An apparatus for forming a vacuum in a sealed enclosure through an electrochemical reaction includes an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode supported on a solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is a Li-ion non-volatile electrolyte containing a dissolved metal salt. The cathode is constructed of a material with which lithium is known to form alloys. The anode is constructed of a lithium-ion containing material. The cell is operable to expose lithium metal on the cathode.