METHODS FOR IMPROVING LITHIUM ION BATTERY SAFETY

• US 20090017364A1
• Filed: 01/18/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Altairnano, Inc. (Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Altairnano, Inc. (Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Manev, Veselin
• Application Number:
  US12/016,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20090017364A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/50
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/443 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/485 of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy H01M4/505, H01M4/525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/525 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/661 Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings H01M4/669 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

The methods and apparatus described herein include, in some variations, a method of powering an electronic device with a lithium ion cell that has a cathode and an anode. The anode is made, at least in part, of nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. The lithium ion cell is charged. The lithium ion cell is discharged to power the electronic device. The charging and discharging can take place within a temperature range between 130° C. and 250° C. and voltage range between 1.5 V and 4.2 V, and will results in a safety coefficient greater than 100.

Claims

1. A method of powering an electronic device, comprising:

a) providing an electronic device comprising a lithium ion cell wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂;

b) charging the lithium ion cell; and

c) discharging the lithium ion cell to power the electronic device;

wherein the lithium ion cell can be charged and discharged within a temperature range between 130°

C. and 250°

C. and voltage range between 1.5 V and 4.2 V, and wherein the charging and discharging of the lithium ion cell results in a safety coefficient greater than 100.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

10. A method of powering an electronic device, comprising:

a) providing an electronic device comprising a lithium ion cell wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂;

b) charging the lithium ion cell; and

c) discharging the lithium ion cell to power the electronic device;

wherein the lithium ion cell can be charged and discharged within a temperature range between −

50°

C. and 5°

C. and voltage range between 1.5 V and 4.2 V, and wherein the operation results in a safety coefficient greater than 100.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

19. A method of powering an electronic device, comprising:

a) providing an electronic device comprising a lithium ion cell wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂;

b) charging the lithium ion cell; and

c) discharging the lithium ion cell to power the electronic device;

wherein the lithium ion cell can be charged and discharged within a temperature range between 130°

C. and 230°

C. and voltage range between 2 V and 4.2 V, and wherein the operation results in a safety coefficient greater than 1,000 and less than 20,000.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

28. A method of powering an electronic device, comprising:

a) providing an electronic device comprising a lithium ion cell wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂;

b) charging the lithium ion cell; and

c) discharging the lithium ion cell to power the electronic device;

wherein the lithium ion cell can be charged and discharged within a temperature range between −

50°

C. and 0°

C. and voltage range between 2 V and 4.2 V, and wherein the operation results in a safety coefficient greater than 1,000 and less than 20,000.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

37. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to charge and discharge a lithium ion cell to power an electric device, comprising instructions to:

charge the lithium ion cell;

discharging the lithium ion cell to power the electronic device;

wherein the lithium ion cell can be charged and discharged within a temperature range between 130°

C. and 250°

C. and voltage range between 1.5 V and 4.2 V, and wherein the charging and discharging of the lithium ion cell results in a safety coefficient greater than 100, and wherein the lithium ion cell comprises a cathode and an anode wherein the anode comprising nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.

38. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

39. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

40. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

41. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

42. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

43. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

44. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

45. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

46. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to charge and discharge a lithium ion cell to power an electric device, comprising instructions to:

charge the lithium ion cell;

discharging the lithium ion cell to power the electronic device;

wherein the lithium ion cell can be charged and discharged within a temperature range between −

50°

C. and 5°

C. and voltage range between 1.5 V and 4.2 V, and wherein the charging and discharging of the lithium ion cell results in a safety coefficient greater than 100, and wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.

47. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

48. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

49. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

50. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

51. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

52. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

53. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

54. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

55. A measurement-while-drilling apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a lithium ion cell that can operate within a temperature range between 130°

C. and 250°

C., and wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery management system.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the battery management system comprises a processor and memory.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus can be operated for its intended purpose within a battery safety coefficient range of greater than 1,000 and less than 20,000.

59. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

60. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

61. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

62. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

63. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

64. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

65. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

66. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

67. A logging-while-drilling apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a lithium ion cell that can operate within a temperature range between 130°

C. and 250°

C., and wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery management system.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the battery management system comprises a processor and memory.

70. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the apparatus can be operated for its intended purpose within a battery safety coefficient range of greater than 1,000 and less than 20,000.

71. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

72. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

73. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

74. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

75. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

76. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

77. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

78. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

79. A geocentric artificial satellite apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a lithium ion cell that can operate within a temperature range between −

50°

C. and 0°

C., and wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery management system.

81. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the battery management system comprises a processor and memory.

82. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the apparatus can be operated for its intended purpose within a battery safety coefficient range of greater than 1,000 and less than 20,000.

83. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

84. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

85. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

86. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

87. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

88. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

89. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

90. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

91. A spacecraft apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a lithium ion cell that can operate within a temperature range between −

50°

C. and 0°

C., and wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery management system.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the battery management system comprises a processor and memory.

94. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the apparatus can be operated for its intended purpose within a battery safety coefficient range of greater than 1,000 and less than 20,000.

95. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

96. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

97. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

98. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

99. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

100. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

101. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

102. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.

103. An aircraft apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a lithium ion cell that can operate within a temperature range between 130°

C. and 250°

C., and wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an anode and cathode wherein the anode comprises nano-crystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the apparatus further comprises a battery management system.

105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the battery management system comprises a processor and memory.

106. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the apparatus can be operated for its intended purpose within a battery safety coefficient range of greater than 1,000 and less than 20,000.

107. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the cathode comprises LiMn₂O₄.

108. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain a solid electrolyte interface layer.

109. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lithium ion cell comprises an aluminum current collector.

110. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lithium ion cell does not include a copper current collector.

111. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lithium ion cell has a cycle life of at least 3,000 cycles.

112. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 5-9 years.

113. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lithium ion cell has a calendar life of 10-15 years.

114. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the lithium ion cell does not contain lead, nickel, cadmium, acids, or caustics in the electrolyte solution.