Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes at least one electrode that includes a magnesium intercalation compound. The provided electrochemical cell also includes an electrolyte that includes a fluorinated imide salt or a fluorinated methide salt substantially dissolved in an oxidatively stable solvent. The oxidatively stable solvent comprises a nitrile group and in some embodiments can include acetonitrile or adiponitrile.

Abstract: Composite particles that include an electrochemically active metal phase, an insulating phase, and a conducting phase are provided that are useful active materials in negative electrodes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells. The electrochemically active phase includes silicon. Lithium-ion electrochemical cells are provided that include the provided composite composite particles as active materials in negative electrodes as well as methods of making the provided composite particles.

Abstract: Powder milling techniques, tin-based alloys formed thereby, and the use of such alloys as electrode compositions for lithium ion batteries are provided. The alloys include tin and at least one transition metal but contain no silicon. The powder milling is done using low energy roller milling (pebble milling).

Abstract: Provided are negative electrode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells that include metal oxides and polymeric binders. Also provided are electrochemical cells and battery packs that include electrodes made with these compositions.

Abstract: A lithium-ion electro-chemical cell that includes a cathode that includes an electrochemically-active metal oxide coating on a first current collector, an electrolyte, and an anode that includes an electrochemically-active alloy coating on a second current collector. Both the anode and the cathode have a reversible capacity of greater than 4.5 mAh/cm2 per coated side. The metal oxide coating typically comprises cobalt, manganese, nickel, or a combination thereof. The reversible capacity of the cathode is within 15% of the reversible capacity of the anode.

Abstract: Provided are electrode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells that include novel binders. The novel binders include lithium polysalts of carboxylic and sulfonic acids, lithium salts of copolymers of acids, lithium polysulfonate fluoropolymers, a cured phenolic resin, cured glucose, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Powder milling techniques, tin-based alloys formed thereby, and the use of such alloys as electrode compositions for lithium ion batteries are provided. The alloys include tin and at least one transition metal but contain no silicon. The powder milling is done using low energy roller milling (pebble milling).

Abstract: A method of making nanostructured alloy particles includes milling a millbase in a pebble mill containing milling media. The millbase comprises: (i) silicon, and (ii) at least one of carbon or a transition metal, and wherein the nanostructured alloy particles are substantially free of crystalline domains greater than 50 nanometers in size. A method of making a negative electrode composition for a lithium ion battery including the nanostructured alloy particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Powder milling techniques, tin-based alloys formed thereby, and the use of such alloys as electrode compositions for lithium ion batteries are provided. The alloys include tin and at least one transition metal but contain no silicon. The powder milling is done using low energy roller milling (pebble milling).

Abstract: Provided is an electrode composition comprising an active material that includes cobalt, tin, and carbon along with methods of making and using the same. Also provided are electrodes that include the provided electrode compositions, electrochemical cells that include the provided electrodes, and battery packs that include at least one of the provided electrochemical cells. In some embodiments, the composition also includes iron.

Abstract: Provided are negative electrode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells that include metal oxides and polymeric binders. Also provided are electrochemical cells and battery packs that include electrodes made with these compositions.

Abstract: Provided are negative electrode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells that include metal oxides and polymeric binders. Also provided are electrochemical cells and battery packs that include electrodes made with these compositions.

Abstract: Composite particles that include an electrochemically active metal phase, an insulating phase, and a conducting phase are provided that are useful active materials in negative electrodes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells. The electrochemically active phase includes silicon. Lithium-ion electrochemical cells are provided that include the provided composite composite particles as active materials in negative electrodes as well as methods of making the provided composite particles.

Abstract: An electrode composition for a lithium ion battery that includes an amorphous alloy having the formula SixMyAlz where x, y, and z represent atomic percent values and (a) x+y+z=100, (b) x?55, (c) y<22, (d) z>0, and (e) M is one or more metals selected from the group consisting of manganese, molybdenum, niobium, tungsten, tantalum, iron, copper, titanium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zirconium, yttrium, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Alloy compositions, lithium ion batteries, and methods of making lithium ion batteries are described. The lithium ion batteries have anodes that contain an alloy composition that includes a) silicon, b) aluminum, c) transition metal, d) tin, e) indium, and f) a sixth element that contains yttrium, a lanthanide element, an actinide element, or a combination thereof. The alloy composition is a mixture of an amorphous phase that includes silicon and a crystalline phase that includes an intermetallic compound of 1) tin, 2) indium, and 3) the sixth element.

Abstract: Powder milling techniques, tin-based alloys formed thereby, and the use of such alloys as electrode compositions for lithium ion batteries are provided. The alloys include tin and at least one transition metal but contain no silicon. The powder milling is done using low energy roller milling (pebble milling).

Abstract: Alloy compositions, lithium ion batteries, and methods of making lithium ion batteries are described. The lithium ion batteries have anodes that contain an alloy composition that includes a) silicon, b) aluminum, c) transition metal, d) tin, and e) a fifth element that contains yttrium, a lanthanide element, an actinide element, or a combination thereof. The alloy composition is a mixture of an amorphous phase that includes silicon and a nanocrystalline phase that includes an intermetallic compound of tin and the fifth element.

Abstract: A method of making nanostructured alloy particles includes milling a millbase in a pebble mill containing milling media. The millbase comprises: (i) silicon, and (ii) at least one of carbon or a transition metal, and wherein the nanostructured alloy particles are substantially free of crystalline domains greater than 50 nanometers in size. A method of making a negative electrode composition for a lithium ion battery including the nanostructured alloy particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The silicon as an anode material for use in lithium ion batteries according to the present invention provides a method for cell manufacturing. The degree to which the silicon is lithiated during cycling can be controlled, thereby lowering the volume expansion while maintaining an acceptable volumetric capacity, and reducing the failure rate of the silicon containing anodes in lithium ion batteries. The crystalline silicon anode is first charged so that the anode becomes partially lithiated. The voltage of the anode during this charging step is typically less than the lithiation potential of crystalline silicon at ambient temperatures, for example, less than 170 mV versus lithium metal. The total number of charge-discharge cycles during conditioning is at least two or more.

Abstract: Alloy compositions are described for use in anodes of lithium ion batteries. The alloy compositions contain (a) tin, (b) a second element that includes silicon, aluminum, or a combination thereof, (c) a third element that includes yttrium, a lanthanide element, an actinide element, or a combination thereof and an optional alkaline earth element, and (d) an optional transition metal. The alloy compositions are amorphous and remain amorphous even after multiple cycles of lithiation and delithiation.