# Improving Lithium Battery Life with a Built-in Lithium Source > This patent describes a method for building rechargeable lithium-based batteries with a special extra lithium source electrode inside that helps the main battery parts work better and last longer by giving them an initial charge of lithium ions. - **Patent:** US 10593988 - **Original title:** Electrochemical cell for lithium-based batteries - **Owner:** GM Global Technology Operations - **Granted:** 2020 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 11 - **Field:** automotive, energy, consumer_electronics, materials, semiconductors ## What it does The patent outlines a method for forming an electrochemical cell, which is the basic unit of a battery. This cell includes at least one non-lithium negative electrode and at least one positive electrode, both designed to allow lithium ions to pass through. A key feature is a separate "lithium source electrode" placed within the cell, containing a specific amount of extra lithium ions (Claim 1). Microporous polymer separators are arranged to keep the electrodes apart while allowing ion flow. After introducing an electrolyte, a voltage is applied across the cell to "pre-lithiate" (fill with lithium ions) either the non-lithium negative electrode or the positive electrode, using lithium ions from the dedicated lithium source electrode (Claim 1). This process forms a rechargeable battery that can then be cycled, and the pre-lithiation can even be repeated to "re-lithiate" the electrodes later. For example, a graphite negative electrode could be pre-lithiated by applying a voltage between 0.005V and 2.0V (Claim 2). ## What it does NOT cover - Batteries that are opened after the initial pre-lithiation step (Claim 3). - Batteries where the lithium source electrode contains less than 10% or more than 50% extra lithium ion capacity compared to the main electrodes (Claim 1). - Batteries where the lithium source electrode's projected area is less than 20% of the area of the main non-lithium negative or positive electrodes (Claim 1). - Battery manufacturing methods that do not include a separate, dedicated lithium source electrode within the cell. - Pre-lithiation processes that do not involve applying a voltage potential across the electrochemical cell (Claim 1). ## The clever bit The novelty lies in integrating a sacrificial, precisely sized lithium source electrode *inside* the sealed battery cell, allowing for controlled pre-lithiation and even re-lithiation without needing to open the cell. This addresses the problem of irreversible lithium loss during initial cycles by providing a convenient, in-situ lithium reservoir. ## Real-world examples 1. High-energy density lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles 2. Advanced lithium-ion batteries for grid energy storage 3. Next-generation consumer electronics batteries 4. Pouch cells, cylindrical cells, and coin cells (Claim 3) ## Why it matters Pre-lithiation is a crucial technique for improving the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. Many electrode materials, especially silicon-based ones, lose a significant amount of lithium irreversibly during the very first charge-discharge cycles. This patent's method helps compensate for this initial lithium loss, leading to higher energy density and longer cycle life for the battery. This is particularly important for applications like electric vehicles, where long-lasting, high-capacity batteries are essential. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Improving Lithium Battery Life with a Built-in Lithium Source cover? This patent describes a method for building rechargeable lithium-based batteries with a special extra lithium source electrode inside that helps the main battery parts work better and last longer by giving them an initial charge of lithium ions. ### Who owns patent US 10593988? GM Global Technology Operations owns this patent, granted in 2020. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on May 28, 2035, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 10593988 cited by? This patent has been cited by 11 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? Pre-lithiation is a crucial technique for improving the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. Many electrode materials, especially silicon-based ones, lose a significant amount of lithium irreversibly during the very first charge-discharge cycles. This patent's method helps compensate for this initial lithium loss, leading to higher energy density and longer cycle life for the battery. This is particularly important for applications like electric vehicles, where long-lasting, high-capacity batteries are essential. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Batteries that are opened after the initial pre-lithiation step (Claim 3). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10593988/electrochemical-cell-for-lithium-based-batteries **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10593988 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How a Hybrid Layer Stops Metal Growths in Lithium Batteries](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10566652/lithium-metal-battery-with-hybrid-electrolyte-system) — This patent describes a special multi-layered electrolyte system for lithium metal batteries that uses a stiff, hybrid material to block dangerous metal growths, aiming for safer, higher-energy batteries. - [How Lithium-Cobalt Battery Cathodes Were Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4302518/lithium-ion-battery-cathode) — This 1981 patent details the chemistry behind the lithium-cobalt oxide cathodes that power almost every modern smartphone, laptop, and electric vehicle. - [Early Lithium-Ion Battery Design Using Chalcogenides](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4009052/rechargeable-lithium-battery) — This 1977 patent describes an early rechargeable battery design using lithium as one electrode and titanium disulfide as the other, a key step towards modern lithium-ion technology. - [How Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes Are Made](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4357215/lithium-ion-cathode-goodenough) — A foundational 1982 method for creating the materials used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries by removing ions at low temperatures. - [How to Fast-Charge Lithium Batteries Without Damaging Them](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10700376/methods-for-fast-charging-and-detecting-lithium-plating-in-lithium-ion-batteries) — This patent describes a three-phase method for quickly charging lithium-ion batteries while carefully controlling voltages to prevent harmful lithium metal buildup and electrolyte damage.