Abstract: A method for forming a solid electrolyte interface on a lithium-ion battery electrode is provided. The method includes a step of introducing a first quantity of a first electrolyte composition into a container. The container includes at least one lithium-ion battery cell and the first electrolyte composition including ethylene carbonate. The lithium-ion battery cell is cycled for at least one charging cycle such that one or more solid electrolyte interfaces are formed. A second electrolyte composition is introduced into the container to form a final electrolyte composition, the second electrolyte composition including propylene carbonate.

Abstract: A positive electrode material includes a plurality of particles composed of a positive electrode active material and a passivating layer disposed over each particle of the plurality of particles. The passivating layer is thermally insulating and lithium-ion conducting wherein the passivating layer is composed of a carbonate-phosphate composite.

Abstract: A coating system for a solid-state battery includes a feeder for a first substrate foil, and an electrolyte dispenser between two electrode dispensers. The first electrode dispenser has a first mixture of a first solid active material and a first solid electrolyte therein, and deposits a first electrode layer on the foil. The electrolyte dispenser deposits an electrolyte layer on the first electrode layer. The second electrode dispenser has a second mixture of second solid active material and a second solid electrolyte, and deposits a second electrode layer on the electrolyte layer. A roller provides a second substrate foil downstream of the second electrode dispenser on the second electrode layer to form a layered structure. The system also includes drums for press rolling the layered structure to form a solid-state battery, with the layers being continuously deposited.

Abstract: A positive electrode for a lithium-ion battery includes a current collector a positive electrode active layer disposed over the current collector. The positive electrode active layer is composed of a positive electrode composition includes a first positive electrode active material that has been aged for a first predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method for forming one or more layers of a lithium-ion battery includes a step of sequentially depositing a wet coating and a free-standing material layer onto a moving substrate to form a first bilayer on the substrate. The first bilayer including a wet coating-derived layer and the free-standing material layer. The first bilayer is heat roll pressed to form a second bilayer in which the wet coating-derived layer is at least partially dried and adhered to the free-standing material layer.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material includes a compound represented by formula 1: Li(1.333-0.667x-y)Mn(0.667-0.333x)NixMyO2 or Li(4/3-2/3x-y)Mn(2/3-1/3x)NixMyO2??(1) wherein, M is Co, Cr, or a combination thereof, 0.13<x<0.5; and 0<y<0.333.

Abstract: Electrochemical stacks such as lithium-ion battery stacks and methods of assembling the same are disclosed. The stacks may include various electrochemical cells having different attributes. In one variation, the outer electrochemical cells may be different than the inner electrochemical cells. For example, the electrodes of the outer cells and inner cells may have different compositions, loading levels, and/or thicknesses. In a refinement, the separators of the outer cells and inner cells may have different thicknesses or porosities.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell arrays such as battery packs having cells of different sizes and/or thicknesses is disclosed. For example, the cells in an array may progressively increase or decrease in size or thickness from a first end to a second end such that a gradient in thickness is created. Alternatively, the gradient may be from the center to the outside. In a variation, the first and second endplates may be of different sizes or thicknesses.

Abstract: Electrodes, electrochemical cells having higher threshold oxygen-release energies, and methods of making the same are disclosed. The electrodes may be a nickel-rich cathode with up to 10% of a rare-earth element such as cerium. The rare-earth element may be added by doping during the manufacture of the cathode or by applying a coating on a surface of the cathode.

Abstract: A thermal runaway inhibiting composition for a battery includes a plurality of particles. Each particle includes an encapsulant configured to melt at a temperature greater than 70° C. and a flame retardant additive encapsulated by the encapsulant. Characteristically, the plurality of particles having a size distribution to inhibit thermal runaway when the thermal runaway-inhibiting composition is included in a battery cell.

Abstract: A mixed positive electrode material for a battery includes a primary positive electrode material that includes nickel in an amount from about 30 weight percent to about 99 weight percent of the total weight of the primary positive electrode material. The primary positive electrode material has a structure that allowed intercalation and de-intercalation of lithium ions. The mixed positive electrode material also includes a secondary positive electrode material having a structure that allows intercalation and de-intercalation of sodium ions. Advantageously, the mixed positive electrode material can be used as the cathode active material in a battery.

Abstract: A method for preparing materials for a positive electrode in a lithium-ion battery includes a step of preparing a fresh sintering precursor that includes a mixture of metal hydroxides or metal carbonates. The fresh sintering precursor is sintered in a first oxygen-containing gaseous environment at a first temperature to form a first sintered product. The first sintered product is intermixed with fresh sintering precursor to form a first intermixed sintering precursor. The first intermixed sintering precursor is sintered in a second oxygen-containing gaseous environment at a second temperature to form a second sintered product.

Abstract: A hybrid positive electrode active material includes a first positive electrode active powder and a second positive electrode active powder. Each particle of the second positive electrode active powder contacts a plurality of particles of the first positive electrode active material. Characteristically, the average particle size of the first positive electrode active powder is smaller than the average particle size of the second positive electrode active powder.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layer coating on a substrate for an anode or cathode includes preparing a first mixture including a first solvent and a first active material, preparing a second mixture including a second solvent and a second active material, combining the first mixture and the second mixture to form a slurry, and coating the substrate with the slurry. The first solvent and the second solvent are immiscible.

Abstract: A power system and method thereof for charging an electrochemical cell to maintain the cells longevity and/or reduce user's expense is disclosed. The power system may include a traction battery and a controller. The controller may be programmed to initiate a charging command. The charging command may be responsive to a plug-in event and a state-of-charge such that charging is initiated at a future time unless the state-of-charge falls within a capacity-lowering range, region, window, or zone.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a thermal system for a battery; and a controller for the thermal system. The controller may be configured to, during vehicle motion, cool the battery when a temperature of the battery exceeds a lower threshold and inhibit transfer of power with the battery when the temperature exceeds an upper threshold, and while coupled with a charge station, heat the battery to a temperature between the lower threshold and the upper threshold.

Abstract: A method for a vehicle comprises, by a controller, responsive to charge current for a battery exceeding a threshold, inhibiting further charging of the battery. The method further includes, responsive to the vehicle achieving a predefined state following the charge current exceeding the threshold, discharging the battery for a predetermined time at a predetermined current both defined by an amount and duration that the charge current exceeded the threshold to deplate lithium from an anode of the battery.

Abstract: A method for a vehicle comprises, by a controller, responsive to charge current for a battery exceeding a threshold, inhibiting further charging of the battery. The method further includes, responsive to the vehicle achieving a predefined state following the charge current exceeding the threshold, discharging the battery for a predetermined time at a predetermined current both defined by an amount and duration that the charge current exceeded the threshold to deplate lithium from an anode of 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 vehicle has a control system configured to perform, and a method for controlling a battery in a vehicle includes, the steps of modifying a state of charge of at least some battery cells in the battery, based on: a vehicle idle state, and the battery having at least a predetermined decay rate. The SOC of the at least some battery cells is modified such that the battery has less than the predetermined decay rate after the SOC is modified.