Patent ID: 8268471

Claim:
An apparatus for exchanging electrical energy with an external circuit, the apparatus comprising: a. at least one electrochemical cell having an operating temperature, the cell comprising i. a liquid negative electrode having a first density and comprising a first element, the first element being a metal; ii. a negative current collector in contact with the negative electrode for exchanging electrons with the negative electrode; iii. a liquid positive electrode having a second density and comprising a second element, the second element being a metalloid in the elemental oxidation state; iv. a positive current collector in contact with the positive electrode for exchanging electrons with the positive electrode; and v. a liquid electrolyte, having a third density and comprising a dissolved cation of the first element and a dissolved anion of the second element, the electrolyte being in contact with the negative and positive electrodes; b. a negative terminal in electrical contact with the negative current collector for connection to the external circuit; and c. a positive terminal in electrical contact with the positive current collector for connection to the external circuit.