Abstract: A system and method for characterizing a susceptibility of part of a battery to thermal runaway. The method includes determining a first set of parameters of the part of the battery, the first parameters representing a chemical composition of the part of the battery, a dimension of the part of the battery, and a micro-structure of the part of the battery; and applying the first parameters to a thermal model of the part of the battery to determine second parameters, the thermal model simulates a runaway thermal event, and the second parameters include a heat of reaction, an activation energy, or an Arrhenius pre-factor. Further, the method includes obtaining measurements of a sample of the part of the battery; and analyzing the measurements together with the second parameters to determine the susceptibility of the part of the battery to thermal runaway.

Abstract: Sacrificial carbon structures for inhibiting thermal runaway in an electrochemical cell, and electrodes and electrochemical cells including the same. Structures having increased carbon content may be incorporated into the electrodes such that the carbon is positioned to react with released oxygen, to mitigate thermal runaway. These structures may take the form of a sacrificial carbon layer, a plurality of sacrificial carbon layers, and/or a multilayer active material layer having a sacrificial carbon base layer.

Abstract: Solid-state electrochemical cells include a first current collector, an interlayer, a separator layer, a cathode layer, and a second current collector. The interlayer includes a metal and a mix of carbon materials. When the electrochemical cell is charged, the interlayer splits into a top layer and a bottom layer and a layer of lithium metal forms between the top layer and the bottom layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a rheologically modified slurry and electrochemical cells made therefrom.

Abstract: A battery cell is provided that includes a thermally fused energy discharge element that provides a cell discharge path between opposing electrodes at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Provided herein is a negative electrode or anode for an electrochemical cell, the anode comprising nanoscale silicon. The nanoscale silicon facilitates the formation of vertical cracks in the anode layer when the anode is cycled in an electrochemical cell, which improves cell performance as compared to a silicon anode that forms random or horizontal cracks when the anode is cycled.

Abstract: Provided herein is a negative electrode or anode for an electrochemical cell having two or more layers. Each layer may include different concentrations of an anode active material to provide improved electrical and physical qualities as compared to a mono-layer anode.

Abstract: Described herein are composite anode compositions comprising silicon for use in an electrochemical cell. The composite anode compositions described herein include silicon as an anode active material having a particle size, crystallite size, and surface area that provide desired electrochemical properties. Further provided herein are electrochemical cells comprising the anode compositions and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to prelithiating an electrode of an electrochemical cell to counteract lithium loss as an electrochemical cell is formed and cycled. One implementation may include a method comprising a) providing an electrode composite with lithium-ion conductivity and diffusivity, the electrode composite comprising a silicon-containing material, a carbon-based conductive additive, a solid electrolyte, and a binder; b) disposing a continuous thin layer of lithium proximate to the electrode composite; and c) pressure laminating the continuous thin layer of lithium to the electrode composite. Through the process, lithium is transferred to the solid-state electrode composite by contacting the lithium metal film with the electrode composite without the use of a liquid medium traditionally used to aid in the movement of lithium ions.

Abstract: A method for producing a rheologically modified slurry and electrochemical cells made therefrom.

Abstract: A supercapacitor according to the present invention includes a negative carbon-comprising electrode which does not intercalate sodium, and a positive carbon-comprising electrode. An electrolyte composition comprises sodium hexafluorophosphate and a non-aqueous solvent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The supercapacitor has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.0 V to 3.5 V (full cell voltage). The electrolyte has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.05 V to 3.9 V vs. Na/Na+. A method of making and a method of operating a supercapacitor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A supercapacitor according to the present invention includes a negative carbon-comprising electrode which does not intercalate sodium, and a positive carbon-comprising electrode. An electrolyte composition comprises sodium hexafluorophosphate and a non-aqueous solvent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The supercapacitor has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.0 V to 3.5 V (full cell voltage). The electrolyte has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.05 V to 3.9 V vs. Na/Na+. A method of making and a method of operating a supercapacitor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A supercapacitor according to the present invention includes a negative carbon-comprising electrode which does not intercalate sodium, and a positive carbon-comprising electrode. An electrolyte composition comprises sodium hexafluorophosphate and a non-aqueous solvent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The supercapacitor has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.0 V to 3.5 V (full cell voltage). The electrolyte has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.05 V to 3.9 V vs. Na/Na+. A method of making and a method of operating a supercapacitor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A supercapacitor and a related electrolyte composition suitable for use in a supercapacitor are provided. An electrolyte composition can include a conductive sodium salt component comprising NaTFSI and a non-aqueous solvent component comprising dimethoxy ethane (DME). The conductive sodium salt component and the non-aqueous solvent component can be present at a molar ratio of NaTFSI:DME of 1:1 to 1:3, inclusive.

Abstract: A supercapacitor according to the present invention includes a negative carbon-comprising electrode which does not intercalate sodium, and a positive carbon-comprising electrode. An electrolyte composition comprises sodium hexafluorophosphate and a non-aqueous solvent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The supercapacitor has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.0 V to 3.5 V (full cell voltage). The electrolyte has an electrochemical voltage window of from +0.05 V to 3.9 V vs. Na/Na+. A method of making and a method of operating a supercapacitor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A supercapacitor and a related electrolyte composition suitable for use in a supercapacitor are provided. An electrolyte composition can include a conductive sodium salt component comprising NaTFSI and a non-aqueous solvent component comprising dimethoxy ethane (DME). The conductive sodium salt component and the non-aqueous solvent component can be present at a molar ratio of NaTFSI:DME of 1:1 to 1:3, inclusive.