Protected anode structure suitable for use in metal/air batteries

A process for fabricating a metal/air electrochemical cell which comprises a housing having walls, at least one air cathode, an anode having lateral sides spaced apart from the cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte in the space between said cathode and anode, the process comprising applying a protective member in the form of a resilient polymer in a gap between each of the lateral sides of said anode and the walls of said housing, wherein said protective member extends over not less than 60% of said lateral sides.

An aluminum anode for use in aluminum/air electrochemical cell, said anode being a spatial body bounded by a surface consisting of two opposite parallel bases and four lateral sides lying in planes which are essentially perpendicular to the bases, characterized in that a protective member in the form of a resilient polymer is applied on at least a portion of each of said lateral sides of the anode, to protect said lateral sides from being oxidized by an alkaline electrolyte, wherein said protective member extends over not less than 60% of said lateral sides.