Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having dual electrolytes, systems of such electrochemical cells, and methods for manufacturing the same. In some embodiments, electrochemical cells can include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed therebetween. In some embodiments, the separator can include materials that fluidically and/or chemically isolate the anode from the cathode. In some embodiments, the cathode and/or anode can include a slurry of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, the anode can be fluidically coupled to an anode degassing port. In some embodiments, the cathode can be fluidically coupled to a cathode degassing port.

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: 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: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell includes transferring an anode semi-solid suspension to an anode compartment defined at least in part by an anode current collector and an separator spaced apart from the anode collector. The method also includes transferring a cathode semi-solid suspension to a cathode compartment defined at least in part by a cathode current collector and the separator spaced apart from the cathode collector. The transferring of the anode semi-solid suspension to the anode compartment and the cathode semi-solid to the cathode compartment is such that a difference between a minimum distance and a maximum distance between the anode current collector and the separator is maintained within a predetermined tolerance. The method includes sealing the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

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: Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having dual electrolytes, systems of such electrochemical cells, and methods for manufacturing the same. In some embodiments, electrochemical cells can include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed therebetween. In some embodiments, the separator can include materials that fluidically and/or chemically isolate the anode from the cathode. In some embodiments, the cathode and/or anode can include a slurry of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, the anode can be fluidically coupled to an anode degassing port. In some embodiments, the cathode can be fluidically coupled to a cathode degassing port.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and processes for forming semi-solid electrodes having high active solids loading by removing excess electrolyte. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be formed by mixing an active material and, optionally, a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte to form a suspension. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be disposed onto a current collector to form an intermediate electrode. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can have a first composition in which the ratio of electrolyte to active material is between about 10:1 and about 1:1. In some embodiments, a method for converting the semi-solid electrode material from the first composition into the second composition includes removing a portion of the electrolyte from the semi-solid electrode material.

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: Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having dual electrolytes, systems of such electrochemical cells, and methods for manufacturing the same. In some embodiments, electrochemical cells can include a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, an anode disposed on an anode current collector, and a separator disposed therebetween. In some embodiments, the separator can include materials that fluidically and/or chemically isolate the anode from the cathode. In some embodiments, the cathode and/or anode can include a slurry of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte. In some embodiments, the anode can be fluidically coupled to an anode degassing port. In some embodiments, the cathode can be fluidically coupled to a cathode degassing port.

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: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell includes transferring an anode semi-solid suspension to an anode compartment defined at least in part by an anode current collector and an separator spaced apart from the anode collector. The method also includes transferring a cathode semi-solid suspension to a cathode compartment defined at least in part by a cathode current collector and the separator spaced apart from the cathode collector. The transferring of the anode semi-solid suspension to the anode compartment and the cathode semi-solid to the cathode compartment is such that a difference between a minimum distance and a maximum distance between the anode current collector and the separator is maintained within a predetermined tolerance. The method includes sealing the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatuses and processes for forming semi-solid electrodes having high active solids loading by removing excess electrolyte. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be formed by mixing an active material and, optionally, a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte to form a suspension. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can be disposed onto a current collector to form an intermediate electrode. In some embodiments, the semi-solid electrode material can have a first composition in which the ratio of electrolyte to active material is between about 10:1 and about 1:1. In some embodiments, a method for converting the semi-solid electrode material from the first composition into the second composition includes removing a portion of the electrolyte from the semi-solid electrode material.

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.