Provided is an electrode comprising a current collector, a base layer on a surface of the current collector, and an active material (e.g., cathode, anode) layer on the base layer. The base layer comprises microchannels that are at least partially horizontally aligned with respect to the first surface of the current collector. Also provided are methods for preparing electrodes and electrode assemblies, and methods of filling liquid electrolyte into electrode assemblies. Electric vehicle systems comprising the electrode assemblies are also provided.

Provided is an electrode comprising a current collector, a base layer on a surface of the current collector, and an active material (e.g., cathode, anode) layer on the base layer. The base layer comprises microchannels that are at least partially horizontally aligned with respect to the first surface of the current collector. Also provided are methods for preparing electrodes and electrode assemblies, and methods of filling liquid electrolyte into electrode assemblies. Electric vehicle systems comprising the electrode assemblies are also provided.

A LiO.sub.2 battery and method for fabricating the same are provided herein. The battery cathode comprises a carbon structure filled with a palladium nanoparticle catalyst, including palladium-filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The carbon structure provides a barrier between the catalyst and the electrolyte providing an increased stability of the electrolyte during both discharging and charging of a battery.

A LiO.sub.2 battery and method for fabricating the same are provided herein. The battery cathode comprises a carbon structure filled with a palladium nanoparticle catalyst, including palladium-filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The carbon structure provides a barrier between the catalyst and the electrolyte providing an increased stability of the electrolyte during both discharging and charging of a battery.

A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment at least partially containing an anode current collector that receives electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electron transport structure extending between the anode current collector and the ion-selective membrane within the anode compartment and configured to transport the electrons from the anode current collector to the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell. Self-priming includes combining the electrons with the metal ions arriving at an interface between the electron transport structure and the ion-selective membrane to produce the molten metal within the anode compartment.

A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment at least partially containing an anode current collector that receives electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electron transport structure extending between the anode current collector and the ion-selective membrane within the anode compartment and configured to transport the electrons from the anode current collector to the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell. Self-priming includes combining the electrons with the metal ions arriving at an interface between the electron transport structure and the ion-selective membrane to produce the molten metal within the anode compartment.

Systems and methods which provide flexible zinc ion (Zn-ion) battery configurations with shape memory are described. For example, embodiments of flexible shape memory yarn batteries (SMYBs) may be fabricated using shape memory material wire, filament, and/or fiber and flexible conductive material yarn as flexible substrate materials. In accordance with some embodiments, Nickel-Titanium-based alloy wire may be coated with a zinc material to provide a flexible anode electrode for a SMYB. Additionally or alternatively, flexible stainless steel (SS) yarn may be coated with a manganese dioxide (MnO.sub.2) material to provide a flexible cathode electrode for a SMYB of embodiments. An aqueous electrolyte may be combined with the flexible cathode and anode electrodes to provide a SMYB in accordance with the concepts herein. The aqueous electrolyte may, for example, comprise a polymer gel electrolyte (e.g., gelatin-borax polymer gel electrolyte).

The present disclosure discloses a porous structure Si/Cu composite electrode of a lithium ion battery and a preparation method thereof. The composite electrode comprises an active substance, a bulk porous Cu and a current collector, wherein the active substance Si is embedded into the bulk porous Cu, and the bulk porous Cu is in metallurgical bonding with the current collector and plays a dual role of binder and conductive agent, which not only relieves the pulverization and the shedding of the active substance Si particles but also improves electron transmission efficiency; and meanwhile, the porous structure increases the contact area between the active substance Si and electrolyte and increases the reaction efficiency of lithium insertion combination. The method of preparing the composite electrode comprises: with Si, Cu and Al powders as raw materials, preparing a SiCuAl precursor alloy on the Cu current collector by powder metallurgy and diffusion welding technology; and removing Al element in the SiCuAl precursor alloy by using a chemical de-alloying method to obtain a Si/Cu composite electrode with a porous-structure.

A lithium secondary battery includes a wound electrode group and a lithium-ion conductive nonaqueous electrolyte. The wound electrode group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode current collector includes: a layer having a first surface facing outward of the winding of the electrode group and a second surface facing inward of the winding of the electrode group; first protrusions protruding from the first surface; and second protrusions protruding from the second surface. Lithium metal is deposited on the first surface and the second surface by charging. A first average height of the first protrusions is higher than a second average height of the second protrusions.

A lithium secondary battery includes a wound electrode group and a lithium-ion conductive nonaqueous electrolyte. The wound electrode group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode current collector includes: a layer having a first surface facing outward of the winding of the electrode group and a second surface facing inward of the winding of the electrode group; first protrusions protruding from the first surface; and second protrusions protruding from the second surface. Lithium metal is deposited on the first surface and the second surface by charging. A second average height of the second protrusions is higher than a first average height of the first protrusions.