An electrochemical assembly includes a case defining an interior region, an electrochemical cell, a device, and a pressure relief valve. The electrochemical cell is disposed within the interior region. The device includes a spreader component. The spreader component includes a polymer matrix and an additive embedded in the polymer matrix. The additive includes an endothermic phase change material, a flame retardant material, an intumescent material, or any combination thereof. The device defines a device outlet. The pressure relief valve has a valve inlet fluidly connected to the interior region and a valve outlet fluidly connected to the device. The pressure relief valve is configured to transfer a gas from the interior region to the device when a pressure in the interior region exceeds a predetermined pressure. The spreader component is configured to be in fluid communication with the gas and direct the gas to the device outlet.

The present invention relates to a composition for cooling a propulsion system of an electric or hybrid vehicle including at least one battery, comprising: (i) at least one base oil or at least one hydrocarbon-based fluid with a boiling point of greater than or equal to 50° C.; (ii) at least one fire retardant corresponding to formula (I)

R.sub.F-L-R.sub.H  (I)

in which R.sub.F is a perfluorinated or partially fluorinated group, R.sub.H is a hydrocarbon-based group, and L is a linker; and (iii) at least one fluoro compound with a boiling point of between 50 and 250° C.

The invention also relates to the use of at least one fluoro compound with a boiling point of between 50° C. and 250° C. for promoting the contact between a fire retardant corresponding to formula (I) and an element of a propulsion system of an electric or hybrid vehicle, when thermal runaway is observed, said fire retardant of formula (I) being formulated in a base oil, or a hydrocarbon-based fluid with a boiling point of greater than or equal to 50° C.

Finally, the invention relates to a process for cooling and fire-protecting at least one battery of a propulsion system of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising at least one step of placing at least one battery in contact with a composition according to the invention.

A battery includes a cell and a thermal barrier. The cell is configured to store and discharge electrical energy. The thermal barrier is disposed along an exterior surface of the cell. The the thermal barrier includes a thermal insulator. The thermal barrier also includes an endothermic and intumescent material. The thermal insulator engages the exterior surface of the cell. The endothermic and intumescent material is disposed on an exterior of the thermal insulator such that the thermal insulator is disposed between the cell and the endothermic and intumescent material. The endothermic and intumescent material is configured to, in response to an increase in a temperature of the cell and heat generated by the cell consuming the thermal insulator, (i) expand, (ii) engage the exterior surface of the cell, and (iii) absorb the heat generated by the cell.

A battery includes a cell and a thermal barrier. The cell is configured to store and discharge electrical energy. The thermal barrier is disposed along an exterior surface of the cell. The the thermal barrier includes a thermal insulator. The thermal barrier also includes an endothermic and intumescent material. The thermal insulator engages the exterior surface of the cell. The endothermic and intumescent material is disposed on an exterior of the thermal insulator such that the thermal insulator is disposed between the cell and the endothermic and intumescent material. The endothermic and intumescent material is configured to, in response to an increase in a temperature of the cell and heat generated by the cell consuming the thermal insulator, (i) expand, (ii) engage the exterior surface of the cell, and (iii) absorb the heat generated by the cell.

Battery systems, methods of in-situ grid-scale battery construction, and in-situ battery regeneration methods are disclosed. The battery system features controllable capacity regeneration for grid-scale energy storage. The battery system includes a battery comprising a plurality of cells. Each cell includes a cathode comprising cathode electrode materials disposed on a first current collector, an anode comprising anode electrode materials disposed on a second current collector, a separator or spacer disposed between the cathode and the anode an electrolyte to fill the battery in the spaces between electrodes. The battery system includes a battery system controller, wherein the battery system controller is configured to selectively charge and discharge the battery at a normal cutoff voltage and wherein the battery system controller is further configured to selectively charge and discharge the battery at a capacity regeneration voltage as part of a healing reaction to generate active electrode materials.

Battery systems, methods of in-situ grid-scale battery construction, and in-situ battery regeneration methods are disclosed. The battery system features controllable capacity regeneration for grid-scale energy storage. The battery system includes a battery comprising a plurality of cells. Each cell includes a cathode comprising cathode electrode materials disposed on a first current collector, an anode comprising anode electrode materials disposed on a second current collector, a separator or spacer disposed between the cathode and the anode an electrolyte to fill the battery in the spaces between electrodes. The battery system includes a battery system controller, wherein the battery system controller is configured to selectively charge and discharge the battery at a normal cutoff voltage and wherein the battery system controller is further configured to selectively charge and discharge the battery at a capacity regeneration voltage as part of a healing reaction to generate active electrode materials.

A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller pre-heats a coolant in a power electronics loop via heat transfer between the coolant and an electronic component in response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold and a coolant temperature being less than a battery temperature. The controller also pumps the coolant through a battery loop in response to the coolant temperature exceeding the battery temperature.

A device for preventing thermal run-away in a battery. The device includes a main compartment that is divided into a plurality of sub-compartments. A layer of material separates (i) a first sub-compartment containing a first chemical from (ii) a second sub-compartment containing a second chemical. In the event that a thermal run-away event is either detected or predicted, the layer of material degrades/is degraded and allows the chemicals to mix. The chemicals form an endothermic process that cools the battery preventing, or at least delaying, the thermal run-away event.

A device for preventing thermal run-away in a battery. The device includes a main compartment that is divided into a plurality of sub-compartments. A layer of material separates (i) a first sub-compartment containing a first chemical from (ii) a second sub-compartment containing a second chemical. In the event that a thermal run-away event is either detected or predicted, the layer of material degrades/is degraded and allows the chemicals to mix. The chemicals form an endothermic process that cools the battery preventing, or at least delaying, the thermal run-away event.

Disclosed are a secondary battery, an active material, a method for preparing the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the same. In an embodiment, provided is a secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein the secondary battery further includes a reaction-inducing substance located in any one of the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the electrolyte, wherein the reaction-inducing substance forms a reaction product by consuming thermal energy when exposed to a predetermined temperature or higher in a use environment of the secondary battery, thereby improving thermal safety of the secondary battery.