Patent ID: 7824806

Claim:
A protected anode architecture, comprising: an active metal anode having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the active metal is an alkali metal; an ionically conductive protective membrane architecture in physical continuity with the first surface of the anode; an anode backplane in physical continuity with the second surface of the anode; and a compliant seal structure interfacing with the protective membrane architecture and the anode backplane to enclose the anode in an anode compartment, the seal structure being compliant to changes in anode thickness such that physical continuity between the anode, protective architecture and backplane are maintained; wherein the ionically conductive protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the active metal of the anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with an environment exterior to the anode compartment; and wherein the seal structure interfaces with the protective membrane architecture and the anode backplane to form a hermetic anode compartment exclusive of a cathode, such that a substantially impervious barrier between the interior and exterior of the anode compartment is provided.