Abstract: Methods, systems and battery modules are provided, which increase the cycling lifetime of fast charging lithium ion batteries. During the formation process, the charging currents are adjusted to optimize the cell formation, possibly according to the characteristics of the formation process itself, and discharge extents are partial and optimized as well, as is the overall structure of the formation process. During operation, voltage ranges are initially set to be narrow, and are broadened upon battery deterioration to maximize the overall lifetime. Current adjustments are applied in operation as well, with respect to the deteriorating capacity of the battery. Various formation and operation strategies are disclosed, as basis for specific optimizations.

Abstract: Methods, systems and battery modules are provided, which increase the cycling lifetime of fast charging lithium ion batteries. During the formation process, the charging currents are adjusted to optimize the cell formation, possibly according to the characteristics of the formation process itself, and discharge extents are partial and optimized as well, as is the overall structure of the formation process. During operation, voltage ranges are initially set to be narrow, and are broadened upon battery deterioration to maximize the overall lifetime. Current adjustments are applied in operation as well, with respect to the deteriorating capacity of the battery. Various formation and operation strategies are disclosed, as basis for specific optimizations.

Abstract: Lithium ion batteries and cells, as well as operating and testing methods are provided, which utilize a transparent pouch to monitor the battery in operational condition and/or in operation. Covers may be used to prevent illumination of battery components when testing is not required, and the covers may be removed or have modifiable transparency configured to enable visual monitoring. Indicators in the transparent pouch may be associated with cell components such as electrodes and electrolyte to indicate their condition. For example, the transparent pouch may be used to monitor battery safety, e.g., by enabling to monitor lithium metallization on an anode (directly or via indicators), monitor battery lifetime and other operational parameters, without having to damage the battery.

Abstract: Methods, systems and battery modules are provided, which increase the cycling lifetime of fast charging lithium ion batteries. During the formation process, the charging currents are adjusted to optimize the cell formation, possibly according to the characteristics of the formation process itself, and discharge extents are partial and optimized as well, as is the overall structure of the formation process. During operation, voltage ranges are initially set to be narrow, and are broadened upon battery deterioration to maximize the overall lifetime. Current adjustments are applied in operation as well, with respect to the deteriorating capacity of the battery. Various formation and operation strategies are disclosed, as basis for specific optimizations.

Abstract: Electrolytes, lithium ion cells and corresponding methods are provided, for extending the cycle life of fast charging lithium ion batteries. The electrolytes are based on fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and/or vinylene carbonate (VC) as the cyclic carbonate component, and possibly on ethyl acetate (EA) and/or ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) as the linear component. Proposed electrolytes extend the cycle life by factors of two or more, as indicated by several complementary measurements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for adaptive fast-charging for mobile devices and devices having sporadic power-source connection. Methods include the steps of: firstly determining whether a supercapacitor of a device is charged; upon detecting the supercapacitor is charged, secondly determining whether a battery of the device is charged; and upon detecting the battery is not charged, firstly charging the battery from the supercapacitor. Preferably, the step of firstly determining includes whether the supercapacitor is partially charged, and the step of secondly determining includes whether the battery is partially charged. Preferably, the step of firstly charging is adaptively regulated to perform a task selected from the group consisting of: preserving a lifetime of the battery by controlling a current to the battery, and discharging the supercapacitor in order to charge the battery. Preferably, the discharging enables the supercapacitor to be subsequently recharged.

Abstract: An anode material for a lithium ion device includes an active material including silicon nanoparticles and boron carbide nanoparticles. The boron carbide nanoparticles are at least one order of magnitude smaller than the silicon nanoparticles. The weight percentage of the silicon is between about 4 to 35 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of the boron carbide is between about 2.5 to about 25.6% of the total weight of the anode material. The active material may include carbon at a weight percentage of between 5 to about 60 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. Additional materials, methods of making and devices are taught.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for adaptive fast-charging for mobile devices and devices having sporadic power-source connection. Methods include the steps of: firstly determining whether a supercapacitor of a device is charged; upon detecting the supercapacitor is charged, secondly determining whether a battery of the device is charged; and upon detecting the battery is not charged, firstly charging the battery from the supercapacitor. Preferably, the step of firstly determining includes whether the supercapacitor is partially charged, and the step of secondly determining includes whether the battery is partially charged. Preferably, the step of firstly charging is adaptively regulated to perform a task selected from the group consisting of: preserving a lifetime of the battery by controlling a current to the battery, and discharging the supercapacitor in order to charge the battery. Preferably, the discharging enables the supercapacitor to be subsequently recharged.

Abstract: The present invention discloses integrated power-management units in energy-storage devices for fast-charging of rechargeable devices. Energy-storage devices include: an energy-storage component for providing power to a rechargeable device; and an integral power-management unit (PMU), integrally connected to the energy-storage component, for transforming a high-power input, having an input voltage and a low input RMS current, into a high-power output, having an output voltage and a high output RMS current, wherein the high-power input is equal to the high-power output, and wherein the high-power output is configured to charge the energy-storage component.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for adaptive fast-charging of mobile devices. Methods include the steps of: firstly determining whether a first connected component is charged; upon firstly determining the first connected component isn't charged, secondly determining whether the first connected component is adapted for rapid charging; and upon secondly determining the first connected component is adapted for rapid charging, firstly charging the first connected component at a high charging rate via a charging device. Preferably, the charging device is selected from the group consisting of: a rapid charger and a slave battery. Preferably, the first connected component is selected from the group consisting of: a mobile device and a slave battery. Preferably, the high charging rate is selected from the group consisting of: greater than about 4 C, greater than about 5 C, greater than about 10 C, greater than about 20 C, greater than about 30 C, and greater than about 60 C.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing multi-functional electrode (MFE) devices for fast-charging of energy-storage devices are provided. The method includes assembling first MFE structure for forming a suitable electrochemical half-couple, the first MFE structure having a first fast-charging component (FCC) and a first MFE assembly and a counter-electrode structure for forming a complementary electrochemical half-couple and supplying an internal voltage controller (IVC) for applying a bias potential to the first MFE structure and/or the counter-electrode structure, the bias potential is set in accordance with the first MFE structure and said counter-electrode structure. The IVC is configured to regulate an intra-electrode potential gradient between the first FCC and the first MFE assembly to control a charge rate from the first FCC to the first MFE assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for fast charging of a lithium-ion battery, including: continuously monitoring a state of charge (SOC) of the lithium-ion battery; during a normal mode of operation and upon detecting that the battery is at the predetermined low charge level, discontinuing the discharge; upon detecting that the battery is connected to a charger, providing charging rate of at least 4 C for at least part of charging; and upon detecting that the battery, while connected to the charger is at the predetermined high charge level, discontinue the charging, wherein the predetermined low charge level and the predetermined high charge level define a consumable capacity of the battery, wherein the consumable capacity is below 50% of the full capacity of the battery.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing multi-functional electrode (MFE) devices for fast-charging of energy-storage devices are provided. The method includes assembling first MFE structure for forming a suitable electrochemical half-couple, the first MFE structure having a first fast-charging component (FCC) and a first MFE assembly and a counter-electrode structure for forming a complementary electrochemical half-couple and supplying an internal voltage controller (IVC) for applying a bias potential to the first MFE structure and/or the counter-electrode structure, the bias potential is set in accordance with the first MFE structure and said counter-electrode structure. The IVC is configured to regulate an intra-electrode potential gradient between the first FCC and the first MFE assembly to control a charge rate from the first FCC to the first MFE assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for fast charging of a lithium-ion battery, including: continuously monitoring a state of charge (SOC) of the lithium-ion battery; during a normal mode of operation and upon detecting that the battery is at the predetermined low charge level, discontinuing the discharge; upon detecting that the battery is connected to a charger, providing charging rate of at least 4C for at least part of charging; and upon detecting that the battery, while connected to the charger is at the predetermined high charge level, discontinue the charging, wherein the predetermined low charge level and the predetermined high charge level define a consumable capacity of the battery, wherein the consumable capacity is below 50% of the full capacity of the battery.

Abstract: An anode material for a lithium ion device includes an active material including silicon and boron. The weight percentage of the silicon is between about 4 to 35 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of the boron is between about 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. The active material may include carbon at a weight percentage of between between 5 to about 60 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. Additional materials, methods of making and devices are taught.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices, for adaptive fast-charging of mobile devices, including: a charge-delivering device for providing electrical power to a charge-receiving device; and at least one electrical-contact pin for enabling electrical current to be transmitted at an amperage greater than about 5 A to the charge-receiving device. Preferably, the charge-receiving device is selected from the group consisting of: an integral power-source component of a mobile device and a slave battery. Preferably, at least one electrical-contact pin is further configured to transmit the electrical current at an amperage selected from the group consisting of: greater than about 10 A, greater than about 20 A, greater than about 30 A, and greater than about 60 A. Preferably, at least one electrical-contact pin is spring-loaded. Preferably, at least one electrical-contact pin includes protection circuitry for protecting against thermal overloads and short circuits.

Abstract: The present invention discloses multi-functional electrode (MFE) devices for fast-charging of energy-storage devices. MFE devices include: a multi-functional electrode (MFE) device for fast-charging of energy-storage devices, the device including: a first MFE structure for forming a suitable electrochemical half-couple, the first MFE structure having a first fast-charging component (FCC) and a first MFE assembly; a counter-electrode structure for forming a complementary electrochemical half-couple to the first MFE structure; and an internal voltage controller (IVC) for applying a bias potential to the first MFE structure and/or the counter-electrode structure, whereby the bias potential is set in accordance with the chemical nature of the first MFE structure and the counter-electrode structure. Preferably, the IVC is configured to regulate an intra-electrode potential gradient between the first FCC and the first MFE assembly, thereby controlling a charge rate from the first FCC to the first MFE assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses multi-functional electrode (MFE) devices for fast-charging of energy-storage devices. MFE devices include: a multi-functional electrode (MFE) device for fast-charging of energy-storage devices, the device including: a first MFE structure for forming a suitable electrochemical half-couple, the first MFE structure having a first fast-charging component (FCC) and a first MFE assembly; a counter-electrode structure for forming a complementary electrochemical half-couple to the first MFE structure; and an internal voltage controller (IVC) for applying a bias potential to the first MFE structure and/or the counter-electrode structure, whereby the bias potential is set in accordance with the chemical nature of the first MFE structure and the counter-electrode structure. Preferably, the IVC is configured to regulate an intra-electrode potential gradient between the first FCC and the first MFE assembly, thereby controlling a charge rate from the first FCC to the first MFE assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for adaptive fast-charging for mobile devices and devices having sporadic power-source connection. Methods include the steps of: firstly determining whether a supercapacitor of a device is charged; upon detecting the supercapacitor is charged, secondly determining whether a battery of the device is charged; and upon detecting the battery is not charged, firstly charging the battery from the supercapacitor. Preferably, the step of firstly determining includes whether the supercapacitor is partially charged, and the step of secondly determining includes whether the battery is partially charged. Preferably, the step of firstly charging is adaptively regulated to perform a task selected from the group consisting of: preserving a lifetime of the battery by controlling a current to the battery, and discharging the supercapacitor in order to charge the battery. Preferably, the discharging enables the supercapacitor to be subsequently recharged.