Air Cell Separator and Electrolyte Design for Discharge Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air cells with low pH electrolytic solutions, such as aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, suffer from deteriorated characteristics compared to strongly alkaline solutions, making it difficult to achieve both reduced environmental impact and favorable discharge performance.
Innovation Solution
An air cell design incorporating a separator with air permeability of 10 sec/100 ml or more and an electrolytic solution with a pH of 3 or more but less than 12, along with a positive electrode having a porous carbon current collector, to enhance discharge capacity and voltage while minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strongly alkaline electrolytic solution (pH around 14) is used, then discharge characteristics are improved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the electrolytic solution from strongly alkaline (pH 14) to a milder range (pH 3-12), specifically using aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, or ammonium chloride. This parameter change maintains acceptable discharge characteristics while significantly reducing environmental impact and improving safety for body-mounted applications.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a low pH electrolytic solution (pH 3 or more and less than 12) is used, then environmental impact is reduced, but discharge characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a specifically designed separator with a milder electrolytic solution. The separator comprises a porous substrate (such as polyolefin nonwoven fabric or microporous film) coated with a hydrophilic polymer layer (such as polyacrylonitrile, carboxymethyl cellulose, or starch). This composite separator structure enables the use of lower pH electrolytes while maintaining discharge characteristics comparable to strongly alkaline solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator acts as an intermediary between the electrodes and the electrolytic solution, facilitating ion transport while enabling the use of milder electrolytes. The hydrophilic polymer coating on the separator surface promotes electrolyte wettability and ion conduction, compensating for the reduced alkalinity and maintaining discharge performance.
3Reliability
If a separator with high air permeability (10 sec/100 ml or more) is used, then discharge characteristics improve with low pH electrolyte, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using porous materials for the separator substrate with controlled pore structures that achieve air permeability of 10 sec/100 ml or more. Examples include polyolefin nonwoven fabrics and microporous films with specific porosity and pore size distributions. The subsequent coating of hydrophilic polymers further optimizes the porous structure to enhance ion transport while maintaining mechanical integrity.
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 proposed design improves discharge characteristics and reduces environmental impact by using a separator with high air permeability and a pH-adjusted electrolytic solution, maintaining performance comparable to strongly alkaline solutions while ensuring safer disposal.
Implementation Method 1
the separator has an air permeability of 10 sec/100 ml or more
Implementation Method 2
the electrolytic solution is an aqueous solution with a pH of 3 or more and less than 12
Implementation Method 3
the positive electrode has a porous sheet made of carbon as a current collector
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an air cell that has a reduced environmental impact and has favorable discharge characteristics as well as a patch equipped with the air cell. An air cell of the present invention includes, an outer case, which contains a positive electrode having a catalyst layer containing a catalyst and a binder, a negative electrode containing a metal material, a separator, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is an aqueous solution with a pH of 3 or more and less than 12. The separator has an air permeability of 10 sec/100 ml or more, or the positive electrode has a porous sheet made of carbon as a current collector. A patch of the present invention includes the air cell of the present invention as a power supply.