Abstract: Core-shell particles, composite anode material, anodes made therefrom, lithium ion cells and methods are provided, which enable production of fast charging lithium ion batteries. The composite anode material has core-shell particles which are configured to receive and release lithium ions at their cores and to have shells that are configured to allow for core expansion upon lithiation. The cores of the core-shell particles are connected to the respective shells by conductive material such as carbon fibers, which may form a network throughout the anode material and possibly interconnect cores of many core-shell particles to enhance the electrical conductivity of the anode. Ionic conductive material and possibly mechanical elements may be incorporated in the core-shell particles to enhance ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness toward expansion and contraction of the cores during lithiation and de-lithiation.

Abstract: Anodes for lithium-ion batteries and methods for their production are provided. Anodes comprise an initial anode made of consolidated anode material particles, and a coating of the initial anode, that comprises a layer of an ionic-conductive polymer which provides an artificial SEI (solid-electrolyte interphase) to facilitate lithium ion transfer through the coating while preventing direct fluid communication with the anode material particles and electrolyte contact thereto. The coating may be configured to keep the anode resistance low while preventing electrolyte decomposition thereupon, enhancing cell stability and cycling lifetime.

Abstract: Fast-charging lithium ion cells are provided, which have electrolytes that do not react with the cell anodes, but instead form a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the cathodes. Advantageously, such electrolytes improve the performance of the fast-charging cells, and enhance their lifetime and safety. Various electrolyte solutions and lithium ions are proposed to limit electrolyte interactions to the cathodes, or possibly even minimize or prevent these reactions by coating the cathodes. Redox couples may be used to prevent SEI formation on the anode, while promoting SEI formation on the cathode.

Abstract: A structural battery that consists essentially of (a) a frame that consists essentially of frame conductive elements, frame insolating elements and one or more fluid conductive paths; (b) one or more inner space pairs, each inner space pair (i) consists essentially of a first inner space and a second inner space, (ii) is associated with a fluid conductive path of the one or more fluid conductive paths, (iii) and has the first inner space located at one side of the fluid conductive path and has the second inner space located at another side of the fluid conductive path; (c) one or more cell cores pairs, each cell cores pair (i) consists essentially of a first cell core and a second cell core, (ii) is associated with the fluid conductive path of the one or more fluid conductive paths, and (iii) has the first cell core located within a first inner space associated with the fluid conductive path and has the second cell core located within a second inner space associated with the fluid conductive path.

Abstract: Methods, anode material particles, mixtures, anodes and lithium-ion batteries are provided, having passivated silicon-based particles that enable processing in oxidizing environments such as water-based slurries. Methods comprise forming a mixture of silicon particles with nanoparticles (NPs) and a carbon-based binders and/or surfactants, wherein the NPs comprise at least one of: metalloid oxide NPs, metalloid salt NPs and carbon NPs, reducing the mixture to yield a reduced mixture comprising coated silicon particles with a coating providing a passivation layer (possibly amorphous), and consolidating the reduced mixture to form an anode. It is suggested that the NPs provide nucleation sites for the passivation layer on the surface of the silicon particles—enabling significant anode-formation process simplifications such as using water-based slurries—enabled by disclosed methods and anode active material particles.

Abstract: Prelithiation methods and fast charging lithium ion cell are provided, which combine high energy density and high power density. Several structural and chemical modifications are disclosed to enable combination of features that achieve both goals simultaneously in fast charging cells having long cycling lifetime. The cells have anodes with high content of Si, Ge and/or Sn as principal anode material, and cathodes providing a relatively low C/A ratio, with the anodes being prelithiated to have a high lithium content, provided by a prelithiation algorithm. Disclosed algorithms determine lithium content achieved through prelithiation by optimizing the electrolyte to increase cycling lifetime, adjusting energy density with respect to other cell parameters, and possibly reducing the C/A ratio to maintain the required cycling lifetime.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided, in which the level of metal ions in cells stacks and lithium ion batteries is regulated in situ, with the electrodes of the cell stack(s) in the respective pouches. Regulation of metal ions may be carried out electrochemically by metal ion sources in the pouches, electrically connected to the electrodes. The position and shape of the metal ion sources may be optimized to create uniform metal ion movements to the electrode surfaces and favorable SEI formation. The metal ion sources may be removable, or comprise a lithium source for lithiating the anodes or cathodes during operation of the battery according to SoH parameters. Regulation of metal ions may be carried out from metal ion sources in separate electrolyte reservoir(s), with circulation of the metal-ion-containing electrolyte through the cell stacks in the pouches prior or during the formation.

Abstract: An electrochemical electrode that includes electrode active material, and a current conductor that includes a coated portion that is coated with the electrode active material, a heat transfer portion and a current pad. The heat transfer portion and the current pad are external to the electrode active material. The current pad differs from the heat transfer portion.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries and electrolytes therefor are provided, which include electrolyte additives having dithioester functional group(s) that stabilize the SEI (solid-electrolyte interface) at the surfaces of the anode material particles, and/or stabilize the CEI (cathode electrolyte interface) at the surfaces of the cathode material particles, and/or act as oxygen scavengers to prevent cell degradation. The electrolyte additives having dithioester functional group(s) may function as polymerization controlling and/or chain transfer agents that regulate the level of polymerization of other electrolyte components, such as VC (vinyl carbonate) and improve the formation and operation of the batteries. The lithium ion batteries may have metalloid-based anodes - including mostly Si, Ge and/or Sn as anode active material particles.

Abstract: An ion-lithium battery that may include an anode, a cathode, and at least one out of an anode related self-healing combination and a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) self-healing combination; wherein the SEI related self-healing combination comprises a SEI self-healing additive, a SEI forming moiety and a first linker for linking the SEI self-healing additive to the SEI forming moiety; and wherein the anode related self-healing combination comprises an anode self-healing additive, an anode connection functional group, and a second linker for linking the anode self-healing additive to the anode connection functional group.

Abstract: Electrolytes, anodes, lithium ion cells and methods are provided for preventing lithium metallization in lithium ion batteries to enhance their safety. Electrolytes comprise up to 20% ionic liquid additives which form a mobile solid electrolyte interface during charging of the cell and prevent lithium metallization and electrolyte decomposition on the anode while maintaining the lithium ion mobility at a level which enables fast charging of the batteries. Anodes are typically metalloid-based, for example include silicon, germanium, tin and/or aluminum. A surface layer on the anode bonds, at least some of the ionic liquid additive to form an immobilized layer that provides further protection at the interface between the anode and the electrolyte, prevents metallization of lithium on the former and decomposition of the latter.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries and electrolytes therefor are provided, which include electrolyte additives having dithioester functional group(s) that stabilize the SEI (solid-electrolyte interface) at the surfaces of the anode material particles, and/or stabilize the CEI (cathode electrolyte interface) at the surfaces of the cathode material particles, and/or act as oxygen scavengers to prevent cell degradation. The electrolyte additives having dithioester functional group(s) may function as polymerization controlling and/or chain transfer agents that regulate the level of polymerization of other electrolyte components, such as VC (vinyl carbonate) and improve the formation and operation of the batteries. The lithium ion batteries may have metalloid-based anodes including mostly Si, Ge and/or Sn as anode active material particles.

Abstract: Electrodes, production methods and mono-cell batteries are provided, which comprise active material particles embedded in electrically conductive metallic porous structure, dry-etched anode structures and battery structures with thick anodes and cathodes that have spatially uniform resistance. The metallic porous structure provides electric conductivity, a large volume that supports good ionic conductivity, that in turn reduces directional elongation of the particles during operation, and may enable reduction or removal of binders, conductive additives and/or current collectors to yield electrodes with higher structural stability, lower resistance, possibly higher energy density and longer cycling lifetime. Dry etching treatments may be used to reduce oxidized surfaces of the active material particles, thereby simplifying production methods and enhancing porosity and ionic conductivity of the electrodes.

Abstract: Single, internally adjustable modular battery systems are provided, for handling power delivery from and to various power systems such as electric vehicles, photovoltaic systems, solar systems, grid-scale battery energy storage systems, home energy storage systems and power walls. Batteries comprise a main fast-charging lithium ion battery (FC), configured to deliver power to the electric vehicle, a supercapacitor-emulating fast-charging lithium ion battery (SCeFC), configured to receive power and deliver power to the FC and/or to the EV and to operate at high rates within a limited operation range of state of charge (SoC), respective module management systems, and a control unit. Both the FC and the SCeFC have anodes based on the same anode active material and the control unit is configured to manage the FC and the SCeFC and manage power delivery to and from the power system(s), to optimize the operation of the FC.

Abstract: Methods of preparing Si-based anode slurries and anode made thereof are provided. Methods comprise coating silicon particles within a size range of 300-700 nm by silver and/or tin particles within a size range of 20-500 nm, mixing the coated silicon particles with conductive additives and binders in a solvent to form anode slurry, and preparing an anode from the anode slurry. Alternatively or complementarily, silicon particles may be milled in an organic solvent, and, in the same organic solvent, coating agent(s), conductive additive(s) and binder(s) may be added to the milled silicon particles—to form the Si-based anode slurry. Alternatively or complementarily, milled silicon particles may be mixed, in a first organic solvent, with coating agent(s), conductive additive(s) and binder(s)—to form the Si-based anode slurry. Disclosed methods simplify the anode production process and provide equivalent or superior anodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing usage of a large number of battery cells, some, most or all of which are fast charging cells, and possibly arranged in battery modules—e.g., for operating an electric vehicle power train. Methods comprise deriving an operation profile for the battery cells/modules for a specified operation scenario and specified optimization parameters, operating the battery cells/modules according to the derived operation profile, and monitoring the operation of the battery cells/modules and adjusting the operation profile correspondingly. Systems may be configured to balance cell/module parameters among modules, to have parallel supplemental modules and/or serial supplementary cells in the modules, and/or have supplemental modules and circuits configured to store excessive charging energy for cells groups and/or modules—to increase the cycling lifetime and possibly the efficiency of the systems. Disclosed redundancy management improves battery performance and lifetime.

Abstract: A manufacturing method related to a slurry, the method may include preparing a slurry that comprises anode active material, one or more binders and one or more additives, wherein the anode active material are partially coated anode active material that are partially coated with lithium sulfate

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries and electrolytes therefor are provided, which include electrolyte additives having dithioester functional group(s) that stabilize the SEI (solid-electrolyte interface) at the surfaces of the anode material particles, and/or stabilize the CEI (cathode electrolyte interface) at the surfaces of the cathode material particles, and/or act as oxygen scavengers to prevent cell degradation. The electrolyte additives having dithioester functional group(s) may function as polymerization controlling and/or chain transfer agents that regulate the level of polymerization of other electrolyte components, such as VC (vinylene carbonate) and improve the formation and operation of the batteries. The lithium ion batteries may have metalloid-based anodes—including mostly Si, Ge and/or Sn as anode active material particles.

Abstract: A charging system that may include a booster unit; a main charging unit that has a charging capability and is configured to use, during a first charging phase, a first part of the charging capacity for charging battery cells by providing a high-C charging current of at least 4 C. The main charging unit is further configured to use a second part of the charging capacity, during the first charging phase, to charge the booster unit. The first part of the charging capacity is limited by a first charging current limitation of the battery cells.

Abstract: Electrodes, production methods and mono-cell batteries are provided, which comprise active material particles embedded in electrically conductive metallic porous structure, dry-etched anode structures and battery structures with thick anodes and cathodes that have spatially uniform resistance. The metallic porous structure provides electric conductivity, a large volume that supports good ionic conductivity, that in turn reduces directional elongation of the particles during operation, and may enable reduction or removal of binders, conductive additives and/or current collectors to yield electrodes with higher structural stability, lower resistance, possibly higher energy density and longer cycling lifetime. Dry etching treatments may be used to reduce oxidized surfaces of the active material particles, thereby simplifying production methods and enhancing porosity and ionic conductivity of the electrodes.