Aged Li-Ion Positive Electrode Composition for Thermal Runaway Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face increased thermal runaway due to high energy densities of active materials, necessitating new electrode compositions that address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A positive electrode composition for lithium-ion batteries is developed using aged active materials, with a first material aged for a predetermined time period, potentially intermixed with a second material aged for a longer period, to intentionally age the cell and delay thermal response to abusive conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If higher energy density active materials are used to increase battery capacity, then energy density is improved, but thermal runaway risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by intentionally aging the active materials before battery assembly and operation. The active materials are subjected to controlled aging conditions (temperature, time, atmospheric exposure) prior to cell formation, which pre-establishes protective surface layers and stabilizes the material structure. This preliminary treatment delays the thermal response to abusive conditions and reduces thermal runaway severity while preserving the high energy density characteristics of the active materials.
2Reliability
If aged active materials are used to reduce thermal runaway severity, then safety is improved, but cell formation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the aging process to occur before battery assembly, during manufacturing. By pre-aging the active materials under controlled conditions prior to cell formation, the actual cell formation time is reduced since the materials are already stabilized. The extended aging period is performed as a separate preprocessing step rather than extending the formation cycle itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the aging conditions (temperature, humidity, atmospheric composition, duration) to optimize the balance between safety improvement and formation time. Different aging parameters are adjusted based on the specific active material type and desired performance characteristics, allowing tailored optimization of the aging process.
Data Source
AI summary
A positive electrode for a lithium-ion battery includes a current collector a positive electrode active layer disposed over the current collector. The positive electrode active layer is composed of a positive electrode composition includes a first positive electrode active material that has been aged for a first predetermined time period.