Abstract: A battery management system and method that allows a battery bank to be composed of battery modules that can be heterogeneous with respect to each other. A battery bank composed of modules that support the battery management system allows for any subset of modules to be easily replaced with modules of different electrochemical characteristics. Each of the modules may also have a controller that manages cells of the module. The bank level controller and module level controller may operate to virtualize the hardware under their management to reduce or eliminate the heterogeneous features of the underlying cells and modules.

Abstract: Various methods and techniques for enhancing a silicon-containing anode for a battery cell are presented. The methods may include providing a silicon-containing anode having reversible electrochemical capabilities including a silicon-containing material and an anode material compatible with a lithium-ion battery chemistry having porous and conductive mechanical properties. The methods may also include enriching a surface layer of the silicon-containing anode with sodium ions to intersperse the sodium ions between silicon atoms of the silicon-containing material. The methods may also include displacing the sodium ions with potassium ions to form a compression layer in the silicon-containing anode. The potassium ions may place the silicon atoms of the silicon-containing material in a pre-compressive state to counteract internal stress exerted on the silicon-containing material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to the modification of State of Charge (SoC) calculations within electric vehicles (EVs). A database of data points may be generated based on characteristics of a battery cell at various measured SoCs within a controlled environment. Subsequently, during the operation of an EV, a battery management system (BMS) within the EV may collect various operating data points. The collected operating data points may be utilized to reference similar data points stored in the database in order to determine an SoC value. The SoC value may be utilized to modify or alter the SoC calculations by the BMS for an EV in operation.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods of providing electrical energy for electric vehicles. A battery pack can be disposed in an electric vehicle to power the electric vehicle. A battery cell can be arranged in the battery pack. The battery cell can have a housing. The housing can define a cavity within the housing. The battery cell can have an electrode structure arranged within the cavity. The electrode structure can include a first polarity electrode plate, a second polarity electrode plate, and at least one separator. First and second polarity tabs are coupled with the first and second polarity electrode plates, respectively. The tabs include a flat surface, an electrode interface surface and at least one intermediate surface that extends therebetween. The at least one intermediate surface forms an acute angle with the electrode interface surface.

Abstract: A coated sulfur particle and methods are shown. In one example, the coated sulfur particles are used as an electrode in a battery, such as a lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A battery cell providing a coated lithium reference lead includes at least one anode layer, at least one cathode layer, and a reference lead. The reference lead includes a conductive wire, a layer of lithium metal coupled to the conductive wire, and a polymer coating that covers the layer of lithium metal. The reference lead is inserted into the battery cell with the at least one anode layer and the at least one cathode layer.

Abstract: An automatically generated and customized fast charging process results in reduced degradation in the battery cell. An algorithm for a particular battery cell profile is automatically generated and customized to minimize degradation due to fast charging for that particular batch. To generate the custom algorithm, battery cell information is retrieved for a profile of a battery, wherein each battery profile may have a particular manufacturer, model, type, electrode batch, and potentially other specific identification information. Each battery cell is charged from a particular SOC level and at a selected C-rate, and then discharged. During discharge, the battery cell is monitored for detection of lithium plating or other undesirable effects. A lookup table is automatically generated from the battery cell information, and can be provided to devices and/or battery management systems. The BMS then uses the lookup table to apply a charging process that is customized to the on-board battery.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate generally to determining and applying threshold discharging C-rates for battery cells in low temperature environments. To combat internal resistance within a battery cell at low temperature, heat may be generated within a battery cell via a high discharge C-rate. A higher discharge C-rate may cause more heat generation with a battery cell and the higher temperature may mitigate the low temperature environment. As a result of the heat generation, a battery cell's capacity may be increased. Techniques described herein may identify, for a particular low temperature (0 degrees Celsius and below), a threshold discharge C-rate that if a battery cell is discharged above the threshold, the effect of temperature rising would be more dominant than the effect of the internal resistance and more capacity would be obtained from the battery cell.

Abstract: A battery management system and method that allows a battery bank to be composed of battery modules that can be heterogeneous with respect to each other. A battery bank composed of modules that support the battery management system allows for any subset of modules to be easily replaced with modules of different electrochemical characteristics. Each of the modules may also have a controller that manages cells of the module. The bank level controller and module level controller may operate to virtualize the hardware under their management to reduce or eliminate the heterogeneous features of the underlying cells and modules.

Abstract: Various methods and techniques for enhancing a silicon-containing anode for a battery cell are presented. The methods may include providing a silicon-containing anode having reversible electrochemical capabilities including a silicon-containing material and an anode material compatible with a lithium-ion battery chemistry having porous and conductive mechanical properties. The methods may also include enriching a surface layer of the silicon-containing anode with sodium ions to intersperse the sodium ions between silicon atoms of the silicon-containing matieral. The methods may also include displacing the sodium ions with potassium ions to form a comrpession layer in the silicon-containing anode. The potassium ions may place the silicon atoms of the silicon-containing material in a pre-compressive state to counteract internal stress exerted on the silicon-containing material.

Abstract: Various methods and techniques for enhancing a silicon-containing anode for a battery cell are presented. The methods may include providing a silicon-containing anode having reversible electrochemical capabilities including a silicon-containing material and an anode material compatible with a lithium-ion battery chemistry having porous and conductive mechanical properties. The methods may also include enriching a surface layer of the silicon-containing anode with sodium ions to intersperse the sodium ions between silicon atoms of the silicon-containing matieral. The methods may also include displacing the sodium ions with potassium ions to form a comrpession layer in the silicon-containing anode. The potassium ions may place the silicon atoms of the silicon-containing material in a pre-compressive state to counteract internal stress exerted on the silicon-containing material.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a microporous separator with a pore geometry that creates a low or no tortuosity architecture. In one embodiment, a battery cell may comprise of an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a separator layer positioned between the cathode layer and the anode layer. The separator layer may be comprised of one or more block copolymers. The block copolymers that make up the separator layer may be materials that self-align into a vertical nanostructure. The vertical nanostructures may allow ions within the battery cell to flow in a vertical path between the cathode and anode. This vertical path my create a low or no tortuosity environment within the battery cell.

Abstract: Systems and method manage battery charging of a battery of an electric vehicle are described herein. The system can include a battery management system. The battery management system can receive current battery characteristics and conditions. Based on the battery characteristics and conditions, the battery management system can select a charging profile from a plurality of charging profiles. Based on the selected charging profile, the battery management system can set a rate for charging the battery.

Abstract: A solid state battery cell can include a first polarity terminal, a second polarity terminal and a housing defining a cavity and functioning as a current collector for the first polarity terminal. The battery cell can include a membrane disposed in the cavity and dividing the cavity into a first portion and a second portion, an electrically conductive pin functioning as a current collector for the second polarity terminal, and an insulator electrically isolating the electrically conductive pin from the housing. A solid state anode material, including solid state anode particles, first solid state electrolyte particles and a first conductive additive, can be disposed in the first portion of the cavity. A solid state cathode material, including solid state cathode particles, second solid state electrolyte particles and a second conductive additive, can be disposed in the second portion of the cavity.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods of powering electric vehicles. A battery pack can be disposed in an electric vehicle to power the electric vehicle. A housing can be arranged in the battery pack and can have a first polarity terminal. A capping element can be mechanically coupled with the housing and can have a second polarity terminal. A battery cell array can be arranged within a cavity in the housing. The battery cell array can have a first polarity terminal electrically coupled with the housing. The battery cell array can have a second polarity terminal electrically coupled with the capping element.

Abstract: Provided herein are a battery cell of a battery pack for electric vehicles. A housing for the battery cell can have a body and a head region. The body region can include an electrolyte, anode, and cathode. The battery cell can include a first sealing element disposed in an opening of the head region. The first sealing element can define two slots for disposing a second sealing element and a third sealing element respectively. A first conductive contact for a positive terminal coupled to the cathode can be disposed in the second sealing element. A second conductive contact for a negative terminal coupled to the anode can be disposed in the third sealing element. A first protector element disposed below the second sealing element can react to a first failure condition. A second protector element disposed below the third sealing element can react to a second failure condition.

Abstract: A carbonized mushroom tissue electrode material and methods are shown. In one example, carbonized mushroom tissue is used as an electrode in a battery, such as a lithium ion battery. A battery, comprising: a first electrode, including: carbonized tissue from a mushroom; a second electrode; and an electrolyte in contact with both the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A battery cell providing a non-invasive reference lead includes a cap positioned at a top of the battery cell, where the cap includes an anode section and a cathode section separated by an insulator section. The battery cell also includes a jelly roll comprising an anode lead and a cathode lead extending from a top of the jelly roll. The anode lead of the jelly roll is electrically coupled to the anode section of the cap, and the cathode lead of the jelly roll is electrically coupled to the cathode section of the cap. The battery cell further includes a lithium sleeve providing a reference lead for the battery cell. The lithium sleeve and the cap enclose the jelly roll.

Abstract: A battery cell providing a coated lithium reference lead includes at least one anode layer, at least one cathode layer, and a reference lead. The reference lead includes a conductive wire, a layer of lithium metal coupled to the conductive wire, and a polymer coating that covers the layer of lithium metal. The reference lead is inserted into the battery cell with the at least one anode layer and the at least one cathode layer.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to improving conductive pathways within a battery cell. In prior battery cells, a high degree of tortuosity may exist due to complex conductive pathways within the battery cell. Embodiments described herein describe a solution that may orient particles within an electrode so that the particles are aligned in a universal direction. The aligned particles may allow for a relatively vertical conductive pathway within a battery cell, which may decrease tortuosity within the battery cell.