Abstract: A current interrupt device for rechargeable, electrochemical cells having a safety valve, insulating spacer and a thin metal plate for coupling to an electrode assembly is provided. The thin metal plate electrically couples to the safety valve by way of a conductive polymer, preferably having a positive temperature coefficient characteristic. The positive temperature coefficient characteristic is such that the impedance of the polymer increases with increasing temperature. In normal operation, the polymer conducts current. In high current situations, where internal components heat due to parasitic resistances, the polymer becomes an insulator and disconnects the cell from the exterior can. When gasses build within the cell, the safety valve deforms, thereby causing the safety valve to separate from the thin metal plate. Once the safety valve and thin metal plate have separated, the electrode assembly is electrically isolated from the exterior can.

Abstract: A current interrupt device for rechargeable, electrochemical cells having a safety valve, insulating spacer and a thin metal plate for coupling to an electrode assembly is provided. The thin metal plate electrically couples to the safety valve by way of a conductive polymer, preferably having a positive temperature coefficient characteristic. The positive temperature coefficient characteristic is such that the impedance of the polymer increases with increasing temperature. In normal operation, the polymer conducts current. In high current situations, where internal components heat due to parasitic resistances, the polymer becomes an insulator and disconnects the cell from the exterior can. When gasses build within the cell, the safety valve deforms, thereby causing the safety valve to separate from the thin metal plate. Once the safety valve and thin metal plate have separated, the electrode assembly is electrically isolated from the exterior can.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery having at least an anode that includes phenol formaldehyde in a range of 0.1% to 10% by weight as a binder material. The phenol formaldehyde, or a mixture of phenol formaldehyde with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), is used as a binding material in a Li-ion battery negative electrode to decrease the exothermic reaction of the battery during charging and discharging, which accordingly lessens the risk of thermal runaway and rupture of the battery.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery having at least an anode that includes phenol formaldehyde in a range of 0.1% to 10% by weight as a binder material. The phenol formaldehyde, or a mixture of phenol formaldehyde with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), is used as a binding material in a Li-ion battery negative electrode to decrease the exothermic reaction of the battery during charging and discharging, which accordingly lessens the risk of thermal runaway and rupture of the battery.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating a carbon material for use as an electrode in an electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of carbonizing (62, 66) a lignin material to result in the carbon material and subsequently washing (74) the carbon material with acid.

Abstract: A method (50) of fabricating an amorphous carbon material for use as an electrode (20) in a rechargeable electrochemical cell (10) includes the steps of heating (62) a lignin material until it has fully cured, comminuting (68) the lignin material before it has carbonized, and subsequently heating (70) the lignin material until it has carbonized.