The present invention relates to cathodes used in electrochemical cells. A force, or forces, applied to portions of an
electrochemical cell as described in this application can reduce irregularity or roughening of an
electrode surface of the
cell, improving performance. The cathodes described herein may possess enhanced properties that render them particularly suitable for use in electrochemical cells designed to be charged and / or discharged while a force is applied. In some embodiments, the
cathode retains sufficient
porosity to
charge and discharge effectively when a force is applied to the
cell. Cathodes described herein may also comprise relatively high
electrolyte-accessible conductive material (e.g., carbon) areas. The
cathode may comprise a relatively low ratio of the amount of binder and / or
mass of
electrolyte to
cathode active material (e.g.,
sulfur) ratio in some instances. In some embodiments, electrochemical cells comprising the cathodes described herein may achieve relatively high specific capacities and / or relatively high
discharge current densities. In addition, the cathode described herein may exhibit relatively high cathode active material (e.g.,
sulfur) utilization during
charge and discharge. In still further cases, the electrical
conductivity between conductive material in the cathode (e.g., carbon) may be enhanced during the application of the force.