Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte is provided. The solid-state electrolyte includes an integrated molecular network that results from a mixture including a glass former including sulfur, a glass modifier including sulfur, and a glass co-modifier including lithium oxide or sodium oxide. The solid-state electrolyte is substantially resistant to hydrolysis in an atmosphere having a dew point of greater than about ?90° C. Methods of making the solid-state electrolyte are also provided.

Abstract: A green solid-state battery layer includes a spread of particles and a protective sacrificial binder that covers and binds together the spread of particles. The spread of particles includes sulfide-based solid-state electrolyte particles and the protective sacrificial binder is removable through thermal decomposition or volatilization at a temperature of 400° C. or lower. A method of forming a solid-state battery layer is also disclosed in which a green solid-state battery layer is formed, a protective sacrificial binder that covers and binds a spread of particles of the green solid-state battery layer is removed, and the resultant intermediate battery layer is consolidated.

Abstract: An electrolyte system for an electrochemical cell includes an aprotic solvent, such as an ether-based solvent and a lithium salt, and a solid component. The aprotic solvent has a dielectric constant of ?3. The solid component is in direct communication with the aprotic solvent. The solid component includes a sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte. The sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte has a weighted average bond dissociation enthalpy of greater than or equal to about 380 kJ/mol, which corresponds to a glass having strong bonds. The sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte is therefore insoluble in the aprotic solvent. The solid component is lithium ion-conducting and electrically insulating. The electrolyte system may be disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode in an electrochemical cell. In various aspects, the negative electrode includes lithium metal and the positive electrode includes sulfur.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes suitable for use in a cell employing an anode comprising an alkali metal are disclosed. Such fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes may be at least partially amorphous and prepared by compacting, at elevated temperatures, powders of an ion-conducting composition appropriate to the anode alkali metal. The separators/solid electrolytes may employ discrete high aspect ratio fibers and fiber mats or plate-like mineral particles to reinforce the separator solid electrolyte. The reinforcing fibers may be inorganic, such as silica-based glass, or organic, such as a thermoplastic. In the case of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes, any of a wide range of thermoplastic compositions may be selected provided the glass transition temperature of the polymer reinforcement composition is selected to be higher than the glass transition temperature of the amorphous portion of the separator/solid electrolyte.

Abstract: Thin amorphous or partially crystalline lithium-containing and conducting sulfide or oxysulfide glass electrode/separator members are prepared from a layer of molten glass or of glass powder. The resulting glass films are formed to lie face-to face against a lithium metal anode or a sodium metal anode and a cathode and to provide for good transport of lithium ions between the electrodes during repeated cycling of the cell and to prevent shorting of the cell by dendrites growing from the lithium metal or sodium metal anode.

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: Certain glass, glass-ceramic, and ceramic electrolyte bodies formed from lithium or sodium sulfides and glass-forming sulfides, sulfoxides and/or certain glass-forming oxides provide good conductivity of lithium ions or sodium ions for use in lithium metal electrode or sodium metal electrode battery cells. The stability of the lithium or sodium metal anode-glass electrolyte interface is improved by forming a metal oxide passivation layer by atomic layer deposition on the facing surface of the electrolyte and activating the coating by contact of the passivated surface with the lithium or sodium electrode material.

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: An electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode that contains lithium and an electrolyte system. In one variation, the electrolyte system includes a first liquid electrolyte, a solid-dendrite-blocking layer, and an interface layer. The solid dendrite-blocking layer is ionically conducting and electrically insulating. The dendrite-blocking layer includes a first component and a distinct second component. The dendrite-blocking layer has a shear modulus of greater than or equal to about 7.5 GPa at 23° C. The interface layer is configured to interface with a negative electrode including lithium metal on a first side and the dendrite blocking layer on a second opposite side. The interface layer includes a second liquid electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte, or a solid-state electrolyte. The dendrite-blocking layer is disposed between the first liquid electrolyte and the interface layer.

Abstract: A solid state electrolyte including an oxy-sulfide glass or glass ceramic, solid state electrolyte layer having a thickness in the range of ten micrometers to two hundred micrometers is provide. The composition of the electrolyte layer is the reaction product of a mixture initially including either a glass former including sulfur or a glass co-former including sulfur, and a glass modifier including Li2O or Na2O. The solid-state electrolyte layer is further characterized as having a wholly amorphous microstructure or as having small recrystallized regions separated from each other in an amorphous matrix, the recrystallized regions having a size of up to five micrometers. The solid-state electrolyte layer includes mobile lithium ions or mobile sodium ions associated with sulfur anions chemically anchored in the microstructure.

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 method of fabricating a composite electrode for use in an electrochemical cell includes preparing a layer of powder including a plurality of electroactive material particles and a plurality of electrolyte particles. The electrolyte particles include a sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass. The method further includes heating the layer of powder to a temperature of greater than or equal to Tg and less than Tc. Tg is a glass transition temperature of the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass. Tc is a crystallization temperature of the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass. The method further includes, while the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass electrolyte is at the temperature, applying a pressure of about 0.1-360 MPa to the layer of powder. The pressure causes the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass to flow around the electroactive material particles to create a compact. The present disclosure also provides methods of creating laminates including the composite electrodes.

Abstract: An energy share system includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The first vehicle includes a first battery pack and a first battery management module configured to selectively charge and discharge the first battery pack. The second vehicle includes a second battery pack and a second battery management module configured to, in response to receipt of payment, selectively charge the second battery pack with power received from the first battery pack of the first vehicle.

Abstract: An electrolyte system for an electrochemical cell includes an aprotic solvent, such as an ether-based solvent and a lithium salt, and a solid component. The aprotic solvent has a dielectric constant of ?3. The solid component is in direct communication with the aprotic solvent. The solid component includes a sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte. The sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte has a weighted average bond dissociation enthalpy of greater than or equal to about 380 kJ/mol, which corresponds to a glass having strong bonds. The sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte is therefore insoluble in the aprotic solvent. The solid component is lithium ion-conducting and electrically insulating. The electrolyte system may be disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode in an electrochemical cell. In various aspects, the negative electrode includes lithium metal and the positive electrode includes sulfur.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal anode and a solid electrolyte is disclosed. The surface of the electrolyte is roughened, mechanically, chemically or by ablation and the cell is operated at a pressure of between 3 MPa and 10 MPa. Such a cell exhibits higher power density than a like-dimensioned cell employing a smooth-surfaced electrolyte surface and operated at pressures of less than 1 MPa.

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: A product may include a storage vessel that may define a first port opening into the storage vessel, and that may define a second port opening into the storage vessel. A first fill conduit may be connected to the storage vessel at the first port. A second fill conduit may be connected to the storage vessel at the second port. A control mechanism may be connected with the first and second fill conduits. A supply conduit may be connected to the control mechanism. The control mechanism may provide a flow path from the supply conduit to at least one of the first or second fill conduits to fill the storage vessel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode that contains lithium and an electrolyte system. In one variation, the electrolyte system includes a first liquid electrolyte, a solid-dendrite-blocking layer, and an interface layer. The solid dendrite-blocking layer is ionically conducting and electrically insulating. The dendrite-blocking layer includes a first component and a distinct second component. The dendrite-blocking layer has a shear modulus of greater than or equal to about 7.5 GPa at 23° C. The interface layer is configured to interface with a negative electrode including lithium metal on a first side and the dendrite blocking layer on a second opposite side. The interface layer includes a second liquid electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte, or a solid-state electrolyte. The dendrite-blocking layer is disposed between the first liquid electrolyte and the interface layer.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes suitable for use in a cell employing an anode comprising an alkali metal are disclosed. Such fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes may be at least partially amorphous and prepared by compacting, at elevated temperatures, powders of an ion-conducting composition appropriate to the anode alkali metal. The separators/solid electrolytes may employ discrete high aspect ratio fibers and fiber mats or plate-like mineral particles to reinforce the separator solid electrolyte. The reinforcing fibers may be inorganic, such as silica-based glass, or organic, such as a thermoplastic. In the case of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes, any of a wide range of thermoplastic compositions may be selected provided the glass transition temperature of the polymer reinforcement composition is selected to be higher than the glass transition temperature of the amorphous portion of the separator/solid electrolyte.

Abstract: Certain glass, glass-ceramic, and ceramic electrolyte bodies formed from lithium or sodium sulfides and glass-forming sulfides, sulfoxides and/or certain glass-forming oxides provide good conductivity of lithium ions or sodium ions for use in lithium metal electrode or sodium metal electrode battery cells. The stability of the lithium or sodium metal anode-glass electrolyte interface is improved by forming a metal oxide passivation layer by atomic layer deposition on the facing surface of the electrolyte and activating the coating by contact of the passivated surface with the lithium or sodium electrode material.