Compliant seal structures for protected active metal anodes

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.

Description

Cross References to Related Applications This application claims U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 706,886, filed August 9, 2005, entitled Elastomeric Seals for Protected Active Metal Anodes, and filed September 2, 2005, entitled Priority to US Provisional Application No. 60 / 713,668 for Adhesive Sealing of Active Metal Anodes; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background technique The present invention generally relates to active metal electrochemical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to protected anode architectures incorporating compliant sealing structures, including single- and double-sided protected anodes and arrays of protected anodes, and their associated electrochemical Battery structures and devices, such as batteries, especially active metal / air batteries and active metal / seawater batteries, and methods of making them. The low equivalent weight of alkali metals, such as lithium, makes them especially attracti...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, they cannot adequately protect lithium electrodes

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