Abstract: Systems and methods for a battery electrode having a solvent level to facilitate peeling are disclosed. In examples, a battery may include one or more electrodes and an electrolyte. The electrodes include an electrode slurry layer with a solvent. The electrode slurry is coated on a substrate, where the electrode slurry and substrate produce an active material with a residual amount of solvent in response to a heat-treatment, and where the active material comprises 10% to 25% residual solvent by weight following the heat-treatment. The amount of residual solvent facilitates peeling of the active material from the substrate, which, once pyrolyzed, may be used to create a multi-layer film with the current collector film and the active material.

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising an ether compound are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte, and at least one electrolyte additive selected from ether compounds.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some embodiments, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode with at least about 20% to about 99% by weight of silicon. The method can include providing a formation charge current at greater than about 1 C to the electrochemical cell. Alternatively or additionally, the method can include providing a formation charge current at a substantially constant charge voltage to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide for a silicon-carbon composite material that includes nanoparticulate (e.g., nanocrystalline) silicon derived from a reaction between a zintl salt and metal halide. The nanoparticulate silicon-carbon composite material can be used to provide electrode materials (e.g., anode) and cells.

Abstract: Silicon particles for use in an electrode in an electrochemical cell are provided. The silicon particles can have surfaces providing an average contact angle less than about 87.2°. The silicon particles can also have outer regions extending about 20 nm deep from the surfaces. The outer regions can include an amount of aluminum such that a bulk measurement of the aluminum comprises at least about 0.01% by weight of the silicon particles.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electrode can include a first and second conductive layer. At least one of the first and second conductive layers can include porosity configured to allow electrolyte to flow therethrough. The electrode can also include an electrochemically active layer having electrochemically active material sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers. The electrochemically active layer can be in electrical communication with the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: A clamping device for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The clamping device can include a first plate and a second plate. The second plate can be positionable relative to the first plate such that a space between the first plate and the second plate can be sized to receive an electrochemical cell stack. The device also can include a coupling member coupling the first plate to the second plate. At least one of the first and second plates can be movable away from the other plate. The coupling member can have a first end portion and a second end portion. The device further can include an elastic member disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal gradient during electrode pyrolysis may include fabricating the battery electrode by pyrolyzing an active material on a metal current collector, wherein the active material comprises silicon particles in a binder material, the binder material being pyrolyzed more than 75% at an outer surface and less than 50% at an inner surface in contact with the current collector. The active material may be pyrolyzed by electromagnetic radiation, which may be provided by one or more lasers, which may include one or more CO2 lasers. The electromagnetic radiation may be provided by one or more infrared lamps. An outer edge of the current collector may be gripped using a thermal transfer block that removes heat from the current collector during pyrolysis of the active material and subsequent cool down. Heat transfer plates may be placed on or adjacent to the active material during pyrolysis.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 ?m and about 30 ?m and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Methods of forming carbon from cotton cloth and the product thereof are provided. The carbon described herein can be used as a structural component and/or as a conductive additive in various battery applications. The method of manufacturing a carbon comprises providing a cotton cloth and pyrolyzing the cotton cloth to form a carbon.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight silicon particles, the silicon particles having an average particle size between about 10 nm and about 40 ?m, wherein the silicon particles have surface coatings comprising silicon carbide or a mixture of carbon and silicon carbide, and greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases, wherein at least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Electrodes and methods of forming electrodes are described herein. The electrode can be an electrode of an electrochemical cell or battery. The electrode includes a current collector and a film in electrical communication with the current collector. The film may include a carbon phase that holds the film together. The electrode further includes an electrode attachment substance that adheres the film to the current collector.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte in contact with the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator. The electrolyte includes at least one of a fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate, a fluorine-containing linear carbonate, and a fluoroether. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a self-supporting composite material film. The composite material film has greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles, and greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases can be a substantially continuous phase that holds the composite material film together such that the silicon particles are distributed throughout the composite material film.

Abstract: Electrodes and methods of forming electrodes are described herein. The electrode can be an electrode of an electrochemical cell or battery. The electrode includes a current collector and a film in electrical communication with the current collector. The film may include a carbon phase that holds the film together. The electrode further includes an electrode attachment substance that adheres the film to the current collector.

Abstract: An example method of reducing short circuits from occurring in a battery can include providing a current collector coated with a safety layer. The method can include providing an electrochemically active material film on the safety layer such that the safety layer is configured to reduce exposure of the current collector to an opposing electrode. The method can also include adhering the electrochemically active material film to the current collector via the safety layer.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 ?m and about 30 ?m and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Electrodes and methods of forming electrodes are described herein. The electrode can be an electrode of an electrochemical cell or battery. The electrode includes a current collector and a film in electrical communication with the current collector. The film may include a carbon phase that holds the film together. The electrode further includes an electrode attachment substance that adheres the film to the current collector.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 ?m and about 30 ?m and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Electrodes and methods of forming electrodes are described herein. The electrode can be an electrode of an electrochemical cell or battery. The electrode includes a current collector and a film in electrical communication with the current collector. The film may include a carbon phase that holds the film together. The electrode further includes an electrode attachment substance that adheres the film to the current collector.

Abstract: Methods of making a battery component are provided. The method comprises gas phase depositing a composition onto an electrode, the composition comprising a first component and a second component, and removing at least a portion of the second component to form a separator comprising a porous polymer film on the electrode. The first component is selected from the group consisting of polymers, dimers and monomers. In some embodiments, the second component is selected from the group consisting of polymers, dimers and monomers and is different from the first component. The first component and the second component each form separate polymer phases and together form a layer. In some embodiments, the second component is selected from the group consisting of by-products and remaining portions of the first component from the forming the first polymer.