Abstract: A material suitable for use in an electrode, preferably an anode, and processes of its formation are provided. The material includes an electrode base material and an organic artificial solid electrolyte interface material including a water soluble organic polymer coating the electrode base material. The polymer is polymerized with a crosslinker to form the organic artificial solid electrolyte interface material. The resulting artificial SEI coated electrode material demonstrates superior discharge rate capacity and cycle stability.

Abstract: A rechargeable, hybrid battery system incorporates a high power battery component and a high energy density battery component. The voltage of the high energy density battery varies as a function of its state of charge, but remains greater than the voltage of the high power battery throughout the operating range of the battery system.

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: A composite material having utility as an anode for lithium ion batteries comprises silicon, a transition metal, a ceramic and an electrically conductive diluent such as carbon. In particular instances, the ceramic is electrically conductive, and may comprise vanadium carbide or tungsten carbide. The transition metal may, in some instances, comprise iron. The material may be fabricated by grinding together a starting mixture of the components, and grinding may be accomplished in a high impact ball milling process, and the grinding step may cause partial alloying of the silicon with the metal and/or carbon. Further disclosed is a method for making the material as well as electrodes which incorporate the material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing charge of battery cells of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, battery cell balancing may be improved by balancing battery cells of a battery cell stack simultaneously. The system and method may be particularly useful battery packs that may be constructed with battery cell stacks that vary in a number of series battery cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating notice to limit battery degradation within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a signal is generated and passed between modules of a battery pack to provide notice to limit battery pack degradation. The system and method may be particularly useful for a battery pack with distributed battery modules.

Abstract: A battery housing is comprised of a unitary, seamless base member having a generally planar, quadrilateral bottom face with a side wall extending therefrom. The length dimension of the bottom face is at least twice the height of the side wall. The base member has an open top face. The housing includes a cover which closes the open top face and is engageable with the side wall of the base. An electrically resistive sealing gasket is configured to contact the cover member and the side wall so as to provide a fluid-tight seal. The components are mechanically interlocked by crimping or hemming. The housing is specifically configured to accommodate stacking of individual batteries into power assemblies, and the geometry of the housing optimizes thermal management. Further disclosed are batteries and battery assemblies including the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying a reference voltage within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, an assessment of a reference voltage is made via a band-gap voltage of a microcontroller. The system and method may be particularly useful determining whether or not the reference voltage has drifted from a desired voltage.

Abstract: A method for reducing moisture in a battery enclosure is presented. The method may reduce battery degradation during some conditions. In one example, moisture is controlled in a battery enclosure by a desiccant material. In another example, moisture is controlled in a battery enclosure by periodically passing electrical current through a Peltier device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for actively balancing battery cells are disclosed. In one example, a charge is supplied to different battery cells at different times during a battery discharge cycle. The method may reduce instantaneous current draw within a battery pack.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting sampling and switching rates of a battery management system are provided. For example, a rate at which different battery cells of a battery cell stack are in communication with an analog to digital converter may be adjusted in response to conditions of a battery cell.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making bipolar electrochemical devices, such as batteries, using electrophoresis. A bipolar device is assembled by applying a field that creates a physical separation between two active electrode materials, without requiring insertion of a discrete separator film or electrolyte layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods monitoring battery bus bars are disclosed. In one example, positive temperature coefficient thermistors are coupled to battery bus bars. The systems and method may reduce the cost and complexity of battery bus bar monitoring.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing operation of ADCs of a battery pack supplying power to a vehicle are disclosed. One example system comprises, a first ADC for determining the voltage of at least one battery cell; a second ADC for determining the voltage of a plurality of battery cells; and a controller performing an action in response to comparing an output of said first ADC to an output of said second ADC.

Abstract: The grid load synchronization system described herein permits proactive mitigation of the effects of large loads transitioning on and off the power grid and the resultant risks and power quality issues associated therewith. The disclosed proactive system permits a grid-connected power consumer to synchronize demand with power storage equipment in real time using a digital communication link. The power consumer transmits requests to bring a load online or offline to a control site. The control site coordinates power grid source(s) and power grid loads to maintain power quality when loads go on and offline. The control sites manage requests from multiple power consumers and schedule the various loads for the consumers to mitigate the effects of large loads transitioning on and off the power grid. The resulting power quality can be guaranteed when adequate battery resources are made proactively available, rather than reacting to line conditions to engage compensation actions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates battery with an integrated power management system and scalable cutoff component, the battery system including a battery housing with first and second voltage output terminals, a plurality of rechargeable battery cells within the battery housing and having first and second voltage terminals; a power management system for generating an external control signal and an internal control signal based upon monitored operating parameters of the plurality of rechargeable battery cells, said external control signal for controlling an external power source and/or an external load, said power management system forming an integral part of the battery system; and a cutoff switch circuit within the battery housing and for making and breaking a conductive path between the first voltage terminal of the plurality of battery cells and the first voltage output terminal of the battery housing in response the internal control signal from the battery management system.

Abstract: A multi-directional power conversion system for providing power to a motor of a hybrid vehicle includes an electric control unit; an electric motor which provides a driving force to the vehicle; a primary energy storage device; and a secondary energy storage device. An energy management system communicates parameters of the energy storage devices to the electronic control unit. A power manipulating device is coupled between the primary energy storage device and the secondary energy storage device that is configured to manage power between the energy sources and deliver electricity external the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery system including: a plurality of subunits each of which has a heatsink and a battery cell and two voltage terminals symmetrically positioned with respect to a centerline of that battery cell, wherein all of the battery cells are arranged so that their voltage terminals are aligned along two rows; a plurality of identical busbar supports equal in number to the plurality of subunits, each having two slots and mounted on a corresponding different one of the subunits with each of the terminals of the battery cell extending up through the two slots; and a plurality of bimetallic busbars, each one supported by a different corresponding subset of the busbar supports and electrically connected directly to either a first or second terminal of each of the battery cells of each of the modules on which those busbar supports are mounted.

Abstract: A compact, robust, multifunctional and highly manufacturable rechargeable battery cell is provided. The cell design dedicates minimal internal volume to inert components of the cell. This is accomplished, in part, by providing multiple functionalities to individual cell components.

Abstract: A battery module is disclosed where the battery module includes a variety of internal components. In one example, microcellular polyurethane pads are positioned between walls of the battery module and internal components of the battery module to reduced degradation that may be caused by operating the battery module in a vehicle. The pads may reduce vibration and interference between the battery module walls and interior battery components so that battery module life may be extended.