Anode-Free Solid-State Battery With Gelled Electrolyte Ion Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state batteries face limitations in power capabilities and energy densities compared to liquid electrolyte batteries, while also requiring complex and costly structures due to the need for a permanent anode.
Innovation Solution
An anode-free solid-state battery design that uses a cathode layer with transient anode elements, a bare current collector, and a gelled solid-state electrolyte layer to facilitate ionic conduction, eliminating the need for a permanent anode and simplifying the battery structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a permanent anode is used in solid-state batteries, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the permanent anode from the battery structure, extracting this component entirely. The anode is formed transiently during charging by plating lithium ions onto the current collector, eliminating the need for a pre-installed permanent anode and reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system creates its own anode dynamically during the charging process. Lithium ions are plated onto the current collector to form a transient anode, allowing the system to self-generate the necessary anode structure without requiring a permanent one, thereby simplifying the overall battery design.
2Reliability
If solid-state electrolyte is used, then safety and shelf life are improved, but power capability and energy density decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical state and properties of the electrolyte by using a gel composition that combines solid-state electrolyte particles with liquid electrolyte. This creates a hybrid electrolyte system with intermediate properties that improve ionic conductivity and power capability while retaining the safety benefits of solid-state electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte is designed as a composite material containing solid-state electrolyte particles suspended in a liquid electrolyte gel matrix. This composite structure combines the advantages of both solid-state and liquid electrolytes, achieving improved safety, shelf life, and power capability simultaneously.
3Temperature
If solid-state electrolyte is used, then thermal stability is improved, but ionic conductivity and energy density are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the electrolyte system by incorporating a gel composition that allows for enhanced ionic conductivity. The gel matrix provides pathways for ion transport while the solid-state particles maintain thermal stability, achieving a balance between these competing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte composite combines solid-state electrolyte particles with liquid electrolyte in a gel structure. This composite architecture enables the system to achieve both thermal stability from the solid particles and improved ionic conductivity through the liquid gel matrix, overcoming the limitations of pure solid-state electrolytes.
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
This design enhances energy density and cycling capacity, reduces complexity and cost, and improves tolerance to harsh conditions by forming a transient anode during charging, while maintaining the safety and stability benefits of solid-state electrolytes.
Implementation Method 1
the gel is configured to permeate the voids in the solid-state electrolyte layer to form a gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, coat the host cathode material, and facilitate ionic conduction of the anode elements between the cathode layer, the solid-state electrolyte layer, and the bare current collector
Implementation Method 2
Charging of the subject battery extracts the anode elements from the cathode layer, diffuses the anode elements via the gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, and deposits the anode elements onto the bare current collector to form a transient anode material
Implementation Method 3
Charging of the subject battery extracts the anode elements from the cathode layer, diffuses the anode elements via the gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, and deposits the anode elements onto the bare current collector
Data Source
AI summary
An anode-free solid-state battery includes a cathode layer having transient anode elements and a bare current collector devoid of non-transitory anode material and configured to accept thereon the transient anode elements. The battery also includes a solid-state electrolyte layer defining voids and arranged between the current collector and the cathode layer. The battery additionally includes a gel situated within the solid-state electrolyte and cathode layers, to permeate the electrolyte voids and form a gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, coat the cathode layer, and facilitate ionic conduction of the anode elements between the cathode layer, the solid-state electrolyte layer, and the current collector. Charging the battery diffuses the anode elements from the cathode layer, via the gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, onto the current collector. Discharging the battery returns the anode elements, via the gelled solid-state electrolyte layer, to the cathode layer. A particular method is used to fabricate the anode-free solid-state battery.