The described technology has been made in an effort to provide a rechargeable battery having advantages of protecting an electrode assembly and a case from arc debris generated from a cell fuse. A rechargeable battery in accordance with exemplary embodiment includes: an electrode assembly configured to perform charging and discharging operations; a case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly therein; a cap plate coupled to an opening of the case; an electrode terminal installed on the cap plate; a lead tab configured to connect the electrode assembly to the electrode terminal, and including a fuse; and a side retainer supported in an inner surface of the case to be coupled to the lead tab. The side retainer includes an exhaust guide member that is opened toward the cell fuse and a sidewall of the case.

A method for charging electric vehicles includes receiving information regarding an electric vehicle. At least a portion of the information is received through a vehicle interface configured to place a battery of the electric vehicle into electrical communication with a fuel cell system. A charge is delivered from the fuel cell system to the battery of the electric vehicle through the vehicle interface without use of a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) converter. The charge is delivered based at least in part on the information.

In one embodiment, a battery system includes a negative electrode, a separator adjacent to the negative electrode, a positive electrode separated from the negative electrode by the separator, the positive electrode including an electrode inlet and an electrode outlet, an electrolyte including about 5 molar LiOH located within the positive electrode, and a first pump having a first pump inlet in fluid communication with the electrode outlet and a first pump outlet in fluid communication with the electrode inlet and controlled such that the first pump receives the electrolyte from the electrode outlet and discharges the electrolyte to the electrode inlet during both charge and discharge of the battery system.

A new battery structure as disclosed allows convective flow of electrolyte through three-dimensional structured electrodes. Hierarchical battery structure design enables three-dimensional metal structures with fluid transport capabilities. Some variations provide a lithium-ion battery system with convective electrolyte flow, comprising: a positive electrode comprising a lithium-containing electrode material and a conductive network with hollow liquid-transport conduits; a negative electrode comprising a lithium-containing electrode material in the conductive network; a separator that electronically isolates the positive and negative electrodes; and a liquid electrolyte contained within the hollow liquid-transport conduits of the conductive network. The hollow liquid-transport conduits serve as structural members, and the walls of these conduits serve as current collectors. The conductive networks may include a micro-lattice structure with a cellular material formed of hollow tubes. Performance and thermal management of lithium-ion batteries (and other types of batteries) can be improved.

The present disclosure details header flow divider designs and methods of electrolyte distribution. Internal header flow dividers may include multiple flow channels and may be built into flow frames. Flow channels within internal header flow dividers may divide evenly multiple times in order to form multiple flow channel paths and provide a uniform distribution of electrolytes throughout electrode sheets within electrochemical cells. Furthermore, uniform electrolyte distribution across electrode sheets may not only enhance battery performance, but also prevent zinc dendrites that may be formed in electrode sheets. The prevention of zinc dendrite growth in electrode sheets may increase operating lifetime of flow batteries. The disclosed internal header flow dividers may also be included within end caps of electrochemical cells.

This underwater vehicle includes an electrolyte-activated electrochemical fuel cell to supply it with electrical power, which fuel cell includes: an electrochemical power production cell (3), a reservoir (4) to contain the electrolyte. means of circulation (7) of the electrolyte between the electrochemical cell (3) and the reservoir (4), comprising a semi-axial flow pump arranged axially in the reservoir and comprising a motorized wheel rotatably mounted in a diffuser, characterized in that the diffuser has the general shape of a dome to direct the flow of the electrolyte coming out of the pump in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the pump, and thus of the reservoir.

A power system is provided for a mobile machine. The power system may have a traction motor configured to propel the mobile machine during a driving operation and to generate electricity during a braking operation. The power system may also have an aluminum-air battery connected to the traction motor. The power system may further have a circuit fluidly connected to the aluminum-air battery and configured to circulate electrolyte and aluminum hydroxide particles produced by the aluminum-air battery. The power system may also have a crystallizer connected to the circuit and configured to crystallize and separate the aluminum hydroxide particles from the electrolyte. The power system may also have a heating chamber configured to heat the aluminum hydroxide particles and produce aluminum oxide separated from the electrolyte, wherein the heating chamber is powered by electricity generated by the traction motor during the braking operation.

A battery is provided with an associated method for transporting metal-ions in the battery using a low temperature molten salt (LTMS). The battery comprises an anode, a cathode formed from a LTMS having a liquid phase at a temperature of less than 150 C., a current collector submerged in the LTMS, and a metal-ion permeable separator interposed between the LTMS and the anode. The method transports metal-ions from the separator to the current collector in response to the LTMS acting simultaneously as a cathode and an electrolyte. More explicitly, metal-ions are transported from the separator to the current collector by creating a liquid flow of LTMS interacting with the current collector and separator.