An electrochemical cell and a method of operating the same. In accordance with various embodiments, the cell includes an anode, one or more cathodes opposite the anode defining a pathway there between. Chemical reactions allow the electrolyte to flow through the defined pathway without requiring a pumping device.

Provided is a rechargeable electrochemical cell system for generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. A controller is configured to apply an electrical current between charging electrode(s) and a fuel electrode with the charging electrode(s) functioning as an anode and the fuel electrode functioning as a cathode, such that reducible metal fuel ions in the ionically conductive medium are reduced and electrodeposited as metal fuel in oxidizable form on the fuel electrode. The controller may selectively apply current to a charging electrode and third electrode between fuel electrodes of separate cells to increase uniformity of the metal fuel being electrodeposited on the fuel electrode. The controller controls a number of switches to apply current to the electrodes and select different modes for the system. Also provided are methods for charging and discharging an electrochemical cell system, and selecting different modes.

An electrochemical cell and a method of operating the same. In accordance with various embodiments, the cell includes an anode, one or more cathodes opposite the anode defining a pathway there between. Chemical reactions allow the electrolyte to flow through the defined pathway without requiring a pumping device.

Embodiments of the present invention provides a pouch film. In manufacturing a secondary battery, a gas may be generated when reacting an electrode assembly with an electrolyte. After the generated gas is discharged, the pouch film may be sealed. In this case, a deformation part may be formed in the gas chamber section which serves as a passage for discharging the gas, specifically, in the gas chamber passage, thus to prevent the electrolyte from flowing backward and maintain shapes of the gas chamber inlet during injecting the electrolyte.

A flow battery according to embodiments includes an insulating frame body, a cathode, a first separator, a first anode, a reaction chamber, an electrolyte solution, a first liquid retention sheet, and a flow device. The frame body has a space including an opening on an end surface thereof. The cathode is located in the space. The first separator contacts the end surface and covers the opening. The first anode faces the cathode and interposes the first separator therebetween. The reaction chamber houses the cathode and the first anode. The electrolyte solution is located inside the reaction chamber and that contacts the cathode, the first anode, and the first separator. The liquid retention sheet is arranged between the cathode and the first separator, contacts the cathode and retains the electrolyte solution. The flow device is configured to make the electrolyte solution in the reaction chamber flow.

Various arrangements of increasing an amount of contact between an electrolyte and active materials of a battery cell are presented herein. A battery cell may be inserted within a housing such that the battery cell is submersed in liquid. The housing may be sealed, then pressure and heat may be applied to the liquid. The battery cell may then be removed from the housing and used as part of a sealed battery module.

An electrochemical cell includes a permeable fuel electrode configured to support a metal fuel thereon, and an oxidant reduction electrode spaced from the fuel electrode. An ionically conductive medium is provided for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A charging electrode is also included, selected from the group consisting of (a) the oxidant reduction electrode, (b) a separate charging electrode spaced from the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, and (c) a portion of the permeable fuel electrode. The charging electrode is configured to evolve gaseous oxygen bubbles that generate a flow of the ionically conductive medium. One or more flow diverters are also provided in the electrochemical cell, and configured to direct the flow of the ionically conductive medium at least partially through the permeable fuel electrode.

An electrochemical cell includes a permeable fuel electrode configured to support a metal fuel thereon, and an oxidant reduction electrode spaced from the fuel electrode. An ionically conductive medium is provided for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A charging electrode is also included, selected from the group consisting of (a) the oxidant reduction electrode, (b) a separate charging electrode spaced from the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, and (c) a portion of the permeable fuel electrode. The charging electrode is configured to evolve gaseous oxygen bubbles that generate a flow of the ionically conductive medium. One or more flow diverters are also provided in the electrochemical cell, and configured to direct the flow of the ionically conductive medium at least partially through the permeable fuel electrode.

Provided is a rechargeable electrochemical cell system for generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. A controller is configured to apply an electrical current between charging electrode(s) and a fuel electrode with the charging electrode(s) functioning as an anode and the fuel electrode functioning as a cathode, such that reducible metal fuel ions in the ionically conductive medium are reduced and electrodeposited as metal fuel in oxidizable form on the fuel electrode. The controller may selectively apply current to a charging electrode and third electrode between fuel electrodes of separate cells to increase uniformity of the metal fuel being electrodeposited on the fuel electrode. The controller controls a number of switches to apply current to the electrodes and select different modes for the system. Also provided are methods for charging and discharging an electrochemical cell system, and selecting different modes.

Embodiments of the present invention provides a pouch film. In manufacturing a secondary battery, a gas may be generated when reacting an electrode assembly with an electrolyte. After the generated gas is discharged, the pouch film may be sealed. In this case, a deformation part may be formed in the gas chamber section which serves as a passage for discharging the gas, specifically, in the gas chamber passage, thus to prevent the electrolyte from flowing backward and maintain shapes of the gas chamber inlet during injecting the electrolyte.