Valence Technology, Inc.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

William Marsh Rice University

Adavolt, Inc.

Mark Joseph Isaacson

Benjamin M Chaloner-Gill

Milton N Golovin

Joseph T Lundquist

Ralph J Brodd

Jonathan Wesley Ward

Michael Wong

Steven L Sinsabaugh

Deepak Upadhyaya

Justin Samuel Golightly

Sibani Lisa Biswal

Madhuri Thakur

Gert L Jensen

Bogdan A Bude

Michael S Wong

Sibani L Biswal

Conventional rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, are somewhat limited in their energy storage density. Sulfur-based batteries can provide improved energy storage density, but their use can be hampered by sulfur's low electrical conductivity. Energy storage devices, particularly batteries, can have a first electrode that includes a carbon nanotube aerogel, and an electroactive material containing sulfur that is incorporated in the carbon nanotube aerogel. Methods for forming an energy storage device can include incorporating an electroactive material containing sulfur in a carbon nanotube aerogel, compressing the carbon nanotube aerogel to form a compressed carbon nanotube aerogel, and disposing a first electrode containing the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel and the electroactive material in an electrolyte with a second electrode and a plurality of lithium ions, such that a separator material permeable to the lithium ions is between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Energy storage devices containing a carbon nanotube aerogel and methods for making the same

Electrochemical cells for a lithium-ion battery are formed on a conductive wire substrate drawn through a multi-chamber deposition reactor, then assembled together in series and parallel connection to create a fail-safe battery. The wire substrate acts as current-limiting fuse that melts when there is a short affecting that cell, while remaining cells of the battery continue to operate. Each cell has solid-state thin film layers concentrically nucleated and grown over a length of the wire substrate as it is drawn through the successive deposition sections, including at least a first electrochemical active material layer, ion-exchange material layer, a second electrochemical active material layer, which is followed by deposition of a conductive layer forming an outer current collector and hermetic seal for the cell. The active material layers form electrodes (cathode and anode), wherein the anode may be formed as a multi-layer composite with stress-absorbing compliant layers.

High energy density solid state lithium ion battery with fail-safe

In some embodiments, the present invention provides novel methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles for lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to anode materials derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles.

Anode battery materials and methods of making the same

A reserve activated lithium ion battery is provided with a number of safety features designed to prevent a thermal run-away condition. The reserve activated battery may include a non-flammable electrolyte, a phosphate-based cathode, an anode with a non-fluorinated binder, and/or a solid electrolyte interface on the anode.

Safe reserve activated lithium ion battery

A method for removing HF from a solid electrolyte using alumina is disclosed. The solid electrolyte contains a polymeric matrix, a salt, a solvent, and a toughening agent. The toughening agent may include alumina, silica, zeolite, and metal oxides (e.g., calcium oxide and magnesium oxide), and mixtures thereof. The toughening agent acts as a drying agent to remove excess solvent in the electrolyte. The solid electrolytes have improved mechanical strength and adherence to the anode and cathode.

Method for removing acidic impurities in a solid electrolyte

A solid electrolyte containing a polymeric matrix, a salt, a solvent, and a toughening agent, is provided. The toughening agent may include alumina, silica, zeolite, and metal oxides (e.g., calcium oxide and magnesium oxide), and mixtures thereof. The toughening agent acts as a drying agent to remove excess solvent in the electrolyte. The solid electrolyte have improved mechanical strength and adherence to the anode and cathode.

Solid electrolytes containing toughening agents and electrolytic cells

In making a laminar assembly for use in the battery, a layer of battery electrode material is deposited onto a substrate surface and the battery electrode material is caused to have an uneven surface. Then an electrolyte layer is deposited onto the uneven surface of the battery electrode material. Where the method calls for first depositing the electrolyte material, then electrolyte material is deposited onto the substrate layer where the electrolyte layer is caused to have an uneven surface. Thereafter, the battery electrode material is deposited onto the uneven surface of the electrolyte material. In both cases, slippage between the battery electrode material and electrolyte material is reduced during cutting, folding and other handling process in making a laminar battery, thereby reducing the probability of shorts in the battery. In order to form the cathode or electrolyte layer, a pump is used to squeeze a viscous cathode or electrolyte material through a nozzle onto a substrate surface and the viscous material and substrate layer are passed between two pressing surfaces moving in the same direction pressing the viscous material onto the substrate layer. The two pressing surfaces are spaced apart by a predetermined distance so that the viscous material is pressed into a layer with a predetermined thickness with no pin holes therein so that the material adheres to the substrate layer.

Battery laminate with improved electrolyte and anode or cathode layer

This invention is directed to a solid electrolyte containing a polymeric matrix, a salt, a solvent and a viscosifying agent containing a reactive group as well as electrolytic cells prepared from such solid electrolytes.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Mark Joseph Isaacson