DIRECTLY DEPOSITED CURRENT COLLECTING GRIDS FOR ALKALI-METAL THERMAL-TO-ELECTRIC CONVERTER ELECTRODES

Current collection in porous thin film electrodes on solid electrolyte s has been improved by using thick film grids to decrease sheet and co ntact resistance in RhW and PtW electrodes. The grids are directly dep osited on the solid electrolyte either by sputter- or photodeposition, and the electrode deposited over the grid. Comparison of the performa nce of electrodes having such underlying grids with that of electrodes without such grids has shown performance, as measured by current or p ower produced, to be improved by 10-30% in electrodes with grids.