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: 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: 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: Lithium metal electrodes, modular lithium deposition systems, and associated articles and methods are generally described.

Abstract: Lithium metal electrodes, modular lithium deposition systems, and associated articles and methods are generally described.

Abstract: Articles and methods for forming ceramic/polymer composite structures for electrode protection in electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented.

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 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: 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: 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.

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: Disclosed is an electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode and a sulfur-containing cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The cell exhibits high utilization of the electroactive sulfur-containing material of the cathode and a high charge-discharge efficiency.

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: 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.

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: The present disclosure is related to electrochemical cell components, electrochemical cells, and associated methods. According to certain embodiments, the electrochemical cell component may comprise a separator and a layer comprising lithium adhered to the separator. In some embodiments, the separator and layer comprising lithium may be positioned between two electrodes within an electrochemical cell. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the facile introduction of supplemental lithium to an electrochemical cell in a manner that is compatible with existing electrochemical cell fabrication processes.

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.

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: Electrochemical devices that include porous layers, and associated methods, are generally described. In certain cases, the electrochemical device includes a first layer (e.g., a porous coating containing nanoparticles) between an anode and a separator, and a second layer (e.g., another porous coating containing nanoparticles) between a cathode and the separator. The first layer and/or the second layer may have a relatively high porosity, even after the application of an applied pressure to the electrochemical device. The presence of the first layer and the second layer in the electrochemical device may mitigate the occurrence of certain problematic phenomena during cycling of the electrochemical device.

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”).