Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed that includes an ionically conducting electrolyte, a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrodes are in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte, and a housing encloses the electrodes and the ionically conducting electrolyte. The ionically conducting electrolyte comprises a liquefied gas solvent, an ester solvent, and a salt. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15K. The salt and ester are soluble in the liquefied gas solvent such that the ionically conducting electrolyte is a liquid under pressure.

Abstract: The use of reservoir replenishing additives to an electrochemical cell in conjunction with a liquefied gas electrolyte is described to maintain high capacity and high energy of a battery cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells employing liquefied gas electrolytes may experience degradation of certain polymer components, such as tapes made from poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), or polydimethylsiloxane. These materials exhibit low chemical stability, potentially leading to cell failure. Embodiments disclosed herein utilize stable polymers, including polyimide, polypropylene, or polyethylene as tape carriers and poly(methyl methacrylate) as adhesives, to enhance compatibility and performance in such cells.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells employing liquefied gas electrolytes may experience degradation of certain polymer components, such as tapes made from poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), or polydimethylsiloxane. These materials exhibit low chemical stability, potentially leading to cell failure. Embodiments disclosed herein utilize stable polymers, including polyimide, polypropylene, or polyethylene as tape carriers and poly(methyl methacrylate) as adhesives, to enhance compatibility and performance in such cells.

Abstract: The use of reservoir replenishing additives to an electrochemical cell in conjunction with a liquefied gas electrolyte is described to maintain high capacity and high energy of a battery cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed that includes an ionically conducting electrolyte, a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrodes are in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte, and a housing encloses the electrodes and the ionically conducting electrolyte. The ionically conducting electrolyte comprises a liquefied gas solvent, an ester solvent, and a salt. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15K. The salt and ester are soluble in the liquefied gas solvent such that the ionically conducting electrolyte is a liquid under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses ionically conducting electrolytes that include a liquefied gas solvent displaying low global warming potential (GWP) and low flammability while also generating favorable solid-electrolyte interphases in an electrochemical device to maintain high performance and cycle life. Ionically conducting electrolytes include a multi-component solvent mixture with a low-GWP solvent and non-low GWP solvent. The overall GWP of the multi-component solvent mixture is at least 50% less than the GWP of the non-low GWP solvent alone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for adding a polymer material to a liquified gas electrolyte solution for use in an electrochemical energy storage device such as a lithium-ion battery or a related technology to further improve the battery cell's safety properties. An example device includes an ionically conducting electrolyte comprised of a liquefied gas solvent, a salt, and a polymer. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15 K, and the polymer is at a low enough concentration that it is fully dissolved in the liquefied gas solvent. The device may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator layer in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte. A housing may enclose the ionically conducting electrolyte, the anode, the cathode and the separator layer.

Abstract: An ionically conducting electrolyte is disclosed that includes a mixture of a liquefied gas solvent, a solidifying agent, and a salt. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at 293.15K. The solidifying agent may be a solid, liquid, or a gas at 100 kPa and 293.15K. The salt is soluble in the ionically conducting electrolyte at 100 kPa and 293.15K, thereby maintaining the ionically conducting electrolyte in a liquid phase. The salt and solidifying agent create a solid material at 100 kPa and 293.15K when the liquified gas solvent is removed from the mixture. Also disclosed are electrochemical devices including two electrodes in contact with this electrolyte. The device has a housing enclosing the electrolyte and electrode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrochemical cell design that safely discharges after cell venting. The cell includes a housing and a lid assembly connected to the housing via a vent. The housing houses an electrode assembly with a first electrode separated from a second electrode by a separator. The first electrode is electrically connected to the housing, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the lid assembly structure. The cell has a non-venting configuration characterized by the vent connecting the lid assembly to the housing such that the internal pressure is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. A venting configuration is characterized by (A) the vent releasing the housing from the lid assembly when a predetermined internal pressure is exceeded; (B) venting the internal pressure; and (C) the venting dislodging the lid assembly such that it makes electrical contact with the housing, thus discharging the cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrochemical cell design that safely discharges after cell venting. The cell includes a housing and a lid assembly connected to the housing via a vent. The housing houses an electrode assembly with a first electrode separated from a second electrode by a separator. The first electrode is electrically connected to the housing, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the lid assembly structure. The cell has a non-venting configuration characterized by the vent connecting the lid assembly to the housing such that the internal pressure is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. A venting configuration is characterized by (A) the vent releasing the housing from the lid assembly when a predetermined internal pressure is exceeded; (B) venting the internal pressure; and (C) the venting dislodging the lid assembly such that it makes electrical contact with the housing, thus discharging the cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for adding a polymer material to a liquified gas electrolyte solution for use in an electrochemical energy storage device such as a lithium-ion battery or a related technology to further improve the battery cell's safety properties. An example device includes an ionically conducting electrolyte comprised of a liquefied gas solvent, a salt, and a polymer. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15 K, and the polymer is at a low enough concentration that it is fully dissolved in the liquefied gas solvent. The device may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator layer in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte. A housing may enclose the ionically conducting electrolyte, the anode, the cathode and the separator layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrochemical cell design that safely discharges after cell venting. The cell includes a housing and a lid assembly connected to the housing via a vent. The housing houses an electrode assembly with a first electrode separated from a second electrode by a separator. The first electrode is electrically connected to the housing, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the lid assembly structure. The cell has a non-venting configuration characterized by the vent connecting the lid assembly to the housing such that the internal pressure is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. A venting configuration is characterized by (A) the vent releasing the housing from the lid assembly when a predetermined internal pressure is exceeded; (B) venting the internal pressure; and (C) the venting dislodging the lid assembly such that it makes electrical contact with the housing, thus discharging the cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses ionically conducting electrolytes that include a liquefied gas solvent displaying low global warming potential (GWP) and low flammability while also generating favorable solid-electrolyte interphases in an electrochemical device to maintain high performance and cycle life. Ionically conducting electrolytes include a multi-component solvent mixture with a low-GWP solvent and non-low GWP solvent. The overall GWP of the multi-component solvent mixture is at least 50% less than the GWP of the non-low GWP solvent alone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses ionically conducting electrolytes that include a liquefied gas solvent displaying low global warming potential (GWP) and low flammability while also generating favorable solid-electrolyte interphases in an electrochemical device to maintain high performance and cycle life. Ionically conducting electrolytes include a multi-component solvent mixture with a low-GWP solvent and non-low GWP solvent. The overall GWP of the multi-component solvent mixture is at least 50% less than the GWP of the non-low GWP solvent alone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials to add a polymer material to a liquified gas electrolyte solution for use in an electrochemical energy storage device such as a lithium-ion battery or related technology to further improve the battery cell's safety properties. An example device includes an ionically conducting electrolyte comprised of a liquefied gas solvent, a salt, and a polymer. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15 K, and the polymer is at low enough concentration that it is fully dissolved in the liquefied gas solvent. The device may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator layer in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte. A housing may enclose the ionically conducting electrolyte, the anode, the cathode and the separator layer.