The present invention relates to a secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly comprises: a first unit electrode in which a plurality of first electrodes entirely made of a first electrode mixture having a solid shape are connected to each other; a second unit electrode in which a plurality of second electrodes entirely made of a second electrode mixture having a solid shape are connected to each other; a separator interposed between the first unit electrode and the second unit electrode; and an electrode tab comprising a plurality of first electrode tab provided on the first unit electrode and a plurality of second electrode tab provided on the second unit electrode.

Systems and techniques for measuring process characteristics including electrolyte distribution in a battery cell. A non-destructive method for analyzing a battery cell includes determining acoustic features at two or more locations of the battery cell, the acoustic features based on one or more of acoustic signals travelling through at least one or more portions of the battery cell during one or more points in time or responses to the acoustic signals obtained during one or more points in time, wherein the one or more points in time correspond to one or more stages of electrolyte distribution in the battery cell. One or more characteristics of the battery cell are determined based on the acoustic features at the two or more locations of the battery cell.

A method of producing a lithium-ion battery includes filling at least one cell of the battery with an electrolyte followed directly with a first step of sealing the at least one cell and a second step of applying pulsating compression to the at least one cell during formation charging, the pulsating compression comprising alternating a first time period of applying a first compression force F.sub.1 greater than zero and a second time period of applying a second compression force F.sub.2, wherein F.sub.1 > F.sub.2, and the formation charging includes a first charge of the battery.

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a lithium metal secondary battery including a lithium metal electrode as a negative electrode, wherein the lithium metal electrode has a protective layer formed thereon, and the lithium metal secondary battery is discharged before its initial charge during an activation step of the lithium metal secondary battery so that stripping occurs on the surface of the lithium metal electrode.

Systems and methods for improved performance of silicon anode containing cells through formation may include a cathode, electrolyte, and silicon containing anode. The battery may be subjected to a formation process comprising one or more cycles of: charging the battery at a 1 C rate to 3.8 volts or greater until a current in the battery reaches C/20, and discharging the battery to 2.5 volts or less. The battery may comprise a lithium ion battery. The electrolyte may comprise a liquid, solid, or gel. The anode may comprise greater than 70% silicon. The battery may be discharged until the current reaches 0.2 C. The battery may be discharged at a 1 C rate or at a 0.2 C rate. The battery may be in a rest period between the charge and discharge.

A pre-lithiation module for a lithium containing secondary battery includes a switched capacitor circuit, a pre-lithiation module controller connected to the switched capacitor circuit, a battery connector for electrical connection to an electrode busbar and a counter-electrode busbar of the lithium containing secondary battery, and a pre-lithiation connector for electrical connection to an auxiliary electrode of the lithium containing secondary battery. The pre-lithiation module controller includes a processor and a memory. The memory of the pre-lithiation module controller stores instructions that program the pre-lithiation module controller to operate the switched capacitor circuit to selectively conduct a current through the auxiliary electrode to diffuse lithium to electrode active material layers of the lithium containing secondary battery.

Over-lithiated cathode materials for use in an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions, and methods of making and using the same, are provided. The over-lithiated cathode materials may include positive electroactive materials selected from the group consisting of: Li.sub.2Mn.sub.2O.sub.4, Li.sub.2MSiO.sub.4 (where M is Fe, Mn, Co, or Mn), Li.sub.2VOPO.sub.4, and combinations thereof. Methods for preparing the positive electroactive material may include charging an electrochemical cell at a first voltage window and discharging the electrochemical cell at a second a second voltage window that is less than the first voltage window. The electrochemical cell may include a positive electrode, including the positive electroactive material, and a negative electrode, including a volume-expanding negative electroactive material. During charging, lithium ions and electrons may move from the positive electrode to the negative electrode. During discharging, a portion of the lithium ions and electrons may remain at the negative electrode as a lithium reservoir.

In general, the present disclosure is directed to forming lithium ion battery (LIB) cells with structure and chemistry that achieves formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that allows for operating in relatively high ambient temperature environments, e.g., up to and exceeding 60° C., while significantly reducing self-discharge amounts, e.g., relative to other LIB cells formed with SEI layers measuring about 1-2 nanometers in thickness. For example, one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure enables a self-discharge amount for a LIB cell of 10% or less over a four (4) week period of time when operating at an ambient temperature of 60 degrees Celsius.

A lithium metal negative electrode for an electrochemical cell for a secondary lithium metal battery includes a polycrystalline metal substrate having a major facing surface with a defined crystallographic texture. An epitaxial lithium metal layer is formed on the major facing surface of the polycrystalline metal substrate. The epitaxial lithium metal layer exhibits a predominant crystal orientation. The predominant crystal orientation of the epitaxial lithium metal layer is derived from the defined crystallographic texture of the major facing surface of the polycrystalline metal substrate.

The present disclosure relates to a two-dimensional Ni-organic framework/rGO composite including: a two-dimensional electroconductive Ni-organic framework in which Ni and an organic ligand containing a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.6-C.sub.30 arylhexamine are repeatedly bonded in a branched form; and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Thus, when a composite of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and a two-dimensional Ni-MOF is prepared and used as an energy storage electrode material, the two-dimensional Ni-organic framework/rGO composite of the present disclosure can exhibit higher discharge capacity per weight due to the synergistic effect of rGO and Ni-MOF as compared to when Ni-MOF is used alone, and the composite can be used to manufacture a thin-film type electrode, which can be used as a next-generation energy storage electrode having high mechanical bending strength and energy density per volume.