Abstract: Articles and methods including layers for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells are provided. As described herein, a layer, such as a protective layer for an electrode, may comprise a plurality of particles (e.g., crystalline inorganic particles, amorphous inorganic particles). In some aspects, at least a portion of the plurality of particles (e.g., inorganic particles) are fused to one another. For instance, in some aspects, the layer may be formed by aerosol deposition or another suitable process that involves subjecting the particles to a relatively high velocity such that fusion of particles occurs during deposition. In some cases, the protective layer may be porous.

Abstract: Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. Advantageously, electrochemical cells described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.

Abstract: Articles and methods including additives in electrochemical cells, are generally provided. As described herein, such electrochemical cells may comprise an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, and optionally a separator. In some embodiments, at least one of the anode, the cathode, the electrolyte, and/or the optional separator may comprise an additive and/or additive precursor. For instance, in some cases, the electrochemical cell comprises an electrolyte and an additive and/or additive precursor that is soluble with and/or is present in the electrolyte. In some embodiments, the additive precursor comprises a disulfide bond. In certain embodiments, the additive is a carbon disulfide salt. In some cases, the electrolyte may comprise a nitrate.

Abstract: Articles and methods including composite layers for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells are provided. In some embodiments, the composite layers comprise a polymeric material and a plurality of particles.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to control the cell such that, for at least a portion of a charge cycle, the cell is charged at a charging rate or current that is lower than a discharging rate or current of at least a portion of a previous discharge cycle. An electrochemical cell management method. An electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to induce a discharge of the cell before and/or after a charging step of the cell. An electrochemical cell management method. An electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to: monitor at least one characteristic of the cell and, based on the at least one characteristic of the cell, induce a discharge and/or control a charging rate or current of the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell including at least one nitrogen-containing compound is disclosed. The at least one nitrogen-containing compound may form part of or be included in: an anode structure, a cathode structure, an electrolyte and/or a separator of the electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is a battery including the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Articles and methods for forming protected electrodes for use in electrochemical cells, including those for use in rechargeable lithium batteries, are provided. In some embodiments, the articles and methods involve an electrode that does not include an electroactive layer, but includes a current collector and a protective structure positioned directly adjacent the current collector, or separated from the current collector by one or more thin layers. Lithium ions may be transported across the protective structure to form an electroactive layer between the current collector and the protective structure. In some embodiments, an anisotropic force may be applied to the electrode to facilitate formation of the electroactive layer.

Abstract: Some aspects of the disclosure are related to lithium batteries, and more specifically, to integrated battery electrode and separator. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell comprises a single integrated unit comprising insulating layer, current collectors, electroactive material layers, separators, and the like. Methods of manufacturing of the integrated battery unit are disclosed herein. Some embodiments of the disclosure are also directed to an integrated anode-free electrochemical cell that lacks an anode or anode electroactive material layer. In some such embodiments, methods directed to electrical storage and use of such an anode-free electrochemical cell are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A battery management system comprising: at least one battery comprising two or more sets of cells, each set of cells comprising one or more cells; a multiplexing switch apparatus connected to each set of cells; and at least one controller configured to use the multiplexing switch apparatus to selectively discharge the sets of cells based on at least one criterion. A battery pack comprising: at least one battery comprising two or more sets of cells, each set of cells comprising one or more cells; and an integrated switching control system comprising at least one switch connected to each set of cells, wherein the integrated switching control system is configured to control the at least one switch to discharge the sets of cells sequentially or selectively based on at least one criterion. A battery management method or a battery pack control method.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell and battery management systems are generally provided. The systems can comprise an electrochemical cell and a controller. In some cases, the controller can be used to control various aspects of the charge and/or discharge of the electrochemical cell. In some cases, the system can comprise one or more strings of cells.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards increases in cycle life and stability of electrochemical cells. Electrolytes and electrochemical cells, including those for use in rechargeable lithium batteries, are generally provided. In some embodiments, the electrolytes and electrochemical cells comprise asymmetric sulfonamides. The electrolytes and electrochemical cells also comprise carbonates, according to some embodiments.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention are related to lithium batteries, and more specifically, to in-situ control of solid electrolyte interface for enhanced cycle performance in lithium metal batteries. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell comprises a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that is rich in inorganic materials (e.g., LiF, Li2O, Li2CO3) and has various advantageous properties (e.g., improved anode stability, etc.). Some embodiments are directed to methods of electrical energy storage and use of an electrochemical cell. In some cases, the methods comprise applying anisotropic force and/or formation voltage to a cell and forming an inorganic rich SEI layer in-situ.

Abstract: Articles and methods for forming protected electrodes for use in electrochemical cells, including those for use in rechargeable lithium batteries, are provided. In some embodiments, the articles and methods involve an electrode that does not include an electroactive layer, but includes a current collector and a protective structure positioned directly adjacent the current collector, or separated from the current collector by one or more thin layers. Lithium ions may be transported across the protective structure to form an electroactive layer between the current collector and the protective structure. In some embodiments, an anisotropic force may be applied to the electrode to facilitate formation of the electroactive layer.

Abstract: Articles containing electrodes and current collectors arranged such that at least one electrode can be electronically isolated from other components of the article and/or an electrochemical device, and associated systems and methods, are provided. In some cases, the articles contain substrates for which a change in volume of the substrate causes at least one electrode to become electronically isolated from other components of the article and/or an electrochemical device. In certain cases, heating the substrate causes the change in volume of the substrate.

Abstract: Composite structures including an ion-conducting material and a polymeric material (e.g., a separator) to protect electrodes are generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is bonded to a polymeric separator. The ion-conducting material may comprise a lithium oxysulfide having a lithium-ion conductivity of at least at least 10?6 S/cm.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell and battery management systems are generally provided. The systems can comprise an electrochemical cell and a controller. In some cases, the controller can be used to control various aspects of the charge and/or discharge of the electrochemical cell. In some cases, the system can comprise one or more strings of cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to control the cell such that, for at least a portion of a charge cycle, the cell is charged at a charging rate or current that is lower than a discharging rate or current of at least a portion of a previous discharge cycle. An electrochemical cell management method. An electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to induce a discharge of the cell before and/or after a charging step of the cell. An electrochemical cell management method. A electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to: monitor at least one characteristic of the cell and, based on the at least one characteristic of the cell, induce a discharge and/or control a charging rate or current of the cell.

Abstract: Composite structures including an ion-conducting material and a polymeric material (e.g., a separator) to protect electrodes are generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is bonded to a polymeric separator. The ion-conducting material may comprise a lithium oxysulfide having a lithium-ion conductivity of at least at least 10?6 S/cm.

Abstract: Articles and methods including layers for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells are provided. As described herein, a layer, such as a protective layer for an electrode, may comprise a plurality of particles (e.g., crystalline inorganic particles, amorphous inorganic particles). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of particles (e.g., inorganic particles) are fused to one another. For instance, in some embodiments, the layer may be formed by aerosol deposition or another suitable process that involves subjecting the particles to a relatively high velocity such that fusion of particles occurs during deposition. In some embodiments, the layer (e.g., the layer comprising a plurality of particles) is an ion-conducting layer.

Abstract: Electrodes and methods of preparing electrodes with a porous electroactive region are generally described herein.