Electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries

An anode for use in an electrochemical cell, comprising:

• a first electroactive layer comprising an active electrode species;
• a second electroactive layer comprising the active electrode species, wherein the anode is adapted and arranged such that when the anode is present in an electrochemical cell, at least some of the active electrode species in the second electroactive layer is depleted and replated upon discharge and charge, respectively, of the electrochemical cell;
• and
• a single-ion conducting layer separating the first electroactive layer from the second electroactive layer,
• wherein the single-ion conductive layer comprises a ceramic conductive to lithium ions.

An anode for use in an electrochemical cell, comprising:

• a first electroactive layer comprising an active electrode species;
• a second electroactive layer comprising the active electrode species, wherein the anode is adapted and arranged such that when the anode is present in an electrochemical cell, at least some of the active electrode species in the second electroactive layer is depleted and replated upon discharge and charge, respectively, of the electrochemical cell;
• and
• a polymer layer and/or a single-ion conducting layer separating the first electroactive layer from the second electroactive layer,
• wherein the polymer layer or single-ion conductive layer is part of a first multi-layered protective structure separating the first electroactive layer from the second electroactive layer, and wherein the anode comprises a second multi-layered protective structure on the other side of the second electroactive layer,
• wherein each of the first and second multi-layered structures has a thickness of less than 5 mm. and
• wherein each of the first and second multi-layered protective structures comprises a ceramic conductive to lithium ions.