US 11,870,044 B2
Methods and devices for electrochemical relithiation of lithium-ion batteries
Kandler Alan Smith, Golden, CO (US); Shriram Santhanagopalan, Broomfield, CO (US); Nathaniel Alexander Sunderlin, Golden, CO (US); Andrew Michael Colclasure, Morrison, CO (US); Chunmei Ban, Golden, CO (US); Xuemin Li, Lakewood, CO (US); Judy C. Netter, Westminster, CO (US); Donal Patrick Finegan, Golden, CO (US); Kaitlin Elizabeth Fink, Lakewood, CO (US); and Jaclyn Elizabeth Coyle, Westminster, CO (US)
Assigned to Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Golden, CO (US)
Filed by Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Golden, CO (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/514,004.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/107,713, filed on Oct. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0149450 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. H01M 10/54 (2006.01); H01M 10/0525 (2010.01); H01M 4/04 (2006.01); H01M 4/139 (2010.01); H01M 10/0587 (2010.01); H01M 4/86 (2006.01)
CPC H01M 10/54 (2013.01) [H01M 4/049 (2013.01); H01M 4/139 (2013.01); H01M 10/0525 (2013.01); H01M 10/0587 (2013.01); H01M 2004/8689 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for repurposing a lithium-ion battery, the method comprising, in order:
removing at least a portion of the electrode of the lithium battery;
treating the portion of the electrode;
recasting the portion of the electrode; and
relithiating the electrode; wherein:
the lithium-ion battery comprises a wound or jelly roll design,
a terminal is configured to provide the voltage,
the voltage is configured to motivate at least one lithium ion to move from the layer of lithium, through the electrolyte solution, and to the electrode, and
the relithiating comprises:
securing a first end of the electrode to a first pin;
securing a second end of the electrode to a second pin;
positioning a chamber containing a layer of lithium and an electrolyte solution between the first pin and the second pin; and
extending at least a portion of the electrode through the chamber.