Patent Publication Number: US-11387500-B2

Title: Multi-tab battery cycle life extension through alternating electrode charging

Description:
GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 
     This invention was made with Government support under (FA8650-18-C-2807) awarded by (Department of Defense). The Government has certain rights in this invention. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to battery cells. In particular, the present disclosure relates to full perimeter electrode battery cells. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, battery cells that are of a pouch or prismatic nature are typically created with two electrodes, which comprise a single anode and a single cathode. The two-electrode design limits the electrical and structural connections to the battery cell, and does not allow for the distribution of electrical and mechanical forces across the battery cell structure. 
     In addition, battery cells with only two electrodes have limited connection points that have to be aligned properly with corresponding connection points. The two-electrode design also limits the current capacity of the battery cell, and can cause hot spots within the battery cell during operation. The life of the battery cell can be impacted by charge distribution limitations and/or structurally induced mechanical deformations. 
     In light of the foregoing, there is a need for improved design for pouch or prismatic battery cells. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a method, system, and apparatus for full perimeter electrode battery cells. In one or more embodiments, a battery comprises a plurality of battery cells. The battery further comprises a plurality of anode electrodes and a plurality of cathode electrodes, of each of the battery cells, arranged around a perimeter of the battery. 
     In one or more embodiments, the anode electrodes and the cathode electrodes, of each of the battery cells, are arranged such that they are alternating around the perimeter of the battery. In at least one embodiment, there are an equal number of the anode electrodes and the cathode electrodes, for each of the battery cells. 
     In at least one embodiment, each of the battery cells comprises a plurality of layers. In one or more embodiments, the layers of each of the battery cells comprise an isolator layer, an anode layer, a separator layer, and a cathode layer. In some embodiments, the isolator layer is manufactured from an electrical insulator material. In at least one embodiment, the separator layer comprises an electrolyte material. In one or more embodiments, the anode layer and the cathode layer are both manufactured from an electrical conductor material. 
     In one or more embodiments, the battery is a pouch battery or a prismatic battery. In at least one embodiment, the anode electrodes of the battery are in electrical connection with cathode electrodes of another battery, and the cathode electrodes of the battery are in electrical connection with anode electrodes of the other battery. 
     In at least one embodiment, the battery is hermetically sealed. In some embodiments, each of the battery cells is hermetically sealed such that they are electrically isolated from one another. 
     In one or more embodiments, the battery further comprises a plurality of anode electrode collector tabs, where the anode electrode collector tabs collect the anode electrodes from the plurality of the battery cells. In some embodiments, the battery further comprises a plurality of cathode electrode collector tabs, where the cathode electrode collector tabs collect the cathode electrodes from the plurality of the battery cells. 
     In at least one embodiment, the battery is housed within a portion of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the battery forms a structural component of a vehicle. Examples of vehicles include, but are not limited to, aerospace vehicles such as airplanes (commercial and military), rotorcrafts, unmanned vehicles, space vehicles, submarines, and like aerospace vehicles. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method of operating a battery comprises applying a load, or a charge, across a plurality of battery cells of the battery. The method further comprises generating a current flowing from a plurality of anode electrodes to a plurality of cathode electrodes of each of the battery cells. In one or more embodiments, the anode electrodes and the cathode electrodes are arranged around a perimeter of the battery. 
     In at least one embodiment, a battery comprises a plurality of battery cells, each comprising an anode layer and a cathode layer. The battery further comprises a plurality of anode cross ties electrically connected to at least some of the anode layers of the battery. Further, the battery comprises a plurality of cathode cross ties electrically connected to at least some of the cathode layers of the battery. 
     In one or more embodiments, the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties run through all of the battery cells of the battery. In at least one embodiment, the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties are manufactured from an electrical conductor material. In some embodiments, the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties each comprise conductive protrusions, which are located external to the battery. 
     In at least one embodiment, the conductive protrusions of the anode cross ties of the battery are in electrical connection with conductive protrusions of cathode cross ties of another battery. In some embodiments, the conductive protrusions of the cathode cross ties of the battery are in electrical connection with conductive protrusions of anode cross ties of another battery. In some embodiments, at least some of the conductive protrusions comprise a connecting portion. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method for operating a battery comprises applying a load, or a charge, across a plurality of battery cells of the battery. In one or more embodiments, each of the battery cells comprises an anode layer and a cathode layer. The method further comprises generating a current flowing through a plurality of anode cross ties electrically connected to at least some of the anode layers of the battery. Further, the method comprises generating a current flowing through a plurality of cathode cross ties electrically connected to at least some of the cathode layers of the battery. 
     In at least one embodiment, a battery comprises a plurality of battery cells. The battery further comprises a plurality of anode electrodes and a plurality of cathode electrodes, of each of the battery cells, arranged around a perimeter of the battery. Further, the battery comprises a controller to apply, for each of the battery cells, a load or a charge from the anode electrodes to the cathode electrodes in a pattern such that charge is uniformly distributed across each of the battery cells. 
     In one or more embodiments, the controller is located external or internal to the battery. In at least one embodiment, the battery further comprises a processor to determine the pattern for applying the load or the charge from the anode electrodes to the cathode electrodes for each of the battery cells. 
     In at least one embodiment, the controller comprises the processor. In some embodiments, the battery is housed within a portion of a vehicle. 
     In one or more embodiments, a method of operating a battery comprises applying, by a controller, for each of a plurality of battery cells of the battery, a load or a charge from anode electrodes to cathode electrodes in a pattern such that charge is uniformly distributed across each of the battery cells. In one or more embodiments, the anode electrodes and the cathode electrodes are arranged around a perimeter of the battery. 
     In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises determining, by a processor, the pattern for applying the load or the charge from the anode electrodes to the cathode electrodes for each of the battery cells. 
     The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1A  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a rectangular shape, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a polygon shape, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1C  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a circle shape, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1D  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a semicircle shape, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a detailed portion of a full perimeter electrode battery depicting the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an exploded view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery illustrating the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a detailed portion of a full perimeter electrode battery illustrating a plurality of anode electrodes of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a cut-away view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery illustrating the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries connected to each other, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the disclosed method for operation of a full perimeter electrode battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a plurality of conductive cross ties, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9A  is a diagram showing a cut-away view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a plurality of conductive cross ties, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9B  is a diagram showing an exploded view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a plurality of conductive cross ties, illustrating the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a cut-away view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises an anode cross tie and a cathode cross tie, illustrating the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries, which each comprise a plurality of conductive cross ties, stacked together, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries, which each comprise a plurality of conductive cross ties, packed together within a finned spar of an aircraft, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing the disclosed method for operation of a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises conductive cross ties, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a controller for controlling selective switching of the electrodes, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram illustrating the selective switching of the electrodes of a full perimeter electrode battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries, which each comprise a controller and a plurality of conductive cross ties, packed together within a finned spar of an aircraft, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart showing the disclosed method for selective switching of the electrodes of a full perimeter electrode battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide operative systems for full perimeter electrode battery cells. In one or more embodiments, the system of the present disclosure provides a battery cell that is surrounded by alternating electrodes in any quantity desired to distribute the electrical and mechanical connections as well as spread the current and stress throughout the battery cell. 
     As previously mentioned above, battery cells that are of a pouch or prismatic nature are typically created with two electrodes, which comprise a single anode and a single cathode. The two-electrode design limits the electrical and structural connections to the battery cell, and does not allow for the distribution of electrical and mechanical forces across the battery cell structure. 
     In addition, battery cells with only two electrodes have limited connection points that have to be aligned properly with corresponding connection points. The two-electrode design also limits the current capacity of the battery cell, and can cause hot spots within the battery cell during operation. The life of the battery cell can be impacted by charge distribution limitations and/or structurally induced mechanical deformations. 
     Conversely, the battery cell of the present disclosure comprises multiple electrodes situated on its outer perimeter. The electrodes switch polarity as they are distributed around the perimeter of the battery cell. This distribution of electrodes allows for the battery cells to be stacked together or assembled next to each other, while having the electrodes easily aligned properly to their corresponding electrode connections. The plurality of electrodes spreads the current throughout the battery cell and distributes the stress across the battery cell structure. For example, the plurality of electrodes on the perimeter of the battery cell aids with stress loading across the battery cell structure, when the battery cell is being used as a structural member, such as in an aircraft. 
     Battery or energy cells that can be structurally integrated into a vehicle can reduce the weight of a vehicle, such as an aerospace vehicle. For example, weight can become a huge factor for creating lighter aircraft for the future development of electrical aircraft. How a battery cell is mounted into an aircraft structure becomes critical when the weight of the aircraft is an issue. Cross ties integrated within a battery cell can provide a conductive as well as structural connection for the entire battery into an aircraft structure. The integration of the battery cell within the aircraft structure can allow for a reduction in the overall weight of the aircraft. 
     In one or more embodiments, conductive cross ties are integrated within the disclosed battery cell. One or more cross ties in a battery cell, which span the entirety of the battery cell and that protrude or otherwise connect to a structure, can provide both electrical and structural interconnections to take both electrical and structural types of loads. These conductive protrusions can be captured in the surrounding structure and help control shear, tension, and compression loads as well as act as distributed electrical connections. Each conductive crosstie is isolated from one another to prevent shorts, and interconnects only with appropriate electrode layers within the battery cell. Thermal welding or mechanical connections may be used to seal and electrically connect the conductive cross ties to the electrode layers, isolator layers, as well as the external package housing. Incorporating cross ties within battery cells creates opportunities for stacking battery cells as well as for creating structural members where the crosstie can carry the loading. As such, a crosstie in a battery cell can be connected across multiple battery cells that are stacked together and can also be used as a structural connection for the entire battery cell into an aircraft structure. 
     Electrochemical batteries consist of materials that distribute and deliver charge in a geometric fashion. Significant charge related motion occurs, especially in wet chemistry cells, where electrolyte species and contaminants move as charge is delivered into, or removed from, the battery. These motion aspects are driven by the depletion of the electrochemical species, which also drives the formation of dendrites and mossy structures within the battery cell, which can interrupt battery cell function. 
     In one or more embodiments, selective switching of the externally distributed electrodes of the battery during the charging and discharging of the battery is employed. This selective switching allows for the motion of the electrolyte species and contaminants to be controlled and managed to assure maximum cell performance, which includes maximizing the amount of energy delivered by the battery while extending the life of the battery cell. In one or more embodiments, switched charging controls and logic-based use of the switching of the electrodes are employed to distribute the charge across the battery cell in a calculated manner to achieve and maximize performance goals. In one or more embodiments, during operation, the battery cell is charged selectively through a patterned use of the external electrodes by using intelligent switching techniques in order to move the electrochemical species uniformly within the battery cell, thereby allowing for a reduction in the degradation effects of the battery cell, which extends the life of the battery cell. 
     In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the system. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the disclosed system may be practiced without these specific details. In the other instances, well known features have not been described in detail, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the system. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical components and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such components may be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may employ various integrated circuit components (e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like), which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more processors, microprocessors, or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with other components, and that the systems described herein are merely example embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques and components related to battery cells, and other functional aspects of the system (and the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1A  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery  100 , which comprises a rectangular shape, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, the battery  100  is shown to be a pouch battery, or a prismatic battery. It should be noted that prismatic batteries generally resemble a box shape and, thus, are able to satisfy the demand for thinner sized batteries. Typically, prismatic batteries are packaged in welded aluminum housings. The prismatic battery cell design allows for an improvement in space utilization and allows for flexible designs. Pouch batteries are similar to prismatic batteries in that they generally resemble a box shape. However, pouch batteries comprise external conductive foil-tabs welded to the electrodes of the battery. And unlike prismatic batteries, pouch batteries do not employ a metal enclosure, which allows for a reduction in weight of the battery. As such, pouch batteries offer a simple, flexible, and lightweight solution for a battery design. 
     The battery  100  of  FIG. 1A  is also shown to comprise a plurality of electrodes (i.e. anode electrodes  110  and cathode electrodes  120 ), which are located external to the body  160  of the battery  100 . In one or more embodiments, the body  160  of the battery  100  may be anisotropic. In this figure, the electrodes are arranged around a perimeter of the battery  100 . However, it should be noted that in some embodiments, the electrodes may be arranged on the perimeter of the battery  100  in different configurations than as shown in  FIG. 1A  (e.g., the electrodes may be arranged on only two sides of the battery  100 ). 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1A , the electrodes are arranged such that they are alternating around the perimeter of the battery  100  (i.e. the anode electrodes  110  are alternating with the cathode electrodes  120  around the perimeter of the battery  100 ). However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the electrodes may be arranged such that they are not alternating around the perimeter of the battery  100  (e.g., one side of the battery  100  may have only anode electrodes  110 , and an opposite side of the battery  100  may have only cathode electrodes  120 ). 
     In addition, in  FIG. 1A , the battery  100  is shown to comprise an equal number of anode electrodes  110  and cathode electrodes  120 . It should be noted that in other embodiments, the battery  100  may comprise an unequal number of anode electrodes  110  and cathode electrodes  120 . 
     The battery  100  of  FIG. 1A  is also shown to comprise a plurality of anode electrode collector tabs  130  and cathode electrode collector tabs  140 . Each of the anode electrode collector tabs  130  collects a plurality of the anode electrodes  110  as is shown in  FIG. 1A , and each of the cathode electrode collector tabs  140  collects a plurality of cathode electrodes  120  as is shown in  FIG. 1A . In one or more embodiments, the anode electrode collector tabs  130  and the cathode electrode collector tabs  140  may be manufactured from a rigid conductive material (e.g., a metal, such as copper or aluminum), which provides for sturdy connection ports for the battery  100 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the battery  100  is hermetically sealed within a housing  150  (e.g., a pouch) such that the battery  100  is electrically isolated from other batteries and other electrical components. In some embodiments, the housing is manufactured from an electrical insulator material (e.g., a non-porous plastic, such as a polyethylene or a polypropylene). 
     During operation of the battery  100  of  FIG. 1A , a load (for the discharging of the battery  100 ), or alternatively a charge (for the charging of the battery  100 ), is applied across battery  100  (e.g., is applied across the anode electrodes  110  and the cathode electrodes  120 ). Then, a current is generated that flows from the anode electrodes  110  to the cathode electrodes  120 . 
     It should be noted that, conventionally, the terms “anode” and “cathode” are not defined by the voltage polarity of the electrodes, but rather by the direction of the current through the electrode. An “anode” is an electrode through which conventional current (i.e. positive charge) flows into the device from an external circuit, and a “cathode” is an electrode through which conventional current flows out of the device. However, if the current through the electrodes reverses direction, as occurs for example in a rechargeable battery when it is being charged, the naming of the electrodes as “anode” and “cathode” is reversed. 
     In addition, it should be noted that although  FIG. 1A  shows the battery  100  comprising a rectangular shape, the battery  100  may be manufactured to be of other different shapes including, but not limited to, regular shapes (i.e. a shape having all sides of an equal size and having all inside angles of an equal size) and irregular shapes (i.e. a shape not having all sides of an equal size or not having all inside angles of an equal size).  FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1D  show full perimeter electrode batteries comprising various different exemplary shapes. In particular,  FIG. 1B  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery  170  comprising a polygon shape,  FIG. 1C  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery  180  comprising a circle shape, and  FIG. 1D  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery  190  comprising a semicircle shape. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a detailed portion of a full perimeter electrode battery  200  depicting the layers of the battery  200 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, the battery  200  is shown to comprise a plurality of layers. In particular, in this figure, two sets of layers of the battery  200  are shown. Each set of layers forms a battery cell  250   a ,  250   b . For example, a first battery cell  250   a  comprises an isolator layer  210   a , an anode layer  220   a , a separator layer  230   a , and a cathode layer  240   a . And, a second battery cell  250   b  comprises an isolator layer  210   b , an anode layer  220   b , a separator layer  230   b , and a cathode layer  240   b.    
     As shown in this figure, anode electrodes (i.e. anode electrode tabs) are formed on the edges of the anode layers  220   a ,  220   b  of the battery cells  250   a ,  250   b ; and cathode electrodes (i.e. cathode electrode tabs) are formed on the edges of the cathode layers  240   a ,  240   b  of the battery cells  250   a ,  250   b . In one or more embodiments, the anode electrodes and the cathode electrodes are arranged around a perimeter of each of the battery cells  250   a ,  250   b . In some embodiments, the anode electrodes and the cathode electrodes are alternating around the perimeter of the battery cells  250   a ,  250   b . In at least one embodiment, each of the battery cells  250   a ,  250   b  comprise an equal number of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes. 
     It should be noted that in other embodiments, each battery cell  250   a ,  250   b  may comprise an additional isolator layer (i.e. a secondary isolator layer) that follows the cathode layer  240   a ,  240   b  (e.g., refer to the embodiment of  FIG. 10  to view battery cells that comprise a secondary isolator layer, such as layers  1050   a ,  1050   b ,  1050   c ). 
     The layers of the battery cells  250   a ,  250   b  may be manufactured from various different types of materials. For example, in one or more embodiments, the anode layers  220   a ,  220   b , and the cathode layers  240   a ,  240   b  of the battery  200  are manufactured from an electrical conductor material (e.g., a metal, such as aluminum or copper). In some embodiments, the isolator layers  210   a ,  210   b  of the battery  200  are manufactured from an electrical insulator material (e.g., a non-porous plastic, such as a polyethylene or a polypropylene). In at least one embodiment, the separator layers  230   a ,  230   b  of the battery  200  are manufactured from a porous insulator material (e.g., a porous plastic, such as a porous polyethylene or a porous polypropylene). The separator layers  230   a ,  230   b  comprise an electrolyte material (e.g., a solvent comprising salt) to allow for the electrochemical reaction within the battery cell  250   a ,  250   b.    
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an exploded view of a portion  300  of a full perimeter electrode battery illustrating the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular,  FIG. 3  shows the exploded view of some of the layers of a full perimeter electrode battery. In  FIG. 3 , the layers shown comprise an isolator layer  310   a , an anode layer  320   a , a separator layer  330   a , a cathode layer  340   a , and another isolator layer  310   b.    
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a detailed portion of a full perimeter electrode battery  400  illustrating a plurality of anode electrodes (i.e. anode electrode tabs)  410  of the battery  400  (e.g., a detailed portion of a corner of battery  100  of  FIG. 1A ), in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, the anode electrodes  410  of sixteen battery cells of the battery  400  are shown to be extending external to the body  460  of the battery  400 . The anode electrodes  410  are shown to be collected by an anode collector tab  430 . In one or more embodiments, the anode collector tab  430  may be manufactured from an electrical conductor material (e.g., a metal, such as aluminum or copper). The anode collector tab  430  provides a sturdy connection port for the connection of the anode electrodes  410 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a cut-away view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery  500  illustrating the layers of the battery  500 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, a plurality of battery cells (e.g., battery cell  550   a ) are shown, with each battery cell  550   a  comprising a plurality of layers. In particular, battery cell (i.e. cell set)  550   a  is shown to comprise an isolator layer  510   a , an anode layer  520   a , a separator layer  530   a , and a cathode layer  540   a . In one or more embodiments, the battery cell  520   a  may comprise a secondary isolator layer  510   b  or, alternatively, isolator layer  510   b  may be part of a different battery cell. In some embodiments, each of the battery cells  550   a  are hermetically sealed (e.g., within a housing, such as a pouch surrounding the layers of the battery cell  550   a ) such that the battery cells  550   a  are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, a housing employed for the sealing of the battery cells  550   a  may be manufactured from an electrical insulator material (e.g., a non-porous plastic, such as a polyethylene or a polypropylene). 
     Also shown in this figure, is an anode collector tab  560 , which collects the anode electrodes, which extend out from the anode layers  520   a  of the battery  500 . The anode collector tab  560  may be manufactured from a rigid conductive material (e.g., a metal), which provides for a robust connection port for the battery  500 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration  600  comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries  630  connected to each other, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this battery configuration  600 , batteries  630  are shown to be connected in columns in series together. The columns of the connected batteries  630  are shown to be connected to a positive (+) battery bus  640  and a negative (−) battery bus  650 . In particular, the anode electrodes  620  of the batteries  630  are connected to cathode electrodes  610  of adjacent batteries  630  in the same column, and the anode electrodes  620  of the batteries  630  located adjacent to the negative (−) battery bus  650  are connected to the negative (−) battery bus  650 . Similarly, the cathode electrodes  610  of the batteries  630  are connected to anode electrodes  620  of adjacent batteries  630  in the same column, and the cathode electrodes  610  of the batteries  630  located adjacent to the positive (+) battery bus  640  are connected to the positive (+) battery bus  640 . It should be noted that the battery configuration  600  shown in  FIG. 6  is only one example configuration for the connection of a plurality of batteries  630  and, as such, in other embodiments, other configurations for the connecting of a plurality of batteries  630  may be employed. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the disclosed method  700  for operation of a full perimeter electrode battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. At the start  710  of the method  700 , a load, or a charge is applied across a plurality of battery cells of the battery  720 . Then, a current is generated that flows from a plurality of anode electrodes to a plurality of cathode electrodes of each of the battery cells, where the anode electrodes and the cathode electrodes are arranged around a perimeter of the battery  730 . Then, the method  700  ends  740 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery  800 , which comprises a plurality of conductive cross ties  170 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the full perimeter electrode battery  800  (e.g., also refer to battery  100  of  FIG. 1A ) may additionally comprise a plurality of conductive cross ties  170  (e.g., which may comprise anode cross ties and/or cathode cross ties), as is shown in  FIG. 8 . In one or more embodiments, the conductive cross ties  170  may be manufactured from an electrical conductor material, such as a metal (e.g., aluminum or copper). The cross ties  170  incorporated within the battery  800  can provide both electrical and structural interconnections to accommodate both electrical and structural types of loads. The cross ties  170  can also help control shear, tension, and compression loads to the battery  800  as well as act as distributed electrical connections. Incorporating cross ties  170  within the battery  800  allows for the stacking of the batteries  800  together (e.g., refer to  FIG. 11 ) as well as for creating structural members (e.g., refer to  FIG. 12 ) where the cross ties  170  can carry the loading. 
     It should be noted that, in  FIG. 8  only the top conductive protrusion of the cross ties  170  is visible, and that the cross ties  170  actually comprise a barbell shape (e.g., refer to  FIG. 10 ). In  FIG. 8 , the top conductive protrusion (which is external to the body  160  of the battery  800 ) of the cross ties  170  is shown to comprise a connecting portion, which is in the form of a rivet ball. In some embodiments, the connecting portion may be of other different types of shapes than a rivet ball as is depicted in  FIG. 8 . And, in other embodiments, the top conductive protrusion of the cross ties  170  may not comprise this additional connecting portion at all. In addition, it should be noted that, in one or more embodiments, the battery  800  may comprise a greater number or lower number of cross ties than as specifically illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9A  is a diagram showing a cut-away view of a portion  900  of a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a plurality of conductive cross ties, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, the top conductive protrusion  970 , which is external to the body  960  of the battery, of the cross ties is shown. Also shown is the bar portion  980  of the cross ties. The bar portion  980  of the cross ties spans the entirety of the battery cell (i.e. the bar portion  980  the cross ties runs through all of layers of the battery). 
       FIG. 9B  is a diagram showing an exploded view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises a plurality of conductive cross ties, illustrating the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, the cross ties are each shown to comprise a top conductive protrusion  970  and a bar portion  975 . It should be noted that the bottom conductive protrusion of the cross ties is not shown in  FIG. 9B . Also shown in this figure are a plurality of battery layers, which include an isolator layer  910   a , an anode layer  920   a , a separator layer  930   a , a cathode layer  940   a , and another isolator layer  910   b.    
       FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a cut-away view of a portion of a full perimeter electrode battery  1000 , which comprises an anode cross tie and a cathode cross tie, illustrating the layers of the battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, the anode cross tie is shown to comprise a top conductive protrusion  1070   a  (which comprises a connecting portion  1080   a  in the form of a rivet ball), a bar portion  1075   a , and a bottom conductive protrusion  1090   a . And, similarly, the cathode cross tie is shown to comprise a top conductive protrusion  1070   b  (which comprises a connecting portion  1080   b  in the form of a rivet ball), a bar portion  1075   b , and a bottom conductive protrusion  1090   b.    
     Also, in this figure, the battery  1000  is shown to comprise a plurality of battery cells, which each comprise a plurality of layers. In particular, the battery  1000  in  FIG. 10  is shown to comprise a first battery cell (which comprises an isolator layer  1010   a , an anode layer  1020   a , a separator layer  1030   a , a cathode layer  1040   a , and a secondary isolator layer  1050   a ), a second battery cell (which comprises an isolator layer  1010   b , an anode layer  1020   b , a separator layer  1030   b , a cathode layer  1040   b , and a secondary isolator layer  1050   b ), and a third battery cell (which comprises an isolator layer  1010   c , an anode layer  1020   c , a separator layer  1030   c , a cathode layer  1040   c , and a secondary isolator layer  1050   c ). 
     In  FIG. 10 , the anode cross tie and cathode cross tie are shown to run through all of the layers of the battery  1000 . However, it should be noted that the anode cross tie is electrically connected to all of the layers of the battery  1000  except for the cathode layers  1040   a ,  1040   b ,  1040   c , and the cathode cross tie is electrically connected to all of the layers of the battery  1000  except for the anode layers  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c.    
     It should be noted that although in  FIG. 10  the anode cross tie is electrically connected to all of the anode layers  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c  of the battery  1000 , in other embodiments, the anode cross tie may only be electrically connected to some of the anode layers  1020   a ,  1020   b ,  1020   c  of the battery  1000 . Similarly, although in  FIG. 10  the cathode cross tie is electrically connected to all of the cathode layers  1040   a ,  1040   b ,  1040   c  of the battery  1000 , in other embodiments, the cathode cross tie may only be electrically connected to some of the cathode layers  1040   a ,  1040   b ,  1040   c  of the battery  1000 . 
     During operation of the battery  1000  of  FIG. 10 , a load (for the discharging of the battery  1000 ), or alternatively a charge (for the charging of the battery  1000 ), is applied across battery  1000  (e.g., is applied across the anode cross tie and the cathode cross tie). Then, a current is generated that flows through the anode cross tie, and a current is generated that flows through the cathode cross tie. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration  1100  comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries  1110 , which each comprise a plurality of conductive cross ties, stacked together, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this battery configuration  1100 , the batteries  1110  are shown to be stacked on top of each other. In particular, for this configuration  1100 , the top conductive protrusions  1170   a  of the anode cross ties of batteries  1110  are electrically connected to bottom conductive protrusions  1190   b  of cathode cross ties of adjacent batteries  1110 , and the top conductive protrusions  1170   b  of the cathode cross ties of batteries  1110  are electrically connected to bottom conductive protrusions  1190   a  of anode cross ties of adjacent batteries  1110 . 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b , which each comprise a plurality of conductive cross ties, packed together within a finned spar  1240  of an aircraft, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As previously mentioned above, cross ties integrated within a battery can provide a conductive as well as structural connection for the battery into a structure, such as a vehicle (e.g., an aerospace vehicle). The integration of the battery within an aerospace structure can allow for a reduction in the overall weight of the aircraft. The cross ties can connect to the structure to provide both electrical and structural interconnections to the structure. 
     In this figure, the batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b  are shown to stacked on top of each other within the finned spar  1240  of an aircraft. In particular, as is shown, the top and bottom conductive protrusions of the anode cross ties of the batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b  are electrically connected with the top and bottom conductive protrusions of the cathode cross ties of the adjacent batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b . In addition, the top and bottom conductive protrusions of the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties of the batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b  are electrically and structurally connected to the structure (i.e. connected to the interior of the finned spar  1240 ). Also shown in  FIG. 12 , the anode electrodes  1220  of the batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b , are electrically connected to the cathode electrodes  1230  of the adjacent batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b  (e.g., the anode electrode  1220  of battery  1210   a  is electrically connected to the cathode electrode  1230  of battery  1210   b ). 
     It should be noted that the battery configuration shown in  FIG. 12  is only one example configuration for the packing of the batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b  within a structure and, as such, in other embodiments, other configurations for packing of the batteries  1210   a ,  1210   b  within a structure may be employed. 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing the disclosed method  1300  for operation of a full perimeter electrode battery, which comprises conductive cross ties, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. At the start  1310  of the method  1300 , a load, or a charge, is applied across a plurality of battery cells of the battery, where each of the battery cells comprises an anode layer and a cathode layer  1320 . Then, a current is generated that flows through a plurality of anode cross ties that are electrically connected to at least some of the anode layers of the battery  1330 . Also, a current is generated that flows through a plurality of cathode cross ties that are electrically connected to at least some of the cathode layers of the battery  1340 . Then, the method  1310  ends  1350 . 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a full perimeter electrode battery  1400 , which comprises a controller  1410  for controlling selective switching of the electrodes, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As previously mentioned above, selective switching of the electrodes of the battery during the charging and discharging of the battery  1400  allows for the motion of the electrolyte species and contaminants within the battery  1400  to be controlled and managed to assure maximum cell performance. In one or more embodiments, switched charging controls and logic-based use of the switching of the electrodes are employed to distribute the charge uniformly across the battery  1400 . 
     In this figure, the anode electrodes of the battery  1400  are labeled from +1 to +12, and the cathode electrodes of the battery  1400  are labeled from −1 to −12. During operation of the battery  1400 , a processor  1420  determines a pattern for applying a load (for the discharging of the battery  1400 ) or a charge (for the charging of the battery  1400 ) from the anode electrodes +1 to +12 to the cathode electrodes −1 to −12 such that charge is uniformly distributed across the body  1430  of each of the battery cells of the battery  1400 . In one or more embodiments, the processor may utilize previously acquired charge data of the battery  1400  (e.g., from laboratory testing of the battery  1400 ) to determine the pattern. Then, the controller  1410  applies the load or the charge from the anode electrodes +1 to +12 to the cathode electrodes −1 to −12 according to the pattern determined by the processor. 
     In this figure, the controller  1410  is shown to be located external to the body  1430  of the battery  1400 . In particular, the controller  1410  is shown to be located on a corner of the battery  1400  between anode electrode +1 and cathode electrode −12. In other embodiments, the controller  1410  may be located in other locations external to the body  1430  of the battery  1400 . And, in alternative embodiments, the controller  1410  may be housed within the body  1430  of the battery  1400 . In addition, the controller  1410  is shown to comprise the processor  1420 . In other embodiments, the processor  1420  may be located separate from the controller  1410 . 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram illustrating the selective switching of the electrodes of a full perimeter electrode battery  1400 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, this figure illustrates an exemplary algorithm (or pattern) of selectively switching the electrodes to apply a load or a charge from the anode electrodes +1 to +12 to the cathode electrodes −1 to −12 such that charge is uniformly distributed across the body  1430  of each of the battery cells of the battery  1400 . It should be noted that the algorithm illustrated in  FIG. 15  is only one example algorithm that may be employed for the selective switching of the electrodes of the battery  1400  and that, in other embodiments, other similar algorithms, which allow for a uniform distribution of charge across the battery  1400 , may be employed. 
     Specifically, in this figure, the algorithm (or pattern) begins by applying a load, or charge, from anode +1 to cathode −8 (refer to step A). Then, a load, or charge, is applied from anode +7 to cathode −4 (refer to step B). A load, or charge, is then applied from anode +10 to cathode −12 (refer to step C). Then, a load, or charge, is applied from anode +4 to cathode −7 (refer to step D). A load, or charge, is then applied from anode +6 to cathode −11 (refer to step E). Then, a load, or charge, is applied from anode +8 to cathode −2 (refer to step F). A load, or charge, is then applied from anode +3 to cathode −5 (refer to step G). Lastly, a load, or charge, is applied from anode +2 to cathode −10 (refer to step H). The operation of applying a load, or a charge, across the electrodes according to the determined switching pattern ensures that charge is uniformly distributed across the body  1430  of the battery  1400 , thereby allowing for the performance and life of the battery  1400  to be maximized. 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram showing an exemplary battery configuration comprising a plurality of full perimeter electrode batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b , which each comprise a controller  1650   a ,  1650   b  and a plurality of conductive cross ties, packed together within a finned spar  1640  of an aircraft, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, this figure shows how the controllers  1650   a ,  1650   b  of the batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b  may be structurally integrated within a structure, such as a finned spar  1640  of an aircraft. 
     Also shown in this figure, the batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b  are stacked on top of each other within the finned spar  1640 . The top and bottom conductive protrusions of the anode cross ties of the batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b  are electrically connected with the top and bottom conductive protrusions of the cathode cross ties of the adjacent batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b . In addition, the top and bottom conductive protrusions of the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties of the batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b  are electrically and structurally connected to the structure (i.e. connected to the interior of the finned spar  1640 ). Also shown in  FIG. 16 , the anode electrodes  1620  of the batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b , are electrically connected to the cathode electrodes  1630  of the adjacent batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b  (e.g., the anode electrode  1620  of battery  1610   a  is electrically connected to the cathode electrode  1630  of battery  1610   b ). 
     The battery configuration shown in  FIG. 16  is only one example configuration for the packing of the batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b  and controllers  1650   a ,  1650   b  within a structure. It should be noted that in other embodiments, other configurations for packing of the batteries  1610   a ,  1610   b  and controllers  1650   a ,  1650   b  within a structure may be employed. 
       FIG. 17  is a flow chart showing the disclosed method  1700  for selective switching of the electrodes of a full perimeter electrode battery, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. At the start  1710  of the method  1700 , a processor determines, for each of a plurality of battery cells of the battery, a pattern for applying a load, or a charge, from anode electrodes to cathode electrodes such that charge is uniformly distributed across each of the battery cells  1720 . Then, a controller applies, for each of the battery cells, the load or the charge from the anode electrodes to the cathode electrodes following the pattern, thereby distributing charge uniformly across each of the battery cells  1730 . Then, the method  1700  ends  1740 . 
     Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it should be understood that the above discussion is not intended to limit the scope of these embodiments. While embodiments and variations of the many aspects of the invention have been disclosed and described herein, such disclosure is provided for purposes of explanation and illustration only. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     Where methods described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would recognize that the ordering may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the present disclosure. Additionally, parts of methods may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially. In addition, more steps or less steps of the methods may be performed. 
     Accordingly, embodiments are intended to exemplify alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may fall within the scope of the claims. 
     Although certain illustrative embodiments and methods have been disclosed herein, it can be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of such embodiments and methods can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. Many other examples exist, each differing from others in matters of detail only. Accordingly, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the rules and principles of applicable law.