Abstract: Various methods of making low-tortuosity electrodes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the low-tortuosity electrodes have a tortuosity of less than 2.0 or 1.4 and include battery-active material and solid electrolyte with the solid electrolyte having channels therein that are vertically aligned. A solid-state lithium-ion battery electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single-ion polymer electrolyte has formula (I): R—[SO2N(M)SO2—X—]m—SO3Li (I). In formula (I), X may be an electron withdrawing group such as an aromatic group, substituted aromatic group, —(CF2)n—, —(CCl2)n—, —C6H4—, or —C6H3(NO2)—. R may be a fluorinated alkyl, LiSO3(CF2)3—, or an aromatic group, and M may be a metal cation. For the single-ion polymer electrolyte with formula (I), m may be an integer from 2 to 2000, and n may be an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: A traction battery cell assembly including a battery cell and a cell case is provided. The cell case defines a cavity sized for receiving the battery cell and includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of support chambers disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. Each of the support chambers defines a polygon having multiple sides. The sides are arranged with one another to define an agent cavity to house neutralizing agent. The plurality of support chambers is arranged with the inner wall and the outer wall such that an impact to one of the walls causes a puncture to one of the sides of the support chambers releasing the neutralizing agent. Each of the support chambers may include five or more sides and adjacent sides may define an angle therebetween greater than ninety degrees.

Abstract: A traction battery includes a plurality of solid-state-battery cells arranged in a stack, a pair of endplates engaging with opposing ends of the stack and configured to generate a predetermined magnitude of stack pressure in the stack, and a plate of shape-memory alloy disposed in the stack. The plate of shape-memory alloy is configured to expand or contract in thickness responsive to volume changes within the battery cells to maintain the stack pressure within a range of the predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: Electrochemical systems for mitigating or reducing the release of undesirable by-products of electrochemical cells are provided. These systems may be particularly relevant to the sequestering of hydrogen sulfide gas in solid state electrochemical cells with sulfide-based electrolytes. Some of the systems include an integrated hydrogen sulfide eliminating layer or microspheres containing a hydrogen sulfide eliminating material adjacent to one or more electrochemical cells and within a containment structure.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte having a reinforcing substrate, a polymer having ethylene oxide portions and hydrocarbon portions with pendent functional groups having high relative permittivity for an electrochemical cell is provided. The solid polymer electrolyte may provide good ionic conductivity at room temperature and good mechanical strength.

Abstract: A single-ion polymer electrolyte has formula (I): R—[SO2N(M)SO2—X—]m—SO3Li (I). In formula (I), X may be an electron withdrawing group such as an aromatic group, substituted aromatic group, —(CF2)n—, —(CCl2)n—, —C6H4—, or —C6H3(NO2)—. R may be a fluorinated alkyl, LiSO3(CF2)3—, or an aromatic group, and M may be a metal cation. For the single-ion polymer electrolyte with formula (I), m may be an integer from 2 to 2000, and n may be an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: A solid-state battery comprises an anode in electrical contact with an anode current collector, including a first ionically conductive solid electrolyte material having a susceptibility to reduction in a presence of lithium metal such that, upon contact with lithium, the ionically conductive material partially reduces to a mixed ionic and electronic conductor including a partially reduced species, a cathode, and a separator positioned between and in ionic contact with the anode and cathode. The separator is formed of a second ionically conductive solid electrolyte material which is in contact with the first ionically conductive material but not susceptible to reduction in a presence of lithium metal and not soluble for the partially reduced species such that the separator has a susceptibility for migration of lithium ions from the mixed ionic and electronic conductor and impedes propagation or exchange of the partially reduced species from the mixed ionic and electronic conductor.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a solid-state battery includes a cathode; an anode including lithium metal; and an inorganic ceramic polycrystalline separator between the cathode and anode. The separator includes grains of an ionically conductive bulk phase and grain boundaries defined between the grains, with the grain boundaries including an oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agent is configured to oxidize the lithium metal, brought into contact with the oxidizing agent via lithium metal nucleation at or dendritic growth along the grain boundaries that results from plating of the lithium metal on the anode, to form an electronically insulating phase to prevent formation of electronic conduction pathways along the grain boundaries. The oxidizing agent is further configured to partially reduce, upon oxidation of the lithium metal, to form an ionically conductive phase to facilitate ionic conduction along the grain boundaries.

Abstract: A Li-ion battery includes a cathode; an anode having a primary active material, conductive carbon, binder, and reserve material; and a separator between the cathode and anode. The reserve material has a reaction potential between a lithium reaction potential and a primary active material reaction potential. The reserve material is configured to intercalate with lithium at the reaction potential responsive to the primary active material being fully intercalated to inhibit lithium plating on the anode.

Abstract: A lithium ion pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, and a cathode disposed within the aperture. The anode and cathode each include a current collector with an exposed tab portion, and a pair of terminals, integrated into the frame, each having an exterior portion and an interior portion bonded to one of the current collectors.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a lithium-ion battery includes an anode including lithium titanate (LTO) particles and solid electrolyte particles configured to form an interphase layer therebetween, a cathode including an active material, electronic conductor, and a non-solid electrolyte; and an ionically conductive and liquid-impermeable solid electrolyte separator. The solid electrolyte separator is in direct contact with and between the anode and cathode, and is configured to prevent reduction of the non-solid electrolyte by isolating the non-solid electrolyte from the LTO particles.

Abstract: A solid-state battery comprises an anode in electrical contact with an anode current collector, including a first ionically conductive solid electrolyte material having a susceptibility to reduction in a presence of lithium metal such that, upon contact with lithium, the ionically conductive material partially reduces to a mixed ionic and electronic conductor including a partially reduced species, a cathode, and a separator positioned between and in ionic contact with the anode and cathode. The separator is formed of a second ionically conductive solid electrolyte material which is in contact with the first ionically conductive material but not susceptible to reduction in a presence of lithium metal and not soluble for the partially reduced species such that the separator has a susceptibility for migration of lithium ions from the mixed ionic and electronic conductor and impedes propagation or exchange of the partially reduced species from the mixed ionic and electronic conductor.

Abstract: A method of making a solid state battery may include heating a flux sandwiched between a solid ceramic electrolyte and a group one metal. The flux may be heated such that it roughens a surface of the solid ceramic electrolyte and the group one metal melts and adheres to the surface of the solid ceramic electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery system is disclosed. The system may include a frame surrounding a battery active region and defining a vent carried by the frame and mounted between the battery active region and coolant passage. The vent may be configured to vent gas from the battery active region to the coolant passage responsive to a pressure or temperature of the gas exceeding a predetermined threshold, and to isolate the battery active region from the coolant passage otherwise.

Abstract: A plug for a fill port of a battery cell includes a body defining a channel. The plug includes a cover coupled to the body and covering the channel. The cover is configured to open in response to predetermined conditions to vent the battery cell.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a lithium-ion battery includes an anode including lithium titanate (LTO) particles and solid electrolyte particles configured to form an interphase layer therebetween, a cathode including an active material, electronic conductor, and a non-solid electrolyte; and an ionically conductive and liquid-impermeable solid electrolyte separator. The solid electrolyte separator is in direct contact with and between the anode and cathode, and is configured to prevent reduction of the non-solid electrolyte by isolating the non-solid electrolyte from the LTO particles.

Abstract: A method of forming a solid state battery is disclosed. In a moisture-free inert atmosphere, the method includes combining unreacted solid electrolyte precursors to form a green sheet, stacking the green sheet in between porous electrodes to form a solid state battery, and heating the battery to a melting point temperature of the precursors such that the precursors form a liquid phase penetrating pores in the electrodes to form ion conducting channels in the battery.

Abstract: An electrode material is provided to include a Li-containing oxide of the formula of Li(NixCoyMz)O2, wherein M is an element different from Li, Ni, Co, or O, wherein x, y, and z are each independently between 0 and 1 and the sum of x, y, z is 1; and an oxygen scavenger material contacting at least a portion of the Li-containing oxide. In another embodiment, the electrode material further includes a second Li-containing oxide having the formula of Li(Nix2Coy2Mz2)O2, wherein M is an element different from Li, Ni, Co, or O, wherein x2, y2, and z2 are each independently between 0 and 1 and the sum of x2, y2, z2 is 1, wherein the oxide composite is configured as a first material layer, wherein the second Li-containing oxide is configured as a second material layer disposed next to the first material layer.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a cathode, an anode including a silicon-based active material, a separator between the anode and the cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and an elastic and hydrophobic solid-electrolyte interphase layer between and in contact with the anode and electrolyte. Further, the electrolyte or a surface of the anode includes a perfluoropolyether compound. A method of forming a lithium ion battery includes cycling the battery, that includes a cathode, an anode having a silicon-based active material, a perfluoropolyether compound, and an electrolyte, to prompt formation of an elastic and hydrophobic solid-electrolyte interphase layer including the perfluoropolyether compound and between and in contact with the electrolyte and a surface of the anode.