This invention provides a method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The method comprises constructing a battery cell that comprises a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and an oxalatoborate-based compound. The method further comprises charging the battery cell to form on the negative electrode a layer that is derived from the oxalatoborate-based compound and comprises boron and oxalate ions. The method further comprises carrying out a modification treatment to increase the ratio of number of moles m.sub.B of boron to number of moles m.sub.A of oxalate ions in the layer.

The adhesion between metal foil serving as a current collector and a negative electrode active material is increased to enable long-term reliability. An electrode active material layer (including a negative electrode active material or a positive electrode active material) is formed over a base, a metal film is formed over the electrode active material layer by sputtering, and then the base and the electrode active material layer are separated at the interface therebetween; thus, an electrode is formed. The electrode active material particles in contact with the metal film are bonded by being covered with the metal film formed by the sputtering. The electrode active material is used for at least one of a pair of electrodes (a negative electrode or a positive electrode) in a lithium-ion secondary battery.

A curved secondary battery includes an electrode assembly; a first sealing sheet at a first surface of the electrode assembly; a second sealing sheet at a second surface of the electrode assembly, the first sealing sheet and the second sealing sheet together sealing the electrode assembly; and a reinforcing layer on the first sealing sheet, wherein the first sealing sheet has a concavely curved surface, and wherein the reinforcing layer has a curvature corresponding to a curvature of the first sealing sheet.

A negative electrode active material layer containing at least one selected from silicon and a silicon compound as a negative electrode active material is formed, and an amount of lithium exceeding an amount corresponding to a theoretical capacity of the negative electrode active material layer is brought into contact with the negative electrode active material layer so as to prepare a negative electrode. A positive electrode containing a lithium-absorption material capable of irreversibly absorbing lithium is prepared. The positive electrode, the negative electrode, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte are enclosed inside an outer enclosure. A chemical conversion treatment of the negative electrode active material is performed with the lithium brought into contact with the negative electrode active material layer.

An electric storage apparatus including a welding structure between an electric storage device and a bus bar includes the electric storage device including an external terminal that includes a first connection surface, the bus bar including a second connection surface that overlaps the first connection surface, a first weld portion that is formed extending over the external terminal and the bus bar in a region where the first connection surface and the second connection surface are opposed to each other, and a second weld portion that is formed extending over the external terminal and the bus bar in the region where the first connection surface and the second connection surface are opposed to each other, the second weld portion directly overlapping the first weld portion in a region where the first connection surface and the second connection surface overlap each other.

Lead/acid batteries are provided that can include: a plurality of electrodes having a planar copper conductive core member bounded by a polymeric frame maintaining the conductive core member in the planar state.

Supplemental lithium can be used to stabilize lithium ion batteries with lithium rich metal oxides as the positive electrode active material. Dramatic improvements in the specific capacity at long cycling have been obtained. The supplemental lithium can be provided with the negative electrode, or alternatively as a sacrificial material that is subsequently driven into the negative electrode active material. The supplemental lithium can be provided to the negative electrode active material prior to assembly of the battery using electrochemical deposition. The positive electrode active materials can comprise a layered-layered structure comprising manganese as well as nickel and/or cobalt.

A method for evaluating a consistency of a battery pack is provided, including: obtaining an initial/real rated capacity and an initial/real dischargeable electric quantity of each cell in a battery pack after a charge and discharge cycle of the battery pack; generating a first/second data diagram for every cells based upon the initial/real rated capacity and the initial/real dischargeable electric quantity; obtaining a first/second information of key cells in the first/second data diagram, defining an initial/real cell distribution region according to the first/second information by processing the first/second data diagram, and calculating a first/second area of the initial/real cell distribution region; and evaluating the consistency of the battery pack according to the first/second area. A strategy for balancing the battery pack is further provided.

Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.

A power system adapted for supplying power in a high temperature environment is disclosed. The power system includes a rechargeable energy storage that is operable in a temperature range of between about seventy degrees Celsius and about two hundred and fifty degrees Celsius coupled to a circuit for at least one of supplying power from the energy storage and charging the energy storage; wherein the energy storage is configured to store between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a joule and about one hundred megajoules of energy, and to provide peak power of between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a watt and about one hundred megawatts, for at least two charge-discharge cycles. Methods of use and fabrication are provided. Embodiments of additional features of the power supply are included.