South 8 Technologies, Inc.

Lasantha Korala

Cyrus Sam Rustomji

Jungwoo Lee

Frederick Krause

Jeremy Intrator

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

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.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Lasantha Korala