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: Methods and articles relating to separation of electrolyte compositions within lithium batteries are provided. The lithium batteries described herein may include an anode having lithium as the active anode species and a cathode having sulfur as the active cathode species. Suitable electrolytes for the lithium batteries can comprise a heterogeneous electrolyte including a first electrolyte solvent (e.g., dioxolane (DOL)) that partitions towards the anode and is favorable towards the anode (referred to herein as an “anode-side electrolyte solvent”) and a second electrolyte solvent (e.g., 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME)) that partitions towards the cathode and is favorable towards the cathode (and referred to herein as an “cathode-side electrolyte solvent”).

Abstract: Electrolytes, articles, and methods for reducing gases produced during the operation of an electrochemical cell are generally described. The inclusion of silylated sulfonic acid esters can reduce the amount of gases produced in an electrochemical cell (e.g., a battery).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to lithium batteries, and more specifically, to electrolyte compositions within lithium batteries. Some aspects of the invention are related to an electrolyte for a lithium battery. In some embodiments, the electrolyte comprises a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent that is different from the organic solvent. The aromatic hydrocarbon solvent may have limited solubility in the organic solvent and/or a limited solubility for lithium salt, e.g., such that the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is capable of inducing phase separation of the electrolyte when present in a certain amount. In one set of embodiments, an electrolyte comprising one or more aromatic hydrocarbon may lead to an enhanced battery cycle life, reduced rate of electrolyte degradation, and improved low temperature performance. The subject matter disclosed herein involves, in some cases, the use of the electrolyte in a lithium battery.

Abstract: Articles and methods related to electrochemical cells and/or electrochemical cell components comprising species comprising a conjugated, negatively-charged ring comprising a nitrogen atom and/or reaction products of such species are generally provided. The electrochemical cell may comprise an electrolyte comprising a species comprising a conjugated, negatively-charged ring comprising a nitrogen atom, which may further comprise a species comprising a labile halogen atom. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell comprises an electrode comprising lithium metal. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell comprises a protective layer comprising a species comprising a conjugated, negatively-charged ring comprising a nitrogen atom and/or a reaction product thereof.

Abstract: Articles and methods related to electrochemical cells and/or electrochemical cell components (such as electrodes) comprising species comprising a conjugated, negatively-charged ring comprising a nitrogen atom and/or reaction products of such species are generally provided. The electrochemical cell may comprise an electrode (e.g., a cathode) comprising a protective layer comprising a species comprising a conjugated, negatively-charged ring comprising a nitrogen atom and/or a reaction product thereof.

Abstract: The use of ion-conducting materials to protect electrodes is generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is adjacent to a polymeric layer, such as a porous separator, to form a composite. At least a portion of the pores of the polymer layer may be filled or unfilled with the ion-conducting material. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting layer is sufficiently bonded to the polymer layer to prevent delamination of the layers during cycling of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell and battery management systems are generally provided. The systems can comprise at least one battery comprising two or more strings of cells, each string of cells comprising two or more cells. The system can also include a multiplexing switch apparatus connected to each string of cells. The system can also include a controller. In some cases, the controller can be used to control various aspects of the charge and/or discharge of the electrochemical cell and/or battery.

Abstract: An electrode structure and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The disclosed electrode structures may be manufactured by depositing a first release layer on a first carrier substrate. A first protective layer may be deposited on a surface of the first release layer and a first electroactive material layer may then be deposited on the first protective layer. Subsequently, the first carrier substrate may be delaminated from the first release layer. The first release layer may then be removed from the first protective layer by dissolution in an electrolyte. The first protective layer may have a low mean peak to valley surface roughness and/or may be thin. In some embodiments, an interface between the first protective layer and the first electroactive material layer has a low mean peak to valley surface roughness. In some embodiments, a thickness of the first protective layer is greater than a mean peak to valley roughness of the first release layer.

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: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a 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. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells, and more specifically, release systems for the fabrication of electrochemical cells are described. In particular, release layer arrangements, assemblies, methods and compositions that facilitate the fabrication of electrochemical cell components, such as electrodes, are presented. In some embodiments, methods of fabricating an electrode involve the use of a release layer to separate portions of the electrode from a carrier substrate on which the electrode was fabricated. For example, an intermediate electrode assembly may include, in sequence, an electroactive material layer, a current collector layer, a release layer, and a carrier substrate. The carrier substrate can facilitate handling of the electrode during fabrication and/or assembly, but may be released from the electrode prior to commercial use.

Abstract: Protective layers in lithium-ion electrochemical cells, and associated electrodes and methods, are generally described. The protective layers may comprise lithium-ion-conductive inorganic ceramic materials, such as lithium oxide, lithium nitride, and/or lithium oxysulfide. The resulting lithium-ion electrochemical cells may exhibit enhanced performance, including reduced capacity fade rates and reduced self-discharge rates.

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: The use of ion-conducting materials to protect electrodes is generally described. The ion-conducting material may be in the form of a layer that is adjacent to a polymeric layer, such as a porous separator, to form a composite. At least a portion of the pores of the polymer layer may be filled or unfilled with the ion-conducting material. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting layer is sufficiently bonded to the polymer layer to prevent delamination of the layers during cycling of an electrochemical cell.

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: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a 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. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a 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. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a 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. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.

Abstract: Articles and methods involving electrochemical cells and/or electrochemical cell preproducts comprising passivating agents are generally provided. In certain embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes first and second passivating agents. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell may include a first electrode comprising a first surface, a second electrode (e.g., a counter electrode with respect to the first electrode) comprising a second surface, a first passivating agent configured and arranged to passivate the first surface, and a second passivating agent configured and arranged to passivate the second surface.