Abstract: A dilatometer for measuring battery dilation includes a battery cell, a magnet, and a magnetic force sensor. One of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor moves in response to expansion of the battery cell during dilation of the battery cell and the other of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor is stationary relative to the battery cell. The magnetic force sensor is configured to sense a change in magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor. A sensor is configured to sense one of temperature and strain. A controller is configured to measure dilation of the battery cell based on the change in the magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor and to compensate the dilation of the battery cell in response to the one of the temperature and the strain.

Abstract: A system for measuring battery dilation. The system includes a battery cell, a magnet, and a magnetic force sensor. One of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor moves in response to expansion of the battery cell during dilation of the battery cell. The other of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor is stationary relative to the battery cell. The magnetic force sensor is configured to sense a change in magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor. A control module is in communication with the magnetic force sensor. The control module is configured to measure degree of dilation of the battery cell based on the change in the magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor. The magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor changes as the battery cell expands during dilation.

Abstract: A dilatometer for measuring battery dilation including: a battery cell with a first electrode and a second electrode; an internal magnetic sensing element; and a magnetic force sensor. The internal magnetic sensing element is configured to move in response to expansion the first electrode and remain stationary in response to expansion of the second electrode during dilation of the battery cell. The magnetic force sensor is stationary relative to the battery cell and configured to sense a change in magnetic force strength between the internal magnetic sensing element and the magnetic force sensor. A controller is configured to measure dilation of the first electrode independent of dilation of the second electrode based on the change in the magnetic force strength between the internal magnetic sensing element and the magnetic force sensor.

Abstract: A battery cell monitoring system includes: a battery cell including an electrode stack disposed within a case; a gas sensor disposed within, attached to or connected to the case and configured to detect levels of one or more gases within the case; and a gas monitoring circuit connected to the gas sensor. The gas monitoring circuit includes: a memory that stores data collected from the gas sensor; a transceiver configured to transfer the data to a network device separate from the battery cell; and a control module that monitors the levels of one or more gases and based on the levels of the one or more gases detects (i) an issue with the battery cell during operative use of the battery cell, (ii) an issue with the battery cell during formation of the battery cell, or (iii) completion of a formation operation of the battery cell.

Abstract: A method for differential electrochemical mass spectrometry for online gas evolution of pouch cells includes supplying an inert carrier gas to a pouch cell, and supplying gas from the pouch cell to the intake of a differential electrochemical mass spectrometer. A system for continuous quantitative gas evolution monitoring in a pouch cell comprising a differential mass spectrometer, a supply of inert carrier gas, a conduit connected to the pouch cell for conducting inert carrier gas to the pouch cell; and a conduit connecting the pouch cell for conducting gas from the pouch cell to the differential mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An improved battery pack of the type comprising an enclosure containing a plurality of battery cells having a flammable volatile electrolyte component. The improvement comprises a trapper material that absorbs the volatile flammable electrolyte component disposed inside the enclosure of the battery pack to absorb flammable volatile electrolyte component that leak from the cells in the enclosure.

Abstract: Presented are devices for measuring dimensions of tear seams, methods for making/using such devices, and handheld clamp calipers for gauging material thicknesses of tear seams in passenger airbag breakaway panels. A handheld or automated measurement tool for determining seam dimensions includes first and second jaws operatively attached to a calibrated scale. The calibrated scale displays a measurement value fora dimension of a seam. The first jaw includes a first jaw tip projecting from a first jaw mandible. The second jaw includes a second jaw tip projecting from a second jaw mandible, which is movably attached with the first jaw mandible. Each of the jaw tips contacts a respective surface of the seam. An interior edge of the second jaw tip is disposed at an oblique angle of less than 90 degrees from an interior edge of the second jaw mandible.

Abstract: A dilatometer for measuring battery dilation including: a battery cell with a first electrode and a second electrode; an internal magnetic sensing element; and a magnetic force sensor. The internal magnetic sensing element is configured to move in response to expansion the first electrode and remain stationary in response to expansion of the second electrode during dilation of the battery cell. The magnetic force sensor is stationary relative to the battery cell and configured to sense a change in magnetic force strength between the internal magnetic sensing element and the magnetic force sensor. A controller is configured to measure dilation of the first electrode independent of dilation of the second electrode based on the change in the magnetic force strength between the internal magnetic sensing element and the magnetic force sensor.

Abstract: A system for disassembling a energy cell having a case includes a energy cell securement device arranged on a moveable table; and a cutting tool. The energy cell securement device is configured to fixedly secure the energy cell with a portion of the case exposed proximal to the cutting tool. The moveable table is configured to convey the energy cell securement device such that the cutting tool cleaves the portion of the case of the energy cell.

Abstract: A dilatometer for measuring battery dilation includes a battery cell, a magnet, and a magnetic force sensor. One of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor moves in response to expansion of the battery cell during dilation of the battery cell and the other of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor is stationary relative to the battery cell. The magnetic force sensor is configured to sense a change in magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor. A sensor is configured to sense one of temperature and strain. A controller is configured to measure dilation of the battery cell based on the change in the magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor and to compensate the dilation of the battery cell in response to the one of the temperature and the strain.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interfacial lithium fluoride layer for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is disclosed. In the method, a substrate is positioned in a reaction chamber of an atomic layer deposition reactor and a lithium fluoride (LiF) precursor is introduced into the reaction chamber such that the LiF precursor contacts and chemically reacts with functional groups on the substrate. Then, an oxidant is introduced into the reaction chamber to form a single molecular layer of lithium fluoride on the substrate. The lithium fluoride layer is formed on the substrate at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 110 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 250 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A system for measuring battery dilation. The system includes a battery cell, a magnet, and a magnetic force sensor. One of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor moves in response to expansion of the battery cell during dilation of the battery cell. The other of the magnet and the magnetic force sensor is stationary relative to the battery cell. The magnetic force sensor is configured to sense a change in magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor. A control module is in communication with the magnetic force sensor. The control module is configured to measure degree of dilation of the battery cell based on the change in the magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor. The magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic force sensor changes as the battery cell expands during dilation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interfacial lithium fluoride layer for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is disclosed. In the method, a substrate is positioned in a reaction chamber of an atomic layer deposition reactor and a lithium fluoride (LiF) precursor is introduced into the reaction chamber such that the LiF precursor contacts and chemically reacts with functional groups on the substrate. Then, an oxidant is introduced into the reaction chamber to form a single molecular layer of lithium fluoride on the substrate. The lithium fluoride layer is formed on the substrate at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 110 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 250 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: Presented are devices for measuring dimensions of tear seams, methods for making/using such devices, and handheld clamp calipers for gauging material thicknesses of tear seams in passenger airbag breakaway panels. A handheld or automated measurement tool for determining seam dimensions includes first and second jaws operatively attached to a calibrated scale. The calibrated scale displays a measurement value fora dimension of a seam. The first jaw includes a first jaw tip projecting from a first jaw mandible. The second jaw includes a second jaw tip projecting from a second jaw mandible, which is movably attached with the first jaw mandible. Each of the jaw tips contacts a respective surface of the seam. An interior edge of the second jaw tip is disposed at an oblique angle of less than 90 degrees from an interior edge of the second jaw mandible.

Abstract: A battery cell monitoring system includes: a battery cell including an electrode stack disposed within a case; a gas sensor disposed within, attached to or connected to the case and configured to detect levels of one or more gases within the case; and a gas monitoring circuit connected to the gas sensor. The gas monitoring circuit includes: a memory that stores data collected from the gas sensor; a transceiver configured to transfer the data to a network device separate from the battery cell; and a control module that monitors the levels of one or more gases and based on the levels of the one or more gases detects (i) an issue with the battery cell during operative use of the battery cell, (ii) an issue with the battery cell during formation of the battery cell, or (iii) completion of a formation operation of the battery cell.