A DME-free lithium battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a liquid electrolyte composed of a solvent and at least one lithium electrolyte salt and with which the electrode and the separator are impregnated, wherein the solvent includes propylene carbonate (PC) as a first solvent component and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) as a second solvent component, and the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode have a proportion of carbon black having a BET surface area of at least 1 m.sup.2/g.

A DME-free lithium battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a liquid electrolyte composed of a solvent and at least one lithium electrolyte salt and with which the electrode and the separator are impregnated, wherein the solvent includes propylene carbonate (PC) as a first solvent component and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) as a second solvent component, and the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode have a proportion of carbon black having a BET surface area of at least 1 m.sup.2/g.

A nonaqueous electrolyte primary battery with improved storage properties at high temperatures and excellent reliability, and a method for producing the battery are provided. The nonaqueous electrolyte primary battery includes a negative electrode containing metallic lithium or a lithium alloy, a positive electrode, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains at least LiClO.sub.4 as an electrolyte and 0.1 to 5% by mass of LiB(C.sub.2O.sub.4).sub.2.

A nonaqueous electrolyte primary battery with improved storage properties at high temperatures and excellent reliability, and a method for producing the battery are provided. The nonaqueous electrolyte primary battery includes a negative electrode containing metallic lithium or a lithium alloy, a positive electrode, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains at least LiClO.sub.4 as an electrolyte and 0.1 to 5% by mass of LiB(C.sub.2O.sub.4).sub.2.

A moisture-sensitive device is provided that includes a fluid-sensitive battery. Exposure of the battery to urine or some other fluid causes the battery to provide a voltage that can be used to power a transmitter. The transmitter can then provide a wireless transmission indicative of the battery having been exposed to the fluid. This moisture-sensitive device can be provided in a diaper and transmissions produced by the device can be detected using a smart phone or other device and used to indicate to a user that the diaper has been soiled. By powering the transmitter using the fluid-sensitive battery and storing the battery in a dry state, such a device can be stored for a protracted period of time before use.

A moisture-sensitive device is provided that includes a fluid-sensitive battery. Exposure of the battery to urine or some other fluid causes the battery to provide a voltage that can be used to power a transmitter. The transmitter can then provide a wireless transmission indicative of the battery having been exposed to the fluid. This moisture-sensitive device can be provided in a diaper and transmissions produced by the device can be detected using a smart phone or other device and used to indicate to a user that the diaper has been soiled. By powering the transmitter using the fluid-sensitive battery and storing the battery in a dry state, such a device can be stored for a protracted period of time before use.

A thermal battery can include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. A thermal battery can also include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having an oxide selected from V.sub.2O.sub.5 or LiVO.sub.3; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. In one aspect, a metal of the metal fluoride cathode includes Ni, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, or mixture thereof. In one aspect, the metal-fluoride cathode includes NiF.sub.2, FeF.sub.3, VF.sub.3, CrF.sub.3, MnF.sub.3, CoF.sub.3, or a mixture thereof. A method of providing electricity can include: providing an electronic device having a thermal battery with a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni and/or having an oxide selected from V.sub.2O.sub.5 or LiVO.sub.3; and discharging the thermal battery to provide electricity.

A thermal battery can include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. A thermal battery can also include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having an oxide selected from V.sub.2O.sub.5 or LiVO.sub.3; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. In one aspect, a metal of the metal fluoride cathode includes Ni, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, or mixture thereof. In one aspect, the metal-fluoride cathode includes NiF.sub.2, FeF.sub.3, VF.sub.3, CrF.sub.3, MnF.sub.3, CoF.sub.3, or a mixture thereof. A method of providing electricity can include: providing an electronic device having a thermal battery with a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni and/or having an oxide selected from V.sub.2O.sub.5 or LiVO.sub.3; and discharging the thermal battery to provide electricity.

A primary or rechargeable battery comprising a battery housing; a cathode comprising a cathode electroactive material a conductive carbon, and a binder; an anode comprising an anode electroactive material; an electrolyte; and a conductive interlayer; and wherein the cathode, the anode, the electrolyte, and the conductive interlayer are disposed within the battery housing. The cathode electroactive material comprises manganese dioxide, any polymorphs thereof, or combinations thereof. The cathode is configured to access 20-100% of 1.sup.st electron capacity of the cathode electroactive material. The conductive interlayer contacts the cathode. The conductive interlayer comprises (i) a binder and (ii) a conductive carbon, a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide, or combinations thereof.

Various embodiments are directed to an electrochemical cell having a non-homogeneous anode. The electrochemical cell includes a container, a cathode forming a hollow cylinder within the container, an anode positioned within the hollow cylinder of the cathode, and a separator between the cathode and the anode. The anode comprises at least two concentric anode portions, defined by different anode characteristics. For example, the two anode portions may contain different surfactant types, which provides the two anode portions with different charge transfer resistance characteristics. By lowering the charge transfer resistance of a portion of an anode located proximate the current collector of the cell (and away from the separator) relative to an anode portion located adjacent the separator, improved cell discharge performance may be obtained.