Batteries including electrochemical cells, associated components, and arrangements thereof are generally described. In some aspects, batteries with housings that undergo relatively little expansion and contraction even in cases where electrochemical cells in the battery undergo a relatively high degree of expansion and contraction during charging and discharging are provided. Batteries configured to apply relatively high magnitudes and uniform force to electrochemical cells in the battery, while in some cases having high energy densities and a relatively low pack burden, are also provided. In certain aspects, arrangements of electrochemical cells and associated components are generally described. In some aspects, thermally conductive solid articles that can be used for aligning components of the battery are described. In some aspects, thermally insulating and compressible components for battery packs are generally described.

A method for synthesizing a purified lithium (Li).sup.+ anion binding agent (ABA-F).sup.− salt and the corresponding Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− are disclosed. The method includes dissolving a boron-based acid in a polar solvent to form a solution. The solution is refluxed to form an anion binding agent. A stoichiometric amount of a small fluorinated salt, such as LiF, is added to the anion binding agent to form a mixture. The mixture is subsequently crystallized to obtain a substantially pure Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− salt. Example purified Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− salts include Ox-Li.sup.+(ABA-F), m-Li.sup.+(ABA-F), and BF.sub.3—Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.−. These purified Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− salts provide the benefits of increased battery thermal safety without loss of electrochemical performance.

A method for synthesizing a purified lithium (Li).sup.+ anion binding agent (ABA-F).sup.− salt and the corresponding Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− are disclosed. The method includes dissolving a boron-based acid in a polar solvent to form a solution. The solution is refluxed to form an anion binding agent. A stoichiometric amount of a small fluorinated salt, such as LiF, is added to the anion binding agent to form a mixture. The mixture is subsequently crystallized to obtain a substantially pure Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− salt. Example purified Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− salts include Ox-Li.sup.+(ABA-F), m-Li.sup.+(ABA-F), and BF.sub.3—Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.−. These purified Li.sup.+(ABA-F).sup.− salts provide the benefits of increased battery thermal safety without loss of electrochemical performance.

An electric vehicle may include a battery system with a plurality of battery packs electrically connected together. Each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs may include a plurality of battery cells. The electric vehicle may also include a cooling system configured to cool the plurality of battery packs. The electric vehicle may further include a control system configured to selectively operate the cooling system such that at least one battery pack of the plurality of battery packs is maintained at a temperature different from another battery pack of the plurality of battery packs.

An electric vehicle may include a battery system with a plurality of battery packs electrically connected together. Each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs may include a plurality of battery cells. The electric vehicle may also include a cooling system configured to cool the plurality of battery packs. The electric vehicle may further include a control system configured to selectively operate the cooling system such that at least one battery pack of the plurality of battery packs is maintained at a temperature different from another battery pack of the plurality of battery packs.

An energy storage system for a motor vehicle including an electric energy storage device and a housing-like carrier element for the energy storage device. A liquid heat-conducting medium is arranged in an intermediate space between the carrier element and the energy storage device by which the energy storage device is thermally coupled to the carrier element. A sealing element is provided extending between the carrier element and the energy storage device, which prevents the heat-conducting medium from flowing out from the intermediate space.

A separating device for a battery module. The separating device includes a first separating element and a second separating element, which are arranged congruently with respect to one another and adjacent one another. Furthermore, the first separating element and the second separating element enclose a chamber between them, and the chamber is filled with a flame-retarding and/or insulating fluid.

A separating device for a battery module. The separating device includes a first separating element and a second separating element, which are arranged congruently with respect to one another and adjacent one another. The first separating element and the second separating element are formed from a heat-conducting material. Furthermore, the two separating elements enclose a chamber and the first separating element and the second separating element have embossments corresponding to one another for forming the chamber, wherein the embossments of the first separating element extend away from the second separating element and the embossments of the second separating element extend away from the first separating element.

Provided are a battery heating device and a control method and circuit therefor, and a power device. The battery heating device includes: a heating module including a first bridge arm, a second bridge arm, and an energy storage element; and a control module configured to control the first bridge arm and the second bridge arm, to form a circuit for discharging from a first battery cell to the energy storage element and a circuit for charging from the energy storage element and the first battery cell to a second battery cell, and/or to form a circuit for discharging from the second battery cell to the energy storage element and a circuit for charging from the energy storage element and the second battery cell to the first battery cell, for heating of the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

A heat exchanger for use with at least two battery modules, each of the battery modules comprising at least one battery cell housed within a rigid container, the heat exchanger defining an internal fluid passage for a heat exchanger fluid and having at least one compliant region that is configured to be compressed to facilitate thermal contact between the heat exchanger and the two battery modules.