Abstract: Provided herein are rapid, high quality film sintering processes that include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide (lithium-stuffed garnet). The instant disclosure sets forth equipment and processes for making high quality, rapidly-processed ceramic electrolyte films. These processes include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide for use as electrolyte films. In certain processes, the film is not in contact with any surface as it sinters (i.e., during the sintering phase).

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to rechargeable batteries and solid electrolytes therefore which include lithium-stuffed garnet oxides, for example, in a thin film, pellet, or monolith format wherein the density of defects at a surface or surfaces of the solid electrolyte is less than the density of defects in the bulk. In certain disclosed embodiments, the solid-state anolyte, electrolyte, and catholyte thin films, separators, and monoliths consist essentially of an oxide that conducts Li+ ions. In some examples, the disclosure herein presents new and useful solid electrolytes for solid-state or partially solid-state batteries. In some examples, the disclosure presents new lithium-stuffed garnet solid electrolytes and rechargeable batteries which include these electrolytes as separators between a cathode and a lithium metal anode.

Abstract: Provided herein are detect-free solid-state separators which are useful as Li| ion-conducting electrolytes in electro-chemical cells and devices, such as, but not limited to, rechargeable batteries. In some examples, the separators have a Li+ ion-conductivity greater than 1*10?3 S/cm at room temperature.

Abstract: Set forth herein are pellets, thin films, and monoliths of lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having engineered surfaces. These engineered surfaces have a list of advantageous properties including, but not limited to, low surface area resistance, high Li+ ion conductivity, low tendency for lithium dendrites to form within or thereupon when the electrolytes are used in an electrochemical cell. Other advantages include voltage stability and long cycle life when used in electrochemical cells as a separator or a membrane between the positive and negative electrodes. Also set forth herein are methods of making these electrolytes including, but not limited to, methods of annealing these electrolytes under controlled atmosphere conditions. Set forth herein, additionally, are methods of using these electrolytes in electrochemical cells and devices. The instant disclosure further includes electrochemical cells which incorporate the lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes set forth herein.

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: Provided herein are rapid, high quality film sintering processes that include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide (lithium-stuffed garnet). The instant disclosure sets forth equipment and processes for making high quality, rapidly-processed ceramic electrolyte films. These processes include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide for use as electrolyte films. In certain processes, the film is not in contact with any surface as it sinters (i.e., during the sintering phase).

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 and materials for making ceramic thin films by casting ceramic source powders and precursor reactants, binders, and functional additives into unsintered thin films and subsequently sintering the thin films under controlled atmospheres and on specific substrates.

Abstract: Set forth herein are processes for making and using electrolytes (also known as catholytes when the electrolytes are mixed with cathode active materials) for a positive electrode of an electrochemical cell. The catholytes include additives that prevent surface fluorination of lithium-stuffed garnet solid-state separators in contact with the positive electrode. Also set forth herein are electrochemical devices which include the catholytes in addition to a lithium-stuffed garnet solid-state electrolyte separator.

Abstract: Provided herein are electrochemical cells having a solid separator, a lithium metal anode, and a positive electrode catholyte wherein the electrochemical cell includes a nitrile, dinitrile, or organic sulfur-including solvent and a lithium salt dissolved therein. Also set forth are methods of making and using these electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Provided herein solid-state battery architectures that include an oxide electrolyte in contact with the anode of an electrochemical cell and a sulfide electrolyte in contact with the cathode of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to battery system and operation thereof. In an embodiment, lithium material is plated onto the anode region of a lithium secondary battery cell by a pulsed current. The pulse current may have both positive and negative polarity. One of the polarities causes lithium material to plate onto the anode region, and the opposite polarity causes lithium dendrites to be removed. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth battery components for secondary and/or traction batteries. Described herein are new solid-state lithium (Li) conducting electrolytes including monolithic, single layer, and bi-layer solid-state sulfide-based lithium ion (Li+) conducting catholytes or electrolytes. These solid-state ion conductors have particular chemical compositions which are arranged and/or bonded through both crystalline and amorphous bonds. Also provided herein are methods of making these solid-state sulfide-based lithium ion conductors including new annealing methods. These ion conductors are useful, for example, as membrane separators in rechargeable batteries.

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.