US 11,929,523 B2
Batteries, and associated systems and methods
Mark Niedzwiecki, Tucson, AZ (US); Daniel G. Milobar, Tucson, AZ (US); Ryan Michael Niccum, Tucson, AZ (US); Jared M. Jennings, Tucson, AZ (US); and Homa Shayan, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to Sion Power Corporation, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed by Sion Power Corporation, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed on Nov. 19, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/952,177.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/951,086, filed on Dec. 20, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/937,761, filed on Nov. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0151839 A1, May 20, 2021
Int. Cl. H01M 50/578 (2021.01); H01M 4/38 (2006.01); H01M 4/40 (2006.01); H01M 10/04 (2006.01); H01M 10/658 (2014.01)
CPC H01M 50/578 (2021.01) [H01M 4/382 (2013.01); H01M 4/405 (2013.01); H01M 10/0468 (2013.01); H01M 10/658 (2015.04)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
at least partially charging and/or discharging electrochemical cells at least partially enclosed by a housing of a battery to an extent such that the electrochemical cells undergo an expansion during the charging and/or discharging causing a cumulative expansion of at least 10%, the cumulative expansion being the percentage difference between the sum of thicknesses of the electrochemical cells prior to the expansion and the sum of the thicknesses of the electrochemical cells after the expansion;
applying, during a first period of time during the charging and/or discharging and the expansion of the electrochemical cells, a first anisotropic force with a component normal to an electrode active surface of at least one of the electrochemical cells defining a pressure having a first magnitude of at least 10 kgf/cm2; and
applying, during a second period of time during the charging and/or discharging and the expansion of the electrochemical cells, a second anisotropic force with a component normal to the electrode active surface of the at least one of the electrochemical cells defining a pressure having a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude by a factor of at least 1.2;
wherein:
an expansion of the battery during the charging and/or discharging is less than or equal to 0.75%; and
the battery has a volumetric energy density of greater than or equal to 230 Wh/L.