Abstract: An electrochemical device that includes an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a thermal conductive path that thermally couples one or more interior elements of the electrochemical cell to an external part of the electrochemical cell.

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: Systems and methods are provided for balancing battery modules following fast charging, particularly with respect to fast charging lithium ion batteries with metalloid-based anodes. Charge balancing among multiple battery modules connected in series may be carried out by short-circuiting fully charged modules while adjusting the voltage and/or current level supplied by a charger, to fully charge remaining modules. A balancing module comprising a controller and switching circuitry may be configured to implement the charge balancing in association with the charger and its battery management system, and monitoring the battery modules. Advantageously, disclosed switching balancing is more efficient than prior art passive balancing and simpler in implementation than prior art active balancing.

Abstract: Methods of managing a lithium ion battery and of recovering branches and/or cells in the battery are provided, as well as battery management systems (BMS) and batteries implementing the methods. Branches and/or cells may be recovered by slow and deep discharging, followed by slow charging—to increase capacity, cycling lifetime and/or enhance safety thereof. BMSs may be configured to diagnose defective branches and/or cells and manage the recovery procedure with respect to changing operational loads the battery and the available internal and external charging sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating lithium ion devices by setting an operative capacity below a rated capacity value of the lithium ion device, and operating the lithium ion device at the set operative capacity by decreasing a lower voltage cutoff value during discharging and/or by increasing an upper voltage cutoff level during charging—to support operation at the set operative capacity. The systems and methods may utilize residual lithium in device components such as anodes, cathodes, electrolyte etc. or combinations thereof, and/or external lithiation to increase the cycling lifetime of the lithium ion devices, to adapt to user preferences and expected use profiles, and to simplify device status indications to the user. Advantageously, relatively simple circuitry is required to implement the provided methods and systems, and achieve customizable operation of the lithium ion devices.

Abstract: Charging systems and methods are provided, which increase charging currents and reduce charging durations for battery cells with metalloid-based anodes that enable high C-rate (charging rate) charging. Specifically, methods comprise charging battery cells having metalloid-based anodes having Si, Ge and/or Sn-based anode active material, by providing a high-C charging current of at least 4 C (or 5 C, or 10 C or more) over a range of at least 10-70% SoC (state of charge) of the battery cells. Charging systems comprise a booster unit configured to provide a high-C charging current over at least most of the SoC range of battery cells having metalloid-based anodes in the at least one battery unit. Charging systems further comprise a user interface configured to receive user preferences concerning a specified charging duration and/or a specified target SoC—for implementation by the charging system.

Abstract: A method for managing gas generated during a formation phase of a cell that is a hard-case electrochemical cell, the method may include supplying electrolyte to the cell; initially charging and discharging the cell during a formation phase; and permanently sealing the cell; wherein the method further comprises temporarily sealing the electrolyte during the formation phase.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that may include a cathode sheet; a cathode tab that extends from the cathode sheet; an anode sheet; an anode tab that extends from the anode sheet, the second direction differs from the first direction; one or more separator sheets; and a first electrical connecting unit. The cathode sheet, the anode sheet and the one or more separator sheets are wound around a common axis to form multiple windings; wherein the one or more separator sheets separate between the anode sheet and the cathode sheet. The first electrical connecting unit mechanically and electrically contacts a first portion of a first electrode tab, the first portion belongs to a first winding of the multiple windings; wherein the first electrode tab is one of the anode tab and the cathode tab.

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: 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: Lithium ion batteries and cells, as well as operating and testing methods are provided, which utilize a transparent pouch to monitor the battery in operational condition and/or in operation. Transparent parts of the pouch may be used for direct sensing of cell elements. Removable covers may be used to protect battery components from illumination damage. Indicators in the transparent pouch may be associated with cell components such as electrodes and electrolyte to indicate their condition. External sensors may be used to derive data from the indicators, and bi-directional electromagnetic (e.g., optical) communication may be established through the transparent pouch, to enhance monitoring and spare physical electrical connections. For example, the transparent pouch may be used to monitor and enhance battery safety and/or to modify operational parameters non-destructively, during operation of the battery.

Abstract: A multi-electrolyte battery, that may include an anode, a cathode, a solid electrolyte positioned between the anode and the cathode, current carriers that comprises an anode current carrier and a cathode current carrier; and at least one other electrolyte. The anode current carrier and the cathode current carrier comprise two external portions that extends outside the anode. The solid electrolyte is sealingly coupled to the two external portions of at least one of the current carriers to define at least one sealed electrolyte, the at least one sealed electrolyte belongs to the at least one other electrolyte.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating and extending the expected cell cycling lifetime for produced lithium ion cells. Methods comprise monitoring charging and/or discharging peak(s) during formation cycles of the cells, which are defined with respect to dQ/dV measurements during the formation cycles, and ending the formation process once the charging and/or discharging peaks disappear, optionally deriving the expected cell cycling lifetime by comparing the monitored peaks to specified thresholds that are correlated to the lifetime. The methods may be implemented by controller(s) at the battery, device and/or factory levels, which may be operated in combination. Formation processes and/or cell operation schemes may be adjusted accordingly, to avoid excessive dQ/dV rates and increase thereby the cell cycling lifetime.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for adaptive fast-charging for mobile devices and devices having sporadic power-source connection. Methods include the steps of: firstly determining whether a supercapacitor of a device is charged; upon detecting the supercapacitor is charged, secondly determining whether a battery of the device is charged; and upon detecting the battery is not charged, firstly charging the battery from the supercapacitor. Preferably, the step of firstly determining includes whether the supercapacitor is partially charged, and the step of secondly determining includes whether the battery is partially charged. Preferably, the step of firstly charging is adaptively regulated to perform a task selected from the group consisting of: preserving a lifetime of the battery by controlling a current to the battery, and discharging the supercapacitor in order to charge the battery. Preferably, the discharging enables the supercapacitor to be subsequently recharged.

Abstract: Methods, systems and battery modules are provided, which increase the cycling lifetime of fast charging lithium ion batteries. During the formation process, the charging currents are adjusted to optimize the cell formation, possibly according to the characteristics of the formation process itself, and discharge extents are partial and optimized as well, as is the overall structure of the formation process. During operation, voltage ranges are initially set to be narrow, and are broadened upon battery deterioration to maximize the overall lifetime. Current adjustments are applied in operation as well, with respect to the deteriorating capacity of the battery. Various formation and operation strategies are disclosed, as basis for specific optimizations.

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: 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: 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: Electrolytes, lithium ion cells and corresponding methods are provided, for extending the cycle life of fast charging lithium ion batteries. The electrolytes are based on fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and/or vinylene carbonate (VC) as the cyclic carbonate component, and possibly on ethyl acetate (EA) and/or ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) as the linear component. Proposed electrolytes extend the cycle life by factors of two or more, as indicated by several complementary measurements.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries, cell stacks, separators and methods of producing thereof are provided. Separators comprise lithium coating on at least a part of a separator sheet, possibly with a protective layer made of a soluble polymer that covers the lithium coating from one or both sides of the separator sheet. Cell stacks are assembled with disclosed separators, in ways that may physically attach the lithium coating to the electrodes (anode(s) and/or cathode(s)) to prelithiate or lithiate them, respectively; and/or electrochemical processes may be used to deliver lithium from the coating to the respective electrodes. Disclosed methods increase the energy capacity and the stability of the formed lithium ion batteries, yielding energy-dense, long-living and fast charging batteries.