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 disclosure is related to battery systems. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure provide a nanostructured conversion material for use as the active material in battery cathodes. In an implementation, a nanostructured conversion material is a glassy material and includes a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, and a reducing cation species mixed at a scale of less than 1 nm. The glassy conversion material is substantially homogeneous within a volume of 1000 nm3.

Abstract: A method for making a composite electrode for a lithium ion battery comprises the steps of: preparing a slurry containing particles of inorganic electrode material(s) suspended in a solvent; preheating a porous metallic substrate; loading the metallic substrate with the slurry; baking the loaded substrate at a first temperature; curing the baked substrate at a second temperature sufficient to form a desired nanocrystalline material within the pores of the substrate; calendaring the cured composite to reduce internal porosity; and, annealing the calendared composite at a third temperature to produce a self-supporting multiphase electrode. Because of the calendaring step, the resulting electrode is self-supporting, has improved current collecting properties, and improved cycling lifetime. Anodes and cathodes made by the process, and batteries using them, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to battery systems. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure provide a nanostructured conversion material for use as the active material in battery cathodes. In an implementation, a nanostructured conversion material is a glassy material and includes a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, and a reducing cation species mixed at a scale of less than 1 nm. The glassy conversion material is substantially homogeneous within a volume of 1000 nm3.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy storage device comprising a cathode region or other element. The device has a major active region comprising a plurality of first active regions spatially disposed within the cathode region. The major active region expands or contracts from a first volume to a second volume during a period of a charge and discharge. The device has a catholyte material spatially confined within a spatial region of the cathode region and spatially disposed within spatial regions not occupied by the first active regions. The device has a protective material formed overlying exposed regions of the cathode material to substantially maintain the sulfur species within the catholyte material. Also included is a novel dopant configuration of the LiaMPbSc (LMPS) [M=Si, Ge, and/or Sn] containing material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to battery systems. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a battery system having a first battery group and a second battery group. The first battery group and the second battery group can share a single housing, or be positioned within separate housings. The first battery group and the second battery group can each have a plurality of cells configured in parallel, and the two groups can be electrically integrated. When operating at a low temperature, the first battery group is configured to provide electrical energy to a heating module that selectively heats up one or more segments of the second battery group. In addition, the first battery group also provides energy for initial operation of an electric vehicle or equipment. Once the selected segments of the battery group are heated up to an operating temperature, the selected segments supply electrical power to the vehicle or equipment and charge the first battery group.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy storage device comprising a cathode region having an active region which expands or contracts from a first volume to a second volume during a period of a charge and discharge. The device has a a solid state catholyte material which includes lithium, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon elements. The device has a protective material formed overlying exposed regions of the cathode material to substantially maintain the sulfur species within the catholyte material. Also included is a novel oxygen doped configuration of LiaSiPbSc containing material.

Abstract: Battery systems using coated conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Protective coatings may be an oxide, phosphate, or fluoride, and may be lithiated. The coating may selectively isolate the conversion material from the electrolyte. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with coated conversion material are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided are battery systems having multiple independently controlled sets of battery cells and method of using these systems to power, for example, drive trains of electric and hybrid vehicles. A battery system includes two or more sets of battery cells. Each set can be discharged and/or charged independently of another set based on different factors, such as a current power demand, power output capabilities of each set, and other like factors. One or multiple sets can be used to deliver power at any given time. In some embodiments, one set may be used to charge another set in the same power system. The same or different types of battery cells may be used in different sets. For example, one set may have battery cells having a higher power output capability, while another set may have battery cells with a higher energy density.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to energy storage devices and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for forming lithiated electrode material. In various embodiments, a conversion material is processed using n-BuLi solution to form iron nanoparticles and lithiated fluoride and/or oxide material. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing techniques and systems of metal fluoride based material, including but not limited to nickel difluoride, copper difluoride, manganese fluoride, chromium fluoride, bismuth fluoride, iron trifluoride, iron difluoride, iron oxyfluoride, metal doped iron fluorides, e.g., FexM1-xFy (M=metals, which can be Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Mn, Bi and Ti) materials. An exemplary implementation involves mixing a first compound comprising a metal material, nitrogen, and oxygen to a second compound comprising hydrogen fluoride. The mixed compound is milled to form metal fluoride precursor and a certain byproduct. The byproduct is removed, and the metal fluoride precursor is treated to form iron trifluoride product. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: Set forth herein are methods and systems for determining a rechargeable (i.e., secondary) battery's capability in real time, including how much power and energy can be discharged or charged, by compensating for the limitations of the standard battery model for cathode electron and ion transport restrictions in a solid-state battery. Set forth herein is also an equivalent circuit for each layer of a layered cathode (i.e., positive electrode) which is created using resistive, capacitive, and storage elements, including a state-of-charge (SOC) state variable and an SOC-dependent voltage source. In some embodiments, each layer is connected to adjoining layers using resistive elements to model ion and electron transport. In some embodiments, bulk ohmic resistance and ion exchange external to the electrode is represented using a Randles cell equivalent circuit.

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: Positive electrode films for a Li-secondary battery are provided. The films include composite particles including a mixed electronic ionic conductor (MEIC), a metal fluoride (MF), and optionally an electrically conductive additive comprising carbon. The films include a catholyte and a binder that are both in contact with the composite particle surfaces but not contained therein. The composite particles are characterized by a porosity of less than about 15% v/v at 25° C. Methods of forming positive electrode films for a Li-secondary battery are also provided. Methods of forming positive electrode films including annealed composite particles for a Li-secondary battery are also provided.

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: Provided are methods and apparatus for forming electrode active materials for electrochemical cells. These materials include a metal (e.g., iron, cobalt), lithium, and fluorine and are produced using plasma synthesis or, more specifically, non-equilibrium plasma synthesis. A metal containing material, organometallic lithium containing material, and fluorine-containing material are provided into a flow reactor, mixed, and exposed to the electrical energy generating plasma. The plasma generation enhances reaction between the provided materials and forms nanoparticles of the electrode active materials. The nanoparticles may have a mean size of 1-30 nanometers and may have a core-shell structure. The core may be formed by metal, while the shell may include lithium fluoride. A carbon shell may be disposed over the lithium fluoride shell. The nanoparticles are collected and may be used to form an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Described in this patent application are devices for energy storage and methods of making and using such devices. In various embodiments, blocking layers are provided between dielectric material and the electrodes of an energy storage device. The block layers are characterized by higher dielectric constant than the dielectric material. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: Battery systems using doped conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Doped conversion material may include a defect-rich structure or an amorphous or glassy structure, including at least one or more of a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, a reducing cation species, and a dopant. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with doped conversion material are also provided herein.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to battery systems. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure provide a nanostructured conversion material for use as the active material in battery cathodes. In an implementation, a nanostructured conversion material is a glassy material and includes a metal material, one or more oxidizing species, and a reducing cation species mixed at a scale of less than 1 nm. The glassy conversion material is substantially homogeneous within a volume of 1000 nm3.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy storage device comprising a cathode region or other element. The device has a major active region comprising a plurality of first active regions spatially disposed within the cathode region. The major active region expands or contracts from a first volume to a second volume during a period of a charge and discharge. The device has a catholyte material spatially confined within a spatial region of the cathode region and spatially disposed within spatial regions not occupied by the first active regions. The device has a protective material formed overlying exposed regions of the cathode material to substantially maintain the sulfur species within the catholyte material. Also included is a novel dopant configuration of the LiaMPbSc (LMPS) [M=Si, Ge, and/or Sn] containing material.