Abstract: Composite layers for controlling dendrite growth in electrochemical cells having active-metal anodes prone to dendrite growth during cycling. In some embodiments, one of the composite layers includes a porous matrix having pores, solid electrolyte particles, and one or more alloying materials that alloy with the active metal so that each dendrite that contacts the alloying material alloys with it to prevent that dendrite from growing beyond the composite layer. In some embodiments, another of the composite layers includes a gel electrolyte and solid electrolyte particles dispersed in the gel electrolyte. Each of these two types of composite layers can be deployed in an electrochemical cell separately from one another or together with one another, with the gel-electrolyte composite layer typically being deployed in contact with an active-metal anode and the porous composite layer typically being deployed between an active-metal anode and a separator.

Abstract: Alkali metal secondary batteries that include anodes constructed from alkali metal foil applied to only one side of a porous current collector metal foil. Openings in the porous current collectors permit alkali metal accessibility on both sides of the anode structure. Such anode constructions enable the utilization of lower-cost and more commonly available alkali metal foil thickness, while still achieving high cell cycle life at a significantly reduced cost. Aspects of the present disclosure also include batteries with porous current collectors having increased volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, and methods of manufacturing anodes with porous current collectors.

Abstract: A method of forming anodes for electrochemical devices by laminating a metal foil to a current collector and creating anode-active-material patches, composed of the metal foil, that are spaced from one another by inter-patch regions, wherein each inter-patch region provides a location for forming one or more electrical tabs of the finished anodes. The method can further include applying conductive-coating patches to the current collector prior to laminating the metal foil to the current collector, wherein each conductive-coating patch corresponds to one of the anode-active-material patches. In some embodiments, the conductive-coating patches can assist with forming the anode-active-material patches and/or can improve the cycling performance of an electrochemical device made using anodes made therewith. Anodes containing anode-active material and conductive coatings applied to current collectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Alkali metal secondary batteries that include anodes constructed from alkali metal foil applied to only one side of a porous current collector metal foil. Openings in the porous current collectors permit alkali metal accessibility on both sides of the anode structure. Such anode constructions enable the utilization of lower-cost and more commonly available alkali metal foil thickness, while still achieving high cell cycle life at a significantly reduced cost. Aspects of the present disclosure also include batteries with porous current collectors having increased volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, and methods of manufacturing anodes with porous current collectors.

Abstract: Alkali metal secondary batteries that include anodes constructed from alkali metal foil applied to only one side of a porous current collector metal foil. Openings in the porous current collectors permit alkali metal accessibility on both sides of the anode structure. Such anode constructions enable the utilization of lower-cost and more commonly available alkali metal foil thickness, while still achieving high cell cycle life at a significantly reduced cost. Aspects of the present disclosure also include batteries with porous current collectors having increased volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, and methods of manufacturing anodes with porous current collectors.

Abstract: Localized high-salt-concentration electrolytes each containing a salt, a glyme as a solvent, and a fluorinated diluent. In some embodiments, the glyme has a chemical formula R1—(O—CH2—CH2)n—O—R2, wherein n=1 to 4 and at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrocarbon sidechain having at least 2 carbon atoms and wherein the salt is soluble in the glyme. In some embodiments, the fluorinated diluent is selected from the group consisting of a fluorinated glyme and a fluorinated ether. In some embodiments, the salt includes an alkali-metal salt. In some embodiments, the salt includes an alkali-earth-metal salt. The salt may include a perfluorinated sulfonimide salt. Electrochemical devices that include localized high-salt-concentration electrolytes of the present disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming anodes for electrochemical devices by laminating a metal foil to a current collector and creating anode-active-material patches, composed of the metal foil, that are spaced from one another by inter-patch regions, wherein each inter-patch region provides a location for forming one or more electrical tabs of the finished anodes. The method can further include applying conductive-coating patches to the current collector prior to laminating the metal foil to the current collector, wherein each conductive-coating patch corresponds to one of the anode-active-material patches. In some embodiments, the conductive-coating patches can assist with forming the anode-active-material patches and/or can improve the cycling performance of an electrochemical device made using anodes made therewith. Anodes containing anode-active material and conductive coatings applied to current collectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Localized high-salt-concentration electrolytes each containing a salt, a glyme as a solvent, and a fluorinated diluent. In some embodiments, the glyme has a chemical formula R1—(O—CH2—CH2)n—O—R2, wherein n=1 to 4 and at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrocarbon sidechain having at least 2 carbon atoms and wherein the salt is soluble in the glyme. In some embodiments, the fluorinated diluent is selected from the group consisting of a fluorinated glyme and a fluorinated ether. In some embodiments, the salt includes an alkali-metal salt. In some embodiments, the salt includes an alkali-earth-metal salt. The salt may include a perfluorinated sulfonimide salt. Electrochemical devices that include localized high-salt-concentration electrolytes of the present disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Localized high-salt-concentration electrolytes each containing a salt, a glyme as a solvent, and a fluorinated diluent. In some embodiments, the glyme has a chemical formula R1—(O—CH2—CH2)n—O—R2, wherein n=1 to 4 and at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrocarbon sidechain having at least 2 carbon atoms and wherein the salt is soluble in the glyme. In some embodiments, the fluorinated diluent is selected from the group consisting of a fluorinated glyme and a fluorinated ether. In some embodiments, the salt includes an alkali-metal salt. In some embodiments, the salt includes an alkali-earth-metal salt. The salt may include a perfluorinated sulfonimide salt. Electrochemical devices that include localized high-salt-concentration electrolytes of the present disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Alkali metal secondary batteries that include anodes constructed from alkali metal foil applied to only one side of a porous current collector metal foil. Openings in the porous current collectors permit alkali metal accessibility on both sides of the anode structure. Such anode constructions enable the utilization of lower-cost and more commonly available alkali metal foil thickness, while still achieving high cell cycle life at a significantly reduced cost. Aspects of the present disclosure also include batteries with porous current collectors having increased volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, and methods of manufacturing anodes with porous current collectors.

Abstract: A fluoride ion battery includes a substantially lithium-free anode and cathode. At least one of the anode or cathode contains fluorine, and a substantially lithium-free liquid electrolyte is used for charge transport. The electrolyte is liquid at temperatures below about 200 degrees Celsius, and can be formed from an organic-soluble fluoride salt dissolved in selected classes of solvents.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery is an electrochemical energy storage device that includes a cathode, an anode, and a liquid electrolyte as active components. The present disclosure relates to new rechargeable batteries that include a liquid electrolyte with high salt concentration that enables efficient deposition/dissolution of lithium metal on anode, during charge/discharge cycles. The battery can attain high energy density and improved cycle life.

Abstract: A fluoride ion battery includes a substantially lithium-free anode and cathode. At least one of the anode or cathode contains fluorine, and a substantially lithium-free liquid electrolyte is used for charge transport. The electrolyte is liquid at temperatures below about 200 degrees Celsius, and can be formed from an organic-soluble fluoride salt dissolved in selected classes of solvents.

Abstract: A fluoride ion battery includes a substantially lithium-free anode and cathode. At least one of the anode or cathode contains fluorine, and a substantially lithium-free liquid electrolyte is used for charge transport. The electrolyte is liquid at temperatures below about 200 degrees Celsius, and can be formed from an organic-soluble fluoride salt dissolved in selected classes of solvents.

Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as a battery or power source, provides improved performance under stringent or extreme conditions. Such an electrochemical device for use in high temperature conditions may include at least a cathode, a lithium-based anode, a separator, and an ionic liquid electrolyte. This device also may include a current collector and housing that are electrochemically inert with respect to other components of the device. This electrochemical device may operate at temperatures ranging from 0 to 180, 200, 220, 240, and 260° C.

Abstract: A lithium-free, anion based charge transport electrochemical system that uses fluoride ion transporting electrolytes, including ionic liquids, with and without various additives to improve performance, is described. The fluoride ion transporting electrolyte can be wholly or partly an ionic liquid that is typically liquid at temperatures less than 200 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, electrolytes that remain liquid at less than 100 degrees Celsius are useful.

Abstract: A lithium-free, anion based charge transport electrochemical system that uses fluoride ion transporting electrolytes, including ionic liquids, with and without various additives to improve performance, is described. The fluoride ion transporting electrolyte can be wholly or partly an ionic liquid that is typically liquid at temperatures less than 200 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, electrolytes that remain liquid at less than 100 degrees Celsius are useful.

Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as a battery or power source, provides improved performance under stringent or extreme conditions. Such an electrochemical device for use in high temperature conditions may include at least a cathode, a lithium-based anode, a separator, and an ionic liquid electrolyte. This device also may include a current collector and housing that are electrochemically inert with respect to other components of the device. This electrochemical device may operate at temperatures ranging from 0 to 180, 200, 220, 240, and 260° C.

Abstract: A fluoride ion battery includes a substantially lithium-free anode and cathode. At least one of the anode or cathode contains fluorine, and a substantially lithium-free liquid electrolyte is used for charge transport. The electrolyte is liquid at temperatures below about 200 degrees Celsius, and can be formed from an organic-soluble fluoride salt dissolved in selected classes of solvents.