Abstract: Methods and systems for forming electrochemical cells are provided. An electrochemical cell may be provided, with the electrochemical cell including a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte. At least the first electrode is a silicon-dominant electrode. A formation process may be used for the electrochemical cell, with the processing including at least a charge step that includes providing a formation charge current at greater than about 1C to the electrochemical cell, where providing the formation charge current includes charging to a partial formation.

Abstract: Methods of preparing an electrode material can include providing silicon particles, forming a mixture comprising the silicon particles dispersed in a solvent, and forming a suspension by adding metal alkoxide or metal aryloxide to the mixture. The methods can also include evaporating the solvent in the suspension to form metal alkoxide or metal aryloxide coated silicon particles. The methods can further include heating the coated silicon particles to form metal oxide coated silicon particles.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a layer comprising a carbon precursor and silicon particles on a sacrificial substrate. The methods can also include pyrolysing the carbon precursor to convert the precursor into one or more types of carbon phases to form the composite material film, whereby the sacrificial substrate has a char yield of about 10% or less.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a mixture comprising a precursor and silane-treated silicon particles. The methods can also include pyrolysing the mixture to convert the precursor into one or more carbon phases to form the composite material film with the silicon particles distributed throughout the composite material film.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some implementations, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode including electrochemically active material with at least about 20% to about 100% by weight of silicon. The method can include charging the electrochemical cell by providing a formation charge current at about 1 C or greater to the electrochemical cell. The method can also include discharging the electrochemical cell. In various implementations, substantially no rest of greater than about 5 minutes occurs between charging and discharging.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming electrochemical cells are provided. An electrochemical cell may be provided, with the electrochemical cell including a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte. At least the first electrode is a silicon-dominant electrode. A formation process may be used for the electrochemical cell, with the processing including at least a charge step that includes providing a formation charge current at greater than about 1C to the electrochemical cell, where providing the formation charge current includes charging to a partial formation.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight silicon particles, the silicon particles having an average particle size between about 10 nm and about 40 ?m, wherein the silicon particles have surface coatings comprising silicon carbide or a mixture of carbon and silicon carbide, and greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases, wherein at least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some embodiments, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode with at least about 20% to about 99% by weight of silicon. The method can include providing a formation charge current at greater than about 1C to the electrochemical cell. Alternatively or additionally, the method can include providing a formation charge current at a substantially constant charge voltage to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Silicon particles for active materials and electro-chemical cells are provided. The active materials comprising silicon particles described herein can be utilized as an electrode material for a battery. In certain embodiments, the composite material includes greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight silicon particles, the silicon particles having an average particle size between about 10 nm and about 40 ?m, wherein the silicon particles have surface coatings comprising silicon carbide or a mixture of carbon and silicon carbide, and greater than 0% and less than about 90% by weight of one or more types of carbon phases, wherein at least one of the one or more types of carbon phases is a substantially continuous phase.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a layer comprising a carbon precursor and silicon particles on a sacrificial substrate. The methods can also include pyrolysing the carbon precursor to convert the precursor into one or more types of carbon phases to form the composite material film, whereby the sacrificial substrate has a char yield of about 10% or less.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a layer comprising a carbon precursor and silicon particles on a sacrificial substrate. The methods can also include pyrolysing the carbon precursor to convert the precursor into one or more types of carbon phases to form the composite material film, whereby the sacrificial substrate has a char yield of about 10% or less.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some implementations, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode including electrochemically active material with at least about 20% to about 100% by weight of silicon. The method can include charging the electrochemical cell by providing a formation charge current at about 1 C or greater to the electrochemical cell. The method can also include discharging the electrochemical cell. In various implementations, substantially no rest of greater than about 5 minutes occurs between charging and discharging.

Abstract: Methods of preparing an electrode material can include providing silicon particles, forming a mixture comprising the silicon particles dispersed in a solvent, and forming a suspension by adding metal alkoxide or metal aryloxide to the mixture. The methods can also include evaporating the solvent in the suspension to form metal alkoxide or metal aryloxide coated silicon particles. The methods can further include heating the coated silicon particles to form metal oxide coated silicon particles.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a mixture comprising a precursor and silane-treated silicon particles. The methods can also include pyrolysing the mixture to convert the precursor into one or more carbon phases to form the composite material film with the silicon particles distributed throughout the composite material film.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a mixture comprising a precursor and silane-treated silicon particles. The methods can also include pyrolysing the mixture to convert the precursor into one or more carbon phases to form the composite material film with the silicon particles distributed throughout the composite material film.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a mixture comprising a carbon precursor and silicon particles. The methods can also include pyrolysing the carbon precursor to convert the precursor into one or more types of carbon phases to form the composite material film such that the precursor has a char yield of greater than about 0% to about 60% and the composite material film comprises the silicon particles at about 90% to about 99% by weight.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a layer comprising a carbon precursor and silicon particles on a sacrificial substrate. The methods can also include pyrolysing the carbon precursor to convert the precursor into one or more types of carbon phases to form the composite material film, whereby the sacrificial substrate has a char yield of about 10% or less.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some embodiments, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode with at least about 20% to about 99% by weight of silicon. The method can include providing a formation charge current at greater than about 1C to the electrochemical cell. Alternatively or additionally, the method can include providing a formation charge current at a substantially constant charge voltage to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite material film can include providing a mixture comprising a precursor and silane-treated silicon particles. The methods can also include pyrolysing the mixture to convert the precursor into one or more carbon phases to form the composite material film with the silicon particles distributed throughout the composite material film.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrochemical cells are described. In some embodiments, the method can include providing an electrochemical cell having an electrode with at least about 20% to about 99% by weight of silicon. The method can include providing a formation charge current at greater than about 1 C to the electrochemical cell. Alternatively or additionally, the method can include providing a formation charge current at a substantially constant charge voltage to the electrochemical cell.