Abstract: A bicontinuous separating layer include a separating matrix having pores and a solid-state electrolyte disposed in the pores of the separating matrix. In certain variations, the bicontinuous separating layer is prepared by contacting a solid-state electrolyte liquid-state precursor with the separating matrix and heating the infiltrated separating matrix to a temperature between about 25° C. and about 300° C. The solid-state electrolyte liquid-state precursor includes a solvent and a solid-state electrolyte powder or a solid-state electrolyte precursor. In other variations, the bicontinuous separating layer may be prepared by contacting a solid-state electrolyte powder with a separating matrix to form a physical mixture and heating the physical mixture to a temperature between about 240° C. and about 500° C., where the separating matrix is defined by a polymer having a melting temperature greater than about 215° C., and the solid-state electrolyte has a melting temperature greater than about 300° C.

Abstract: An all-solid-state lithium battery, thermo-electromechanical activation of Li2S in sulfide based solid state electrolyte with transition metal sulfides, and electromechanical evolution of a bulk-type all-solid-state iron sulfur cathode, are disclosed. An example all-solid-state lithium battery includes a cathode having a transition metal sulfide mixed with elemental sulfur to increase electrical conductivity. In one example method of in-situ electromechanically synthesis of Pyrite (FeS2) from Sulfide (FeS) and elemental sulfur (S) precursors for operation of a solid-state lithium battery, FeS+S composite electrodes are cycled at moderately elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an all-solid-state electrochemical battery that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid-state electrolyte layer disposed between and separating the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a positive electroactive material and a solid-state electrolyte material. The solid-state electrolyte material may be represented by Li3AB6, where A is selected from the group consisting of: yttrium (Y), indium (In), scandium (Sc), erbium (Er), and combinations thereof, and B is selected from the group consisting of: chloride (Cl), bromide (Br), ClxBr(x?1) (where 0<x<1), and combinations thereof. In certain variations, the positive electroactive material includes a nickel-rich electroactive material, and the solid state electrolyte layer includes a sulfide-based electrolyte material. The solid-state electrolyte layer can also include the solid-state electrolyte material may be represented by Li3AB6.

Abstract: A method for identifying a cell quality during cell formation includes: conducting a beginning of life cycling following an initial cell formation charge of multiple cells; collecting and preprocessing a discharge data set generated by one of the multiple cells during the beginning of life cycling; calculating a statistical variance from the discharge data set identifying an estimated probability of meeting a target cell usage time; and projecting a life span of the multiple cells.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include degas equipment and degassing process schemes for providing high throughput extraction of battery cell formation gas. An exemplary method can include loading a battery cell in a sampling chamber of a degas station and creating an opening in the battery cell to release formation gas. A first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a collection chamber of the degas station while the formation gas is prevented from venting. After routing the first portion of the formation gas to the collection chamber, a second portion of the formation gas can be vented until degassing is complete. The first portion of the formation gas can be diluted with a dilution fluid and the diluted first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a cell quality control gas manifold configured to measure battery cell formation gas compositions.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of a battery cell includes performing a high-throughput quality check on the battery cell with a quality control system, assessing a quality score to the battery cell, with quality score identifying the battery cell as low-quality or high-quality, and performing a comprehensive quality check on the battery cell if identified as low-quality. The method further includes assessing an enhanced quality score to the battery cell superseding the quality score of the quality control system identifying the battery cell as confirmed low-quality or confirmed high-quality and providing revised production instructions for manufacturing successive battery cells if confirmed low-quality.

Abstract: A method for identifying a cell quality during cell formation includes: conducting a beginning of life cycling following an initial cell formation charge of multiple cells; collecting and preprocessing a discharge data set generated by one of the multiple cells during the beginning of life cycling; calculating a statistical variance from the discharge data set identifying an estimated probability of meeting a target cell usage time; and projecting a life span of the multiple cells.

Abstract: A quality control system analyzes the quality of a battery cell, with the battery cell defining a gas pouch configured to expand from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration when filled with a gas formed during a cell formation process. The system comprises a computational system comprising a processor and a memory and a measurement instrument in electronic communication with the computational system. The measurement instrument is arranged to measure a distance defined by the gas pouch and transmit a signal to the computational system corresponding to the distance. The computational system is arranged to analyze the distance with the processor and determine a volumetric measurement of the gas within the gas pouch and compare the volumetric measurement to a threshold in the memory to assess a quality score for the battery cell. A corresponding method analyzes the quality of the battery cell with the quality control system.

Abstract: A quality control system analyzes the quality of a battery cell, with the battery cell defining a gas pouch configured to be filled with a gas. The quality control system includes a computational system including a processor and a memory, a manifold defining a passageway extending between an inlet port for receiving the gas and an outlet port, and at least one sensor in electronic communication with the computational system. The sensor is arranged to measure a physical property of the gas and transmit a signal to the computational system corresponding to the physical property of the gas. The computational system analyzes the physical property of the gas, accesses a threshold value corresponding to the physical property, compares the physical property to the threshold value, and assess a quality score for the battery cell. A corresponding method analyzes the quality of the battery cell with the quality control system.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of a battery cell includes performing a high-throughput quality check on the battery cell with a quality control system, assessing a quality score to the battery cell, with quality score identifying the battery cell as low-quality or high-quality, and performing a comprehensive quality check on the battery cell if identified as low-quality. The method further includes assessing an enhanced quality score to the battery cell superseding the quality score of the quality control system identifying the battery cell as confirmed low-quality or confirmed high-quality and providing revised production instructions for manufacturing successive battery cells if confirmed low-quality.

Abstract: A lithium metal electrode including ceramic particles is provided herein as well as electrochemical cells including the lithium metal electrode and methods of making the lithium metal electrode. The lithium metal electrode includes ceramic particles present as a ceramic layer adjacent to a first surface of the lithium metal electrode, embedded within the first surface, or a combination thereof. The ceramic particles include lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) particles, alumina particles, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An all-solid-state lithium battery, thermo-electromechanical activation of Li2S in sulfide based solid state electrolyte with transition metal sulfides, and electromechanical evolution of a bulk-type all-solid-state iron sulfur cathode, are disclosed. An example all-solid-state lithium battery includes a cathode having a transition metal sulfide mixed with elemental sulfur to increase electrical conductivity. In one example method of in-situ electromechanically synthesis of Pyrite (FeS2) from Sulfide (FeS) and elemental sulfur (S) precursors for operation of a solid-state lithium battery, FeS+S composite electrodes are cycled at moderately elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solid-state bipolar battery that includes negative and positive electrodes having thicknesses between about 100 ?m and about 3000 ?m, and a solid-state electrolyte layer disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode and having a thickness between about 5 ?m and about 100 ?m. The first electrode includes a plurality of negative solid-state electroactive particles embedded on or disposed within a first porous material. The second electrode includes plurality of positive solid-state electroactive particles embedded on or disposed within a second porous material that is the same or different from the first porous material. The solid-state bipolar battery includes a first current collector foil disposed on the first porous material, and a second current collector foil disposed on the second porous material. The first and second current collector foils may each have a thickness less than or equal to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: An all-solid-state lithium battery, thermo-electromechanical activation of Li2S in sulfide based solid state electrolyte with transition metal sulfides, and electromechanical evolution of a bulk-type all-solid-state iron sulfur cathode, are disclosed. An example all-solid-state lithium battery includes a cathode having a transition metal sulfide mixed with elemental sulfur to increase electrical conductivity. In one example method of in-situ electromechanically synthesis of Pyrite (FeS2) from Sulfide (FeS) and elemental sulfur (S) precursors for operation of a solid-state lithium battery, FeS+S composite electrodes are cycled at moderately elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A battery comprises a positive current collector that contacts a composite cathode and a negative current collector that supports an anode. The anode is opposedly disposed to the composite cathode. A compliant interlayer and a separator are located between the anode and the composite cathode, where the compliant interlayer comprises a compliant electrolyte. The separator is in a protective relationship with the cathode and prevents the compliant electrolyte from contacting the composite cathode.

Abstract: A composite electrode for use in an all-solid-state electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The composite electrode comprises a solid-state electroactive material that undergoes volumetric expansion and contraction during cycling of the electrochemical cell and a solid-state electrolyte. The solid-state electroactive material is in the form of a plurality of particles and each particle has a plurality of internal pores formed therewithin. Each particle has an average porosity ranging from about 10% to about 75%, and the composite electrode has an interparticle porosity between the solid-state electroactive material and solid-state electrolyte particles ranging from about 5% to about 40%.

Abstract: A separator includes a porous polymeric separator having an anode side and a cathode side, a cathode-compatible material applied to the cathode side, wherein the cathode-compatible material comprises a polymeric binder and one or more of lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) particles, lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) particles, lithium aluminum germanium phosphate (LAGP) particles, and lithium superionic conductor (LISICON) particles, and an anode-compatible material applied to the anode side, wherein the anode-compatible material comprises lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) particles and a polymeric binder. The polymeric binder of the cathode-compatible material can be polyvinylidene fluoride and the polymeric binder of the anode-compatible material can be polyvinylidene. The polymeric binder of the cathode-compatible material the anode-compatible material can be the polymeric separator.

Abstract: A vehicle including a hybrid battery pack includes a first battery pack and a second battery pack. The first battery pack has a higher energy density than the second battery pack. The second battery pack has a higher power density than the first battery pack. A power inverter module is connected between the hybrid battery pack and a motor generator unit (MGU) that is connected to a powertrain of the vehicle. The power inverter module is configured to regulate power flow between the hybrid battery pack and the MGU. A battery management module is configured to: control switching of the power inverter module; selectively charge and discharge at least one of the first battery pack and the second battery pack; and selectively charge the first battery pack with power from the second battery pack.

Abstract: A storage vessel includes a plurality of storage cells arranged in series. The storage vessel defines a first port that opens into at least one of the storage cells. A fill conduit is connected to the storage vessel at the port. A valve is connected with the fill conduit and is configured to control a supply of fluid through the fill conduit to fill the storage vessel. A heat sink is disposed in the storage vessel and is configured to reduce heat of the fluid during the fill of the storage vessel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a lithium phosphate (Li3PO4)-coated lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) material. The Li3PO4-coated LLZO material is a particle having a substantially spherical core comprising the LLZO and a layer comprising the Li3PO4 directly coating at least a portion of the substantially spherical core, the substantially spherical core having a diameter of less than or equal to about 100 ?m; a nanowire having an elongate core comprising the LLZO and a layer comprising the Li3PO4 directly coating at least a portion of the elongate core, the elongate core having a length of less than or equal to about 10 mm and a diameter of less than or equal to about 100 ?m; or a combination thereof.