Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to green battery recycling systems and critical mineral reclamation and refinement. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane in combination with electrodes in a redox configuration. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent reclamation processing steps. This reclamation may further allow for lithium to be converted to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, or purified to a minimum purity of 99.9% lithium by mass. These extraction and reclamation steps may performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating electrochemical cells employing polymeric support systems rather than metal-based materials as a protective mechanism against mechanical and electrical damage include assembling components of the electrochemical cell. In addition to an anode, a cathode, and a porous separator, the components include a continuous network of precursors of a polymer support system. The continuous network is arranged in continuous pathway(s) extending throughout the interior of the electrochemical cell. Batteries may be provided with the continuous network of precursors in place, i.e., uncured, and curing may be performed post-fabrication and/or sale. Alternatively, curing may be performed during fabrication (or prior to sale), resulting in a continuous network of polymeric pathways extending throughout the volume of the cell and providing mechanical strength, e.g., by penetrating and physically coupling the various components of the cell.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to ultra-efficient EV battery recycling systems. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metals, in particular lithium, can be (energy-wise) efficiently separated from feed solutions. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent extraction processing steps. This energy storage and energy reclamation is performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles. Since irrecoverable energy losses incurred in each cycle are limited to negligible amounts of joule heating of the system components and feed solution, the system can be sustainably powered using locally-generated renewable energy.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to green battery recycling systems and critical mineral reclamation and refinement. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane in combination with electrodes in a redox configuration. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent reclamation processing steps. This reclamation may further allow for lithium to be converted to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, or purified to a minimum purity of 99.9% lithium by mass. These extraction and reclamation steps may performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles.

Abstract: A battery includes a cylindrical shell defining an inner volume and a jelly roll disposed within the inner volume. The jelly roll includes an anode comprising lithium configured as a freestanding assembly having first and second sides, a double-sided cathode having a cathode current collector sandwiched between sulfur-containing first and second cathode layers, a first separator between the anode first side and cathode first layer, and a second separator in direct contact with the anode second side and cathode second layer. The double-sided cathode comprises particles each including a first zone of first pores and a second zone of second pores. The battery provides a lithium-sulfur cylindrical cell configuration with a freestanding lithium anode and double-sided sulfur cathode structure.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to ultra-efficient EV battery recycling systems. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metals, in particular lithium, can be (energy-wise) efficiently separated from feed solutions. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent extraction processing steps. This energy storage and energy reclamation is performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles. Since irrecoverable energy losses incurred in each cycle are limited to negligible amounts of joule heating of the system components and feed solution, the system can be sustainably powered using locally-generated renewable energy.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to green battery recycling systems and critical mineral reclamation and refinement. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane in combination with electrodes in a redox configuration. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent reclamation processing steps. This reclamation may further allow for lithium to be converted to lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, or purified to a minimum purity of 99.9% lithium by mass. These extraction and reclamation steps may performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to ultra-efficient EV battery recycling systems. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metals, in particular lithium, can be (energy-wise) efficiently separated from feed solutions. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent extraction processing steps. This energy storage and energy reclamation is performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles. Since irrecoverable energy losses incurred in each cycle are limited to negligible amounts of joule heating of the system components and feed solution, the system can be sustainably powered using locally-generated renewable energy.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur cylindrical cell. The cell includes a cylindrical shell defining an inner volume, and a jelly roll disposed within the inner volume. The jelly roll includes an anode comprising lithium, where the anode is configured as a freestanding assembly. Additionally, the jelly roll comprises a cathode comprising sulfur. Further, the jelly roll comprises a first separator between a first side of the anode and a first side of the cathode. In cylindrical cell formats, the jelly roll comprises a windable second separator. As the jelly roll is wound, the second separator may come in direct contact with both a second side of the anode and with a second side of the cathode. Alternatively, as the jelly roll is wound, the second separator may come in direct contact with the second side of the anode and with a cathode current collector.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur cylindrical cell. The cell includes a cylindrical shell defining an inner volume, and a jelly roll disposed within the inner volume. The jelly roll includes an anode comprising lithium, where the anode is configured as a freestanding assembly. Additionally, the jelly roll comprises a cathode comprising sulfur. Further, the jelly roll comprises a first separator between a first side of the anode and a first side of the cathode. In cylindrical cell formats, the jelly roll comprises a windable second separator. As the jelly roll is wound, the second separator may come in direct contact with both a second side of the anode and with a second side of the cathode. Alternatively, as the jelly roll is wound, the second separator may come in direct contact with the second side of the anode and with a cathode current collector.