Abstract: Embodiments described herein include electrochemical cell modules. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell module includes a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell. The first electrochemical cell includes an anode material disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode material disposed on a cathode current collector, a separator disposed between the anode material and the cathode material, and a pouch material disposed on the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. The separator extends beyond the anode material and the cathode material and the pouch material extends beyond the separator. The portion of the separator that extends beyond the outer edge of the anode material and the cathode material and the portion of the pouch material that extends beyond the outer edge of the separator are folded at an angle of about 80 degrees to about 110 degrees with respect to the anode material and the cathode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrolyte solutions and methods of applying the same. In some aspects, a method can include disposing an electrode material onto a current collector and disposing an electrolyte solution onto the electrode material. The electrolyte solution includes an additive configured to reduce a contact angle that the electrolyte solution forms with the electrode material. Embodiments described herein also relate to an electrochemical cell assembly including an electrochemical cell include a semi-solid cathode material disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode material disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the semi-solid mixture and the semi-solid cathode material. An electrolyte reservoir fluidically coupled to the electrochemical cell and configured to communicate an electrolyte to at least the separator.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for evaluating electrochemical cells. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an interlayer, and the method can include performing a calibrating electrical energy transfer between the first electrode and the second electrode to develop a baseline parameter based on the calibration voltage differences. The method can further include performing an operational electrical energy transfer between the first electrode and the second electrode and developing an operational parameter based on the operational voltage differences. The method can further include diagnosing a performance issue with the electrochemical cell based on the baseline parameter and the operational parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms, and methods of producing and operating the same. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode and a cathode material disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode material and the cathode current collector forming a cathode. The electrochemical cell further includes a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, and an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material, the interlayer including a source of lithium ions, the lithium ions configured to migrate toward the anode upon a voltage difference between the interlayer and the anode exceeding a threshold value. In some embodiments, the anode can include an anode material disposed on an anode current collector. In some embodiments, the anode material can include graphite, silicon, and/or hard carbon.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods described herein relate to electrolyte formulations and the incorporation thereof into batteries. In some aspects, an electrolyte composition can comprise between about 10 wt % and about 42 wt % of an electrolyte solvent, between about 13 wt % and about 59 wt % of a fluoroether. In some embodiments, the electrolyte solvent can make up between about 26 wt % and about 39 wt % of the composition. In some embodiments, the fluoroether can make up between about 18 wt % and about 36 wt % of the composition. In some embodiments, the composition can include between about 0.5 wt % and about 1.5 wt % of a first additive. In some embodiments, the composition can include between about 0.5 wt % and about 5 wt % of a second additive.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to semi-solid electrodes, and methods of producing the same. In some embodiments, a method of forming a semi-solid electrode can include mixing an active material, a conductive material, and an electrolyte solvent to produce a semi-solid material. The electrolyte solvent is free of electrolyte salt. The method further includes dispensing the semi-solid material onto a current collector and wetting the semi-solid material with an electrolyte solution to form the semi-solid electrode. In some embodiments, the wetting can be via spraying. In some embodiments, the electrolyte salt can have a concentration in the electrolyte solution of at least about 1 M, at least about 2 M, or at least about 3 M. In some embodiments, the solvent can include ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for recycling spent batteries. In some aspects, a method of recycling battery materials can include separating an anode material from a first cathode material and a first separator of a spent electrochemical cell. The method further includes washing the anode material, and drying the anode material to form a recycled anode material, and combining the recycled anode material with a second cathode material and a second separator material to form a recycled electrochemical cell. The method can optionally include washing the first cathode material, drying the first cathode material to form a cathode powder; and regenerating the cathode powder to form a regenerated cathode material, and combining the regenerated cathode material with a second anode material and a second separator to form a recycled electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms, and methods of producing and operating the same. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode and a cathode material disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode material and the cathode current collector forming a cathode. The electrochemical cell further includes a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, and an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material, the interlayer including a source of lithium ions, the lithium ions configured to migrate toward the anode upon a voltage difference between the interlayer and the anode exceeding a threshold value. In some embodiments, the anode can include an anode material disposed on an anode current collector. In some embodiments, the anode material can include graphite, silicon, and/or hard carbon.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with multiple separators, and methods of producing the same. A method of producing an electrochemical cell can include disposing an anode material onto an anode current collector, disposing a first separator on the anode material, disposing a cathode material onto a cathode current collector, disposing a second separator onto the cathode material, and disposing the first separator on the second separator to form the electrochemical cell. The anode material and/or the cathode material can be a semi-solid electrode material including an active material, a conductive material, and a volume of liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, less than about 10% by volume of the liquid electrolyte evaporates during the forming of the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the method can further include wetting the first separator and/or the second separator with an electrolyte solution prior to coupling the first separator to the second separator.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems include a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell connected in parallel. Both electrochemical cells include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have different performance properties from the second electrochemical cell. For example, the first electrochemical cell can have a high energy density while the second electrochemical cell can have a high power density. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have a battery chemistry, thickness, or any other physical/chemical property different from those properties of the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods described herein relate to the manufacture and use of electrochemical cells with a flame retardant mechanism. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a first current collector coupled to a first portion of a first pouch, the first current collector having a first electrode material disposed thereon. The electrochemical cell further includes a second current collector coupled to a second portion of the first pouch, the second current collector having a second electrode material disposed thereon. The electrochemical cell further includes a separator disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material, the first portion of the first pouch coupled to the second portion of the first pouch to enclose the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell further includes a flame retardant material coated to the first pouch and a second pouch, the second pouch enclosing the first pouch and the flame retardant material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to sealed electrochemical cells and multi-cells. An electrochemical cell includes a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector including a first layer disposed on the cathode and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The first layer includes a first material, and the second layer includes a second material different from the first material. The electrochemical cell further includes an anode disposed on an anode current collector. The anode current collector includes the second material. A separator is disposed between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having dual electrolytes, systems of such electrochemical cells, and methods for manufacturing the same. In some embodiments, electrochemical cells can include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed therebetween. In some embodiments, the separator can include materials that fluidically and/or chemically isolate the anode from the cathode. In some embodiments, the cathode and/or anode can include a slurry of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, the anode can be fluidically coupled to an anode degassing port. In some embodiments, the cathode can be fluidically coupled to a cathode degassing port.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly includes a housing defining an internal volume configured to receive an electrochemical cell stack therein. The electrochemical cell stack includes a plurality of electrochemical cells stacked on top of each other. Each of the electrochemical cells includes at least one tab extending therefrom. The assembly may further include a feedthrough assembly configured to be electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell stack. The feedthrough assembly includes a conductive arm configured to align with and contact a tab of a corresponding electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells when the electrochemical cell stack is disposed in the internal volume, and a feedthrough connector coupled to the conductive arm and configured to electrically couple the tab of the corresponding electrochemical cell to an electrical component external to the housing. The feedthrough assembly may reduce a number of weld points and an amount of passive materials in the assembly.