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.