A positive electrode composition for an electrochemical cell is provided. One example includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, and zinc. The positive electrode composition can further include at least one alkali metal halide and an electrolyte salt comprising a reaction product of a second alkali metal halide and a metal halide. The electrolyte salt can have a melting point of less than about 300 degrees Celsius. The positive electrode composition can further include manganese present in an amount sufficient to create an overdischarge plateau for the electrochemical cell

Cell and batteries containing them employing a cathode having a intercalating metal oxide in combination with a sodium metal haloaluminate. At operating temperatures, the positive electrode (cathode) of the invention comprises electroactive cathode material permeated with and in physical and electrical contact with the sodium metal haloaluminate catholyte. The positive and negative electrodes are separated with a solid alkali metal conducting electrolyte. The intercalating metal oxice is not in direct physical contact with the solid electrolyte. Electric and ionic conductivity between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode is mediated by the sodium haloaluminate catholyte. Batteries of the invention are useful for bulk energy storage, particularly for electric utility grid storage, as well as for electric vehicle propulsion.

An electrochemical cell assembly has electrochemical cells of large diameter and high storage capacity, making it particularly useful for stabilization of electric supply systems. The assembly includes at least one electrochemical cell composed of a layer of: a liquid metal or liquid metal alloy forming the cathode, a liquid electrolyte layer, and a layer of a liquid metal or liquid metalloid forming the anode. An electrically insulating inner tube is provided along the vertical axis of the assembly, the presence of which prevents the occurrence of the Tayler instability or other instabilities caused in the liquids by the current flow, and thus prevents the intermixing of the liquids. Another very efficient option for increasing the maximum current of the cell is that of conducting a current having a suitable direction and intensity through the interior of the inner tube.

The present disclosure is directed to an energy storage device having improved thermal performance. More specifically, the energy storage device includes a housing with side walls that define an internal volume. The side walls include bottom and front side walls, with the front side wall having an air inlet and outlet configured to circulate cooling air therethrough. The energy storage device also includes a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix within the internal volume atop the bottom side wall. Further, the cells define a top surface. Further, the energy storage device includes an exhaust manifold adjacent to the front side wall between at least a portion of the cells and the air inlet. Thus, the exhaust manifold is configured to direct airflow from the top surface towards the bottom side wall and then to the air outlet so as to provide an airflow barrier between cooling air entering the air inlet and the cells.

An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an elongated separator disposed in the housing volume. The elongated separator defines an axis of the cell. The separator has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the separator defines a first compartment. The outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing define a second compartment having a volume. The cell further includes a conductive matrix disposed in at least a portion of the second compartment volume such that the conductive matrix occupies a gap between the outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing. The gap in the second compartment extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cell.

A battery with a corrosion-resistant ion-exchange membrane system is presented. The battery has an acidic catholyte, an anode metal that is chemically reactive towards water, and an ion-exchange membrane system. Some examples of anode metals include alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and aluminum (Al). The ion-exchange membrane system includes a solid, cation-permeable, water-impermeable first membrane adjacent to the anode, prone to decomposition upon chemical reaction with an acid, an anion-permeable second membrane adjacent to the cathode, and a buffer compartment including a solution, interposed between the first membrane and the second membrane. In response to discharging the battery, the solution in the buffer compartment accepts cations from the anode and anions from the cathode, forming a cation-anion salt solution in the buffer compartment. The second membrane prevents the transportation of protons from the catholyte to the buffer compartment, and so prevents the corrosion of the first membrane.

The present disclosure provides an energy storage device comprising at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative current collector, a negative electrode in electrical communication with the negative current collector, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the negative electrode, a positive electrode in electrical communication with the electrolyte and a positive current collector in electrical communication with the positive electrode. The negative electrode comprises an alkali metal. Upon discharge, the electrolyte provides charged species of the alkali metal. The positive electrode can include a Group IIIA, IVA, VA and VIA of the periodic table of the elements, or a transition metal (e.g., Group 12 element).

A molten-salt battery includes a positive electrode including a positive-electrode active material that reversibly occludes and releases sodium, a negative electrode including a negative-electrode active material that reversibly occludes and releases sodium, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a molten-salt electrolyte. The molten-salt electrolyte contains an ionic liquid in an amount of 90% by mass or more. The ionic liquid contains a first salt and a second salt. The first salt contains a sodium ion which is a first cation, and a first anion. The second salt contains an organic cation which is a second cation, and a second anion. The positive-electrode active material contains a composite oxide having a layered O3-type crystal structure and containing Na, Fe, and Co. An amount of Co relative to a total of Fe and Co contained in the composite oxide is 40 to 60 atomic percent.

An electrochemical cell (30, 30a, 50) comprises two electrode compartments (14, 15) defined in part by a first metal plate (31) and by a second metal plate (12), wherein the first metal plate (31) is dish-shaped and defines a peripheral rim (32), the second metal plate (12) is dish shaped and defines a rim (33) to mate with the peripheral rim of the first plate. and the cell comprises a sealing element (37) between the peripheral rims (32, 33). The cell also comprises a projecting peripheral sleeve (38) that is spaced from and outside the edge of the rim (33) of the second metal plate (12); and the cell comprises a compression sleeve (40; 52) held within the peripheral sleeve (38) and having a flat face to compress the sealing element (37), and a second face adjacent to the inner face of the peripheral sleeve (38). The compression sleeve (40; 52) is secured in position by the peripheral sleeve (38).

Provided is a power supply system capable of being used in a well over a long period of time. A power supply system for a well according to the present invention includes a secondary battery having an operating temperature range including a temperature of the inside of a well and supplying power to a device installed in the well; and a charge-discharge mechanism for charging and discharging the secondary battery, and is installed in the well. The secondary battery to be used in the power supply system may be a molten salt battery, and may include a sensor and communication apparatus.