# US 9,520,618 B2 · Electrochemical energy storage devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,520,618 B2 - Document ID: US9520618B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/178,806 - Filed: 2014-02-12 - Published: 2015-01-01 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-12 - Assignees: Ambri Inc. - Applicants: Ambri Inc. - Inventors: David J. Bradwell; Alex T. Vai; Tom Kinney; Sean Theriault; Garrett Lau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520618B2 ## CPC - H01M 10/399: {Cells with molten salts} - H01M 4/134: Electrodes based on metals, Si or alloys - H01M 4/38: of elements or alloys - H01M 4/381: {Alkaline or alkaline earth metals elements (H01M4/40 takes precedence)} - H01M 4/382: {Lithium (H01M4/405 takes precedence)} - H01M 50/138: adapted for specific cells, e.g. electrochemical cells operating at high temperature - H01M 50/463: Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their shape - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Pressure relief mechanisms can provide an outlet for cathode pressure buildup during battery operation. Mechanical cathode modifications can control cathode interfaces during battery operation. Pressure relief mechanisms and mechanical modifications can be utilized to improve performance, longevity and/or to prevent failure of batteries, such as during cycling of liquid metal batteries. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An energy storage device, comprising: a first electrode comprising a first material, a second electrode comprising a second material, and a liquid electrolyte between said first and second electrodes, wherein said liquid electrolyte is capable of conducting ions from said first material at an operating temperature of said energy storage device, wherein upon discharge of said energy storage device said first and second materials react to form an intermetallic layer at an interface between said second electrode and said electrolyte, which intermetallic layer is solid or semi-solid at said operating temperature; a sheath or liner adjacent to said second electrode, wherein said sheath or liner is non-wetting with respect to said second material; and wherein said sheath or liner comprises graphite. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said first material comprises an alkali metal, said second material comprises one or more of a metal, a metalloid or a non-metal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein said second material includes a metalloid, and wherein said intermetallic layer includes said metalloid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The energy storage device of claim 3, wherein said first material includes lithium, said second material includes antimony, and said intermetallic layer includes lithium antimonide. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said first electrode and/or said second electrode is liquid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said intermetallic layer comprises an alkali metal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said intermetallic layer comprises said first material and said second material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said intermetallic layer is a solid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said intermetallic layer contacts said sheath or liner. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising a housing comprising said first electrode, second electrode and liquid electrolyte, wherein said sheath or liner lines is an interior of said housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The energy storage device of claim 10, wherein said sheath or liner is bonded to an inner surface of said housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The energy storage device of claim 10, wherein said energy storage device is configured such that, during operation, said second material does not flow between said sheath or liner and said housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The energy storage device of claim 10, wherein said housing comprises a housing wall and a housing bottom, and wherein said sheath or liner is on said housing wall and said housing bottom. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, further comprising a housing comprising said first electrode, wherein said housing comprises a housing wall, and wherein said sheath or liner is on said housing wall. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said sheath or liner is electrically conductive. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said second material comprises zinc, cadmium, mercury, aluminum, gallium, indium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, arsenic, bismuth, antimony, tellurium, selenium, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said sheath or liner prevents shorting between said second electrode and said first electrode. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said sheath or liner is adjacent to said first electrode and said second electrode. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said sheath or liner is a liner. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein said sheath or liner is a sheath.