Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid electrochemical cell having two (or more) sub-cells each with different cell chemistry. For example, a second electrochemical sub-cell has a metal fuel electrode with the same type of metal fuel in a first electrochemical sub-cell, but has a different battery chemistry than the first sub-cell. A controller is configured to selectively generate an electrical current from at least one sub-cell in a discharge mode and selectively apply an electrical current to at least one sub cell in a charge mode, e.g., by controlling an open or closed state of switches. The operating modes may be controlled based on input parameters.

Abstract: A back-up rechargeable battery supply system comprises communication linkages and a configuration of switches to allow battery back-up power to be provided by cells within a battery unit that are in a ready mode and to by-pass batteries that are in a non-ready mode, or maintenance mode. The unique configuration of switches and communication methods enables the back-up power to be provided very quickly to avoid disruptions in power to a load. Each battery cell has a charge and discharge switch and a power switch. Both the power switch and one of the charge or discharge switches must be closed to allow the battery cell to charge or discharge respectively. The by-pass switch may be controlled by the battery system control or by the cell controller and when closed, the cell may be bypassed from discharging or charging. The battery cells may be electrochemical cells such as metal air batteries.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell comprising a fuel electrode for oxidizing a fuel, an oxidant electrode for reducing an oxidant, and an ionically conductive medium for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant electrodes to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The ionically conductive medium comprises at least one active additive for enhancing (controlling the rate, overpotential and/or the reaction sites for) at least one electrochemical reaction within the cell. The cell further comprises an additive medium in contact with the ionically conductive medium and containing the at least one active additive capable of corroding or dissolving in the ionically conductive medium. The additive medium and/or casing is configured to release the active additive to the ionically conductive medium as a concentration of the active additive in the ionically conductive medium is depleted during operation of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a process for operating the same, the system having at least two fuel electrodes for receiving electrodeposited metal fuel; at least one oxidant electrode spaced apart from the fuel electrode; at least one charging electrode; an ionically conductive medium communicating the electrodes of the electrochemical cell system for conducting ions to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel, oxidant, and charging electrodes; and, one or more controllers configured to operate the cell system in discharging and charging modes and monitor a state of charge for each fuel electrode. The controllers may assign each fuel electrode in a discharging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined depletion criteria from the discharging unit to the charging unit, and each fuel electrode in the charging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined loading criteria from the charging unit to the discharging unit.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell utilizes an air flow device that draws air through the cell from a scrubber that may be removed while the system is operating. The negative pressure generated by the air flow device allows ambient air to enter the cell housing when the scrubber is removed, thereby enabling continued operation without the scrubber. A moisture management system passes outflow air from the cell through a humidity exchange module that transfers moisture to the air inflow, thereby increasing the humidity of the air inflow. A recirculation feature comprising a valve allow a controller to recirculate at least a portion of the outflow air back into the inflow air. The system may comprise an inflow bypass conduit and valve that allows the humidified inflow air to pass into the cell inlet without passing through the scrubber. The scrubber may contain reversible or irreversible scrubber media.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an oxidant reduction electrode module containing an oxidant reduction electrode mounted to a housing to form a gaseous oxidant space therein that is immersed into the ionically conductive medium. A fuel electrode is spaced from the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the ionically conductive medium may conduct ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A gaseous oxidant channel extending through the gaseous oxidant space provides a supply of oxidant to the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the fuel electrode and the oxidant reduction electrode are configured to, during discharge, oxidize the metal fuel at the fuel electrode and reduce the oxidant at the oxidant reduction electrode, to generate a discharge potential difference therebetween for application to a load.

Abstract: The present application relates to a layer of an oxidant electrode having hygrophobic and current collecting properties, and electrochemical metal-air cell utilizing the same.

Abstract: A system for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes a first gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell. The system also includes a desiccator unit communicated to the first air conduit and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase. The system additionally includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccant to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a return conduit communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium for receiving extracted water from the desiccator unit, and directing the extracted water to the ionically conductive medium. Other associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a boost converter configured to amplify input voltage received from one or more power sources into output voltage. The system also includes a current sensor configured to sense a current of the input voltage for example, by induction. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amplification of the boost converter in response to the current sensed by the current sensor. When utilized in each of a plurality of power source modules coupled to a common load, the power source modules adjust the amplifications of their boost converters towards equalization of their output voltages and their currents in response to sensed currents of the input voltages changing through demand of the common load. Associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and methods for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cell is disclosed. The system includes a gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell, a desiccator unit connected to each electrochemical cell and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase, a heater for selectively heating the desiccator unit, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber connected to the desiccator unit. The system may capture water vapor at the desiccator unit from a humid gas-phase exiting electrochemical cell, or release water vapor in desiccator unit, via actuation of heater, that is transported into the electrochemical cell depending on the mode of operation. The CO2 scrubber may also be used to capture water vapor, based on the mode of operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell comprising a fuel electrode for oxidizing a fuel, an oxidant electrode for reducing an oxidant, and an ionically conductive medium for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant electrodes to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The ionically conductive medium comprises at least one active additive for enhancing (controlling the rate, overpotential and/or the reaction sites for) at least one electrochemical reaction within the cell. The cell further comprises an additive medium in contact with the ionically conductive medium and containing the at least one active additive capable of corroding or dissolving in the ionically conductive medium. The additive medium and/or casing is configured to release the active additive to the ionically conductive medium as a concentration of the active additive in the ionically conductive medium is depleted during operation of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an ionically conductive medium flowing through a plurality of electrochemical cells. One or more gas vents are provided along a flow path for the ionically conductive medium, so as to permit gasses that evolve in the ionically conductive medium during charging or discharging to vent outside the cell system, while constraining the ionically conductive medium within the flow path of the electrochemical cell system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a permeable fuel electrode configured to support a metal fuel thereon, and an oxidant reduction electrode spaced from the fuel electrode. An ionically conductive medium is provided for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A charging electrode is also included, selected from the group consisting of (a) the oxidant reduction electrode, (b) a separate charging electrode spaced from the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, and (c) a portion of the permeable fuel electrode. The charging electrode is configured to evolve gaseous oxygen bubbles that generate a flow of the ionically conductive medium. One or more flow diverters are also provided in the electrochemical cell, and configured to direct the flow of the ionically conductive medium at least partially through the permeable fuel electrode.