A sodium-ion conducting (e.g., sodium-sulfur) battery, which can be rechargeable, comprising a microporous host-sulfur composite cathode as described herein or a liquid electrolyte comprising a liquid electrolyte solvent and a liquid electrolyte salt or electrolyte additive as described herein or a combination thereof. The batteries can be used in devices such as, for example, battery packs.

Development of a flexible battery based on periodate/iodate-zinc system is disclosed. H.sub.3PO.sub.4—KCl dual quasi-solid electrolytes separated by an anion-exchange-membrane maintain the desired pH in electrodes and block unwanted ion movements. Poly(acrylic acid) fortifies the electrodes, enhances electrode flexibility, and avoids the free-flow of liquids. The NaMnIO.sub.6 shows a specific capacity of 650 mAg.sup.−1, approximately 81% of its theoretical capacity even when cells are bent. The overall technology is scalable by printing methods.

A solid polymer electrolyte precursor composition includes (i) one or more organic solvents; (ii) one or more cellulosic polymers dissolved in the organic solvent(s); (iii) one or more polymerizable components dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s); (iv) one or more photo-initiators dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s), where at least one of the one or more photo-initiators, following irradiation with light, promotes polymerization of at least one of the one or more polymerizable components; (v) one or more lithium ion sources dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s); (vi) one or more plasticizers dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s); and (vii) one or more ceramic particles dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s).

An electrochemical system, the system including an aqueous electrolyte, at least one chelating agent configured to bind to at least one detrimental ionic species, and a particulate precipitation site. A method of forming an electrochemical system including creating a housing with an interior volume, placing at least one electrode within the interior volume, adding at least one chelating agent configured to bind to at least one detrimental ionic species into the interior volume, and adding a particulate precipitation site to the interior volume.

Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, wherein methods to decrease or eliminate shorting in batteries by preventing zinc oxide reaction precipitate from creating a conductive bridge between the two electrodes. The alkaline electrochemical cell comprising dissolved zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide in at least the electrolyte solution, and/or solid zinc oxide particles or zinc hydroxide in the anode, a silicon donor in the anode, and/or a bilayer separator optimally comprising a high-density layer and a low-density layer.

An object is to provide a system that can provide a stable power supply without being influenced by a time of day and weather conditions, and that is also superior in terms of power generation compared to conventional independent power supply type devices.

A system comprising a first conductive part, a second conductive part, a medium, and a functional part, wherein the first conductive part and the functional part are connected, the second conductive part and the functional part are connected, at least a part of the first conductive part is in contact with the medium, at least a part of the second conductive part is in contact with the medium, and the first conductive part and the second conductive part are not in contact with each other.

An object is to provide a system that can provide a stable power supply without being influenced by a time of day and weather conditions, and that is also superior in terms of power generation compared to conventional independent power supply type devices.

A system comprising a first conductive part, a second conductive part, a medium, and a functional part, wherein the first conductive part and the functional part are connected, the second conductive part and the functional part are connected, at least a part of the first conductive part is in contact with the medium, at least a part of the second conductive part is in contact with the medium, and the first conductive part and the second conductive part are not in contact with each other.

An alkaline electrochemical cell has a central cathode having a corresponding cathode current collector electrically connected with a positive terminal of the electrochemical cell. The cathode current collector has a tubular shape, such as a cylindrical shape or rectangular shape, extending parallel with the length of the central cathode. The cathode current collector is embedded within the central cathode, such as at a medial point of a radius of the central cathode, thereby minimizing the distance between the cathode current collector and any portion of the central cathode, thereby increasing the mechanical strength of the cathode and facilitating charge transfer to the cathode current collector.

An alkaline electrochemical cell has a central cathode having a corresponding cathode current collector electrically connected with a positive terminal of the electrochemical cell. The cathode current collector has a tubular shape, such as a cylindrical shape or rectangular shape, extending parallel with the length of the central cathode. The cathode current collector is embedded within the central cathode, such as at a medial point of a radius of the central cathode, thereby minimizing the distance between the cathode current collector and any portion of the central cathode, thereby increasing the mechanical strength of the cathode and facilitating charge transfer to the cathode current collector.

A battery includes an air cathode, an anode, an aqueous electrolyte, and a housing, wherein the housing includes one or more air access ports defining a total vent area; the battery exhibits a cell limiting current at 1.15V; a ratio of cell limiting current at 1.15 V to total vent area is greater than about 100 mA/mm.sup.2; and the aqueous electrolyte includes an amphoteric fluorosurfactant.