium ions which separates the anode from the electrolyte, from the adverse effects of overcharging. The method comprises operating the cell, to prevent oxidation of iron to FeCl.sub.3 in the cathode, by connecting it in parallel with a protective cell having an open circuit charging plateau at a voltage less than the open circuit voltage of the Fe/FeCl.sub.3 //Na plateau of the cell being protected, and greater than the open circuit voltage, in its fully charged state, of the cell being protected. The invention also provides a cell of this type protected in this fashion, a battery including one or more such protected cells, and a cathode for such cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising a cell housing 10 divided by a separator 20 into a pair of electrode compartments, one of which contains an anode substance and the other of which contains an active cathode substance and an electrolyte. The anode and electrolyte are liquid at the operating temperature of the cell and the electrode compartments are each divided into a gas chamber communicating with an electrode chamber. The gas chamber contains an inert gas under pressure and the electrode chamber contains a liquid, namely the anode material or the liquid electrolyte. A wall of each electrode chamber is provided by the separator and each electrode chamber has a closeable bleed outlet 74, 80.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the chargeability of sodium-sulfur cells by including in the cathodic reaction of the cell a device which provides a continuous release of additive into the sodium polysulfide/sulfur cathodic reactant. This method also reduces the corrosion of corrodible metal current collectors which may be employed in contact with the cathodic reactant therein.

Abstract: A pelletized, thermally activated, lightweight power source composed of a lithium alloy solid anode, a transition metal chloride-graphite solid cathode and an alkali metal tetrachloroaluminate solid state electrolyte positioned between and in contact with said anode and cathode.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of making a cathode for a high temperature rechargeable electrochemical cell. A mixture is formed in particulate form of an alkali metal chloride such as sodium chloride and a substance comprising a transition metal such as iron, and the mixture is impregnated with a chloride ion-containing alkali metal aluminium halide molten salt liquid electrolyte such as molten sodium aluminium chloride. The impregnated mixture is then subjected to at least one charge cycle in a high temperature cell in which it forms the cathode and is separated from an alkali metal anode by a solid electrolyte separator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rechargeable electric storage battery comprising an electrolyte containing charge-transporting positive ions and negative ions capable of intercalating into graphitic carbon, and oppositely charged graphitic carbon electrodes which are simultaneously intercalated by the positive ions and negative ions present in such electrolyte. The graphitic carbon electrodes may be provided in a variety of physical configurations. Such battery is believed to provide reasonably high power density and energy density characteristics, fabrication simplicity, a relatively long lifetime, and potential economic advantages.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode for an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell including the cathode, and a method of resisting a progressive drop in the capacity of the cathode with repeated charge/discharge cycling thereof. The invention involves doping the electrolyte, which is a sodium aluminium halide molten salt electrolyte containing chloride ions, and/or the active cathode substance, which is a nickel containing substance with a minor proportion of a chalcogen so that the chalcogen is dispersed therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a thermal cell wherein particles of a lithium alloy are compacted under pressure with particles of an inactive metal which binds the alloy particles together but does not alloy with them. Strength and workability of the anode alloy are thereby improved, with no or surprisingly little loss of electrochemical performance.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of protecting an electrochemical cell which has a molten sodium anode, a chloride-ion containing sodium aluminum halide molten salt electrolyte, an iron-containing cathode in contact with the electrolyte and a solid conductor of sodium ions which separates the anode from the electrolyte, from the adverse effects of overcharging. The method comprises operating the cell, to prevent oxidation of iron to FeCl.sub.3 in the cathode, by connecting it in parallel with a protective cell having an open circuit charging plateau at a voltage less than the open circuit voltage of the Fe/FeCl.sub.3 //Na plateau of the cell being protected, and greater than the open circuit voltage, in its fully charged state, of the cell being protected. The invention also provides a cell of this type protected in this fashion, a battery including one or more such protected cells, and a cathode for such cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system suitable for use in a thermal battery based on a cathode incorporating an active material consisting of a mixture of LiV.sub.2 O.sub.5 and VO.sub.2, is disclosed. The cathode material is intended primarily for use in cells with lithium or lithium alloy anodes and lithium halide electrolytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rechargeable high temperature electrochemical cell having a molten sodium anode, a molten halide salt liquid electrolyte, a compatible cathode in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a beta-alumina solid electrolyte between the anode and liquid electrolyte and isolating them from each other. The liquid electrolyte is non-acidic and contains sodium cations as its only alkali metal cations, aluminum cations and chloride anions and is doped with fluoride anions to combat progressively increasing internal resistance of the cell associated with cyclic charging and discharging thereof.

Abstract: A binary electrolyte for a molten carbonate fuel cell is disclosed. The electrolyte is approximately 72 m % Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and 28 m % K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and displays a uniform lithium to potassium in molar ratio during operation along the length of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of protecting an electrochemical cell which has a molten sodium anode, a chloride-ion containing sodium aluminum halide molten salt electrolyte, an iron-containing cathode in contact with the electrolyte and a solid conductor of sodium ions which separates the anode from the electrolyte, from the adverse effects of overcharging. The method comprises operating the cell, to prevent oxidation of iron to FeCl.sub.3 in the cathode, by connecting it in parallel with a protective cell having an open circuit charging plateau at a voltage less than the open circuit voltage of the Fe/FeCl.sub.3 //Na plateau of the cell being protected, and greater than the open circuit voltage, in its fully charged state, of the cell being protected. The invention also provides a cell of this type protected in this fashion, a battery including one or more such protected cells, and a cathode for such cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronically conductive tectosilicate which has, trapped within and forming part of its framework structure at the molecular or atomic level, colloidal particles of one or more electronically conducted species, which act to render the tectosilicate electronically conductive. The invention further provides a method of making such electronically conductive tectosilicate, wherein, for example, a zeolite is precipitated from the solution which has an electronically conductive species such as colloidal graphite in suspension therein, so that the colloidal particles of the electronically conductive species are trapped within and form part of the framework structure of the precipitate at the atomic or molecular level. The invention also extends to electronically conductive artifacts, such as electrodes for electrochemical cells, which are made from the electronically conductive tectosilicate by compacting the artifact from particles of the tectosilicate.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with a molten sodium anode and a molten sodium aluminium halide salt electrolyte. The cathode comprises FeCl.sub.2, NiCl.sub.2, CoCl.sub.2 or CrCl.sub.2 as active cathode substance dispersed in an electronically conductive electrolyte-permeable matrix which is impregnated by the electrolyte. Between the anode and the electrolyte, and isolating them from each other, is a solid conductor of sodium ions or a micromolecular sieve which contains sodium sorbed therein. The proportions of sodium and aluminium ions in the electrolyte are selected so that the solubility of the active cathode substance in the electrolyte is at or near its minimum.

Abstract: The disclosed lithium alloy/iron sulfide cell design provides loop-like positive and negative sheet metal current collectors electrically insulated from one another by separator means, the positive collector being located outwardly of the negative collector. The collectors are initially secured within an open-ended cell housing, which allows for collector pretesting for electrical shorts prior to adding any electrode materials and/or electrolyte to the cell. Separate chambers are defined outwardly of the positive collector and inwardly of the negative collector open respectively in opposite directions toward the open ends of the cell housing; and positive and negative electrode materials can be extruded into these respective chambers via the opposite open housing ends. The chambers and cell housing ends can then be sealed closed.

Abstract: A thermally activated electrochemical cell utilizes a lithium-boron anode and a molten nitrate electrolyte selected from the group consisting of lithium nitrate, a mixture of lithium nitrate and sodium nitrate, a mixture of lithium nitrate and potassium nitrate, and a mixture of lithium nitrate and sodium nitrate with potassium nitrate, to provide improved cell electrical performance. The electrolyte is contained on a fiberglass separator and the electrolyte adjacent to the cathode may contain silver nitrate as well. Current densities over 300 mA/cm.sup.2 with a usable temperature range of over 150.degree. C. have been obtained. Anode open circuit potentials of about 3.2 V were found with little polarization at 100 mA/cm.sup.2 and with very slight polarization at 300 mA/cm.sup.2.