Abstract: An electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The electrode assembly includes one or more electroactive material layers including a plurality of electroactive material particles and a plurality of binder material fibers dispersed with the electroactive material particles. At least one electroactive material particle of the plurality may have a first protective layer coated thereon, and at least one binder material fiber of the plurality may have a second protective layer coated thereon. The first and second protective layers may be the same or different. The binder material fibers can include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a positive electroactive material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The positive electroactive material includes a nickel-rich material including a plurality of solid-state particles. Each solid-state particle has a heterogeneous structure that includes a core and a shell that at least partially coats the core. The core includes a nickel-cobalt-manganese material, and the shell includes a nickel-cobalt-aluminum material. When the nickel-rich material is represented by LiNi(1-x-y-z)CoxMnyAl2O2, the nickel-cobalt-manganese material is represented by LiNi(i-x?-(y/a))Cox?Mn(y/a)O2, and the nickel-cobalt-aluminum material is represented by LiNi(i-x?-(z/b))Cox?Al(z/b)O2, where (i) 1-x-y-z>0.5, (ii) a+b=1, (iii) zx?+bx?=x, and (iv) 1-x?-(y/a)>1-x?-(z/b). In certain variations, the core and the shell define a base structure, and the heterogeneous structure further includes a buffer layer that at least partially coats the base structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator physically separating the first and second electrodes, a solid-state interlayer disposed between the separator and the first electrode, and a liquid electrolyte disposed in each of the first electrode, the second electrode, the separator, and the solid-state interlayer. The solid-state interlayer includes a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles. The solid-state interlayer covers greater than or equal to about 85% of a total surface area of the surface of the first electrode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte layer that is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode is provided. The electrolyte layer includes a porous scaffold having a porosity greater than or equal to about 50 vol. % to less than or equal to about 90 vol. %, and a solution-processable solid-state electrolyte that at least partially fills the pores of the porous scaffold. The porous scaffold is defined by a plurality of fibers having an average diameter greater than or equal to about 0.01 micrometer to less than or equal to about 10 micrometers and an average length greater than or equal to about 1 micrometer to less than or equal to about 20 micrometers. The solution-processable solid-state electrolyte includes is selected from the group consisting of: sulfide-based solid-state particles, halide-based solid-state particles, hydride-based solid-state particles, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A battery cell comprises C electrodes each including a first current collector, first and second capacitive layers, and first and second active material layers. The first and second capacitive layers and the first and second active material layers are arranged on the first current collector. E anode electrodes include a second current collector and third and fourth active material layers arranged on the second current collector. E and C are integers greater than zero.

Abstract: The present disclosure a gel polymer electrolyte for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The gel polymer electrolyte includes a polymer host, a liquid electrolyte, and greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 10 wt. % of a sulfolene additive. In certain variations, the gel polymer electrolyte also includes greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 5 wt. % of an ethylene carbonate additive. The ethylene carbonate additive may be selected from the group consisting of: vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), vinylene carbonate, and combinations thereof. In each instance, the lithium electrolyte may include a first lithium salt, a second lithium salt that is distinct from the first lithium salt, and a third lithium salt that is distinct from the first lithium salt and the second lithium salt.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The electrolyte layer includes a porous film that defines a plurality of voids and includes a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles and a plurality of polymeric fibrils that connect the solid-state electrolyte particles. The electrolyte layer also includes a gel polymeric electrolyte that at least partially fills the plurality of voids in the porous film. The porous film has a thickness greater than or equal to about 2 micrometers to less than or equal to about 100 micrometers, and a porosity greater than or equal to about 10 vol. % to less than or equal to about 50 vol. %. The a gel polymeric electrolyte fills greater than or equal to about 0.1% to less than or equal to about 150% of a total porosity of the porous film.

Abstract: A capacitor-assisted battery is provided. The capacitor-assisted battery includes an electrolyte system having a lithium-ion conducting component and one or more additives. The one or more additives include a first additive that includes 3-trimethylsilylphenylboronic acid, and a second additive that includes succinic anhydride. The capacitor-assisted battery includes an electrode having an electroactive material and a capacitor material. The electroactive material has a first coating defined thereon, and the capacitor material has a second coating defined thereon. The first and second coatings are defined by the first and second additives. The first coating is a substantially continuous that covers greater than or equal to about 80%, of a total exposed surface area of the electroactive material. The second coating is a discontinuous coating covers greater than or equal to about 20% to less than or equal to about 80% of a total exposed surface area of capacitor material.

Abstract: A hybridized lithium-ion battery that includes one or more positive electrode assemblies is provided. Each of the one or more positive electrode assemblies includes a positive electrode current collector and one or more positive electroactive material layers disposed on one or more surfaces of the positive electrode current collector. The hybridized lithium-ion battery also includes two or more negative electrode current collectors, and one or more negative electroactive material layers disposed on one or more surfaces of at least one of the two or more negative electrode current collectors, where a total number of the one or more positive electroactive material layers is greater than a total number of negative electroactive material layers. The hybridized lithium-ion battery also includes two or more separating layers physically separating the positive electrode assemblies and the negative electroactive material layers or the positive electrode assemblies and the negative electrode current collectors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a temperature regulating system including an anisotropic material for use as a heating material or element (e.g., an active heater) and a cooling material or element (e.g., passive cooling) in a battery pack including one or more electrochemical cells. The temperature regulating system includes one or more temperature control elements. Each temperature control element is configured to be in a heat transfer relationship with one or more electrochemical cells so as to heat and/or cool the one or more electrochemical cells of the battery pack. Each temperature control element includes two or more structural elements and one or more anisotropic elements disposed between the two or more structural elements. The temperature control elements may be disposed between the electrochemical cells of the stack, disposed around the electrochemical cells of the stack, or both.

Abstract: An electrochemical device according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes an electrochemical cell and an inductor coil. The electrochemical cell includes a current collector. The current collector includes an electrically-conductive material. The inductor coil is configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field is configured to induce an eddy current in the current collector to generate heat in the current collector. In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method of internally heating an electrochemical cell. In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method of controlling heating of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An all-solid-state electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell includes an electrode having a current collector that defines a major axis, and an electroactive material layer disposed on or adjacent to the current collector. The electroactive material layer includes a plurality of hierarchical silicon columns, and a solid sulfide electrolyte. The solid sulfide electrolyte is formed in-situ and fills greater than or equal to about 60 vol. % to less than or equal to about 100 vol. % of voids in the electroactive material layer. The voids being defined by openings between the hierarchical silicon columns. A longest dimension of each hierarchical silicon columns is perpendicular to the major axis of the second current collector.

Abstract: A polymer blocker for use in an electrochemical battery that cycles lithium ions is provided. The polymer blocker includes a polymeric layer, a first adhesive layer that includes a first adhesive and is disposed on or near a first surface of the polymeric layer, and a second adhesive layer that includes a second adhesive and is disposed on or near a second surface of the polymeric layer. The polymeric layer has a porosity greater than or equal to about 50 vol. % to less than or equal to about 95 vol. %. A portion of the first adhesive impregnates a first portion of the polymeric layer, and a portion of the second adhesive impregnating a second portion of the polymeric layer. The first and second portions of the polymeric layer may be the same or different.

Abstract: An anode-free solid-state battery includes a cathode layer having transient anode elements and a bare current collector devoid of non-transitory anode material and configured to accept thereon the transient anode elements. The battery also includes a solid-state electrolyte layer defining voids and arranged between the current collector and the cathode layer. The battery additionally includes a gel situated within the solid-state electrolyte and cathode layers, to permeate the electrolyte voids and form a gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, coat the cathode layer, and facilitate ionic conduction of the anode elements between the cathode layer, the solid-state electrolyte layer, and the current collector. Charging the battery diffuses the anode elements from the cathode layer, via the gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, onto the current collector. Discharging the battery returns the anode elements, via the gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, to the cathode layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode including 90 wt. % to 98 wt. % of a cobalt-free electroactive material. represented by LiNixM1-xO2 (where M is manganese, aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, chromium, or a combination thereof and x?0.75), 0.05 wt. % to 3 wt. % a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder having a molecular weight (MW) greater than or equal to about 6,000,000 u, and 1 wt. % to 5 wt. % of a first electronically conductive material. The electrochemical cell also includes a negative electrode including 90 wt. % to 98 wt. % of a graphite-containing negative electroactive material, 0.05 wt. % to 3 wt. % a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder having a molecular weight (MW) greater than or equal to about 6,000,000 u, 0.05 wt. % to 2 wt. % of an ancillary binder, and 1 wt. % to 5 wt. % of a second electronically conductive material.

Abstract: Methods of forming a battery via in situ polymerization are provided. A precursor of a first blocker composition is applied to select edge regions of at least one bipolar electrode and terminal negative and positive electrodes. The components are assembled to form a stack with at least two insulating interlayers disposed between electrodes of opposite polarities. The precursor is reacted to form a first blocker composition sealing three sides of the stack to define a fillable interior region. Next, a polymer electrolyte precursor is injected into the fillable interior region. A precursor of a second blocker composition is applied to a terminal region of the fourth side of the stack. The precursors are concurrently reacted to form a polymer electrolyte and a second blocker composition along the fourth side. The first and second blocker compositions define a sealed pouch including the stack comprising the polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A capacitor-assisted electrode for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The capacitor-assisted electrode may include at least two electroactive materials disposed on one or more surfaces of a current collector. A first electroactive material of the at least two electroactive materials may have a first reversible specific capacity and forms a first electroactive material having a first press density. A second electroactive material of the at least two electroactive materials has a second reversible specific capacity and forms a second electroactive material having a second press density. The second reversible specific capacity may be different from the first reversible specific capacity. The second press density may be different from the first press density. One or more capacitor materials may be disposed on or intermingled with one or more of the at least two electroactive materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode current collector spaced apart from the positive electrode, and an ionically conductive electrolyte disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode current collector is of unitary one-piece construction and has a three-dimensional porous structure that defines an interconnected network of open pores. During charging of the electrochemical cell, lithium metal is deposited within the open pores of the negative electrode current collector.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes a particulate component embedded in a polymeric matrix component that comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. The particulate component includes a plurality of composite particles, with each of the composite particles having a core and a selective barrier layer disposed on a surface of the core. The core of each of the composite particles includes an electroactive negative electrode material. The selective barrier layer of each of the composite particles is formulated to prevent or inhibit electrochemical reactions from occurring between lithium stored in the electroactive negative electrode material of the core and the polytetrafluoroethylene in the polymeric matrix component.

Abstract: A free-standing electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The free-standing electrolyte layer includes a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles, a (first) ionic liquid that surrounds each solid-state electrolyte particle of the plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles, and a plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils that provides a structural framework for the solid-state electrolyte particles. The free-standing electrolyte layer has an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 0.1 mS/cm at 40° C., and a thickness greater than or equal to about 5 micrometers to less than or equal to about 500 micrometers. Each of the polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils of the plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils has an average length of greater than or equal to about 2 micrometers to less than or equal to about 100 micrometers.