Abstract: An electrochemical cell may include a first electrode that includes a positive electroactive material, a second electrode that includes a negative electroactive material and a polyacrylate binder, and a separating layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The polyacrylate binder has a molecular weight greater than or equal to about 250,000 mol/g to less than or equal to about 500,000 mol/g. The second electrode is prepared by disposing an electrode forming slurry having a temperature greater than or equal to about 4° C. to less than or equal to about 15° C. one or near a surface of a current collector. The electrode forming slurry includes the negative electroactive material and the polyacrylate binder. The negative electroactive material can be a silicon-containing material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composite electrode for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The composite electrode includes a first electroactive material having a first specific capacity and a first average particle size, and a second electroactive material having a second specific capacity and a second average particle size. The first specific capacity is larger than the second specific capacity. For example, the first specific capacity can be greater than or equal to about 1,000 mAh/g to less than or equal to about 3,600 mAh/g, and the second specific capacity greater than or equal to about 250 mAh/g to less than or equal to about 400 mAh/g. The second average particle size is comparable with the first average particle size. For example, the second average particle can be no less than half the first average particle size and no greater than twice the first average particle size.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The electrode includes a current collector, a binder material layer disposed on or near a surface of the current collector, and an electroactive material layer disposed on or near a surface of the binder material layer that faces away from the current collector. The electroactive material layer includes a plurality of electroactive material particles having an average specific surface area greater than or equal to about 1 m2/g to less than or equal to about 30 m2/g, and average particle size greater than or equal to about 0.1 micrometer to less than or equal to about 10 micrometers.

Abstract: A lithium metal oxide (LMO) cathode includes a current collector having a length defining a first end and a second end, a width, and a first side and a second side, LMO active material applied to the first side and the second side of the current collector such that the LMO active material applied to each respective side of the current collector has an inner face contiguous with the current collector and an outer face, and a plurality of channels extending widthwise across the cathode within the LMO active material applied to the first and second sides. The LMO active material on each current collector side can have a thickness of about 100 ?m to about 400 ?m. The channels on the same side of the current collector can be spaced apart by 0.1 mm to 10 mm. The channels can have widths of 10 ?m to 60 ?m.

Abstract: A method for estimating a state of a battery pack using a controller having battery state estimator (BSE) logic includes receiving or delivering a constant baseline current via the battery pack. Current oscillations having time-variant frequency content are selectively injected into the baseline current via the controller in response to a predetermined condition. The baseline current and the current oscillations combine to form a final current. The method includes estimating a battery parameter via the BSE logic concurrently with the current oscillations to generate an estimated battery parameter, and estimating the present state of the battery pack via the controller using the estimated battery parameter. An electrical system includes a rotary electric machine that is electrically connected to and driven by the battery pack, and a controller configured to execute the method.

Abstract: A method for preconditioning a battery pack at cold ambient temperatures is disclosed. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells. The method includes the steps of determining a desired rate of temperature rise for a battery cell, determining a desired cell current based on the desired rate of temperature rise, and determining a desired pack current based on the desired cell current and the battery pack configuration. The method further includes using a controller to control a current generation device to provide the desired pack current to the battery pack, wherein the current generation device generates an alternating current.

Abstract: A lithium metal oxide (LMO) cathode includes a current collector having a length defining a first end and a second end, a width, and a first side and a second side, LMO active material applied to the first side and the second side of the current collector such that the LMO active material applied to each respective side of the current collector has an inner face contiguous with the current collector and an outer face, and a plurality of channels extending widthwise across the cathode within the LMO active material applied to the first and second sides. The LMO active material on each current collector side can have a thickness of about 100 ?m to about 400 ?m. The channels on the same side of the current collector can be spaced apart by 0.1 mm to 10 mm. The channels can have widths of 10 ?m to 60 ?m.

Abstract: A method for estimating a state of a battery pack using a controller having battery state estimator (BSE) logic includes receiving or delivering a constant baseline current via the battery pack. Current oscillations having time-variant frequency content are selectively injected into the baseline current via the controller in response to a predetermined condition. The baseline current and the current oscillations combine to form a final current. The method includes estimating a battery parameter via the BSE logic concurrently with the current oscillations to generate an estimated battery parameter, and estimating the present state of the battery pack via the controller using the estimated battery parameter. An electrical system includes a rotary electric machine that is electrically connected to and driven by the battery pack, and a controller configured to execute the method.

Abstract: A carbon composite material, including a plurality of spaced graphene sheets, each respective sheet having opposed generally planar surfaces, and a plurality of functionalized carbonaceous particles. At least some functionalized carbonaceous particles are disposed between any two adjacent graphene sheets, and each respective at least some functionalized carbonaceous particle is attached to both respective any two adjacent graphene sheets. Each respective graphene sheet comprises at least one layer of graphene and at least portions of respective any two adjacent graphene sheets are oriented substantially parallel with one another.

Abstract: A carbon composite material, including a plurality of spaced graphene sheets, each respective sheet having opposed generally planar surfaces, and a plurality of functionalized carbonaceous particles. At least some functionalized carbonaceous particles are disposed between any two adjacent graphene sheets, and each respective at least some functionalized carbonaceous particle is attached to both respective any two adjacent graphene sheets. Each respective graphene sheet comprises at least one layer of graphene and at least portions of respective any two adjacent graphene sheets are oriented substantially parallel with one another.

Abstract: A battery anode including a metallic current collector layer adjacent a first major surface of a graphite layer and a silicon containing anode layer adjacent a second major surface of the graphite layer. One application for such anode is in a lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: A carbon composite material, including a plurality of spaced graphene sheets, each respective sheet having opposed generally planar surfaces, and a plurality of functionalized carbonaceous particles. At least some functionalized carbonaceous particles are disposed between any two adjacent graphene sheets, and each respective at least some functionalized carbonaceous particle is attached to both respective any two adjacent graphene sheets. Each respective graphene sheet comprises at least one layer of graphene and at least portions of respective any two adjacent graphene sheets are oriented substantially parallel with one another.

Abstract: A carbon composite material, including a plurality of spaced graphene sheets, each respective sheet having opposed generally planar surfaces, and a plurality of functionalized carbonaceous particles. At least some functionalized carbonaceous particles are disposed between any two adjacent graphene sheets, and each respective at least some functionalized carbonaceous particle is attached to both respective any two adjacent graphene sheets. Each respective graphene sheet comprises at least one layer of graphene and at least portions of respective any two adjacent graphene sheets are oriented substantially parallel with one another.