Abstract: A method of charging an electrochemical generator having a plurality of electrochemical cells. The method includes the step of charging the plurality of electrochemical cells such that the total voltage of the generator reaches a predetermined voltage level, followed by the steps of selecting a particular electrochemical cell and charging the particular electrochemical cell to its respective maximum voltage, such that the cathode(s) of the particular electrochemical cell is(are) restored to a fully-charged state. Once it has been restored to its fully-charged state, the particular electrochemical cell is allowed to discharge itself down to a nominal voltage. Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells of the generator is selected and charged to its respective maximum voltage in turn, according to a predetermined selection sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a thickness of a film in motion. The apparatus comprises a roller for receiving and supporting the film in motion, the roller being adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation. The apparatus also comprises a position detector for detecting when the roller is in a specific angular position as the roller rotates about the axis of rotation. The apparatus further comprises a measurement unit aligned with a specific portion of the roller and coupled to the position detector. The measurement unit is responsive to a detection of the roller being in the specific angular position to measure the thickness of the film.

Abstract: The invention provides a current collecting terminal for use in an electrochemical battery formed from a plurality of Electrochemical (EC) bundles. The current collecting terminal has a first end and a second end, and comprises a first conductive component and a second conductive component for electrically connecting a pair of EC bundles together. At the first end of the current collecting terminal, the first conductive component and the second conductive component each overlap a main face of respective sheet-like current collecting elements of a first EC bundle. At the second end, the first conductive component and the second conductive component each overlap a main face of respective sheet-like current collecting elements of a second EC bundle. The first conductive component and the second conductive component are both in electrical communication with the first EC bundle and the second EC bundle.

Abstract: A back-up power system having a monitoring system for determining, and for allowing remote monitoring of, a back-up time can be provided by a plurality of batteries for a given application, at all times. The back-up power system includes a plurality of batteries, each having an integrated circuit adapted to monitor individual battery's state of health. The back-up power system also includes a data management unit for evaluating the back-up time available from the plurality of batteries based on a sum of individual battery available capacity, a measured ambient temperature and a continuously updated measured application current load. The available back-up time and the measured application current load are accessible to a remote user via a communication link.

Abstract: A polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) includes a polyimide, at least one salt and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The PME is stable through harsh temperature and pressure conditions. A method of forming a PME includes the steps of dissolving a polyimide in at least one solvent, adding at least one salt to the polyimide and the solvent, wherein said polyimide, salt and solvent become intermixed to form the PME, the PME being substantially optically clear.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing lithium or lithium alloy anodes for electrochemical cells by an extrusion process wherein a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is formed into a thin sheet. The method is adapted to extrude thin sheet having a width exceeding the diameter of the lithium or lithium alloy ingot and enables the extrusion of lithium or lithium alloy thin sheets with more than one lithium or lithium alloy ingot. The invention also provides a die assembly adapted to allow adjustment and fine tuning of a die aperture while the extrusion process of a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is being carried out.

Abstract: The method relates to a pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical process for the recovery and recycling of lithium and vanadium compounds from a material comprising spent rechargeable lithium batteries, particularly lithium metal gel and solid polymer electrolyte rechargeable batteries. The method involves providing a mass of the material, hardening it by cooling at a temperature below room temperature, comminuting the mass of cooled and hardened material, digesting with an acid its ashes obtained by incineration, or its solidified salts obtained by molten salt oxidation, or the comminuted mass itself, to give a mother liquor, extracting vanadium compounds from the mother liquor, separating heavy metals and aluminium therefrom, and precipitating lithium carbonate from the remaining solution.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis system for an energy storage device, the latter including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series or parallel to form a cell string. The self-diagnosis system correlates a state of health of the battery based on the internal resistance value of each electrochemical cell of the energy storage device and determines a corresponding battery initial capacity which enables the self-diagnosis system to evaluate the exact capacity of the battery at any given time.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The PME separator includes a polyimide, at least one lithium salt in a concentration of at least 0.5 moles of lithium per mole of imide ring provided by the polyimide, and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The battery can be a lithium ion or lithium metal battery.

Abstract: A manufacturing process and an apparatus to carry out the process are disclosed which eliminate or at least significantly reduce the occurrence of damaging localized short circuits in the production of electrochemical generators. The process and apparatus include cauterization by oxidation of the anode edges of multiple electrochemical cell laminates thereby rendering the anode edges electrically insulated from adjacent cathodes and/or current collectors.

Abstract: A lithium rechargeable battery comprising a series of electrochemical cells each having an Li4Ti5O12 based anode, an LiFePO4 based cathode, an electrolyte and a separator between the anode from the cathode, wherein each electrochemical cell comprises an excess of LiFePO4 based cathode relative to the Li4Ti5O12 based anode to prevent permanently damaging the electrochemical cell in an over-discharge.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for a lithium ion rechargeable battery. The electrochemical cell comprises an anode including anode active material having a reduction potential of at least about 1.0 volt, a cathode including cathode active material having an oxidation potential of no more than about 3.7 volts, and an electrolyte separator separating the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus and a method for assembly of electrochemical cells. The stacking apparatus includes at least one stacking head having an adjustable holding member adapted to hold an electrochemical laminate of a pre-determined length and means for adjusting the shape of the electrochemical laminate of the pre-determined length during stacking of a plurality of electrochemical laminates. The electrochemical laminates are assembled in a way that prevents air entrapment between the electrochemical laminates.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis system for an energy storage device, the latter including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series or parallel to form a cell string. The self-diagnosis system correlates a state of health of the battery based on the internal resistance value of each electrochemical cell of the energy storage device and determines a corresponding battery initial capacity which enables the self-diagnosis system to evaluate the exact capacity of the battery at any given time.

Abstract: A current collector for polymer electrolyte thin film electrochemical cells and an electrochemical generator is disclosed. The current collector comprises a polymer substrate support film having a thickness of between 1 and 15 microns; a conductive metallic layer having a thickness of less than 3 microns, coated by metal vapor deposition onto at least one surface of the polymer substrate film; and a protective metal or metal oxide layer deposited onto the conductive metallic layer, having a thickness of between 5 and 500 nanometer and being electronically conductive.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing lithium or lithium alloy anodes for electrochemical cells by an extrusion process wherein a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is formed into a thin sheet. The method is adapted to extrude thin sheet having a width exceeding the diameter of the lithium or lithium alloy ingot and enables the extrusion of lithium or lithium alloy thin sheets with more than one lithium or lithium alloy ingot. The invention also provides a die assembly adapted to allow adjustment and fine tuning of a die aperture while the extrusion process of a lithium or lithium alloy ingot is being carried out.