Abstract: A battery includes a cell casing that has recessed portion on a major surface of the casing, the recessed portion being substantially planar and bordering a remainder of the major surface at ridge portions on at least three sides of the recessed portion, whereby the recessed portion, the ridge portions, and the remainder of the major surface cooperate under an increase of gauge pressure to cause a plane defined by a boundary between the ridge portions and the remainder of the major surface to move.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1?y1A?y2)2?x2Oz1 or Li(1+x1)Mn2Oz1. The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate:manganate spinel between about 0.9:0.1 to about 0.6:0.4. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

Abstract: A low pressure current interrupt device (CID) activates at a minimal threshold internal gauge pressure in a range of, for example, between about 4 kg/cm2 and about 9 kg/cm2. Preferably, the CID includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate in electrical communication with the first conductive plate, the electrical communication between the first and the second conductive plates being interrupted at the minimal threshold internal gauge pressure. More preferably, the first conductive plate includes a frustum having a first end and a second end, a base extending radially from a perimeter of the first end of the frustum, and an essentially planar cap sealing the second end of the frustum. The first end has a broader diameter than the second end. More preferably, the second conductive plate is in electrical contact with the essentially planar cap through a weld. A battery, preferably a lithium-ion battery, comprises a CID as described above.

Abstract: A system is provided for balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units that includes a power converter that selectively couples to an individual storage unit of the a string of electrical energy storage units and transfers energy by bidirectionally between the individual storage unit and the string of storage units.

Abstract: A system is provided for balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units that includes a power converter that selectively couples to an individual storage unit of the a string of electrical energy storage units and bidirectionally transfers energy between the individual storage unit and the string of storage units.

Abstract: A battery comprises a first terminal in electrical communication with a first electrode of the battery, a second terminal in electrical communication with a second electrode of the battery, a battery can electrically insulated from the first terminal, and at least one current interrupt device in electrical communication with the battery can. The battery can includes a cell casing and a lid which are in electrical communication with each other. At least a portion of the battery can is at least a component of the second terminal, or is electrically connected to the second terminal. The current interrupt device includes a first conductive plate in electrical communication with the second electrode, and a second conductive plate in electrical communication with the first conductive plate.

Abstract: A system and method of balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage unit is provided. Individual storage units are selectively coupled by semiconductor switches for monitoring and balancing state of charge. When the state of charge of a selected unit is greater than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the selected unit to the string of storage units, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge. Conversely, when the state of charge of a selected unit is less than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the string of storage units to the selected unit, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units is provided. State of change of a selected storage unit in a string of storage units is determined by (i) applying a non-dissipative load to the selected storage unit, resulting in an energy transfer between the selected storage unit and the string of electrical energy storage units through the non-dissipative load and (ii) determining the state of charge of the selected unit from voltage and current data of the selected storage unit resulting from the energy transfer. When the state of charge of the selected unit is different than a target state of charge, energy can be transferred between the selected unit and the string of storage units, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge.

Abstract: A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1?y1A?y2)2?x2Oz1. The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate: manganate spinel between about 0.95:0.05 to about 0.55:0.45. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

Abstract: A composition having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.91<x+y<1.3 can be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells. A composition having a core, having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.9<x+y<1.3, and a coating on the core, having a formula LiaCObO2 wherein 0.7<a<1.3, and 0.9<b<1.2, can also be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use as a cathode material of a lithium battery includes a core material having an empirical formula LixM?zNi1?yM?yO2. “x” is equal to or greater than about 0.1 and equal to or less than about 1.3. “y” is greater than about 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.5. “z” is greater than about 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2. M? is at least one member of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, nickel, calcium, magnesium and strontium. M? is at least one member of the group consisting of cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, vanadium, titanium, magnesium, silicon, boron, aluminum and gallium. A coating on the core has a greater ratio of cobalt to nickel than the core. The coating and, optionally, the core can be a material having an empirical formula Lix1Ax2Ni1?y1?z1Coy1Bz1Oa. “x1” is greater than about 0.1 a equal to or less than about 1.3. “x2,” “y1” and “z1” each is greater than about 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2. “a” is greater than 1.5 and less than about 2.1.

Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical device comprises a porous, ion-permeable material coated, on a surface thereof, a thermally sensitive layer comprising a polymeric material secured with a cross-linked adhesive and an adhesion promoter. The separator can be prepared by disposing, on a surface thereof, a thermally sensitive layer comprising heat-fusible material, a cross-linkable adhesive and an adhesion promoter, all of which dispersed in a solvent having a polar component, a non-polar component and a high boiling point component.

Abstract: A crystal which can be employed as the active material of a lithium-based battery has an empirical formula of Lix1A2Ni1-y-zCoyBzOa, wherein “x1” is greater than about 0.1 and equal to or less than about 1.3, “x2,” “y” and “z” each is greater than about 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, “a” is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1, “A” is at least one element selected from the group consisting of barium, magnesium, calcium and strontium and “B” is at least one element selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum, gallium, manganese, titanium, vanadium and zirconium.

Abstract: A system and method of balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage unit is provided. Individual storage units are selectively coupled by semiconductor switches for monitoring and balancing state of charge. When the state of charge of a selected unit is greater than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the selected unit to the string of storage units, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge. Conversely, when the state of charge of a selected unit is less than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the string of storage units to the selected unit, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units is provided. State of change of a selected storage unit in a string of storage units is determined by (i) applying a non-dissipative load to the selected storage unit, resulting in an energy transfer between the selected storage unit and the string of electrical energy storage units through the non-dissipative load and (ii) determining the state of charge of the selected unit from voltage and current data of the selected storage unit resulting from the energy transfer. When the state of charge of the selected unit is different than a target state of charge, energy can be transferred energy between the selected unit and the string of storage units, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge.

Abstract: A system is provided for balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units that includes a power converter that selectively couples to an individual storage unit of the a string of electrical energy storage units and transfers energy by bidirectionally between the individual storage unit and the string of storage units.

Abstract: A crystal which can be employed as the active material of a lithium-based battery has an empirical formula of Lix1A2Ni1−y−zCoyBzOa, wherein “x1” is greater than about 0.1 and equal to or less than about 1.3, “x2,” “y” and “z” each is greater than about 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, “a” is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1, “A” is at least one element selected from the group consisting of barium, magnesium, calcium and strontium and “B” is at least one element selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum, gallium, manganese, titanium, vanadium and zirconium.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use as a cathode material of a lithium battery includes a core material having an empirical formula LixM′zNi1−yM″yO2. “x” is equal to or greater than about 0.1 and equal to or less than about 1.3. “y” is greater than about 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.5. “z” is greater than about 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2. M′ is at least one member of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, nickel, calcium, magnesium and strontium. M″ is at least one member of the group consisting of cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, vanadium, titanium, magnesium, silicon, boron, aluminum and gallium. A coating on the core has a greater ratio of cobalt to nickel than the core. The coating and, optionally, the core can be a material having an empirical formula Lix1Ax2Ni1−y1−z1Coy1Bz1Oa. “x1” is greater than about 0.1 and equal to or less than about 1.3.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device is disclosed which has an electron conductor fabricated from a stable low electron affinity substance in combination with an emitting species and a hole conductor. The hole conductor and the electron conductor transport to opposed sides of the emitting species holes and electrons respectively that cause the emitting species to undergo a quantum change of state and generate light. In one embodiment the electron conductor is comprised of a plurality of structured particles, each in electrical communication with each other, where the plurality of structured particles are small enough so as their properties deviate from the bulk properties of the substance from which the structured particles are fabricated. In this embodiment the plurality of structured particles are also crystalline in nature. The plurality of structured particles are also in contact with an emitting species and act as an electron conductor.