Presented are metalworking systems for forming metallic workpieces, methods for making such workpieces and methods for operating such systems, and battery cell tabs bent by a multistage plunger press. A metalworking system includes a plunger fixture that mounts adjacent metallic workpieces, and a plunger head movably mounted to the plunger fixture to move between activated and deactivated positions. A first row of plunger fingers is mounted to the plunger head and moves in one direction to press against and bend one metallic workpiece a predefined bend angle. Likewise, a second row of plunger fingers is mounted to the plunger head and moves in an opposite direction to press against and bend another metallic workpiece another predefined bend angle. The plunger head then moves to the activated position, in tandem with the plunger fingers bending the metallic workpieces, to cause the plunger fingers to bend the workpieces additional respective bend angles.

Presented are metalworking systems for forming metallic workpieces, methods for making such workpieces and methods for operating such systems, and battery cell tabs bent by a multistage plunger press. A metalworking system includes a plunger fixture that mounts adjacent metallic workpieces, and a plunger head movably mounted to the plunger fixture to move between activated and deactivated positions. A first row of plunger fingers is mounted to the plunger head and moves in one direction to press against and bend one metallic workpiece a predefined bend angle. Likewise, a second row of plunger fingers is mounted to the plunger head and moves in an opposite direction to press against and bend another metallic workpiece another predefined bend angle. The plunger head then moves to the activated position, in tandem with the plunger fingers bending the metallic workpieces, to cause the plunger fingers to bend the workpieces additional respective bend angles.

An electrode assembly and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same are disclosed herein. The electrode assembly includes an electrode and a separator, wherein the electrode includes a current collector, an electrode active material layer on the current collector, and an adhesive layer on the electrode active material layer; and wherein the separator has a larger surface area than the adhesive layer of the electrode; and a surface of the separator opposing the adhesive layer of the electrode is divided into an adhesive region in contact with the adhesive layer of the electrode and an overhang region not in contact with the adhesive layer of the electrode.

An electrode assembly and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same are disclosed herein. The electrode assembly includes an electrode and a separator, wherein the electrode includes a current collector, an electrode active material layer on the current collector, and an adhesive layer on the electrode active material layer; and wherein the separator has a larger surface area than the adhesive layer of the electrode; and a surface of the separator opposing the adhesive layer of the electrode is divided into an adhesive region in contact with the adhesive layer of the electrode and an overhang region not in contact with the adhesive layer of the electrode.

Any of a position of a fifth end surface of a first folded portion at a first side portion, a position of a first inner surface of the first folded portion opposite to the fifth end surface of the first folded portion, and a position of a portion between the fifth end surface and the first inner surface of the first folded portion is aligned with a position of a third end surface of a second electrode at the first side portion.

Any of a position of a fifth end surface of a first folded portion at a first side portion, a position of a first inner surface of the first folded portion opposite to the fifth end surface of the first folded portion, and a position of a portion between the fifth end surface and the first inner surface of the first folded portion is aligned with a position of a third end surface of a second electrode at the first side portion.

A lithium battery cell includes an upper cover module, a first battery electrode group, a second battery electrode group, and a plurality of first electrode connection straps. The first electrode connection straps are stacked together and have the same width and length. A first end of the first electrode connection straps is welded to a first tab, a second end of the first electrode connection straps is welded to a second tab, and a middle part of the first electrode connection straps is welded to a first electrode terminal. An even number of first bending parts are formed between the middle part and the first end, and an even number of second bending parts are formed between the middle part and the second end, and the first bending parts and the second bending parts are symmetrical to each other. Furthermore, a lithium battery cell manufacturing method is also disclosed therein.

A lithium battery cell includes an upper cover module, a first battery electrode group, a second battery electrode group, and a plurality of first electrode connection straps. The first electrode connection straps are stacked together and have the same width and length. A first end of the first electrode connection straps is welded to a first tab, a second end of the first electrode connection straps is welded to a second tab, and a middle part of the first electrode connection straps is welded to a first electrode terminal. An even number of first bending parts are formed between the middle part and the first end, and an even number of second bending parts are formed between the middle part and the second end, and the first bending parts and the second bending parts are symmetrical to each other. Furthermore, a lithium battery cell manufacturing method is also disclosed therein.

Provided herein are a variety of electrolytes, electrolyte systems, and separator systems, as well as batteries comprising the same and precursors thereof. In specific embodiments are semi-solid or gel electrolytes, particularly those prepared using (i) a cross-linkable polysilsesquioxane with high ionic conductivity and (ii) a liquid electrolyte (e.g., ionic liquid).

Provided herein are a variety of electrolytes, electrolyte systems, and separator systems, as well as batteries comprising the same and precursors thereof. In specific embodiments are semi-solid or gel electrolytes, particularly those prepared using (i) a cross-linkable polysilsesquioxane with high ionic conductivity and (ii) a liquid electrolyte (e.g., ionic liquid).