When providing alternating current (AC) power to operate AC powered devices such as power tools (such as drills, table saws, miter saws), equipment (such as lawn mowers), and consumer products (such as refrigerators, television, lights) without being tied to a fixed utility power supply typically requires a generator (such as an internal combustion engine based generator) or a battery powered inverter. In order to meet power and runtime needs for these devices, a battery powered inverter must be relatively large and expensive. This simple fact prohibits their use in many environments.

Development of a flexible battery based on periodate/iodate-zinc system is disclosed. H.sub.3PO.sub.4—KCl dual quasi-solid electrolytes separated by an anion-exchange-membrane maintain the desired pH in electrodes and block unwanted ion movements. Poly(acrylic acid) fortifies the electrodes, enhances electrode flexibility, and avoids the free-flow of liquids. The NaMnIO.sub.6 shows a specific capacity of 650 mAg.sup.−1, approximately 81% of its theoretical capacity even when cells are bent. The overall technology is scalable by printing methods.

A solid polymer electrolyte precursor composition includes (i) one or more organic solvents; (ii) one or more cellulosic polymers dissolved in the organic solvent(s); (iii) one or more polymerizable components dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s); (iv) one or more photo-initiators dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s), where at least one of the one or more photo-initiators, following irradiation with light, promotes polymerization of at least one of the one or more polymerizable components; (v) one or more lithium ion sources dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s); (vi) one or more plasticizers dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s); and (vii) one or more ceramic particles dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent(s).

An electrochemical cell according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a positive electroactive material. The positive electroactive material includes a phospho-olivine compound. The negative electrode includes lithium metal. The separator is between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator is electrically insulating and ionically conductive. The electrolyte includes a ternary salt and a solvent. The ternary salt includes LiPF.sub.6, LiFSI, and LiClO.sub.4.

An electrolyte for a lithium ion battery includes a nonaqueous aprotic organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the organic solvent. The organic solvent includes a cyclic carbonate, an acyclic carbonate, and an acyclic fluorinated ether for improved low temperature and high voltage performance as well as enhanced thermostability. The ether group has a general formula of R.sub.1—O—[R.sub.3—O].sub.n—R.sub.2, where n=0 or 1, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each straight-chain C1-C6 fluoroalkyl groups, and, when n=1, R.sub.3 is a methylene group or a polyethylene group.

Provided is a sulfide-based solid electrolyte comprising lithium, phosphorus, sulfur, and a halogen, as a novel solid electrolyte capable of suppressing generation of hydrogen sulfide and securing ionic conductivity. The solid electrolyte is characterized by comprising Li.sub.7−aPS.sub.6−aHa.sub.a (wherein Ha represents a halogen, and “a” satisfies 0.2<a≤1.8) having an argyrodite-type crystal structure, and Li.sub.3PS.sub.4, wherein, in an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern obtained through measurement by an X-ray diffraction method, the ratio of the peak intensity of a peak appearing at a position in a range of diffraction angle 2θ=26.0° to 28.8° derived from Li.sub.3PS.sub.4, relative to the peak intensity of a peak appearing at a position in a range of diffraction angle 2θ=24.9° to 26.3° derived from the argyrodite-type crystal structure, is 0.04 to 0.3.

A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in one of a series connection, a parallel connection or a series and parallel connection.

Described herein are embodiments of methods and apparatus for determining the SoC and SoH a lithium ion battery and for restoring capacity to a lithium ion battery. Some embodiments provide a method and apparatus including an ultrasound transducer designed to measure characteristics of a lithium ion battery in order to determine the SoC and SoH of the lithium ion battery, and to disrupt the SSEI layer inside the lithium ion battery. Several other methods for determination of SoC and SoH and disruption of the SSEI layer are also described. Use of such methods and apparatus may be advantageous in assessing a state of the lithium ion battery, as well as rejuvenating a lithium ion battery and increasing its life span.

Disclosed herein are improved methods and devices for recycling lithium cathodes from batteries.

A method of making thin films of sodium fluorides and their derivatives by atomic layer deposition (“ALD”). A sodium precursor is exposed to a substrate in an ALD reactor. The sodium precursor is purged, leaving the substrate with a sodium intermediate bound thereon. A fluorine precursor is exposed to the bound sodium intermediate in the ALD reactor. The fluorine precursor is purged and a sodium fluoride film is formed on the substrate.