A separator for a bobbin-style electrochemical cell is inserted into an interior opening within a ring-shaped cathode in an electrochemical cell can. An expansion force is then applied to an interior surface of the separator to press the separator against the interior walls of the cathode. A tool may then remove various creases and/or wrinkles in the separator and/or may then heat seal at least a portion of the tubular walls of the separator to minimize the void space between the separator and active material (e.g., cathode and/or anode) within the electrochemical cell.

Membrane materials and methods are disclosed for selectively separating or transporting ions in liquid media. In embodiments, the membranes comprise cellulose acetate polymer films having high cation, monovalent/divalent, and/or Li.sup.+/Mg.sup.2+ selectivity. Systems and methods for use of such membranes, including the direct extraction of lithium (DLE) from natural brines and other resources, also are disclosed.

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.

The invention concerns ionic compounds in which the anionic load has been delocalized. A compound disclosed by the invention is comprised of an amide or one of its salts, including an anionic portion combined with at least one cationic portion M.sup.+m in sufficient numbers to ensure overall electronic neutrality; the compound is further comprised of M as a hydroxonium, a nitrosonium NO.sup.+, an ammonium NH.sub.4.sup.+, a metallic cation with the valence m, an organic cation with the valence m, or an organometallic cation with the valence m. The anionic portion matches the formula R.sub.FSO.sub.xN.sup.?Z, where R.sub.F is a perflourinated group, x is 1 or 3, and Z is an electroattractive substituent. The compounds can be used notably for ionic conducting materials, electronic conducting materials, colorants and the catalysis of various chemical reactions.

The invention concerns ionic compounds in which the anionic load has been delocalized. A compound disclosed by the invention is comprised of an amide or one of its salts, including an anionic portion combined with at least one cationic portion M.sup.+m in sufficient numbers to ensure overall electronic neutrality; the compound is further comprised of M as a hydroxonium, a nitrosonium NO.sup.+, an ammonium NH.sub.4.sup.+, a metallic cation with the valence m, an organic cation with the valence m, or an organometallic cation with the valence m. The anionic portion matches the formula R.sub.FSO.sub.xN.sup.?Z, where R.sub.F is a perflourinated group, x is 1 or 3, and Z is an electroattractive substituent. The compounds can be used notably for ionic conducting materials, electronic conducting materials, colorants and the catalysis of various chemical reactions.

A thermal battery includes a first conductive layer containing an anode material separated from a second conductive layer containing a cathode material by a separator layer containing a separator material; and a flexible pyrotechnic heat source, wherein the first conductive layer, the separator layer, and the second conductive layer are rolled together to form the spiral wound configuration. A method of manufacturing a thermal spiral wound battery includes preparing three slurries, each containing one of an anode material, a cathode material, and a separator material, depositing each of the materials from the slurries onto conductive substrates to form three layers, stacking the layers, and winding the layers together into a spiral wound configuration.

A battery having flat, stacked, anode and cathode layers. The battery can be adapted to fit within an implantable medical device.

A battery system includes a lithium ion battery that couples to an electrical system. The battery system also includes a battery management system that electrically couples to the lithium ion battery and controls one or more recharge parameters of the lithium ion battery. Additionally, the battery management system monitors one or more parameters of the lithium ion battery. Further, the battery management system controls the recharge parameters of the lithium ion battery based on at least one lithium plating model and the monitored parameters. Furthermore, the at least one lithium plating model indicates a relationship between the one or more parameters of the lithium ion battery and a likelihood of lithium plating occurring in the lithium ion battery.

Methods of recycling batteries are provided, in which reaction conditions and elements are designed to maximize manganese recovery while minimizing zinc and potassium impurities in the recovered manganese. Methods of treating waste solution created by washing the manganese, so as to remove zinc from the waste solution, are also provided. Batteries prepared via such methods are also provided.

A thermal battery including: a casing; a battery cell disposed in the casing; a heat generating pyrotechnic material, separate from the battery cell, at least partially surrounding the battery cell; and insulation disposed between the heat generating pyrotechnic material and the casing, wherein the heat generating pyrotechnic material is disposed in a flattened tube having a flat cross-section where at least two sides are substantially parallel, the flattened tube being spirally wound to form a shape corresponding to a complimentary shape of at least a portion of the battery cell.