Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some implementations, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode including electrochemically active material with at least about 20% to about 100% by weight of silicon. The method can include charging the electrochemical cell by providing a formation charge current at about 1 C or greater to the electrochemical cell. The method can also include discharging the electrochemical cell. In various implementations, substantially no rest of greater than about 5 minutes occurs between charging and discharging.

Abstract: A pouched energy storage device can include a cell housing portion and a sealed portion. The device can also include a stack of electrodes housed within an inner region of the cell housing portion. Each electrode can have dimensions of width, length, and thickness. One or more electrodes can have at least one of the dimensions smaller than a corresponding dimension of other electrodes in the stack of electrodes. The device can also include an indentation on the cell housing portion adjacent the sealed portion. The indentation can form a stepped region in the inner region that is complimentary to the one or more electrodes having at least one of the dimensions smaller than a corresponding dimension of other electrodes in the stack of electrodes. The sealed portion can be folded onto the cell housing portion so that at least a part of the sealed portion resides in the indentation.

Abstract: The disclosure herein pertains to a pressure regulation system for use in a silicon dominate anode lithium-ion cell. The pressure regulation system regulates a lifetime pressure on the lithium-ion cell in order to correct for capacity loss and mechanical failure due the expansion of silicon during operation. The pressure regulation system along with a housing maintains a certain pressure range on the lithium-ion cells during the cycling and the operational life of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Methods and system for forming electrochemical cells are provided. An electrochemical cell may be formed by providing an electrochemical cell that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte, with at least the first electrode is a silicon-dominant electrode. A formation process may then performed, with the formation processing including charging the electrochemical cell by providing a formation charge current at about 1 C or greater to the electrochemical cell, and discharging the electrochemical cell after a rest step between the charging and the discharging.

Abstract: The disclosure herein pertains to a pressure regulation system for use in a silicon dominate anode lithium-ion cell. The pressure regulation system regulates a lifetime pressure on the lithium-ion cell in order to correct for capacity loss and mechanical failure due the expansion of silicon during operation. The pressure regulation system along with a housing maintains a certain pressure range on the lithium-ion cells during the cycling and the operational life of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing aqueous-based polymer binders for silicon-dominant anodes containing pyrolyzed carbon may include an electrode coating layer on a current collector, where the electrode coating layer is formed from silicon and a water soluble polymer and may comprise one or more additional materials. The electrode coating layer may include more than 70% silicon and the anode may be in a lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A clamping device for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The clamping device can include a first plate and a second plate. The second plate can be positionable relative to the first plate such that a space between the first plate and the second plate can be sized to receive an electrochemical cell stack. The device also can include a coupling member coupling the first plate to the second plate. At least one of the first and second plates can be movable away from the other plate. The coupling member can have a first end portion and a second end portion. The device further can include an elastic member disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising a cyclic organosilicon compound are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte, and at least one electrolyte additive selected from a cyclic organosilicon compound.

Abstract: A clamping device for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The clamping device can include a first plate and a second plate. The second plate can be positionable relative to the first plate such that a space between the first plate and the second plate can be sized to receive an electrochemical cell stack. The device also can include a coupling member coupling the first plate to the second plate. At least one of the first and second plates can be movable away from the other plate. The coupling member can have a first end portion and a second end portion. The device further can include an elastic member disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aromatic macrocyclic compounds (Phthalocyanines) as cathode additives for inhibition of transition metal dissolution and stable solid electrolyte interphase formation may include an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode, where the cathode comprises an active material and a phthalocyanine additive, the additive being coordinated with different metal cationic center and functional groups. The active material may comprise one or more of: nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, nickel cobalt manganese oxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, and lithium manganese oxide, Ni-rich layered oxides LiNi1-xMxO2 where M=Co, Mn, or Al, Li-rich xLi2MnO3(1-x)LiNiaCobMncO2, Li-rich layered oxides LiNi1+xM1?xO2 where M=Co, Mn, or Ni, and spinel oxides LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a battery fuel gauge includes a processor. The processor can be configured to obtain information relating to expansion of a battery and to determine a state of charge and/or a state of health of the battery based at least in part on the expansion of the battery. In certain embodiments, a battery management system can be configured to control charging/discharging and/or cooling/heating of one or more cells in the battery based at least in part on the expansion of the battery.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 ?m and about 30 ?m and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. An electrochemical cell may be provided, with the electrochemical cell including a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least the first electrode includes up to about 99% by weight of silicon, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte in contact with the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator. During a formation process, a formation charge current may be at a first rate of constant current and at a second rate of constant current to the electrochemical cell. The first rate is less than the second rate. The providing may include providing the formation charge current at the first rate of constant current until a rate switching condition is met; and providing the formation charge current at the second rate of constant current after the rate switching condition is met.

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising a carboxylic ether, a carboxylic acid based salt, or an acrylate electrolyte are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte, and at least one electrolyte additive selected from carboxylic ethers, carboxylic acid based salts, and acrylates.

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising benzoyl peroxide based compounds are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte comprising at least two electrolyte co-solvents, wherein at least one electrolyte co-solvent comprises a benzoyl peroxide based compound.

Abstract: Methods and system for forming electrochemical cells are provided. An electrochemical cell may be formed by providing an electrochemical cell that includes a first electrode and a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte, with at least the first electrode is a silicon-dominant electrode. A formation process may then performed, with the formation processing including charging the electrochemical cell by providing a formation charge current at about 1 C or greater to the electrochemical cell, and discharging the electrochemical cell after a rest step between the charging and the discharging.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing operation of silicon-dominant electrode cells. Polarization in a silicon-dominant cell during charge/discharge cycles may be assessed, with the polarization being assessed, at least in part, based on one or both of charge rate and discharge rate. One or more adjustments may be determined based on the assessing of polarization, and the one or more adjustments may be applied to operation of the silicon-dominant cell. The one or more adjustments configured to compensate for at least some of the effects of polarization in the silicon-dominant cell.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 ?m and about 30 ?m and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for algorithm-optimized voltage and/or current windows for lithium-silicon batteries. A lithium-ion cell may be managed, with the managing including controlling voltage and/or current of the lithium-ion cell using an enhanced algorithm. The controlling includes adjusting voltage and/or current limits applied during one or both of charging and discharging of the lithium-ion cell, and the enhanced algorithm is configured to control a voltage range and/or a current range of the lithium-ion cell to maximize a combination of one or more variable associated with the lithium-ion cell including one or more of cycle life, energy density, cumulative capacity before end of life, and cumulative energy before end of life. The lithium-ion cell may be a silicon-dominant cell having a silicon-dominant anode with silicon >50% of active material of the anode, and the enhanced algorithm may be configured based on characteristic(s) unique to silicon-dominant cells.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of silicon particles. The silicon particles have an average particle size between about 0.1 ?m and about 30 ?m and a surface including nanometer-sized features. The composite material also includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases. At least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.