Abstract: Batteries and associated methods of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a battery includes a battery case, an anode within the battery case, a cathode within the battery case, a separator configured to electrically insulate the anode from the cathode and the battery case, an electrolyte in contact with the anode and the cathode, and first and second terminal connections connected with respective ones of the anode and the cathode, and wherein the first and second terminal connections are configured to conduct electrons between the anode and the cathode via a load which is external of the battery case.

Abstract: A cylindrical battery having a wound jelly roll configuration that includes an anode current collector having a first surface and an opposing second surface; at least one anode disposed on the first surface of the anode current collector; at least one Li metal film disposed on the first surface anode current collector, wherein the at least one Li metal film is spaced apart from the anode; a cathode current collector having a first surface and an opposing second surface; at least one cathode disposed on the first surface of the cathode current collector; and a first membrane separator positioned between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition comprising a solution comprising an active salt; and a solvent portion that comprises a first solvent and a second solvent, wherein the first solvent is a hydrofluorocarbon compound having a structure of CxHyFz, wherein x is from 4 to 10, y is from 1 to 10, z is from 5 to 20, and the z:y ratio is from 2:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: An electrolyte for use in a secondary lithium battery having a nickel-rich cathode material includes lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, a solvent system including a first solvent and a fluorinated cyclic ether having a molecular weight greater than 110 g/mol, and, optionally, an additive. The first solvent may be a carbonate, an ester, an ether, a fluorinated carbonate, a fluorinated ester, a fluorinated ether, or any combination thereof. The solvent system comprises at least 50 wt % of the fluorinated cyclic ether.

Abstract: A solid-state method for recycling spent and/or scrap cathode material includes heating a cathode material comprising lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature T1 for an effective period of time t1 to convert the cathode material to a solid precursor, combining the solid precursor with a lithium compound, and heating the solid precursor and the lithium compound in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature T2 for an effective period of time t2 to form a product comprising monocrystalline lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide having a formula LiNixMnyMzCo1-x-y-zO2, where M represents one or more dopant metals, x?0.33, 0.01?y<0.33, 0?z?0.05, and x+y+?z 1.0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for dissolving ion exchange membranes to provide dissolved polymers, particularly at low temperatures and/or pressures, that can be recast to regenerate ion exchange membranes exhibiting reduced defects compared to the initial ion exchange membrane. In some aspects of the disclosure, the polymer exchange membranes include a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer. In some aspects of the disclosure, the method involves dissolving the membranes in one or more aprotic solvents, particularly at temperatures below 80° C.

Abstract: A solid-state method for recycling spent and/or scrap cathode material includes heating a cathode material comprising lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature T1 for an effective period of time t1 to convert the cathode material to a solid precursor, combining the solid precursor with a lithium compound, and heating the solid precursor and the lithium compound in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature T2 for an effective period of time t2 to form a product comprising monocrystalline lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide having a formula LiNixMnyMzCo1-x-y-zO2, where M represents one or more dopant metals, x?0.33, 0.01?y<0.33, 0?z?0.05, and x+y+?z 1.0.

Abstract: A solid-state method for recycling spent and/or scrap cathode material includes heating a cathode material comprising lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature T1 for an effective period of time t1 to convert the cathode material to a solid precursor, combining the solid precursor with a lithium compound, and heating the solid precursor and the lithium compound in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature T2 for an effective period of time t2 to form a product comprising monocrystalline lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide having a formula LiNixMnyMzCo1-x-y-zO2, where M represents one or more dopant metals, x?0.33, 0.01?y<0.33, 0?z?0.05, and x+y+?z 1.0.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition comprising a solution comprising an active salt; and a solvent portion that comprises a first solvent and a second solvent, wherein the first solvent is a hydrofluorocarbon compound having a structure of CxHyFz, wherein x is from 4 to 10, y is from 1 to 10, z is from 5 to 20, and the z:y ratio is from 2:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: Aquatic tracking makes use of acoustics, rather than other signals that do not travel as well in water. Tracking devices are used to monitor species of fish and other aquatic animals to monitor how their populations and movements are in nature, and how or whether those populations and movements are affected by, for example, hydroelectric dams and other manmade structures and phenomena. Often, the trackers inserted in aquatic animals adversely affect the animals and can lead to mortality or changed behaviors. New solutions that decrease the size and weight of such tracking devices are disclosed herein, enabling better tracking of aquatic animals that is less likely to cause adverse effects to those populations.

Abstract: A nonflammable electrolyte comprises (a) at least four different salts; and a solvent comprising >50 vol % to 100 vol % of a flame retardant compound and optionally a cosolvent, wherein ((i) each salt comprises an anion with a different chemical composition than an anion of each of the other salts, (ii) cations of each of the salts are the same, the cations comprising lithium cations, sodium cations, or potassium cations, and (iii) a concentration of each of the salts is 5 mol % of a total molar concentration of the salts in the electrolyte; or (b) a difluoro(oxalato)borate or bis(oxalato)borate salt wherein a concentration of the salt is 40 mol % to 100 mol % of a total molar concentration of salts in the electrolyte, and a solvent comprising a flame retardant compound comprising an organic phosphate and a cosolvent comprising an organic carbonate solvent.

Abstract: Batteries and associated methods of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a battery includes a battery case, an anode within the battery case, a cathode within the battery case, a separator configured to electrically insulate the anode from the cathode and the battery case, an electrolyte in contact with the anode and the cathode, and first and second terminal connections connected with respective ones of the anode and the cathode, and wherein the first and second terminal connections are configured to conduct electrons between the anode and the cathode via a load which is external of the battery case.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymer protecting layer, a lithium metal negative electrode, a lithium secondary battery. In the lithium secondary battery of the present disclosure, a polymer protecting layer comprising a polymer ionic liquid is coated on a surface of a lithium metal sheet.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymer protecting layer, a lithium metal negative electrode, a lithium secondary battery. In the lithium secondary battery of the present disclosure, a polymer protecting layer comprising a polymer ionic liquid is coated on a surface of a lithium metal sheet.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymer protecting layer, a lithium metal negative electrode, a lithium secondary battery. In the lithium secondary battery of the present disclosure, a polymer protecting layer comprising a polymer ionic liquid is coated on a surface of a lithium metal sheet, which can effectively slow down or even inhibit the growth of the lithium dendrite, improve the first charge-discharge cycle coulombic efficiency of the lithium secondary battery, and significantly improve the cycle performance and the safety performance of the lithium secondary battery.