South 8 Technologies, Inc.

University of California

Jungwoo Lee

Cyrus Sam Rustomji

James Royer

Frederick Krause

Ying Shirley Meng

Daniel Davies

Yangyuchen Yang

Lasantha Korala

Jeremy Intrator

Elena Machado

Miguel Ceja

The present invention discloses methods and materials for adding a polymer material to a liquified gas electrolyte solution for use in an electrochemical energy storage device such as a lithium-ion battery or a related technology to further improve the battery cell's safety properties. An example device includes an ionically conducting electrolyte comprised of a liquefied gas solvent, a salt, and a polymer. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15 K, and the polymer is at a low enough concentration that it is fully dissolved into the liquefied gas solvent. The device may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator layer in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte. A housing may enclose the ionically conducting electrolyte, the anode, the cathode and the separator layer.

Electrolyte chemical formulations incorporating polymers

Methods and structures are disclosed to dispense a liquefied gas solution from a liquefied gas solution (LGE) container. The LGE container comprises a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the liquefied gas solution within the LGE container. The LGE container temperature is controlled using a temperature control element and a processor connected to the temperature sensor and to the temperature control element. The LGE is transferred from the container into a secondary container through a valve. The method includes the following steps: (a) opening the valve to allow the LGE to flow from the LGE container into the secondary container; (b) taking readings from the temperature sensor; and (c) based on the temperature readings, heating the LGE container to maintain the temperature of the LGE container at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.

Liquefied gas solution container apparatus and method for dispensing

A setup for preparing a liquified gas electrolyte (LGE) is disclosed. The setup includes a solvent container that contains a liquified gas solvent, a condensing container with an inlet, an outlet and an electrolyte container. The condensing container may contain a salt. The condensing container also has a heat sink and a heating element to raise and lower its internal temperature. A first valve fluidly connects the solvent container to the inlet, and a second valve fluidly connects the electrolyte container to the outlet. The setup has at least two configurations: a solvent transfer configuration, and a salt transfer configuration.

Apparatus and method of liquefied gas electrolyte preparation

A safe electrolyte comprising a liquefied gas solvent that will transition from a liquid state to a gas state ('gas off') at a pressure of 100 kPa and a temperature of 293.15 K is disclosed. A first mixture is formed from a first electrolyte component (one or more solvents) mixed with a second electrolyte component (one or more hydrocarbon co-solvents). The addition of the second electrolyte component (1) lowers the vapor pressure of the first mixture by at least 10% as compared to the vapor pressure of the first electrolyte component alone, when measured at 293.15 K, and (2) results in a vapor pressure of the first mixture above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15 K. The second electrolyte component may also be selected to lower the global warming potential (GWP) of the first mixture by at least 10% as compared to the GWP of the first electrolyte component alone. The safe liquefied gas electrolyte is formed by mixing a third electrolyte component (one or more salts) to the first mixture. This safe liquefied gas electrolyte can then be used to manufacture an electrochemical energy storage device.

Chemically inert additives for electrochemical cells

The present invention discloses methods and materials for adding a polymer material to a liquified gas electrolyte solution for use in an electrochemical energy storage device such as a lithium-ion battery or a related technology to further improve the battery cell's safety properties. An example device includes an ionically conducting electrolyte comprised of a liquefied gas solvent, a salt, and a polymer. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a temperature of 293.15 K, and the polymer is at a low enough concentration that it is fully dissolved in the liquefied gas solvent. The device may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator layer in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte. A housing may enclose the ionically conducting electrolyte, the anode, the cathode and the separator layer.

The present invention discloses an electrochemical cell design that safely discharges after cell venting. The cell includes a housing and a lid assembly connected to the housing via a vent. The housing houses an electrode assembly with a first electrode separated from a second electrode by a separator. The first electrode is electrically connected to the housing, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the lid assembly structure. The cell has a non-venting configuration characterized by the vent connecting the lid assembly to the housing such that the internal pressure is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. A venting configuration is characterized by (A) the vent releasing the housing from the lid assembly when a predetermined internal pressure is exceeded; (B) venting the internal pressure; and (C) the venting dislodging the lid assembly such that it makes electrical contact with the housing, thus discharging the cell.

Battery cell design for improved safety

The present invention discloses ionically conducting electrolytes that include a liquefied gas solvent displaying low global warming potential (GWP) and low flammability while also generating favorable solid-electrolyte interphases in an electrochemical device to maintain high performance and cycle life. Ionically conducting electrolytes include a multi-component solvent mixture with a low-GWP solvent and non-low GWP solvent. The overall GWP of the multi-component solvent mixture is at least 50% less than the GWP of the non-low GWP solvent alone.

Electrolyte chemical formulations for energy storage devices

Chemical additives are disclosed to increase solubility of salts in liquefied gas electrolytes.

Chemical formulations for electrochemical device

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for implementing electrochemical energy storage devices using a liquefied gas electrolyte. The mechanical designs of an electrochemical device to house a liquefied gas electrolyte as well as methods of filling and sealing said device are presented.

Electrochemical cell cap

A battery device is disclosed that includes an ionically conducting electrolyte comprising a mixture of a compressed gas solvent and one or more solid or liquid salts, wherein the compressed gas solvent comprises at least a first component that has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at a room temperature of 293.15 K. The device also includes a housing enclosing the ionically conducting electrolyte under a pressurized condition to maintain the compressed gas solvent at a pressure higher than 100 kPa at a room temperature of 293.15 K. The device also includes at least two conducting electrodes in contact with the ionically conducting electrolyte.

Electrolyte formulations for electrochemical device

Novel electrolytes, and techniques for making and devices using such electrolytes, which are based on compressed gas solvents are disclosed. Unlike conventional electrolytes, the disclosed electrolytes are based on 'compressed gas solvents' mixed with various salts, referred to as 'compressed gas electrolytes.' Various combinations of salt and solvents are disclosed to increase performance of electrochemical capacitors using liquefied gas electrolytes.

Electrolyte for electrochemical capacitor

Disclosed are novel methods and techniques for introducing liquefied gas solvents into electrochemical devices. Unlike conventional electrolytes, the disclosed electrolytes are based on 'liquefied gas solvents' mixed with various salts, referred to as 'liquefied gas electrolytes.' The disclosed liquefied gas electrolytes can have wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, low temperature capability and/or high-pressure solvent properties. Non-limiting examples of a class of liquefied gases that can be used as solvents for electrolytes include hydrofluorocarbons, and in particular include fluoromethane, difluoromethane, tetrafluoroethane, and pentafluoroethane.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Jungwoo Lee