Abstract: Materials and methods for coating an electrochemically active electrode material for use in a lithium-ion battery are provided. In one example, an electrochemically active electrode material comprises: a polymer coating applied directly to an exterior surface of the electrochemically active electrode material; a metal plating catalyst adhered to the continuous polymer; and a continuous metal coating that completely covers the metal catalyst and continuous polymer coating. The electrochemically active electrode material may comprise a powder comprising one or more secondary particles, and the polymer and metal coatings may be applied to exterior surfaces of these secondary particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a battery management system (BMS) having a protection circuit. In one example, a vehicle battery system may include the BMS, the BMS including a cutoff circuit coupled to a short-circuit protection circuit, and a battery pack, wherein the short-circuit protection circuit may include a diode array, cathodes of the diode array being coupled to a positive terminal post of the battery pack and anodes of the diode array being coupled to a negative terminal post of the battery pack. In some examples, the cutoff circuit may further be coupled to a reverse bias protection circuit including a switchable current path arranged between a control input of the cutoff circuit and an output of the cutoff circuit. In this way, the vehicle battery system may be protected from unexpected voltage conditions via the BMS redirecting and dissipating excess current away from the cutoff circuit.

Abstract: An LFP electrode material is provided which has improved impedance, power during cold cranking, rate capacity retention, charge transfer resistance over the current LFP based cathode materials. The electrode material comprises crystalline primary particles and secondary particles, where the primary particle is formed from a plate-shaped single-phase spheniscidite precursor and a lithium source. The LFP includes an LFP phase behavior where the LFP phase behavior includes an extended solid-solution range.

Abstract: A battery pack system and methods for operating the battery pack system are disclosed. In one example, the battery pack system may simultaneously output two different voltages from a stack of battery cells. One voltage may be applied to a first group of electric power consumers and the second voltage may be applied to a second group of electric power consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a battery encapsulant. In one example, a method may include a battery encapsulant surrounding one or more battery cells of a vehicle battery, where the encapsulant comprises a Young Modulus between 0.05 to 0.15 GPa after being cured.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is designed with cells having a specific combination of anode, cathode, and electrolyte compositions to maintain long cycle life at extreme high temperatures and deliver high power at extreme low temperatures. These properties can significantly reduce or altogether eliminate the need for thermal management circuitry, reducing weight and cost. Applications in telecommunications backup, transportation, and military defense are contemplated.

Abstract: A positive electroactive material is described, including: a lithium iron manganese phosphate compound having a composition of LiaFe1-x-yMnxDy(PO4)z, wherein 1.0<a?1.10, 0<x?0.5, 0?y?0.10, 1.0<z?1.10 and D is selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, V, Nb and combinations thereof; and a lithium metal oxide, wherein the lithium iron manganese phosphate compound is optionally doped with Ti, Zr, Nb, Al, Ta, W, Mg or F. A battery containing the positive electroactive material is also described.

Abstract: The following description relates to systems and methods for a vehicle battery. The vehicle battery may be a Lithium-ion battery, and may comprise a plurality of prismatic shaped battery cells, arranged and stacked to form a series of battery cell groups, and where protective casings or partitioned chambers of a protective casing enclose each battery cell group. The protective casings, or component segments of a protective casing, may be coupled to one another by a series of ridges and mating grooves. A protective casing may alternatively comprise of a monolithic extrusion comprising a plurality of partitioned chambers. The protective casing may be configured to absorb a threshold compressive force without resulting in deformation of the battery cell groups.

Abstract: An LFP electrode material is provided which has improved impedance, power during cold cranking, rate capacity retention, charge transfer resistance over the current LFP based cathode materials. The electrode material comprises crystalline primary particles and secondary particles, where the primary particle is formed from a plate-shaped single-phase spheniscidite precursor and a lithium source. The LFP includes an LFP phase behavior where the LFP phase behavior includes an extended solid-solution range.

Abstract: An electrode/separator assembly for use in an electrochemical cell includes a current collector; a porous composite electrode layer adhered to the current collector, said electrode layer comprising at least electroactive particles and a binder; and a porous composite separator layer comprising inorganic particles substantially uniformly distributed in a polymer matrix to form nanopores and having a pore volume fraction of at least 25%, wherein the separator layer is secured to the electrode layer by a solvent weld at the interface between the two layers, said weld comprising a mixture of the binder and the polymer. Methods of making and using the assembly are also described.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery having over-discharge protection includes an anode comprising at least an electrochemically active anode material, said anode having an anode irreversible capacity loss during a first charge of the lithium-ion battery; and a cathode comprising at least an electrochemically active cathode material characterized by the formula: xLi2MnO3.(1?x)LiMnaNibCocO2, where 0<x<1 and a+b+c=1, and x, a, b, and c are selected to provide a cathode irreversible capacity loss during a first charge of the lithium-ion battery that is greater than or equal to the anode irreversible capacity loss, and wherein the cathode possesses a voltage step less than about 2 V versus Li.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is designed with cells having a specific combination of anode, cathode, and electrolyte compositions to maintain long cycle life at extreme high temperatures and deliver high power at extreme low temperatures. These properties can significantly reduce or altogether eliminate the need for thermal management circuitry, reducing weight and cost. Applications in telecommunications backup, transportation, and military defense are contemplated.

Abstract: A battery pack for supplying energy to propel a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, a battery pack includes a thermoplastic over mold for providing resistance to liquid is disclosed. The battery pack may have increased resistance to battery pack degradation.

Abstract: A starter battery is provided comprising a plurality of pouch-type prismatic cells stacked to form an array and configured to output a voltage sufficient to start a vehicle engine. The starter battery further includes a housing configured to contain the array wherein the housing includes a tray and a lid attached with the tray such that the housing provides a compressive force sufficient to prevent cell delamination and to constrain expansion or swelling of the cells during operation.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery cell having a specific combination of anode, cathode and electrolyte formulation is provided. The electrolyte formulation includes an additive system and a salt system. The additive system includes a first additive containing a sulfonyl group, an anti-gassing agent, and a second additive. The salt system includes a lithium salt and a co-salt. The disclosed electrolyte formulation has reduced gassing and improved performance over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: Lithium ion (Li-ion) multi-cell batteries in which the requirements for individual monitoring and controlling charging of each cell, the requirements for monitoring and controlling charge balancing and the effects of repeated charging and discharging are ameliorated are presented. In one or more embodiments, the multi-cell battery includes configuration material that substantially provides a moisture barrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing battery cells of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a charge imbalance is determined while battery cells operate in a high charge resolution voltage range. The charge imbalance determined during operation in the high charge resolution voltage range may be removed when the battery cells are operated in a low charge resolution voltage range. The system and method may be particularly useful for balancing battery cells that operate in the low charge resolution voltage range for a large portion of their operating time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating a state of a battery to a vehicle controller are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack outputs a signal indicative of an amount of capability the battery pack has to source or sink current at present operating conditions. The system and method may improve vehicle drivability and reduce battery pack degradation.

Abstract: An electrochemical storage multi-cell may comprise: a housing, including a plurality of concentric annular cell chambers; a plurality of electrochemical storage cells, wherein each of the plurality of annular cells are positioned in one of the plurality of annular cell chambers, and the plurality of annular cells are electrically connected in series; and conductive electrolyte filling each of the annular cell chambers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing voltage threshold detection circuitry of individual battery cells within a battery pack supplying power to a vehicle are disclosed. One example system comprises, a plurality of battery cells within a battery pack, a plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits detecting voltage of the plurality of battery cells, a voltage of a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells coupled to a first voltage threshold detecting circuit of the plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits, and a network that selectively couples a second battery cell to the first voltage detecting circuit while the first battery cell is coupled to the first voltage detecting circuit.