Abstract: The performance and durability of an electrochemical cell using a lithium metal based anode and a compatible lithium-accepting cathode are improved by the use of a suitable lithium electrolyte salt and a new liquid co-solvent mixture for the electrolyte. The co-solvent mixture comprises a non-aqueous ionic liquid, conductive of lithium ions, and a liquid fluorinated organic ether.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing self-healing gel-type electrolyte composites for metal batteries are disclosed. According to aspects of the disclosure, a method includes preparing a ternary mixture including an electrolyte portion, a matrix precursor portion, and a self-healing portion, forming a self-healing gel-electrolyte membrane by initiating polymerization of the gel-forming precursor and the gel-forming initiator to thereby form a polymer matrix, and disposing the self-healing gel-electrolyte membrane between an anode and a cathode. The self-healing portion includes a self-healing precursor that is flowable and a self-healing initiator. The matrix precursor portion includes a gel-forming precursor and a gel-forming initiator. The electrolyte portion and the self-healing portion are disposed substantially throughout the polymer matrix and the polymer matrix includes a plurality of gel-forming active sites.

Abstract: A highly-concentrated electrolyte system for an electrochemical cell is provided, along with methods of making the electrolyte system. The electrolyte system includes a bound moiety having an ionization potential greater than an electron affinity and comprising one or more salts selected from the group consisting of: lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, sodium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, and combinations thereof bound to a solvent comprising one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of: dimethyl carbonate, dimethyl dicarbonate, and combinations thereof. The salts have a concentration in the electrolyte system of greater than or equal to about 4M. A molar ratio of the salts to the dimethyl carbonate is about 0.5. A molar ratio of the salts to the dimethyl dicarbonate is about 1.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode that contains lithium and an electrolyte system. In one variation, the electrolyte system includes a first liquid electrolyte, a solid-dendrite-blocking layer, and an interface layer. The solid dendrite-blocking layer is ionically conducting and electrically insulating. The dendrite-blocking layer includes a first component and a distinct second component. The dendrite-blocking layer has a shear modulus of greater than or equal to about 7.5 GPa at 23° C. The interface layer is configured to interface with a negative electrode including lithium metal on a first side and the dendrite blocking layer on a second opposite side. The interface layer includes a second liquid electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte, or a solid-state electrolyte. The dendrite-blocking layer is disposed between the first liquid electrolyte and the interface layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for heat management using vascular channels. Vascular channels are incorporated in a network within a component. The component is a part of a manufactured product and defines an exterior panel. A fluid circuit is connected with the vascular channels and circulates a fluid through the component to collect heat from the product and to dissipate heat through the exterior panel.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells that cycle lithium ions are provided. The electrochemical cells have an electrode that includes a silicon-containing electroactive material that undergoes volumetric expansion and contraction during the cycling of the electrochemical cell; and an electrolyte system that promotes passive formation of a flexible protective layer comprising a lithium fluoride-polymer composite on one or more exposed surface regions of the silicon-containing electroactive material. The electrolyte system includes a lithium salt, at least one cyclic carbonate, and two or more linear carbonates. At least one of the two or more linear carbonate-containing co-solvents is a fluorinated carbonate-containing co-solvent. The electrolyte system accommodates the volumetric expansion and contraction of the silicon-containing electroactive material to promote long term cycling stability.

Abstract: In an example of a method, a halogenide-hydrocarbon, an aprotic hydrocarbon solvent, and a reductant are combined to initiate a reaction that forms intermediate particles having a microporous framework. The intermediate particles are subjected to a heat treatment at a heat treatment temperature ranging from about 300° C. to less than 1500° C. for a heat treatment time period ranging from about 20 minutes to about 10 hours to form a precursor to microporous carbon.

Abstract: An example of an electrolyte solution includes a solvent, a lithium salt, a fluorinated ether, and an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of RSxR?, wherein x ranges from 3 to 18, and R—(SnSem)—R, wherein 2<n<8 and 2<m<8. R and R? are each independently selected from a straight alkyl group having from 1 carbon to 6 carbons or branched alkyl group having from 1 carbon to 6 carbons. The electrolyte solution may be suitable for use in a sulfur-based battery or a selenium-based battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a battery pack component including a self-healing coating. The self-healing coating is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the battery pack component. The self-healing coating includes a first precursor including a cyclic ether capable of reacting in a self-healing cationic ring-opening polymerization reaction. The self-healing coating further includes an initiator including an alkali metal salt. The self-healing cationic ring-opening polymerization reaction occurs when a defect is present in the self-healing coating. In certain aspects, the cyclic ether may include 1,3-dioxolane (C3H6O2) and the initiator may include lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (F2NaNO4S2). In other aspects, the self-healing coating may include a second precursor that is capable of copolymerizing with the first precursor. In still other aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of making a self-healing coating for a battery pack component.

Abstract: An example of a negative electrode includes a lithium metal active material and a coating disposed on the lithium metal active material. The coating consists of one of: (i) a polymeric ionic liquid; or (ii) a VEC polymer formed from vinyl ethylene carbonate; or (iii) a homo-polymer formed from ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, triethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, or polyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate; or (iv) a combination of any two or more of (i), (ii), and (iii).

Abstract: In an example of the method for making a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of an electrode, the electrode is exposed to an electrolyte solution in an electrochemical cell. The electrolyte solution includes either i) an organo-polysulfide additive having a formula RSnR? (n?2), wherein R and R? are independently selected from a methyl group, an unsaturated chain, a 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)-1-propyl group, or a 4-nitrophenyl group, or ii) a fluorinated organo-polysulfide additive having a formula RSnR? (n?2), wherein R and R? can be the same or different, and wherein R and R? each have a general formula of CxHyF(2x?y+1), where x is at least 1 and y ranges from 0 to 2x. A voltage or a load is applied to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: In certain aspects, electrolytic deposition and electroless displacement deposition methods are provided to form bimetallic structures that may be used as a bipolar current collector in a battery or a substrate for forming graphene sheets. In other aspects, bipolar current collectors for lithium-ion based electrochemical cells are provided. The bimetallic current collector may have an aluminum-containing surface and a continuous copper coating. In other aspects, a flexible substrate may be coated with one or more conductive materials, like nickel, copper, graphene, aluminum, alloys, and combinations thereof. The flexible substrate is folded to form a bipolar current collector. New stack assemblies for lithium-ion based batteries incorporating such bipolar current collectors are also provided that can have cells with a tab-free and/or weld-free design.

Abstract: An example of a three-electrode test cell includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode having an aperture defined therein, a reference electrode, and a first microporous polymer separator soaked in an electrolyte. The reference electrode is disposed within the aperture of the positive electrode and physically separated from the positive electrode. The first microporous polymer separator is disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode.

Abstract: An electrolyte structure includes a metal organic framework (MOF) material defining a plurality of pores. Anions are bound to respective metal atoms of the MOF material. The bound anions are located within each of the plurality of pores of the MOF material. Solvated cations are present within each of the plurality of pores.

Abstract: The performance and durability of an electrochemical cell using a lithium metal based anode and a compatible lithium-accepting cathode are improved by the use of a suitable lithium electrolyte salt and a new liquid co-solvent mixture for the electrolyte. The co-solvent mixture comprises a non-aqueous ionic liquid, conductive of lithium ions, and a liquid fluorinated organic ether.

Abstract: A negative electrode material includes an active material. The active material includes a silicon core selected from the group consisting of Si, SiO2, SiOx (0<x<2), a silicon alloy, and a combination thereof. The active material also includes a hard carbon coating formed on the silicon core. The negative electrode material further includes a non-fluorinated binder. The negative electrode material also includes a conductive filler. The loading of the active material in the negative electrode material is greater than 2 mg/cm2.

Abstract: An adsorption storage tank for a natural gas includes a pressurizable tank disposed on a vehicle to contain the natural gas. A natural gas adsorbent is disposed in the tank. The natural gas is a mixture of constituents having a constituent statistical distribution of molecule lengths and kinetic diameters. The adsorbent has a pore size statistical distribution of pore sizes to adsorb and desorb the mixture of constituents.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell (e.g., a lithium ion battery) is provided. The electrode has an active material that undergoes volumetric expansion during lithiation and delithiation, e.g., silicon-containing materials. The electrode has a current collector with an electrically conductive flexible surface primer coating disposed thereon. The primer coating comprises a polymer with a glass transition temperature of ?85° C. and an electrically conductive particle. When assembled, the flexible surface primer coating serves to reduce strain at the interface between the active material and current collector. The primer coating and the electroactive material remain intact on the surface of the current collector after at least one cycle of lithium ion insertion and deinsertion in the electrode, thus minimizing or preventing charge capacity loss in the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A display apparatus with decreased thickness for displaying images includes a frame, a display panel received in the frame, a circuit module, and at least one fixing portion. The display panel displays images. The circuit module is outside of the frame, and provides signals and voltages to the display panel for driving the display module to display the images. The at least one fixing portion is used for fixing the circuit module on a surface of the frame away from the display panel. The circuit module is rotatably inserted into the at least one fixing portion.

Abstract: To make a pouch format cell, an outermost stack (including a negative electrode and separators positioned on opposed surfaces thereof) is formed. An inner stack is formed, including a positive electrode and a sub-stack (i.e., another negative electrode with separators positioned on opposed surfaces thereof and another positive electrode). The inner stack is positioned on the outermost stack to form a core stack, such that i) one inner stack end substantially aligns with one outermost stack end, ii) another end and a portion of the outermost stack remain exposed, and iii) the inner stack positive electrode is adjacent to one of the outermost stack separators. The outermost stack exposed portion is folded around another inner stack end and to cover a portion of an outer layer of the inner stack. This forms an initial overlay. The core stack is folded around at least a portion of the initial overlay.