Energy storage devices with swellable electrodes

Abstract

An energy storage device comprising two electrodes, and a separator located between and electrically separating the two electrodes wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises an active layer that comprises electrode active particles, an electrically conductive element, and an electrolyte. The active layer is characterized by one or more of the following: the volume of the active layer in the presence of the electrolyte is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, larger than a volume of a combination of the electrode active particles and the electrically conductive element in the absence of the electrolyte; a volume during use at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, larger than an original volume; the electrically conductive element is in the form of a flexible network capable of expansion and/or compression; the active layer includes flexible binder which facilitates expansion and contraction of the active layer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.