An energy storage apparatus includes an energy storage device, a spacer disposed in a predetermined direction of the energy storage device, and an adhesive layer which is disposed between the energy storage device and the spacer and bonds the energy storage device and the spacer to each other. The spacer includes a first protruding portion which is disposed at a position adjacent to the adhesive layer in an intersecting direction which intersects the predetermined direction and projects toward the energy storage device and a second protruding portion which is disposed at a position different from the first protruding portion and projects toward the energy storage device and has a protrusion height lower than that of the first protruding portion.

An energy storage apparatus includes an energy storage device, a spacer disposed in a predetermined direction of the energy storage device, and an adhesive layer which is disposed between the energy storage device and the spacer and bonds the energy storage device and the spacer to each other. The spacer includes a first protruding portion which is disposed at a position adjacent to the adhesive layer in an intersecting direction which intersects the predetermined direction and projects toward the energy storage device and a second protruding portion which is disposed at a position different from the first protruding portion and projects toward the energy storage device and has a protrusion height lower than that of the first protruding portion.

A battery separator configured for reducing acid stratification for an enhanced flooded battery. The battery separator for the enhanced flooded battery is configured to minimize acid stratification. The battery separator is comprised of a microporous membrane and an absorptive mat. The absorptive mat includes a 3-hour wicking height greater than 15 cm. Wherein the absorptive mat of the battery separator is configured to minimize acid stratification of the enhanced flooded battery.

A battery separator configured for reducing acid stratification for an enhanced flooded battery. The battery separator for the enhanced flooded battery is configured to minimize acid stratification. The battery separator is comprised of a microporous membrane and an absorptive mat. The absorptive mat includes a 3-hour wicking height greater than 15 cm. Wherein the absorptive mat of the battery separator is configured to minimize acid stratification of the enhanced flooded battery.

Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendaring step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength. In a very particular embodiment, the inventive process produces a thin multilayer microporous membrane that is easily coated with polymeric-ceramic coatings, has excellent mechanical strength properties due to its polypropylene layer or layers and a thermal shutdown function due to its polyethylene layer or layers. The ratio of the thickness of the polypropylene and polyethylene layers in the inventive multilayer microporous membrane can be tailored to balance mechanical strength and thermal shutdown properties.

Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendaring step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength. In a very particular embodiment, the inventive process produces a thin multilayer microporous membrane that is easily coated with polymeric-ceramic coatings, has excellent mechanical strength properties due to its polypropylene layer or layers and a thermal shutdown function due to its polyethylene layer or layers. The ratio of the thickness of the polypropylene and polyethylene layers in the inventive multilayer microporous membrane can be tailored to balance mechanical strength and thermal shutdown properties.

An electrochemical apparatus includes a housing, an electrode assembly, and an insulation tape, where at least part of the electrode assembly is located inside the housing, and the insulation tape is located between the housing and the electrode assembly. The insulation tape includes a first surface bonded to the electrode assembly and a second surface bonded to the housing, the first surface includes a first bonding zone, and the second surface includes a second bonding zone, where an area of the first bonding zone is A, an area of the second bonding zone is B, and 0.08≤B/A≤0.965. This can make the insulation tape smaller and lighter and help increase an energy density of the electrochemical apparatus while ensuring reliability of connection between the insulation tape and the housing.

An electrochemical apparatus includes a housing, an electrode assembly, and an insulation tape, where at least part of the electrode assembly is located inside the housing, and the insulation tape is located between the housing and the electrode assembly. The insulation tape includes a first surface bonded to the electrode assembly and a second surface bonded to the housing, the first surface includes a first bonding zone, and the second surface includes a second bonding zone, where an area of the first bonding zone is A, an area of the second bonding zone is B, and 0.08≤B/A≤0.965. This can make the insulation tape smaller and lighter and help increase an energy density of the electrochemical apparatus while ensuring reliability of connection between the insulation tape and the housing.

A method includes, by a folding station: receiving an anode assembly including anode collectors connected by anode interconnects and coated with a separator; receiving a cathode assembly including cathode collectors connected by cathode interconnects; locating a first anode collector over a folding stage; locating a first cathode collector over the first anode collector to form a first battery cell between the first anode collector and the first cathode collector; folding a first anode interconnect to locate a second anode collector over the first cathode collector to form a second battery cell between the first cathode collector and the second anode collector; folding a first cathode interconnect to locate a second cathode collector over the second anode collector to form a third battery cell between the second anode collector and the second cathode collector; wetting the separator with solvated ions; and loading the anode and cathode assemblies into a battery housing.

A method includes, by a folding station: receiving an anode assembly including anode collectors connected by anode interconnects and coated with a separator; receiving a cathode assembly including cathode collectors connected by cathode interconnects; locating a first anode collector over a folding stage; locating a first cathode collector over the first anode collector to form a first battery cell between the first anode collector and the first cathode collector; folding a first anode interconnect to locate a second anode collector over the first cathode collector to form a second battery cell between the first cathode collector and the second anode collector; folding a first cathode interconnect to locate a second cathode collector over the second anode collector to form a third battery cell between the second anode collector and the second cathode collector; wetting the separator with solvated ions; and loading the anode and cathode assemblies into a battery housing.