 Solution

Use a lithium-metal negative electrode and a carbon-monofluoride composite positive electrode, separated by a porous, electrically insulating battery separator wetted by a lithium-salt electrolyte in a suitable nonaqueous solvent. Conducting carbon and a binder provide electronic contact through the fluorinated-carbon electrode to its electric current collector; the lithium electrode has its own electric current collector. A sealed stacked or wound assembly supplies useful area and contains the electrolyte.

During discharge lithium is the anode and the carbon-monofluoride composite is the cathode. lithium ions move through the electrolyte while electrons flow through the external load. The battery separator prevents electronic shorting while permitting ionic transport. An aqueous electrolyte is unsuitable because metallic lithium reacts with water. The requested very long operating time requires enough active material and low self-discharge, not merely a high nominal voltage.