An electrochemical cell comprising:na cathode comprising sulfur as a cathode active material;an anode comprising lithium metal and/or a lithium alloy as an anode active material, the anode having an active surface; andan electrolyte in electrochemical communication with the cathode and the anode;wherein the cell is constructed and arranged to apply, during at least one period of time during charge and/or discharge of the cell, an anisotropic force with a component normal to the active surface of the anode, the force including the component selected to define a pressure that affects surface morphology of the anode active surface to inhibit an increase in anode active surface area through charge and discharge, the pressure being of at least about 98 Newtons per square cm and less than about 196 Newtons per square cm, and wherein, in the absence of the anisotropic force but under otherwise essentially identical conditions, the anode active surface area is increased to a greater extent through charge and discharge cycles.
›2.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the lithium material comprises a lithium alloy.d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the lithium material comprises a lithium alloy.
›3.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the anisotropic force is applied uniformly over the active surface of the anode.d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the anisotropic force is applied uniformly over the active surface of the anode.
›4.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode comprises carbon.d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode comprises carbon.
›5.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode comprises a binder material.d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode comprises a binder material.
›6.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell is cylindrical.d2+1
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell is cylindrical.
›7.↳ 6The electrochemical cell of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical electrochemical cell is disposed within a cylindrical containment structure.d3
The electrochemical cell of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical electrochemical cell is disposed within a cylindrical containment structure.
›8.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the amount of anode active material in the anode to the amount of cathode active material in…d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the amount of anode active material in the anode to the amount of cathode active material in the cathode is less than 1.5:1 on a molar basis.
›9.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising a porous separator between the anode and the cathode.d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising a porous separator between the anode and the cathode.
›10.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising a separator, permeable to the electrolyte, between the anode and the cathode.d2+1
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising a separator, permeable to the electrolyte, between the anode and the cathode.
›11.↳ 10The electrochemical cell of claim 10, wherein the separator comprises a microporous polyethylene film.d3
The electrochemical cell of claim 10, wherein the separator comprises a microporous polyethylene film.
›12.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the component of the anisotropic force normal to the active surface of the anode defines a pressure of le…d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the component of the anisotropic force normal to the active surface of the anode defines a pressure of less than about 147 Newtons per square cm.
›13.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the lithium material comprises lithium metal.d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the lithium material comprises lithium metal.
›14.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the sulfur comprises elemental sulfur.d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the sulfur comprises elemental sulfur.
›15.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is contained within a containment structure, and at least a portion of the anisotropic force is …d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is contained within a containment structure, and at least a portion of the anisotropic force is applied by an expanding element within the containment structure and/or by a compressive element external to the containment structure.
›16.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is constructed and arranged to apply an anisotropic force during at least one period of time dur…d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is constructed and arranged to apply an anisotropic force during at least one period of time during charge of the cell and during at least period of time during discharge of the cell.
›17.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is constructed and arranged to apply an anisotropic force between a charge of the cell and a dis…d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is constructed and arranged to apply an anisotropic force between a charge of the cell and a discharge of the cell.
›18.↳ 1The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is constructed and arranged to apply an anisotropic force prior to a first charge of the cell an…d2
The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is constructed and arranged to apply an anisotropic force prior to a first charge of the cell and prior to a first discharge of the cell.
