Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to recycling of electrochemical cell materials. In some aspects, a method can include separating a stack pouch material from an electrochemical cell stack, separating a plurality of unit cells from the electrochemical cell stack into individual unit cells, cutting within a heat seal of a cell pouch of a unit cell from the plurality of unit cells, separating a cathode material and a cathode current collector away from a separator, an anode material, and an anode current collector of the unit cell, placing the cathode material and the cathode current collector in a solvent bath with the cathode current collector facing downward, separating the cathode material from the cathode current collector via an ultrasonic probe, separating solids and liquids of the cathode material, drying the solids of the cathode material, and incorporating the solids of the cathode material into a new cathode mixture.

Abstract: A mass-flow hopper that stores solid particulates and provides gas assistance to readily discharge the particulate matter. The mass flow hopper has an upper conical section connected via an intermediate section to a lower conical section having a lower discharge orifice. The lower conical section has a frustoconical configured gas impermeable wall lined with a gas permeable fluidizing plate spaced therefrom to define a lower space. The upper conical section slope is steeper than the lower frusto-conically configured gas permeable wall slope. Gas injected into the lower space passes from the lower space through the gas permeable fluidizing plate into the hopper to form a fluidized layer of gas between the solid particulates in the hopper and the gas permeable fluidizing plate. The fluidized layer of gas reduces wall friction within the lower conical section to facilitate discharging the particulates from the hopper.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for continuously and/or semi-continuously manufacturing electrochemical cells with semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, a method can include mixing an active material, a conductive material, and an electrolyte to form a semi-solid electrode material. The method further includes drawing a vacuum on the semi-solid electrode material, compressing the semi-solid electrode material to form an electrode brick, and dispensing a portion of the electrode brick onto a current collector via a dispensation device to form an electrode. In some embodiments, the current collector is disposed on a pouch material. In some embodiments, the dispensation device includes a top blade for top edge control and two side plates for side edge control. In some embodiments, the method can further include conveying the electrode through the top blade and the two side plates to shape the electrode.

Abstract: Methods of making a silica-coated carbon product are described. In one method, an aqueous media or solution and a carbon product are contacted with a solution comprising a silicate substantially free of metal ions, for a sufficient time and temperature to form the silica-coated carbon product. A method of making a silica-coated product by contacting the aqueous media and a carbon product with a solution comprising monosilicic acid is also described as well as exchanging metal ions in a solution comprising metallic silicate for hydrogen ions and contacting an aqueous media and a carbon product with the solution to form silica-coated carbon products. Silica-coated carbon products resulting from these methods are also described and include a plurality of silica-coated products wherein each of the silica-coated products are substantially and uniformly coated with silica and in the substantial absence of free silica.