Anodeless Lithium Metal Battery Electrolyte for Dendrite Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries using a lithium metal thin film as the anode suffer from insufficient energy density and lifetime due to the formation and growth of dendrites, which lead to a loss of electrochemically active lithium and uncontrolled volume expansion during charge and discharge.

Innovation Solution

The development of an anodeless lithium metal battery that eliminates the need for a planar lithium metal thin film by using a composite electrolyte comprising lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy and a liquid electrolyte, allowing individual metal particles to freely expand and preventing dendrite formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a lithium metal thin film is used as the anode, then the battery can achieve high energy density, but dendrite formation and growth occur leading to loss of electrochemically active lithium and uncontrolled volume expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidlifetime characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous lithium metal thin film into discrete lithium metal particles dispersed within the electrolyte. This segmentation prevents the formation of continuous dendritic structures while maintaining the electrochemically active lithium content, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy density and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a static, rigid lithium metal thin film to a dynamic system where lithium metal particles can freely expand and contract within the electrolyte during charge-discharge cycles. This dynamic configuration accommodates volume changes without generating harmful stress, improving lifetime characteristics while maintaining energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a planar lithium metal thin film is used as the anode, then the battery structure is simple, but uncontrolled volume expansion and stress occur during charge and discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanode structureVSAvoidvolume expansion stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the planar lithium metal thin film into discrete particles distributed throughout the electrolyte. This segmentation allows individual particles to expand and contract independently, distributing volume change stresses uniformly and preventing the accumulation of harmful stress that would occur in a rigid planar structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and spatial distribution parameters of the lithium metal from a fixed two-dimensional thin film to freely moving three-dimensional particles. This parameter change enables the lithium to accommodate volume expansion dynamically, reducing stress while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a lithium metal thin film is used as the anode, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but dendrite formation leads to loss of electrochemically active lithium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanode fabricationVSAvoidelectrochemically active lithium

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lithium metal into particles that are inherently resistant to dendrite formation. This segmentation maintains ease of manufacture through simple mixing and coating processes while preventing the harmful dendritic growth that causes lithium loss, thereby preserving electrochemically active lithium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the electrolyte as an intermediary medium that hosts and stabilizes the lithium metal particles. This intermediary configuration prevents direct contact and potential short-circuiting between lithium particles and the current collector, preventing lithium loss while maintaining straightforward manufacturing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enhances energy density and charge-discharge efficiency while reducing stress and expansion issues, leading to improved lifetime characteristics and capacity retention in lithium metal batteries.

Implementation Method 1

allowing individual metal particles to freely expand and preventing dendrite formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDendrite formation prevention:

Implementation Method 2

a composite electrolyte between the cathode and the anode current collector, wherein the composite electrolyte includes a first liquid electrolyte and a metal including at least one of lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon transport: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS12334548B2Anodeless lithium metal battery and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An anodeless lithium metal battery includes: a cathode including a cathode current collector and a cathode active material layer on the cathode current collector; an anode current collector on the cathode; and a composite electrolyte between the cathode and the anode current collector, wherein the composite electrolyte includes a first liquid electrolyte and at least one of lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy.