Abstract: An energy storage device and structure for energy storage cells is provided that includes a plurality of energy storage cells, each of the energy storage cells having side surface areas. The plurality of energy storage cells are arranged in a pattern with each energy storage cell being spaced a specified distance apart from one another. An expandable material is adhered, by an adhesive backing, to at least a portion of the side surface areas of one or more of the energy storage cells, and the expandable material expands within and at least part of the specified distance.

Abstract: An energy storage device having improved gravimetric energy density is provided, and methods of manufacturing the same. The device can be an electrochemical cell that includes: a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode tab including a first attachment end and a second attachment end, the first attachment end of the negative electrode tab being connected to the negative electrode current collector and the second attachment end of the negative electrode tab being connected to a negative terminal; an electrically insulative and ion conductive medium in ionically conductive contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an outer can containing the positive electrode, negative electrode and electrically insulative and ion conductive medium, where the negative terminal is electrically isolated from the outer can.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium-ion cell, comprises an organic solvent mixture comprising: (a) a hydrofluorinated ether base solvent to dissolve a lithium salt; (b) a fluorinated linear and/or cyclic ester co-solvent to form an SEI layer on a surface of the active materials; and (c) a fluorinated linear and/or cyclic ester co-solvent having a viscosity less than a viscosity of each of the hydrofluorinated ether base solvent and SEI-layer forming fluorinated linear and/or cyclic ester co-solvent to reduce a viscosity of the organic solvent mixture and a lithium salt dissolved in the organic solvent mixture.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems used to detect thermal incidents are disclosed. In one embodiment, there may be a thermal incident detection apparatus for a battery pack including one or more battery modules, the one or more battery modules comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein each battery cell in the one or more battery modules comprises a vent, the apparatus comprising a thermally anisotropic material positioned in proximity to one or more battery cells of the one of more battery modules, wherein the thermally anisotropic material has an in-plane thermal conductivity greater than a through-plane thermal conductivity; and a sensor positioned in proximity to the thermally anisotropic material to sense thermal energy transferred by one of more of the battery cells to the thermally anisotropic material.

Abstract: An energy storage device and structure for energy storage cells is provided that includes a plurality of energy storage cells. Each of the energy storage cells has an upper side and a lower side. The plurality of energy storage cells are arranged in a pattern with each energy storage cell being spaced apart from one another. The upper sides of each of the energy storage cells are adjacent to one another. A phase change composition (PCC) material has through holes arranged in the pattern. A portion of each of the energy storage cells is positioned within a respective through hole. A lightweight material is adjacent to the PCC material and surrounds at least another portion of each of the energy storage cells. The PCC material is closer to the upper side of the energy storage cells than the lightweight material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a barrier wall between battery modules that comprises two or more of a structural element to resist impacts from vented objects during a thermal runaway of a cell, a thermally anisotropic material to transfer heat away from the thermal runaway away from the affected cell, and a fire-resistant material that is not only fire-resistant but also electronically non-conducting or insulating to inhibit electrical shorting between the affected cell and the structural element or thermally anisotropic material.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems used to detect thermal incidents are disclosed. In one embodiment, there may be a thermal incident detection apparatus for a battery pack including one or more battery modules, the one or more battery modules comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein each battery cell in the one or more battery modules comprises a vent, the apparatus comprising a thermally anisotropic material positioned in proximity to one or more battery cells of the one of more battery modules, wherein the thermally anisotropic material has an in-plane thermal conductivity greater than a through-plane thermal conductivity; and a sensor positioned in proximity to the thermally anisotropic material to sense thermal energy transferred by one of more of the battery cells to the thermally anisotropic material.

Abstract: An energy storage device and structure for energy storage cells is provided that includes a plurality of energy storage cells, each of the energy storage cells having side surface areas. The plurality of energy storage cells are arranged in a pattern with each energy storage cell being spaced a specified distance apart from one another. An expandable material is adhered, by an adhesive backing, to at least a portion of the side surface areas of one or more of the energy storage cells, and the expandable material expands within and at least part of the specified distance.

Abstract: An energy storage device and structure for energy storage cells is provided that includes a plurality of energy storage cells, each of the energy storage cells having side surface areas. The plurality of energy storage cells are arranged in a pattern with each energy storage cell being spaced a specified distance apart from one another. An expandable material is adhered, by an adhesive backing, to at least a portion of the side surface areas of one or more of the energy storage cells, and the expandable material expands within and at least part of the specified distance.

Abstract: An energy storage cell that includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a negative electrode current collector; an electrically insulative and ion conductive medium in ionically conductive contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode, where the electrically insulative and ion conductive medium comprises an electrically insulating porous layer and an electrolyte; and an outer can containing the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the electrically insulative and ion conductive medium, where a wall of the outer can has a variance in thickness.

Abstract: An energy storage device having improved safety is provided, and methods of manufacturing the same. The device can be an electrochemical cell that includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode tab connected to the negative electrode current collector and a negative electrically conductive member; an electrically insulative and ion conductive medium in ionically conductive contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an outer case containing the positive electrode, negative electrode and electrically insulative and ion conductive medium, where the outer case comprises a scored area connected to a cooling plate.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium-ion cell, comprises an organic solvent mixture comprising: (a) a hydrofluorinated ether base solvent to dissolve a lithium salt; (b) a fluorinated linear and/or cyclic ester co-solvent to form an SEI layer on a surface of the active materials; and (c) a fluorinated linear and/or cyclic ester co-solvent having a viscosity less than a viscosity of each of the hydrofluorinated ether base solvent and SEI-layer forming fluorinated linear and/or cyclic ester co-solvent to reduce a viscosity of the organic solvent mixture and a lithium salt dissolved in the organic solvent mixture.

Abstract: An energy storage device having improved safety is provided, and methods of manufacturing the same. The device can be an electrochemical cell that includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode tab connected to the negative electrode current collector and a negative electrically conductive member; an electrically insulative and ion conductive medium in ionically conductive contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an outer case containing the positive electrode, negative electrode and electrically insulative and ion conductive medium, where the outer case comprises a scored area connected to a cooling plate.

Abstract: A system and method for an energy storage device having improved thermal management is provided. The system includes a number of energy storage cells spaced apart from one another and contained in a housing that can be pressure sealed. The system can include a pipe containing fluid circulating within the pipe and a liquid within the housing, where an amount of the liquid is less than half of a volume within the housing. Thermal energy is transferred between an area within the housing and at least a portion of a wall of the pipe.

Abstract: An energy storage device and structure for energy storage cells is provided that includes a plurality of energy storage cells. Each of the energy storage cells has an upper side and a lower side. The plurality of energy storage cells are arranged in a pattern with each energy storage cell being spaced apart from one another. The upper sides of each of the energy storage cells are adjacent to one another. A phase change composition (PCC) material has through holes arranged in the pattern. A portion of each of the energy storage cells is positioned within a respective through hole. A lightweight material is adjacent to the PCC material and surrounds at least another portion of each of the energy storage cells. The PCC material is closer to the upper side of the energy storage cells than the lightweight material.

Abstract: An energy storage device having improved gravimetric energy density is provided, and methods of manufacturing the same. The device can be an electrochemical cell that includes: a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material in electrically conductive contact with a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode tab including a first attachment end and a second attachment end, the first attachment end of the negative electrode tab being connected to the negative electrode current collector and the second attachment end of the negative electrode tab being connected to a negative terminal; an electrically insulative and ion conductive medium in ionically conductive contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an outer can containing the positive electrode, negative electrode and electrically insulative and ion conductive medium, where the negative terminal is electrically isolated from the outer can.

Abstract: An energy storage device and structure for energy storage cells is provided that includes a plurality of energy storage cells, each of the energy storage cells having side surface areas. The plurality of energy storage cells are arranged in a pattern with each energy storage cell being spaced a specified distance apart from one another. An expandable material is adhered, by an adhesive backing, to at least a portion of the side surface areas of one or more of the energy storage cells, and the expandable material expands within and at least part of the specified distance.