Abstract: Provided herein are compositions which are useful as electrolytes and/or catholytes in an electrochemical cell that includes a solid-state separator and a lithium-metal anode.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns lithium zirconium phosphate (LZP) chemical oxides for coated cathode active materials, which are useful in cathodes (i.e., positive electrodes) of rechargeable lithium-batteries for reversibly storing lithium ions (Li+).

Abstract: Set forth herein are electrolyte compositions that include both organic and inorganic constituent components and which are suitable for use in rechargeable batteries. Also set forth herein are methods and systems for making and using these composite electrolytes.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatuses and methods of useful for managing pressure in electrochemical devices. The methods and systems use inputs and combinations of inputs to predictively pressurize or depressurize a battery. The methods minimize energy losses from excessive battery pressure when the battery is not in use.

Abstract: The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, wherein these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li7La3Zr2O12.

Abstract: This patent application is directed to thermal management systems of vehicles with an electric powertrain. More specifically, the battery system and one or more powertrain components and/or cabin climate control components of a vehicle share the same thermal circuit as the battery module through which heat can be exchanged between the battery module and one or more powertrain or climate control components as needed.

Abstract: Set forth herein are electrochemical cells which include a negative electrode current collector, a lithium metal negative electrode, an oxide electrolyte membrane, a bonding agent layer, a positive electrode, and a positive electrode current collector. The bonding agent layer advantageously lowers the interfacial impedance of the oxide electrolyte at least at the positive electrode interface and also optionally acts as an adhesive between the solid electrolyte separator and the positive electrode interface. Also set forth herein are methods of making these bonding agent layers including, but not limited to, methods of preparing and depositing precursor solutions which form these bonding agent layers. Set forth herein, additionally, are methods of using these electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to battery technologies and processing techniques thereof. In various embodiments, ceramic electrolyte powder material (or component thereof) is mixed with two or more flux to form a fluxed powder material. The fluxed powder material is shaped and heated again at a temperature less than 1100° C. to form a dense lithium conducting material. There are other variations and embodiments as well.

Abstract: Set forth herein are compositions comprising A·(LiBH4)·B·(LiX)·C·(LiNH2), wherein X is fluorine, bromine, chloride, iodine, or a combination thereof, and wherein 0.1?A?3, 0.1?13?4, and 0?C?9 that are suitable for use as solid electrolyte separators in lithium electrochemical devices. Also set forth herein are methods of making A·(LiBH4)·B·(LiX)·C·(LiNH2) compositions. Also disclosed herein are electrochemical devices which incorporate A·(LiBH4)·B·(LiX)·C·(LiNH2) compositions and other materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical stack assembly includes a laminated pouch surrounding a frame which encloses solid-state electrochemical cells and electrochemical stacks. In some embodiments, an electrochemical stack assembly includes one or more electrochemical cells, each electrochemical cell comprising a solid-state electrolyte to form at least one electrochemical stack with two major surfaces and four minor surfaces; a frame surrounding the at least one electrochemical stack with space between the frame and each of the four minor surfaces; and a laminated pouch surrounding the frame and the at least one electrochemical stack, the laminated pouch in contact with one or both of the major surfaces. In some embodiments, the frame comprises a tray. In some embodiments, the electrochemical stack assembly comprises two trays, each with an electrochemical stack comprising an electrochemical cell, the cell comprising a solid-state electrolyte.

Abstract: Set forth herein are processes for making lithium-stuffed garnet oxides (e.g., Li7La3Zr2O12, also known as LLZO) that have passivated surfaces comprising a fluorinate and/or an oxyfluorinate species. These surfaces resist the formation of oxides, carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, and organics that spontaneously form on LLZO surfaces under ambient conditions. Also set forth herein are new materials made by these processes.

Abstract: Provided are battery packs and interface modules for electrically interconnecting electrochemical cells in the packs and for providing heat distribution with the packs. An interface module interfaces one side of all electrochemical cells in a battery pack. The interface module may have a substantially planar shape such that the space occupied by the module in the battery pack is minimal. Most, if not all, conductive components of the interface module may be formed from the same sheet of metal. In some embodiments, the interface module includes multiple bus bars such that each bus bar interconnects two or more terminals of different electrochemical cells in the battery pack. Each bus bar may have a separate voltage sense lead extending from the bus bar to a connecting portion. The bus bars may be flexibly supported within the module. The interface module may also include multiple thermistors disposed on different bus bars.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using an ultrasonic vibration generator to apply vibrational energy to a metal negative electrode of a rechargeable battery. In some examples, the application of vibrational energy to the metal negative electrode occurs during a charging event.

Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) for a vehicle includes a module for estimating the state of a rechargeable battery, such as its state of charge, in real time. The module includes a learning model for predicting the state of a battery based on the vehicle's usage and related factors unique to the vehicle, in addition to a sensed voltage, current and temperature of a battery.

Abstract: Set forth herein are systems and methods for determining battery heating conditions and pre-heating lead times of at least a minute or more, based on input parameters and sets of input parameters, to predictively and dynamically heat a secondary battery so that the battery has a specific power output and performance level when used in an electric or hybrid vehicle application.

Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.

Abstract: Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (<50 um) free standing membranes of an ionically conducting material for use as a catholyte, electrolyte, and, or, anolyte, in an electrochemical device, a battery component (positive or negative electrode materials), or a complete solid state electrochemical energy storage device.

Abstract: Set forth herein are processes for making lithium-stuffed garnet oxides (e.g., Li7La3Zr2O12, also known as LLZO) that have passivated surfaces comprising a fluorinate and/or an oxyfluorinate species. These surfaces resist the formation of oxides, carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, and organics that spontaneously form on LLZO surfaces under ambient conditions. Also set forth herein are new materials made by these processes.

Abstract: Setter plates are fabricated from Li-stuffed garnet materials having the same, or substantially similar, compositions as a garnet Li-stuffed solid electrolyte. The Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, reduce the evaporation of Li during a sintering treatment step and/or reduce the loss of Li caused by diffusion out of the sintering electrolyte. Li-stuffed garnet setter plates, set forth herein, maintain compositional control over the solid electrolyte during sintering when, upon heating, lithium is prone to diffuse out of the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: This patent application is directed to thermal management systems of vehicles with an electric powertrain. More specifically, the battery system and one or more powertrain components and/or cabin climate control components of a vehicle share the same thermal circuit as the battery module through which heat can be exchanged between the battery module and one or more powertrain or climate control components as needed.