Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to semi-solid electrodes, and methods of producing the same. In some embodiments, a method of forming a semi-solid electrode can include mixing an active material, a conductive material, and an electrolyte solvent to produce a semi-solid material. The electrolyte solvent is free of electrolyte salt. The method further includes dispensing the semi-solid material onto a current collector and wetting the semi-solid material with an electrolyte solution to form the semi-solid electrode. In some embodiments, the wetting can be via spraying. In some embodiments, the electrolyte salt can have a concentration in the electrolyte solution of at least about 1 M, at least about 2M, or at least about 3 M. In some embodiments, the solvent can include ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), or any combination thereof.

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 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: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of overcharge protection in electrochemical cells by utilizing properties inherent to battery materials. An overcharge inhibitor is disposed in at least one of an anode and a cathode and is configured to inhibit ion transfer when a triggering condition is met. In some embodiments, the triggering condition can be a voltage difference between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the triggering condition can be a temperature in the anode and/or the cathode. In some embodiments, the overcharge inhibitor can include a compound disposed in the cathode and/or the anode configured to generate a gas when the triggering condition is met. In some embodiments, the overcharge inhibitor can include a plurality of particles disposed in the cathode and/or the anode configured to absorb a portion of a liquid electrolyte and expand when the triggering condition is met.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a conveying member that conveys a spray-receiving medium to be sprayed with pressure sensitive adhesive particles having a pressure-induced phase transition property, containing at least a binder resin, and having a sulfur content of 0.1 mass % or more and 0.5 mass % or less relative to an entirety of the pressure sensitive adhesive particles as measured by X-ray fluorescence; and a removing member that contacts the conveying member and removes the pressure sensitive adhesive particles remaining on the conveying member.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to semi-solid electrodes with carbon additives, and methods of making the same. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode, can include about 35% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 0.5% to about 8% by volume of a conductive material, and about 0.2% to about 5% by volume of a carbon additive. The carbon additive is different from the conductive material. The active material, the conductive material, and the carbon additive are mixed with a non-aqueous electrolyte to form the semi-solid electrode. In some embodiments, the carbon additive includes carbon nanofibers, vapor-grown carbon fibers (VCGF), carbon nanotubes (CNT's), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT's), and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT's). In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode can have a yield stress of less than about 100 kPa.

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: A delivery device includes a container that contains pressure sensitive adhesive particles that contain at least a binder resin, have a sulfur content of 0.1 mass % or more and 0.5 mass % or less relative to a total of the pressure sensitive adhesive particles as measured by X-ray fluorescence, and have a pressure-induced phase transition property, the container having a shape of a cylinder having a spiral recessed or projecting portion on an inner peripheral surface thereof; and a transmitting unit to which a rotary drive force from a driving unit that rotates the container is transmitted, the transmitting unit being disposed in the container.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods described herein relate to the manufacture and use of single pouch battery cells. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a first current collector coupled to a first portion of a pouch, the first current collector having a first electrode material disposed thereon, a second current collector coupled to a second portion of the pouch, the second current collector having a second electrode material disposed thereon, and a separator disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material. The first portion of the pouch is coupled to the second portion of the pouch to enclose the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described in this application relate generally to a system, an apparatus and/or methods for manufacturing electrodes by infusion electrolyte into compacted electrode materials. In some embodiments, a working electrode materials can be produced using an infusion mixing and manufacturing process. In some embodiments, a single-sided finished electrode can be produced directly from a dry powder mixture using an infusion mixing and manufacturing process. In some embodiments, a double-sided finished electrode can be produced directly from a dry powder mixture using an infusion mixing and manufacturing process. The electrodes produced by an infusion mixing and manufacturing process generally perform better than those produced by non-infusion processes.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods described herein relate to the manufacture and use of electrochemical cells with a flame retardant mechanism. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a first current collector coupled to a first portion of a first pouch, the first current collector having a first electrode material disposed thereon. The electrochemical cell further includes a second current collector coupled to a second portion of the first pouch, the second current collector having a second electrode material disposed thereon. The electrochemical cell further includes a separator disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material, the first portion of the first pouch coupled to the second portion of the first pouch to enclose the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell further includes a flame retardant material coated to the first pouch and a second pouch, the second pouch enclosing the first pouch and the flame retardant material.

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: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with one or more current collectors divided into segments, and methods of producing the same. A current collector divided into segments comprises a substantially planar conductive material including a connection region and an electrode region. The electrode region includes one or more dividers defining a plurality of electron flow paths. The plurality of electron flow paths direct the flow of electrons from the electrode region to the connection region. In some embodiments, the current collector includes a fuse section disposed between the electrode region and the connection region. In some embodiments, the fuse section can include a thin strip of conductive material, such that the thin strip of conductive material melts at a melting temperature and substantially prevent electron movement between the electrode region and the connection region.

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: 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: A charge remaining in an electrostatic coater when power supply to the electrostatic coater is stopped is neutralized at an early stage. A rotary atomizing head 102 receives a high voltage of negative polarity from a cascade 104. An electrostatic coater 100 further includes a second high-voltage generator 110 that generates a high voltage of positive polarity. The second high-voltage generator 110 is composed of a Cockcroft-Walton circuit. The Cockcroft-Walton circuit is composed of diodes and capacitors. A high voltage of the electrostatic coater 100 is controlled by a controller 10. Immediately after running of the electrostatic coater 100 is stopped by stopping power supply to the cascade 104, power is supplied to the second high-voltage generator 110. The high voltage of positive polarity generated by the second high-voltage generator 110 is supplied to the rotary atomizing head 102 for a predetermined time period.

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 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 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.