To overcome the above difficulties, this presentation will focus on both novel electrode architectures as well as innovative cell designs. Specifically, the presentation will focus on approaches to enhance the electrochemical utilization of sulfur, suppress the migration of dissolved polysulfides to the anode, stabilize the lithium-metal anode surface, and utilize Li2S as a cathode. For example, novel cell configurations with a microporous carbon paper interlayer between the cathode and the separator, as well as polymeric separators coated with unique carbon architectures to trap and reutilize the migrating ploysulfides and enhance the electrochemical utilization, will be presented. Particularly, attention will be paid to the increase in the sulfur content (wt. %) and sulfur loading (mg/cm2) and the challenges associated with it to make the energy density of lithium-sulfur cells well above that of the currently available lithium-ion cells. In addition, additives to form a stable solid-electrolyte (SEI) layer in situ on a lithium-metal anode will be presented. Also, additives to lower the activation barrier during the first charge of Li2S cathode will be discussed.