US Patent 7785733 - Reserve cell-array nanostructured battery

http://ip.com/patent/US7785733

In electrolytic batteries reactions occur between the electrolytic fluid and the electrode material that can limit battery lifetime. This patent from Alcatel-Lucent teaches forming nanostructured surface barriers between the electrode and the electrolyte to avoid this problem. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first electrode having a plurality of separate cells;

an electrolyte fluid;

a nanostructured surface corresponding to at least one of said cells in said plurality of separate cells,

wherein said nanostructured surface is disposed between a portion of said electrode in said at least one of said cells and said electrolyte fluid in a way such that said nanostructured surface prevents contact of the electrolyte fluid and said portion of said electrode.