Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide for a silicon-carbon composite material that includes nanoparticulate (e.g., nanocrystalline) silicon derived from a reaction between a zintl salt and metal halide. The nanoparticulate silicon-carbon composite material can be used to provide electrode materials (e.g., anode) and cells.

Abstract: A method of preparing a lithium-ion cell (10), the method including providing to an electrolyte (22) of the cell, an additive configured to improve formation of a solid electrolyte interface (24) on an anode (12), charging the cell (10) at a first predetermined charge rate (C1) up to a first predetermined voltage (V1), wherein the first predetermined voltage (V1) corresponds to a voltage at which the additive begins formation of the solid electrolyte interface (24), charging the cell (10) at a second predetermined rate (C2) to a second predetermined voltage (V2), wherein the second predetermined voltage (V2) corresponds to a voltage at which the electrolyte (22) begins formation of the solid electrolyte interface (24); and charging the cell (10) to a fully charged capacity at a third predetermined charge rate (C3), the third charge rate (C3) being greater than the second charge rate (C2).

Abstract: A positive electroactive material for a lithium-ion battery can have a tap density ranging from 2.50 to 2.90 g/cm3, a Span value ranging from 1.04 to 1.68 and/or a capacity ranging from 195 to 210 mAh/g obtained using a discharging current of C/5 current rate. The material can have a formula Lia[NixMnyCo1?x?y]zM1?zO2, wherein a is between approximately 1.02 and 1.07, x is between approximately 0.60 to 0.82, y is between approximately 0.09 to 0.20, z is between approximately 0.95 to 1.0, and 1?x?y is greater than 0. A cost-effective and large-scale synthetic method for preparing the positive electroactive material, an electrochemical cell containing the positive electroactive material, and a battery comprising one or more lithium ion electrochemical cells are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable nickel-zinc battery including a separator exhibiting hydroxide ion conductivity and water impermeability. The nickel-zinc battery includes a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide and/or nickel oxyhydroxide; a positive-electrode electrolytic solution in which the positive electrode is immersed, the electrolytic solution containing an alkali metal hydroxide; a negative electrode containing zinc and/or zinc oxide; a negative-electrode electrolytic solution in which the negative electrode is immersed, the electrolytic solution containing an alkali metal hydroxide; a hermetic container accommodating the positive electrode, the positive-electrode electrolytic solution, the negative electrode, and the negative-electrode electrolytic solution; and the separator exhibiting hydroxide ion conductivity and water impermeability and disposed in the hermetic container so as to separate a positive-electrode chamber from a negative-electrode chamber.

Abstract: Cast components can improve the effectiveness of current state-of-the-art in thermal battery processing technology in terms of cost, labor, materials usage, and flexibility. Cast components can include cast cathodes, anodes, and separators.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a battery, a fuel cell, an air pump, and a processor. The battery stores electric power. The fuel cell supplies electric power to the battery. The air pump is driven with the electric power supplied from the battery to supply air to the fuel cell. The processor, when starting the fuel cell system, is configured to compare an amount of the electric power stored in the battery with a threshold electric power. If the amount of the electric power is higher than or equal to the threshold electric power, the air pump is driven. If the amount of the electric power is lower than the threshold electric power, the air pump is prohibited to drive.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode on which a lithium metal is deposited in a charged state, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt containing a carborane anion.

Abstract: The present application relates to a secondary battery head cover assembly, a secondary battery including the same and an assembling method thereof. The secondary battery head cover assembly includes a head cover and an insulation structure, the insulation structure includes a top connection sheet and two naked battery core insulation sheets, an electrode pole is provided on the head cover, and an electrode pole through hole is provided at a position on the top connection sheet corresponding to the electrode pole, the top connection sheet is located below the head cover and is connected to the head cover. The secondary battery includes the secondary battery head cover assembly and the naked battery core, the naked battery core is located below the top connection sheet, and the two naked battery core insulation sheets wrap the side and bottom surfaces of the naked battery core.

Abstract: An accumulator, specifically a small accumulator, comprises at least two positive electrodes, each with a contact terminal, and at least two negative electrodes, each with a contact terminal. The accumulator further comprises at least one contacting device having at least one contacting element which is arranged between two adjoining contact terminals and interconnects said two adjoining contact terminals in an electrically conductive manner. The accumulator further comprises a housing, which entirely accommodates the at least two positive electrodes, the at least two negative electrodes and the at least one contacting device. The accumulator comprises at least one cladding structure, which encloses the at least one contacting device.

Abstract: A secondary battery packaging material according to the present invention includes: a substrate layer having a first surface and containing polyester or polyamide; a metal foil layer laminated on the first surface of the substrate layer; an anti-corrosion treatment layer laminated on the metal foil layer; an adhesive layer laminated on the anti-corrosion treatment layer and containing two or more polyolefins; and a heat-sealable resin layer laminated on the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An assembled battery includes: a plurality of batteries; a holder having a holder part configured to hold outer circumferential surfaces of the batteries inserted in the battery through-holes; and a plurality of adhesive bodies that combine the batteries and inner circumferential surfaces of the holder part with each other. Each of the inner circumferential surfaces includes: a posture restricting portion configured to restrict a posture of each battery; a departing portion configured to depart from each battery around the whole circumference of the battery even when the battery takes any posture within the range; and a liquid-pouring groove connected from the second surface to the departing portion, and every adhesive body includes a whole-circumferential combined portion where the departing portion and the departing-portion opposing portion of each battery are combined with each other around the whole circumference.

Abstract: The present invention provides an art that can improve further battery performance of lithium ion secondary batteries in which a lithium salt is added to the interior of the batteries. A herein disclosed lithium ion secondary battery electrode is constituted by disposing, on a surface of a foil-like electrode current collector, an electrode mixture layer that contains a particulate electrode active material. With this electrode, a lithium salt having a lithium ion intake capability is added to the electrode mixture layer; dividing the electrode mixture layer into three equal regions, which are a first region, a second region, and a third region, in a thickness direction, an amount of the lithium salt component in the first region and an amount of the lithium salt component in the third region satisfy the relationship 0<S3/S1?4; and a maximum particle diameter of aggregates of the lithium salt present in the electrode mixture layer is less than 1 ?m.

Abstract: Improved anodes and cells are provided, which enable fast charging rates with enhanced safety due to much reduced probability of metallization of lithium on the anode, preventing dendrite growth and related risks of fire or explosion. Anodes and/or electrolytes have buffering zones for partly reducing and gradually introducing lithium ions into the anode for lithiation, to prevent lithium ion accumulation at the anode electrolyte interface and consequent metallization and dendrite growth. Various anode active materials and combinations, modifications through nanoparticles and a range of coatings which implement the improved anodes are provided.

Abstract: A secondary battery, including an electrode assembly, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a top cover plate, a conductive plate and a contact plate, wherein the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator provided therebetween, the positive electrode plate is electrically connected with the positive terminal, and the negative electrode plate is electrically connected with the negative terminal, the contact plate is attached to the negative terminal, the top cover plate is insulated from the negative terminal and is electrically connected with the positive terminal, the conductive plate is fixedly connected with the top cover plate, the contact plate is configured to deform under gas pressure to be in contact with the conductive plate when an internal pressure of the secondary battery exceeds a reference pressure.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery system, a battery pack, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed herein. The rechargeable battery system and/or battery pack can be for an electric vehicle. The rechargeable battery system and/or battery pack can include a plurality of battery cells arranged into one or more rows, a busbar, and a housing. The housing can include a plurality of receptacles that can engage with the plurality of battery cells to secure a relative position of the plurality of battery cells with respect to each other. The housing can define a cooling duct in thermal connection with the plurality of receptacles.

Abstract: An air shut-off valve apparatus for a fuel cell system and a method of controlling the same are provided. In particular, hydrogen injected into a fuel cell stack is discharged by being diluted with external air when starting the fuel cell system. The apparatus includes a valve body that has an inlet air path connected to a cathode of the fuel cell stack and through which air injected into the fuel cell stack flows, and an outlet air path through which air discharged from the fuel cell stack flows. A bypass body is provided and includes a bypass air path that connects the inlet air path and the outlet air path and a valve flap is disposed at the valve body and opens and closes the inlet and outlet air paths at a first side thereof, and the bypass air path at a second side thereof.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode for an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, for example a fuel cell, including one or more gas permeable layers, a first conductive layer provided on a first side of the gas diffusion electrode, and a second layer, which may be a second conductive layer, provided on a second side of the gas diffusion electrode. The one or more gas permeable layers are positioned between the first conductive layer and the second layer, which may be a second conductive layer, and the one or more gas permeable layers provide a gas channel. The one or more gas permeable layers are gas permeable and substantially impermeable to the liquid electrolyte. The porous conductive material is gas permeable and liquid electrolyte permeable. The gas diffusion electrode can be one of a plurality of alternating anode/cathode sets.

Abstract: A winding-type battery includes a battery case, a power generating element, a cap for blocking an opening of the battery case, and a gasket for insulating the battery case from the cap. The first electrode is connected to the cap via a first current collecting lead, and the second electrode is connected to the battery case via a second current collecting lead. A groove is formed near the opening end of the battery case. The gasket includes: an annular seal portion interposed between a rim of the cap and the region from the groove to the end; and a tubular portion that is integrated with the seal portion, and is disposed closer to the electrode group than the seal portion is. The first current collecting lead is connected to the cap through a hollow in the tubular portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a positive electrode composite material comprising at least one Na-based positive electrode active material and Na3P for a battery using sodium ions as electrochemical vector, to a positive electrode comprising such a positive electrode composite material, and to the Na-ion battery comprising such a positive electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly; and a thermal contractible protection layer disposed on an outer surface of the electrode assembly and contracted by heat.