Abstract: An image reading device includes a plurality of light receiving parts arrayed regularly, a first light blocking member including a plurality of first openings arrayed corresponding respectively to the plurality of light receiving parts, and a plurality of microlenses arrayed corresponding respectively to the plurality of first openings. Each light receiving part included in the plurality of light receiving parts includes a plurality of light receiving pixels arrayed in a first direction as a main scanning direction. Each microlens included in the plurality of microlenses is object side telecentric. The plurality of microlenses, the first light blocking member and the plurality of light receiving parts are arranged so that light reflected by an object and passing through the microlens and the first opening corresponding to the microlens enters the plurality of light receiving pixels included in the light receiving part corresponding to the first opening.

Abstract: Embodiments described in this application relate generally to a system, an apparatus and/or methods for manufacturing electrodes by infusion electrolyte into compacted electrode materials. In some embodiments, a working electrode materials can be produced using an infusion mixing and manufacturing process. In some embodiments, a single-sided finished electrode can be produced directly from a dry powder mixture using an infusion mixing and manufacturing process. In some embodiments, a double-sided finished electrode can be produced directly from a dry powder mixture using an infusion mixing and manufacturing process. The electrodes produced by an infusion mixing and manufacturing process generally perform better than those produced by non-infusion processes.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems. Divided energy electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems include a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell connected in parallel. Both electrochemical cells include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have different performance properties from the second electrochemical cell. For example, the first electrochemical cell can have a high energy density while the second electrochemical cell can have a high power density. In some embodiments, the first electrochemical cell can have a battery chemistry, thickness, or any other physical/chemical property different from those properties of the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to devices, systems and methods of producing high energy density electrodes including a first electrode material disposed on a current collector and having a first porosity, and a second electrode material disposed on the first electrode material and having a second porosity less than the first porosity. In some embodiments, the second electrode material includes a mixture of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, the first electrode materials can have a different composition than the second electrode material. In some embodiments, the first electrode material can include a high-capacity material such as tin, silicon antimony, aluminum, or titanium oxide. In some embodiments, a lithium-containing material can be disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that include a gel polymer additive such that the electrodes demonstrate longer cycle life while significantly retaining the electronic performance of the electrodes and the electrochemical cells formed therefrom. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode can include about 20% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 0.5% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 70% by volume of an electrolyte. The electrolyte further includes about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of a polymer additive. In some embodiments, the electrolyte can include about 0.1% to about 0.7% of the polymer additive.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods described herein relate to the manufacture and use of single pouch battery cells. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a first current collector coupled to a first portion of a pouch, the first current collector having a first electrode material disposed thereon, a second current collector coupled to a second portion of the pouch, the second current collector having a second electrode material disposed thereon, and a separator disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material. The first portion of the pouch is coupled to the second portion of the pouch to enclose the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of monitoring health of an electrochemical cell can include measuring a first anode voltage at a first anode tab from the plurality of anode tabs and a second anode voltage at a second anode tab from the plurality of anode tabs; measuring a first cathode voltage at a first cathode tab from the plurality of cathode tabs and a second cathode voltage at a second cathode tab from the plurality of cathode tabs; and calculating a first sense voltage, the first sense voltage being a difference between the first cathode voltage and the first anode voltage. In some embodiments, a second sense voltage can be calculated, the second sense voltage being a difference between the second cathode voltage and the second anode voltage. In some embodiments, a difference between the first sense voltage and the second sense voltage can be calculated.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells and electrodes with reinforced current collectors. In some embodiments, an electrode can include a current collector and an electrode material disposed on a first side of the current collector. A reinforcing layer can be disposed on a second side of the current collector. The reinforcing layer can have a modulus of elasticity sufficient to reduce the amount of stretching incident on the current collector during operation of the electrode. In some embodiments, a polymer film can be disposed on the reinforcing material. In some embodiments, the electrode can further include an adhesive polymer disposed between the reinforcing material and the polymer film. In some embodiments, the reinforcing material can have a thickness of less than about 10 ?m. In some embodiments, the reinforcing layer can include an adhesive polymer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a battery module, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the battery module, a power source, and a controller. The energy storage system is operable in a first operating state in which energy is transferred from the energy storage system to the battery module to charge the battery module, and a second operating state in which energy is transferred from the battery module to the energy storage system to discharge the battery module. The power source electrically coupled to the energy storage system and is configured to transfer energy from the power source to the energy storage system based on an amount of stored energy in the energy storage system. The controller is operably coupled to the battery module and is configured to monitor and control a charging state of the battery module.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to electrode and electrochemical cell material recycling. Recycling electrode materials can save significant costs, both for quenching chemicals and for the costs of the materials themselves. Separation processes described herein include centrifuge separation, settler separation, flocculant separation, froth flotation, hydro cyclone, vibratory screening, air classification, and magnetic separation. In some embodiments, methods described herein can include any combination of froth flotation, air classification, and magnetic separation. In some embodiments, electrolyte can be separated from active and/or conductive materials via drying, subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, solvent mass extraction (e.g., with non-aqueous or aqueous solvents), and/or freeze-drying. By applying these separation processes, high purity raw products can be isolated. These products can be re-used or sold to a third party.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods described herein relate to the manufacture and use of single pouch battery cells. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a first current collector coupled to a first portion of a pouch, the first current collector having a first electrode material disposed thereon, a second current collector coupled to a second portion of the pouch, the second current collector having a second electrode material disposed thereon, and a separator disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material. The first portion of the pouch is coupled to the second portion of the pouch to enclose the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: In some aspects, an electrode described herein can include a resin configured to create a rise in impedance, a film coupled to a first side of the resin via an adhesive, a first portion of an electrode material disposed on a second side of the resin, and a second portion of the electrode material disposed on the second side of the resin, wherein the first portion of the current collector material does not physically contact the second portion of the current collector material. In some embodiments, the electrode can further include a first portion of a current collector material disposed between the resin and the first portion of the electrode material and a second portion of the current collector material disposed between the resin and the second portion of the electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having pre-lithiated semi-solid electrodes, and particularly to semi-solid electrodes that are pre-lithiated during the mixing of the semi-solid electrode slurry such that a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is formed in the semi-solid electrode before the electrochemical cell formation. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode includes about 20% to about 90% by volume of an active material, about 0% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, about 10% to about 70% by volume of a liquid electrolyte, and lithium (as lithium metal, a lithium-containing material, and/or a lithium metal equivalent) in an amount sufficient to substantially pre-lithiate the active material. The lithium metal is configured to form a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of the active material before an initial charging cycle of an electrochemical cell that includes the semi-solid electrode.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a conveying member that conveys a spray-receiving medium to be sprayed with pressure sensitive adhesive particles having a pressure-induced phase transition property, containing at least a binder resin, and having a sulfur content of 0.1 mass % or more and 0.5 mass % or less relative to an entirety of the pressure sensitive adhesive particles as measured by X-ray fluorescence; and a removing member that contacts the conveying member and removes the pressure sensitive adhesive particles remaining on the conveying member.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. In some embodiments, at least one of the anode or the cathode includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion configured to prevent dendrite formation around an outside edge of the anode and/or the cathode. In some embodiments, the second portion can include an electroactive material disposed on the anode current collector around an outside edge of the anode current collector. In some embodiments, the second portion can include an electroactive material disposed on a pouch material around an outside edge of the anode current collector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a battery module, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the battery module, a power source, and a controller. The energy storage system is operable in a first operating state in which energy is transferred from the energy storage system to the battery module to charge the battery module, and a second operating state in which energy is transferred from the battery module to the energy storage system to discharge the battery module. The power source electrically coupled to the energy storage system and is configured to transfer energy from the power source to the energy storage system based on an amount of stored energy in the energy storage system. The controller is operably coupled to the battery module and is configured to monitor and control a charging state of the battery module.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for continuously and/or semi-continuously manufacturing semi-solid electrodes and batteries incorporating semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, the process of manufacturing a semi-solid electrode includes continuously dispensing a semi-solid electrode slurry onto a current collector, separating the semi-solid electrode slurry into discrete portions, and cutting the current collector to form a finished electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods described herein relate to safety devices for electrochemical cells comprising an electrode tab electrically coupled to an electrode, the electrode including an electrode material disposed on a current collector. In some embodiments, a fuse can be operably coupled to or formed in the electrode tab. In some embodiments, the fuse can be formed by removing a portion of the electrode tab. In some embodiments, the fuse can include a thin strip of electrically resistive material configured to electrically couple multiple electrodes. In some embodiments, the current collector can include a metal-coated deformable mesh material such that the current collector is self-fusing. In some embodiments, the fuse can be configured to deform, break, melt, or otherwise discontinue electrical communication between the electrode and other components of the electrochemical cell in response to a high current condition, a high voltage condition, or a high temperature condition.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to devices, systems and methods of producing high energy density electrodes including a first electrode material disposed on a current collector and having a first porosity, and a second electrode material disposed on the first electrode material and having a second porosity less than the first porosity. In some embodiments, the second electrode material includes a mixture of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, the first electrode materials can have a different composition than the second electrode material. In some embodiments, the first electrode material can include a high-capacity material such as tin, silicon antimony, aluminum, or titanium oxide. In some embodiments, a lithium-containing material can be disposed between the first electrode material and the second electrode material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for improving safety features in electrochemical cells. In particular, the systems and methods as described herein can solve safety issues concerning gas generation in electrochemical cells.