3D Battery Separator Structure for High Energy Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices, such as batteries, have limited energy density and require improvements to enhance their performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of three-dimensional structures for energy storage devices, which increase the proportion of electrode active material relative to other components, allowing for higher energy density and faster energy retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional two-dimensional battery structures are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar electrodes to three-dimensional vertically-aligned electrode structures. The electrodes consist of vertically extending plates separated by spacers, creating a three-dimensional architecture that increases the proportion of active material relative to current collectors and separators, thereby achieving higher energy density while maintaining manageable structural complexity through regular geometric patterns
2Reliability
If more separator material is used to ensure electrical isolation, then safety is improved, but energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film spacers to maintain electrical isolation between vertically-aligned electrodes. These spacers are positioned at intervals along the electrode plates and provide sufficient insulation while occupying minimal volume, allowing the majority of the battery volume to be filled with energy-storing active material, thus achieving both reliable electrical isolation and high energy density
3Quantity of substance
If larger electrode surface area is used to increase capacity, then energy storage increases, but transport distance for ions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrodes into multiple vertically-aligned plates rather than using a single large planar electrode. This segmentation creates multiple independent ion transport pathways from the electrolyte to the active material, reducing the maximum transport distance for ions while collectively providing large total surface area for energy storage, thus achieving both high capacity and fast ion transport
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The three-dimensional structures achieve higher energy density and faster energy retrieval compared to traditional two-dimensional devices, making them suitable for miniaturization and applications with high energy density requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The longitudinal axis AE of each member of the population of electrodes is surrounded by an electrically insulating separator layer, which comprises a microporous separator material layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode structure for use in an energy storage device, the electrode structure comprising a population of electrodes, a population of counter-electrodes and an electrically insulating material layer separating members of the electrode population from members of the counter-electrode population, each member of the electrode population having a longitudinal axis AE that is surrounded by the electrically insulating separator layer.