Abstract: An electrode active material comprising two or more groups of particles having differing chemical compositions, wherein each group of particles comprises a material selected from: (a) materials of the formula A2eM2fOg; and (b) materials of the formula A3hMniO4; wherein (i) A2, and A3 are independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, 0<e?6 and h?2.0; (ii) M2 is one or more metals, comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Mo, and Cr, and 1?f?6; (iii) 0<g?15; (iv) M2, e, f, g, h, and i, are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound; and (v) said material of the formula A3hMniO4 has an inner and an outer region, wherein the inner region comprises a cubic spinel manganese oxide, and the outer region comprises a manganese oxide that is enriched in Mn+4 relative to the inner region.

Abstract: An electrode active material comprising two or more groups of particles having differing chemical compositions, wherein each group of particles comprises a material selected from: (a) materials of the formula A2eM2fOg; and (b) materials of the formula A3hMniO4; wherein (i) A2, and A3 are independently selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, 0<e?6 and h?2.0; (ii) M2 is one or more metals, comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Mo, and Cr, and 1?f?6; (iii) 0<g?15; (iv) M2, e, f, g, h, and i, are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound; and (v) said material of the formula A3hMniO4 has an inner and an outer region, wherein the inner region comprises a cubic spinel manganese oxide, and the outer region comprises a manganese oxide that is enriched in Mn+4 relative to the inner region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accurately determining the state of charge and the relative age of lithium sulfur batteries are provided. The cell resistance and taper input charge of a particular type of lithium sulfur battery are respectively measured to determine the state of charge and age of the battery.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells including anode compositions that may enhance charge-discharge cycling efficiency and uniformity are presented. In some embodiments, alloys are incorporated into one or more components of an electrochemical cell, which may enhance the performance of the cell. For example, an alloy may be incorporated into an electroactive component of the cell (e.g., electrodes) and may advantageously increase the efficiency of cell performance. Some electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on the surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. In some cases, the efficiency and uniformity of such processes may affect cell performance.

Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising two or more groups of particles having differing chemical compositions, wherein each group of particles comprises a material selected from: (a) materials of the formula A1aM1b(XY4)cZd; and (b) materials of the formula A2eM2fOg; and wherein (i) A1, A2, and A3 are Li, Na, or K; (ii) M1 and M3 comprise a transition metal; (iv) XY4 a phosphate or similar moiety; and (v) Z is OH, or halogen. In a preferred embodiment, A2eM3fOg is A3hMniO4 having an inner and an outer region, wherein the inner region comprises a cubic spinel manganese oxide, and the outer region comprises a manganese oxide enriched in Mn+4 relative to the inner region. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions also comprise a basic compound.

Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising two or more groups of particles having differing chemical compositions, wherein each group of particles comprises a material selected from:

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemically active material comprising particles of spinel lithium manganese oxide having on the surface of each particle cationic metal species bound to the spinel at anionic sites of the particle surface; where the cationic metal species includes a metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals, non-transition metals having a +3 valence state, and mixtures thereof. The active material is characterized by a reduced surface area and increased capacity expressed in milliamp hour per gram as compared to the spinel alone.

Abstract: A method for activating electrochemical cells including the steps of sealing the electrochemical cells in a container with an activating electrolyte solvent and salt, treatment steps, such as the application of compression and decompression cycles to the container, for providing good distribution of the electrolyte within the electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemically active material comprising particles of spinel lithium manganese oxide having on the surface of each particle cationic metal species bound to the spinel at anionic sites of the particle surface; where the cationic metal species includes a metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals, non-transition metals having a +3 valence state, and mixtures thereof. The active material is characterized by a reduced surface area and increased capacity expressed in milliamp hour per gram as compared to the spinel alone.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemically active material comprising particles of spinel lithium manganese oxide having on the surface of each particle cationic metal species bound to the spinel at anionic sites of the particle surface; where the cationic metal species includes a metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals, non-transition metals having a +3 valence state, and mixtures thereof. The active material is characterized by a reduced surface area and increased capacity expressed in milliamp hour per gram as compared to the spinel alone.

Abstract: The methods and compositions of the invention provide two solutions to reduce the reactivity of VDF-based copolymers to lithiated graphite. The two approaches can be used separately or combined. In one embodiment, the relative proportion of the VdF and the other fluorinated monomer (OFM, i.e. HFP) in the copolymer is significantly reduced below conventional formulations in order to reduce the reactivity of the copolymer. In a second approach, the reactivity of the copolymer, over a broad range of monomer VdF:OFM molar ratios, is reduced by deactivating the reactive sites on the copolymer, thereby blocking the ability to undergo undesired reaction during cell operation. These methods and compositions have heretofore not been proposed and are of primary importance in preventing large exothermic reaction which can lead to thermal runaway when conventional polymer formulations are utilized in batteries in the presence of reactive components such as lithiated graphite.