Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for improving safety features in electrochemical cells. In particular, the systems and methods as described herein can solve safety issues concerning gas generation in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that include a gel polymer additive such that the electrodes demonstrate longer cycle life while significantly retaining the electronic performance of the electrodes and the electrochemical cells formed therefrom. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode can include about 20% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 0.5% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 70% by volume of an electrolyte. The electrolyte further includes about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of a polymer additive. In some embodiments, the electrolyte can include about 0.1% to about 0.7% of the polymer additive.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems with thermal insulation systems, and methods of producing the same. An electrochemical cell can include an anode material disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode material disposed on a cathode current collector, a separator disposed between the anode material and the cathode material, and an insulating structure disposed around and containing the anode material, anode current collector, cathode material, cathode current collector, and the separator. The anode material and/or the cathode material includes a semi-solid electrode material. The semi-solid electrode material includes an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte. The liquid electrolyte has an electrolyte salt concentration of at least about 2.0 M. In some embodiments, the insulating structure includes a frame with a first wall and a second wall disposed therein.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with one or more electrodes coupled directly to a film material, and methods of making the same. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a first electrode material disposed on a first current collector, wherein the first current collector is coupled to a first non-conductive film. In some embodiments, a first tab is coupled to the first current collector. The electrochemical cell further includes a second electrode material capable of taking up or releasing ions during operation of the electrochemical cell. The second electrode material is coupled directly to a second non-conductive film. A second tab is electronically coupled to the second electrode material. A separator is disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material. In some embodiments, the second tab can be coupled directly to the second electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems include a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell connected in parallel. Both electrochemical cells include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have different performance properties from the second electrochemical cell. For example, the first electrochemical cell can have a high energy density while the second electrochemical cell can have a high power density. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have a battery chemistry, thickness, or any other physical/chemical property different from those properties of the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells and production thereof under high pressure. In some aspects, a method of producing an electrochemical cell can include disposing a cathode material onto a cathode current collector to form a cathode, disposing an anode material onto an anode current collector to form an anode, and disposing the anode onto the cathode in an assembly jig with a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode to form an electrochemical cell, the assembly jig applying a force to the electrochemical cell such that a pressure in the cathode material is at least about 3,500 kPa. In some embodiments, the cathode material can be a first cathode material, and the method can further include disposing a second cathode material onto the first cathode material. In some embodiments, the first cathode material can include silicon. In some embodiments, the second cathode material can include graphite.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and processes for forming semi-solid electrodes having high active solids loading by removing excess electrolyte. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be formed by mixing an active material and, optionally, a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte to form a suspension. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be disposed onto a current collector to form an intermediate electrode. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can have a first composition in which the ratio of electrolyte to active material is between about 10:1 and about 1:1. In some embodiments, a method for converting the semi-solid electrode material from the first composition into the second composition includes removing a portion of the electrolyte from the semi-solid electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for continuously and/or semi-continuously manufacturing semi-solid electrodes and batteries incorporating semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, the process of manufacturing a semi-solid electrode includes continuously dispensing a semi-solid electrode slurry onto a current collector, separating the semi-solid electrode slurry into discrete portions, and cutting the current collector to form a finished electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include electrochemical cell modules. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell module includes a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell. The first electrochemical cell includes an anode material disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode material disposed on a cathode current collector, a separator disposed between the anode material and the cathode material, and a pouch material disposed on the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. The separator extends beyond the anode material and the cathode material and the pouch material extends beyond the separator. The portion of the separator that extends beyond the outer edge of the anode material and the cathode material and the portion of the pouch material that extends beyond the outer edge of the separator are folded at an angle of about 80 degrees to about 110 degrees with respect to the anode material and the cathode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells and electrodes with carbon-containing coatings. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The separator has a first side adjacent to the cathode and a second side adjacent to the anode. The electrochemical cell further includes a coating layer disposed on the separator. The coating layer reduces dendrite formation in the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the coating layer can include hard carbon. In some embodiments, the coating layer can have a thickness between about 100 nm and about 20 ?m. In some embodiments, the coating layer can be disposed on the first side of the separator.

Abstract: A particle conveying device includes a storage portion that stores pressure sensitive adhesive particles that contain at least a binder resin, have a pressure-induced phase transition property, and have a sulfur content in a range of 0.1 mass % or more and 0.5 mass % or less relative to the entire pressure sensitive adhesive particles as measured by X-ray fluorescence; and a conveying member that is disposed in the storage portion and rotates about a shaft that extends in one direction inside the storage portion to thereby convey the pressure sensitive adhesive particles in a direction along the shaft inside the storage portion.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to devices, systems and methods of producing high energy density batteries having a semi-solid cathode that is thicker than the anode. An electrochemical cell can include a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector and an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a first distance from the positive electrode current collector and at least partially defines a positive electroactive zone. The ion-permeable membrane is spaced a second distance from the negative electrode current collector and at least partially defines a negative electroactive zone. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods described herein relate to safety devices for electrochemical cells comprising an electrode tab electrically coupled to an electrode, the electrode including an electrode material disposed on a current collector. In some embodiments, a fuse can be operably coupled to or formed in the electrode tab. In some embodiments, the fuse can be formed by removing a portion of the electrode tab. In some embodiments, the fuse can include a thin strip of electrically resistive material configured to electrically couple multiple electrodes. In some embodiments, the current collector can include a metal-coated deformable mesh material such that the current collector is self-fusing. In some embodiments, the fuse can be configured to deform, break, melt, or otherwise discontinue electrical communication between the electrode and other components of the electrochemical cell in response to a high current condition, a high voltage condition, or a high temperature condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a battery module, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the battery module, a power source, and a controller. The energy storage system is operable in a first operating state in which energy is transferred from the energy storage system to the battery module to charge the battery module, and a second operating state in which energy is transferred from the battery module to the energy storage system to discharge the battery module. The power source electrically coupled to the energy storage system and is configured to transfer energy from the power source to the energy storage system based on an amount of stored energy in the energy storage system. The controller is operably coupled to the battery module and is configured to monitor and control a charging state of the battery module.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrodes and electrochemical cells with positive temperature coefficient coatings and methods of producing the same. In some embodiments, an electrode can include a layer of a film material, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) coating disposed in the layer of film material. The PTC material resists a flow of current through at least a portion of the PTC material when a temperature of the at least a portion of the PTC material exceeds a threshold value. The electrode further includes an electrode material disposed on the PTC material. In some embodiments, the electrode can further include an electrode tab coupled to the PTC material and the electrode film. In some embodiments, the PTC material can include a conductive polymer. In some embodiments, the electrode material can include a semi-solid and/or a binderless electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for improving safety features in electrochemical cells. In particular, the systems and methods as described herein can solve safety issues concerning gas generation in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with multiple separators, and methods of producing the same. A method of producing an electrochemical cell can include disposing an anode material onto an anode current collector, disposing a first separator on the anode material, disposing a cathode material onto a cathode current collector, disposing a second separator onto the cathode material, and disposing the first separator on the second separator to form the electrochemical cell. The anode material and/or the cathode material can be a semi-solid electrode material including an active material, a conductive material, and a volume of liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, less than about 10% by volume of the liquid electrolyte evaporates during the forming of the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the method can further include wetting the first separator and/or the second separator with an electrolyte solution prior to coupling the first separator to the second separator.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and processes for forming semi-solid electrodes having high active solids loading by removing excess electrolyte. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be formed by mixing an active material and, optionally, a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte to form a suspension. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be disposed onto a current collector to form an intermediate electrode. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can have a first composition in which the ratio of electrolyte to active material is between about 10:1 and about 1:1. In some embodiments, a method for converting the semi-solid electrode material from the first composition into the second composition includes removing a portion of the electrolyte from the semi-solid electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and stacks of multiple electrochemical cells. An electrochemical cell stack includes a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series in a single pouch. Each electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells includes an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode current collector includes an anode tab and the cathode current collector includes a cathode tab. In some embodiments, a first electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells can be connected in series to a second electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells by electronically coupling the cathode tab of the first electrochemical cell to the anode tab of the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells having a separator with a separator seal. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode collector, a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode, and a separator seal coupled to the separator. The separator seal is impermeable to the movement of electroactive species therethrough. In some embodiments, the separator seal can include a tape and/or an adhesive. In some embodiments, the separator seal can include a material that permeates into pores of a portion of the separator. In some embodiments, the separator seal can be thermally bonded to the separator. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell can include a pouch. In some embodiments the separator can be coupled to the pouch. In some embodiments, the separator seal can be coupled to the pouch.