8223results about How to "Improve cycle life" patented technology

This invention provides a nanocomposite-based lithium battery electrode comprising: (a) A porous aggregate of electrically conductive nano-filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a three-dimensional network of electron-conducting paths, wherein the nano-filaments have a diameter or thickness less than 1 μm (preferably less than 500 nm); and (b) Sub-micron or nanometer-scale electro-active particles that are bonded to a surface of the nano-filaments with a conductive binder material, wherein the particles comprise an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and wherein the electro-active material content is no less than 25% by weight based on the total weight of the particles, the binder material, and the filaments. Preferably, these electro-active particles are coated with a thin carbon layer. This electrode can be an anode or a cathode. The battery featuring such an anode or cathode exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

A method of producing a material capable of electrochemically storing and releasing a large amount of lithium ions is provided. The material is used as an electrode material for a negative electrode, and includes silicon or tin primary particles composed of crystal particles each having a specific diameter and an amorphous surface layer formed of at least a metal oxide, having a specific thickness. Gibbs free energy when the metal oxide is produced by oxidation of a metal is smaller than Gibbs free energy when silicon or tin is oxidized, and the metal oxide has higher thermodynamic stability than silicon oxide or tin oxide. The method of producing the electrode material includes reacting silicon or tin with a metal oxide, reacting a silicon oxide or a tin oxide with a metal, or reacting a silicon compound or a tin compound with a metal compound to react with each other.

A large battery array, particularly for use in an electric vehicle, is formed of multiple modules, each containing plural battery cells and module management electronics. Each battery module has a nominal output voltage in the range of about 5 volts to about 17 volts. A controller communicates with individual battery modules in the array and controls switching to connect the modules in drive and charging configurations. The module management electronics monitor conditions of each battery module, including the cells it contains, and communicates these conditions to the controller. The module management electronics may place the modules in protective modes based upon the performance of each module in comparison to known or configurable specifications. The modules may be pluggable devices so that each module may be replaced if the module is in a permanent shutdown protective mode or if a non-optimal serviceable fault is detected.

This invention provides a nano-structured anode composition for a lithium metal cell. The composition comprises: (a) an integrated structure of electrically conductive nanometer-scaled filaments that are interconnected to form a porous network of electron-conducting paths comprising interconnected pores, wherein the nano-filaments have a transverse dimension less than 500 nm; and (b) micron- or nanometer-scaled particles of lithium, a lithium alloy, or a lithium-containing compound wherein at least one of the particles is surface-passivated or stabilized and the weight fraction of these particles is between 1% and 99% based on the total weight of these particles and the integrated structure together. Also provided is a lithium metal cell or battery, or lithium-air cell or battery, comprising such an anode. The battery exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

This invention provides a process for producing a hybrid nano-filament composition for use in a lithium battery electrode. The process comprises: (a) providing a porous aggregate of electrically conductive nano-wires that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a porous network of electrically conductive filaments, wherein the nano-wires have a diameter or thickness less than 500 nm; and (b) depositing an electro-active coating onto a surface of the nano-wires, wherein the electro-active coating is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and the coating has a thickness less than 10 μm, preferably less than 1 μm. This process is applicable to the production of both an anode and a cathode. The battery featuring an anode or cathode made with this process exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

The invention relates to a high-capacity lithium-ion electrolyte, a battery and a preparation method of a battery, in particular to the high-capacity lithium-ion electrolyte and the battery using the high-capacity lithium-ion electrolyte and the preparation method of the battery. The electrolyte disclosed by the invention comprises lithium salt and non-aqueous organic solvent, and also consists of the following components in weight percent in terms of the total weight of the electrolyte: 0.5-7% of film-forming additive, 0-15% of flame-retardant additive, 2-10% of antiovefill additive, 0.01-2% of stabilizer and 0.01-1% of wetting agent; the electrolyte can enable the anode with high Ni content to work stably, and reduce the battery cost; the high-capacity lithium-ion battery can perform high ratio capacity and excellent safety and high temperature property and cyclic life fully due to the addition and synergetic functions of various functional additives.

This invention provides a hybrid nano-filament composition for use as a cathode active material. The composition comprises (a) an aggregate of nanometer-scaled, electrically conductive filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, or percolated to form a porous, electrically conductive filament network, wherein the filaments have a length and a diameter or thickness with the diameter or thickness being less than 500 nm; and (b) micron- or nanometer-scaled coating that is deposited on a surface of the filaments, wherein the coating comprises a cathode active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and the coating has a thickness less than 10 μm, preferably less than 1 μm and more preferably less than 500 nm. Also provided is a lithium metal battery or lithium ion battery that comprises such a cathode. Preferably, the battery includes an anode that is manufactured according to a similar hybrid nano filament approach. The battery exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

The invention belongs to the fields of material synthesis and energy technology, and especially relates to a graphene/metal oxide composite cathode material for lithium ion batteries and a preparation method thereof. Grapheme is dispersed into various metal oxide precursor salt solutions; a graphene/metal oxide compound is obtained directly by a hydrothermal method, or an graphene/metal oxide compound is obtained by a liquid in-situ polymerization method or a coprecipitation process; and the graphene/metal oxide compound is obtained by heat treatment or hydrothermal treatment. In the invention, the novel three-dimensional composite cathode material of graphene-coated metal oxide or graphene-anchored metal oxide is prepared by carrying metal oxide particles with graphene as a carrier. The obtained composite material can be used as a lithium ion battery cathode, which has a high specific capacity, excellent cycle stability and rate capability, and is expected to be used as a lithium ion battery cathode material with a high energy density and a high power density.

Disclosed is a method of producing a hybrid nano-filament composition for use in a lithium battery electrode. The method comprises: (a) providing an aggregate of nanometer-scaled, electrically conductive filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a porous network of electrically conductive filaments, wherein the filaments comprise electro-spun nano-fibers that have a diameter less than 500 nm (preferably less than 100 nm); and (b) depositing micron- or nanometer-scaled coating onto a surface of the electro-spun nano-fibers, wherein the coating comprises an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and the coating has a thickness less than 10 μm (preferably less than 1 μm). The same method can be followed to produce an anode or a cathode. The battery featuring an anode or cathode made with this method exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.

The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode having a negative active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte; characterized in that said negative active material contains composite particle (C), which has silicon-containing particle (A) and electronic conductive additive (B), and carbon material (D), wherein the weight of said electronic conductive additive (B) falls within the range of 0.5 wt. % to 60 wt. % to the weight of said composite particle (C). The negative active material contains silicon which is capable of performing high discharge capacity, so that a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a large discharge capacity can be obtained. In addition, since the negative active material contains the electronic conductive additive (B) and the carbon material (D), the contact conductivity between the silicon-containing particle (A) or between the negative active material improves and, as a result, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having satisfactory cycle performance can be attained.

A dimensionally stable, highly resilient, hybrid copolymer solid-solution electrolyte-retention film for use in a lithium ion battery in one preferred embodiment has a predominantly amorphous structure and mechanical strength despite contact with liquid solvent electrolyte. The film is a thinned (stretched), cast film of a homogeneous blend of two or more polymers, one of which is selected for its pronounced solvent retention properties. A very high surface area inorganic filler dispersed in the blend during formation thereof serves to increase the porosity of the film and thereby enhance electrolyte retention. The film is soaked in a solution of liquid polymer with liquid organic solvent electrolyte and lithium salt, for absorption thereof. Use of a cross-linked liquid polymer enhances trapping of molecules of the electrolyte into pores of the film. The electrolyte film is sandwiched between flexible active anode and cathode layers to form the lithium ion battery. Novel methods are provided for forming the electrodes, the polymer substrate, and other elements of the battery.

An electric supercapacitor module is utilized as the primary power source for the propulsion unit of electrically powered vehicles. The vehicle operates in conjunction with roadway embedded wireless chargers which continually charge the vehicle's supercapacitor while the vehicle is in motion to maintain the motion and materially increase the vehicle's range without limitation.

Batteries including a lithium anode stabilized with a metal-lithium alloy and battery cells comprising such anodes are provided. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell having an anode and a sulfur electrode including at least one of elemental sulfur, lithium sulfide, and a lithium polysulfide is provided. The anode includes a lithium core and a ternary alloy layer over the lithium core where the ternary alloy comprises lithium and two other metals. The ternary alloy layer is effective to increase cycle life and storageability of the electrochemical cell. In a more particular embodiment, the ternary alloy layer is comprised of lithium, copper and tin.

The invention provides for a fully electrically rechargeable metal-air battery systems and methods of achieving such systems. A rechargeable metal air battery cell may comprise a metal electrode an air electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte separating the metal electrode and the air electrode. In some embodiments, the metal electrode may directly contact the electrolyte and no separator or porous membrane need be provided between the air electrode and the electrolyte. Rechargeable metal air battery cells may be electrically connected to one another through a centrode connection between a metal electrode of a first battery cell and an air electrode of a second battery cell. Air tunnels may be provided between individual metal air battery cells. In some embodiments, an electrolyte flow management system may be provided.

Irreversible first cycle capacity loss in lithium secondary cells having a cell electrode based on a powdered material and a binder may be significantly decreased or eliminated by using an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyimide binder. Compared to conventional polyimide binders prepared by reacting an aromatic dianhydride and a diamine, the disclosed polyimide binders have decreased aromatic carbonyl content, may be less likely to undergo electrochemical reduction, and may be less likely to consume electrons that might otherwise help lithiate the electrode.

The invention provides a multi-element composite nano-material for a super capacitor, and a preparation method of the nano-material. The nano-material comprises a carbon material, metal oxide and conducting polymer, and components of the nano-material can be two or more than two materials. By the aid of the characteristics such as fine electrical conductivity, long cycle life and high specific surface area of the carbon material, high pseudo-capacitance of the metal oxide and low internal resistance, low cost and high operating voltage of the conducting polymer, different types of electrode materials generate synergistic effects, advantages are mutually combined, shortcomings are mutually weakened, the energy storage characteristics of an electric double-layer capacitor and a pseudo-capacitor are simultaneously made full use of, a composite electrode material with high power density, fine circulating stability and higher energy density is prepared, and the multi-element composite nano-material is excellent in comprehensive performance when used for an electrode of the super capacitor, has the advantages of simple preparation process, short cycle, low cost and the like, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

Disclosed is a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery that includes graphite particles, silicon micro-particles attached on the graphite particles and a carbon film partially or totally coated on the graphite particles.

Disclosed is a wind and solar hybrid power system based on an ultra-capacitor battery hybrid system, which includes a DC/DC buck converter (20), an AC/DC converter (30), an ultra-capacitor assembly (40), a DC/AC converter (50), a battery assembly (60), a battery charge circuit (700), a photovoltaic array (70), a wind generator (80) and an oil engine/commercial power interface (90). The photovoltaic array (70) is connected with the ultra-capacitor assembly (40) through the DC/DC buck converter (20); the wind generator (80) and the oil engine/commercial power interface (90) are connected with the ultra-capacitor assembly (40) through the AC/DC converter (30); the ultra-capacitor assembly (40) charges the battery assembly (60) through the battery charge circuit (700); the ultra-capacitor assembly and the battery assembly provides a definite power buffering to the system so that to maintain a stable voltage of the power supply. The wind and solar hybrid power system of the invention can provides uninterrupted power to the telecommunication system and resident living in the undeveloped areas where the power distribution network can not reach.

A positive active material of a lithium-sulfur battery includes a sulfur-conductive agent-agglomerated complex in which a conductive agent particle is attached onto a surface of a sulfur particle having an average particle size less than or equal to 7 μm. The sulfur-conductive agent-agglomerated complex is manufactured by mixing a sulfur powder and a conductive agent powder to form a mixture, and milling the mixture.

The present invention relates generally to electrolyte materials. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides for a solid polymer electrolyte material that is ionically conductive, mechanically robust, and can be formed into desirable shapes using conventional polymer processing methods. An exemplary polymer electrolyte material has an elastic modulus in excess of 1×10⁶ Pa at 90 degrees C. and is characterized by an ionic conductivity of at least 1×10⁻⁵ Scm−1 at 90 degrees C. An exemplary material can be characterized by a two domain or three domain material system. An exemplary material can include material components made of diblock polymers or triblock polymers. Many uses are contemplated for the solid polymer electrolyte materials. For example, the present invention can be applied to improve Li-based batteries by means of enabling higher energy density, better thermal and environmental stability, lower rates of self-discharge, enhanced safety, lower manufacturing costs, and novel form factors.