Patent ID: 8914176

Claim:
A vehicle powered by a surface-mediated cell-based power source, comprising a vehicle frame, at least a wheel supporting said frame or a propeller connected to said frame, a drive unit connected to said wheel or propeller, and a power source electrically connected to said drive unit and supplying power thereto, wherein said power source contains at least a surface-mediated cell (SMC), which is a rechargeable cell that operates by reversibly storing lithium ions on surfaces of a cathode active material, wherein said surface-mediated cell comprises: (a) a positive electrode (cathode) comprising a porous cathode current collector and/or a cathode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (b) a negative electrode (anode) comprising an anode current collector only or comprising an anode current collector and an anode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (c) a porous separator disposed between the cathode and the anode; and (d) a lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode active material and/or the cathode active material has a specific surface area of no less than 100 m 2 /g which is in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto and wherein an operation of said surface-mediated cell does not involve metal sulfide.