Perforated film for modifying the electrochemical surface area of a cell

In an alkali metal-halogen electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode operatively associated with each other so that during electrochemical reactions of the cell, ions migrate between and to the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode and the cathode are prevented from experiencing an internal electrical short circuit condition by a separator disposed therebetween while providing for ion flow between and to the anode and the cathode, through the separator, and an activating liquid catholyte, the improvement comprising:

• a continuous fabric superposed with at least a portion of the separator, wherein the fabric is of a substantially ion impermeable material having a pattern of perforations therethrough, each perforation of a desired shape to provide for ion flow through the perforations of the fabric in a controlled amount dictated by the percentage of open area provided by the perforations, and wherein the continuous fabric is of a woven fiberglass cloth impregnated with at least one synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymer.

In an alkali metal-halogen electrochemical cell comprising an operatively associated anode and cathode prevented from experiencing an internal electrical short circuit condition by a separator disposed therebetween, and an activating liquid catholyte, the improvement comprising:

• a continuous fabric superposed with at least a portion of the separator, wherein the fabric is of substantially ion impermeable material having a pattern of perforations therethrough, each perforation of a desired shape to provide for ion flow therethrough in a controlled amount dictated by the percentage of open area provided by the perforations, wherein the continuous fabric is of a woven fiberglass cloth impregnated with at least one synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymer, and wherein the separator is adjacent to the cathode and the perforated fabric is adjacent to the anode.