Generally, this disclosure provides systems, devices and methods for extending charge cycle life of rechargeable batteries through the use of constrained anode fibers. A battery may include a porous anode fiber configured to produce electrons during discharge of the battery. The battery may also include and an anode current collector layer, configured to provide a conductive path to a first terminal of the battery, wherein the anode current collector layer is concentrically disposed on the anode fiber to constrain expansion of the anode fiber during charging of the battery. The porosity of the anode fiber allows for the constrained expansion to be directed radially inward, decreasing the volume of the porous regions of the anode fiber.

Provided herein are novel template electrode materials and structures for lithium ion cells. Related methods are also provided. According to various embodiments, an electrode can include a nanostructured template, an electrochemically active material layer coating the template, and a first intermediate layer between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer. In one arrangement, the nanostructured template includes silicide nanowires. The electrochemically active material may be any of silicon, tin, germanium, carbon, metal hydrides, silicides, phosphides, and nitrides. The first intermediate layer may facilitate adhesion between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer, electronic conductivity within the electrode, and/or stress relaxation between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer.

A lithium ion battery electrode includes silicon nanowires used for insertion of lithium ions and including a conductivity enhancement, the nanowires growth-rooted to the conductive substrate.

A solid state battery system and methods of forming a solid state battery system. The solid state battery system has a plurality of fiber battery cells formed into a pattern. Each fiber battery cell has a fiber inner core which may be a carbon-graphite, carbon-nanotube, boron-nanotube or boron-nitride-nanotube fiber and serves as the anode. In addition, the fiber battery cell has an electrolyte layer formed over the fiber inner core and an outer conductive layer (the cathode) formed over the electrolyte layer. A first terminal is electrically coupled to the fiber inner core of each of the plurality of fiber battery cells. A second terminal is electrically coupled to the outer conductive layer of each of the plurality of fiber battery cells. The solid state battery system may be incorporated into a composite part for a vehicle, such as an aircraft.

A method for producing an electrode having an electrically conductive base element on which there is arranged an active material comprising a silicon nanostructure includes introducing a precursor mixture comprising a silicon-containing material and a base matrix into a spinning unit, arranging an electrically conductive base body at a defined distance from a delivery device of the spinning unit, and delivering at least part of the precursor mixture from the delivery device to the base body. The method further includes applying an electrical voltage between at least part of the spinning unit and the base body so as to spin a silicon-containing nanostructure onto the base body, heat-treating the silicon-containing nanostructure, removing the heat-treated nanostructure from the base body, processing the removed nanostructure to a slurry, and applying the slurry to the base element to produce the electrode.

The invention, relates to flexible, thin trim batteries for use in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, flexible electronics, flexible energy storage systems, wearable textile-like energy devices and various other integrated electronic and mobile device-based applications. The flexible, thin, film batteries allow the design and development of weavable, conformable, wearable and flexible components for advanced battery technology. The invention relates to flexible energy storage system that include an electrospun, textile-like, weaved assembly including a flexible cathode, a flexible anode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte can include a flexible gel-polymer and a nanostractured filler.

A battery on a conductive metal wire and components of a battery on a conductive metal wire of circular cross section diameter of 5-500 micrometers and methods of making the battery and battery components are disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery features a porous anode or cathode layer which assist with ion exchange in batteries. Methods of forming the porous anode or cathode layer include deposition of an inert gas or hydrogen enriched carbon or silicon layer on a heated metal wire followed by annealing of the inert gas or hydrogen enriched carbon silicon layer. Energy storage devices having bundles of batteries on wires are also disclosed as are other energy storage devices.

Provided herein are novel template electrode materials and structures for lithium ion cells. Related methods are also provided. According to various embodiments, an electrode can include a nanostructured template, an electrochemically active material layer coating the template, and a first intermediate layer between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer. In one arrangement, the nanostructured template includes silicide nanowires. The electrochemically active material may be any of silicon, tin, germanium, carbon, metal hydrides, silicides, phosphides, and nitrides. The first intermediate layer may facilitate adhesion between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer, electronic conductivity within the electrode, and/or stress relaxation between the nanostructured template and the electrochemically active material layer.

A negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer, wherein the negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material and a conductive agent, wherein the negative electrode active material includes a silicon-based active material, the silicon-based active material includes SiO.sub.x(0x<2), the conductive agent includes a carbon nanotube structure in which 2 to 5,000 single-walled carbon nanotube units are bonded side by side, and the carbon nanotube structure is included in an amount of 0.01 wt % to 1.0 wt % in the negative electrode active material layer. A secondary battery including the negative electrode, and a method of preparing same are also provided.

A composite anode active material, an anode including the composite anode active material, a lithium battery including the anode, and a method of preparing the composite anode active material. The composite anode active material includes: a shell including a hollow carbon fiber; and a core disposed in a hollow of the hollow carbon fiber, wherein the core includes a first metal nanostructure and a conducting agent.