24M Technologies, Inc.

Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for evaluating electrochemical cells. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an interlayer, and the method can include performing a calibrating electrical energy transfer between the first electrode and the second electrode to develop a baseline parameter based on the calibration voltage differences. The method can further include performing an operational electrical energy transfer between the first electrode and the second electrode and developing an operational parameter based on the operational voltage differences. The method can further include diagnosing a performance issue with the electrochemical cell based on the baseline parameter and the operational parameter. In some embodiments, the calibrating electrical energy transfer can include an initial charge of the electrochemical cell and the operational electrical energy transfer can include a subsequent charge of the electrochemical cell.

Embodiments described herein relate to hermetically sealed electrochemical cells. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell assembly can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. A hermetic enclosure contains the anode, the anode current collector, the cathode, the cathode current collector, and the separator. An electronic circuit is electrically and/or communicatively coupled to at least one of the anode or the cathode, such that a first portion of the electronic circuit is inside the hermetic enclosure and a second portion of the electronic circuit is outside of the hermetic enclosure. The electronic circuit can includes a printed flex circuit polyimide, and/or an aluminized polymer pouch.

Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode disposed on an anode current collector, a cathode disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode having a first thickness at a proximal end of the cathode and a second thickness at a distal end of the cathode, the second thickness greater than the first thickness, a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a power source electrically connected to the proximal end of the cathode and the proximal end of the interlayer, the power source configured to maintain a voltage difference between the cathode and the interlayer below a threshold value.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for improving safety features in electrochemical cells. In particular, the systems and methods as described herein can solve safety issues concerning gas generation in electrochemical cells.

Embodiments described herein relate to blade assemblies for shaping of semi-solid electrodes. In some aspects, a blade assembly can include a doctor blade and a mounting frame attached to the doctor blade. The mounting frame includes a blade attachment coupled to a first portion of the doctor blade, a first flexure element, and a second flexure element coupled to the blade attachment. The mounting frame further includes a linear output connector coupled to the first flexure element and the second flexure element. The linear output connector imparts a tensile force to the first flexure element when at a first elevation and a tensile force to the second flexure element when at a second elevation, the second elevation lower than the first elevation. The mounting frame further includes a camshaft that imparts vertical motion to the linear output connector and an actuator that imparts rotational motion to the camshaft.

Embodiments described herein relate to electrochemical cells with dendrite prevention mechanisms, and methods of producing and operating the same. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell can include an anode and a cathode material disposed on a cathode current collector, the cathode material and the cathode current collector forming a cathode. The electrochemical cell further includes a first separator disposed on the anode, a second separator disposed on the cathode, and an interlayer disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the interlayer including electroactive material, the interlayer including a source of lithium ions, the lithium ions configured to migrate toward the anode upon a voltage difference between the interlayer and the anode exceeding a threshold value. In some embodiments, the anode can include an anode material disposed on an anode current collector. In some embodiments, the anode material can include graphite, silicon, and/or hard carbon.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to semi-solid electrodes, and methods of producing the same. In some embodiments, a method of forming a semi-solid electrode can include mixing an active material, a conductive material, and an electrolyte solvent to produce a semi-solid material. The electrolyte solvent is free of electrolyte salt. The method further includes dispensing the semi-solid material onto a current collector and wetting the semi-solid material with an electrolyte solution to form the semi-solid electrode. In some embodiments, the wetting can be via spraying. In some embodiments, the electrolyte salt can have a concentration in the electrolyte solution of at least about 1 M, at least about 2 M, or at least about 3 M. In some embodiments, the solvent can include ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), or any combination thereof.

Systems, devices, and methods described herein relate to electrolyte formulations and the incorporation thereof into batteries. In some aspects, an electrolyte composition can comprise between about 10 wt % and about 42 wt % of an electrolyte solvent, between about 13 wt % and about 59 wt % of a fluoroether. In some embodiments, the electrolyte solvent can make up between about 26 wt % and about 39 wt % of the composition. In some embodiments, the fluoroether can make up between about 18 wt % and about 36 wt % of the composition. In some embodiments, the composition can include between about 0.5 wt % and about 1.5 wt % of a first additive. In some embodiments, the composition can include between about 0.5 wt % and about 5 wt % of a second additive.