Abstract: Current collectors that include a bulk material defining a surface and a passivating region forming at least a portion of the surface. The bulk material includes a base metal and a dopant metal. Methods of forming current collectors. Batteries having a current collector disposed therein. Methods of using batteries having a current collector disposed therein.

Abstract: A battery including a total amount of lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB) such that a first amount of LiBOB is solid and a second amount of LiBOB is dissolved in an electrolyte when the battery is at application temperature, the first amount of LiBOB being a LiBOB reservoir. The battery also includes a housing and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and the electrolyte. The electrolyte includes the second amount of LiBOB.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electrochemical cells, or batteries, wherein the batteries include at least a first inner shell, a second outer shell, and a pin, wherein each of the first inner shell, second outer shell, and pin are thermally conductive. Under most operating temperatures the pin thermally couples the first shell to the second shell. The batteries include at least one thermally expansive component, which may be one of the shells that expands when the battery is exposed to elevated temperatures. As temperatures rise, the expansive component expands such that the pin no longer thermally couples the first and second shells, thereby disconnecting the path of heat flow from an external heat source to inside the electrochemical cell and thereby preventing cell damage. A spring may be included to ensure robust thermal coupling between the first and second shell during normal operating temperatures.

Abstract: Battery packs including electrochemical cells and having a thermal radiation control surface treatment to modify radiative transfer of thermal energy into and from the electrochemical cell are provided herein. More specifically, battery packs including a pack enclosure, an electrochemical cell disposed within the pack enclosure, and a thermal radiation control surface treatment on an exterior surface of the electrochemical cell, an interior surface of the pack enclosure, or both, are provided herein.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode. The positive electrode includes a first current collector and a first active material. A negative electrode includes a second current collector and a second active material. A separator is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. A silicon-based anti-corrosion coating is configured to at least partially coat one or both of the first current collector and the second current collector.

Abstract: Example systems and techniques are described herein for maintaining a rechargeable battery packs. An example battery management system includes processing circuitry coupled to memory and a plurality of battery connectors. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a first number of rechargeable battery packs removably coupled to a respective battery connector that comprise a respective charged battery and to determine a second number of rechargeable battery packs removably coupled to a respective battery connector that are in a storage mode. The processing circuitry is configured to determine that the first number meets the charged battery threshold and determine that the second number does not meet the storage mode threshold. The processing circuitry is configured to, based at least in part on the first number meeting the charged battery threshold and the second number not meeting the storage mode threshold, place a rechargeable battery pack in the storage mode.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of greater than 150° C.; and an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a lithium salt. A method for sterilizing a lithium ion battery is also provided that includes: providing a lithium ion battery (particularly one as described herein); either charging or discharging the battery to a state of charge (SOC) of 20% to 100%; and steam sterilizing the battery to form a sterilized lithium ion battery.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell charging apparatus includes a charger to charge one or more electrochemical cells and a computing apparatus. The computing apparatus includes one or more processors and is operatively coupled to the charger. The computing apparatus is configured to charge an electrochemical cell using the charger, determine one or more indicators of the state of health of the electrochemical cell, and determine the state of health of the electrochemical cell based on the determined one or more indicators.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of greater than 150° C.; and an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a lithium salt. A method for sterilizing a lithium ion battery is also provided that includes: providing a lithium ion battery (particularly one as described herein); either charging or discharging the battery to a state of charge (SOC) of 20% to 100%; and steam sterilizing the battery to form a sterilized lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of greater than 150° C.; and an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a lithium salt. A method for sterilizing a lithium ion battery is also provided that includes: providing a lithium ion battery (particularly one as described herein); either charging or discharging the battery to a state of charge (SOC) of 20% to 100%; and steam sterilizing the battery to form a sterilized lithium ion battery.

Abstract: At least one electrochemical cell is charged to a predetermined voltage of the electrochemical cell using an external power source. A charging current of the at least one electrochemical cell is monitored. An increase in the charging current is detected at the predetermined voltage of the at least one electrochemical cell. It is determined that the at least one electrochemical cell is in danger of experiencing a performance decrease based on the detected increase in the charging current.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell charging apparatus includes a charger to charge one or more electrochemical cells and a computing apparatus. The computing apparatus includes one or more processors and is operatively coupled to the charger. The computing apparatus is configured to charge an electrochemical cell using the charger, determine one or more indicators of the state of health of the electrochemical cell, and determine the state of health of the electrochemical cell based on the determined one or more indicators.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of greater than 150° C.; and an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a lithium salt. A method for sterilizing a lithium ion battery is also provided that includes: providing a lithium ion battery (particularly one as described herein); either charging or discharging the battery to a state of charge (SOC) of 20% to 100%; and steam sterilizing the battery to form a sterilized lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of greater than 150° C.; and an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a lithium salt. A method for sterilizing a lithium ion battery is also provided that includes: providing a lithium ion battery (particularly one as described herein); either charging or discharging the battery to a state of charge (SOC) of 20% to 100%; and steam sterilizing the battery to form a sterilized lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is provided that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of greater than 150° C.; and an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a lithium salt. A method for sterilizing a lithium ion battery is also provided that includes: providing a lithium ion battery (particularly one as described herein); either charging or discharging the battery to a state of charge (SOC) of 20% to 100%; and steam sterilizing the battery to form a sterilized lithium ion battery.