The present invention concerns a flat battery comprising a package formed by a cathode, an anode, and a separator layer sandwiched between the cathode and the anode, a sealing frame extending circumferentially around said package, a first current collector contacting the anode, and a second current collector contacting the cathode. The first and second current collectors each partly cover the sealing frame in a zone being adjacent to the package. According to the invention, the battery further comprises a first polymeric jacket layer being arranged on the first current collector and a second polymeric jacket layer being arranged on the second current collector, said first and second polymeric jacket layers extending circumferentially beyond the current collectors and beyond the sealing frame and being sealed together to form an outer jacket for the battery. Furthermore, the present invention also concerns a method to produce such a battery.

The present disclosure provides a battery cell clamping device to fix and clamp two or more battery cells in a process of clamping and baking the battery cells arranged in one direction, including fixing jigs interposed between the battery cells, a pressure applying part configured to clamp a cell arrangement by applying a pressure with the fixing jigs interposed, and a base having a structure supporting the cell arrangement in a direction against the pressure applied from the pressure applying part in a state in which the cell arrangement is disposed on an upper surface of the base, wherein each of the fixing jigs is formed with guide blocks to align the battery cell at a fixed position on the jig in such a manner that the guide block abuts at least two side surfaces of the battery cell which are extended with respect to each other.

A method of manufacturing cells includes: assembling cells that include at least electrodes and electrolyte contained in a housing; after assembly, storing the cells in contact with a liquid-based thermal system; circulating liquid in the liquid-based thermal system at least while the cells are in contact with the liquid-based thermal system, the liquid having a first temperature; after storing the cells at the first temperature, and while the cells have at least a partial charge, performing a first open circuit voltage (OCV) test on the cells; after the first OCV test, storing the cells at a second temperature lower than the first temperature; after storing the cells at the second temperature, performing a second OCV test on the cells; and for each of the cells, discarding or keeping the cell based at least in part on the first and second OCV tests.

A battery pressing device includes a roller and a transport device. The roller is configured to rotate at a rotational speed when pressing a battery cell in which is disposed a battery element having electrodes and separators layered inside an external packaging. The transport mechanism is configured to transport the battery cell at a transport speed that is synchronized with the rotational speed of the roller when the battery cell is being pressed by the roller.

A battery bushing for a rechargeable battery has a mounting section and a contacting section. There is a torque ring, between the mounting section and the contacting section. The torque ring or the outer surface itself can be endowed with several indentations. The mounting section is configured to hold the battery bushing within a battery cover, into which it preferably is injection molded. The battery bushing is a hollow body, which has an outer wall and an inner wall. At the contacting section, the outer wall is conically shaped. At the mounting section, the outer wall has at least one circumferential projection forming a labyrinth. The inner wall comprises at least two sections. An upper section is approximately surrounded by the contacting section, and preferably has a conical shape. A lower section is approximately surrounded by the mounting section. The lower section preferably has (in a lateral sectional view) a concave shape. Between the upper section and the lower section, there may be an edge or a step.

Designs, strategies and methods for forming micro-batteries are described. In some examples, ultrasonic welded seals may be used to seal battery chemistry within the micro-battery. In some further examples, the micro-battery is encapsulated by a copper film where at least a portion of the copper film is formed by electroless plating.

A process for producing an anode layer, comprising: (a) dispersing catalyst metal-coated Si particles, graphene sheets, and an optional blowing agent in a liquid medium to form a graphene/Si dispersion; (b) dispensing and depositing the dispersion onto a supporting substrate to form a wet layer and removing the liquid medium from the wet layer to form a dried layer of graphene/Si mixture material; and (c) exposing the dried layer to a high temperature environment, from 300 C. to 2,000 C., to induce volatile gas molecules from graphene sheets or to activate the blowing agent for producing the graphene foam and, concurrently, to enable a catalyst metal-catalyzed growth of multiple Si nanowires emanated from Si particles as a feed material in pores of the foam to form the anode layer; wherein the Si nanowires have a diameter of 5-100 nm and a length-to-diameter aspect ratio of at least 5.

Battery assembly techniques and a corresponding system are disclosed. In various embodiments, the battery assembly techniques include compressing battery cells and inserting the battery cells in a can. Battery cells are stacked and then compressed using pneumatic cylinders that exert pressure on a first external layer of the stacked battery cells. A first portion of the stacked battery cells is released from the pneumatic cylinders while a second portion of the battery cells remains compressed. The first portion of the stacked battery cells is inserted in a can. In various embodiments, friction decreasing materials are added to the stacked battery cells to compress the stacked battery cells or ease insertion.

A standing device for letting a battery cell stand includes: a pressure regulating apparatus; a standing cavity; a charging cavity, connected to a first end of the standing cavity, the charging cavity being connected to the pressure regulating apparatus; a conveying apparatus, penetratingly disposed in the standing cavity and the charging cavity and configured to convey the battery cell; and a charging cavity sealing gate, disposed between the charging cavity and the standing cavity, the charging cavity sealing gate being configured to be opened when the pressure in the charging cavity rises to the pressure in the standing cavity, so that the battery cell is conveyed to the standing cavity.

A case-neutral electrochemical cell has an electrode assembly comprising a separator positioned between an anode and a cathode housed inside a casing. The casing supports a co-axial glass-to-metal seal comprising an inner insulating glass hermetically sealed to a terminal pin and to the inner surface of a first or inner ferrule. An outer insulating glass is hermetically sealed to the outer surface of the inner ferrule and the inner surface of a second or outer ferrule, and the outer ferrule is secured to an opening in the casing. Then, one of the anode and the cathode is connected to the terminal pin and the other of the anode and the cathole is connected to the first or inner ferrule. An electrolyte is provided in the casing to activate the electrode assembly.