Auxiliary Electrode Ion Transfer Through Porous Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries face significant capacity loss due to the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer during charging, leading to irreversible loss of carrier ions, which reduces their cycle life and energy density.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a porous electrically insulating material with a porosity of 20-60% is used to transfer carrier ions from an auxiliary electrode to the electrode assembly, compensating for lost ions and enhancing ion conductivity, thereby restoring capacity and improving cycle life and energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carrier ions are transferred through a non-porous electrically insulating material, then electrical insulation is maintained, but ion transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous electrically insulating material with controlled porosity (20-60%) to enable ion transfer while maintaining electrical insulation. The porous structure provides pathways for carrier ions to pass through the insulating material from the auxiliary electrode to the electrode assembly, resolving the contradiction between insulation and ion transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the insulating material by controlling its porosity within a specific range (20-60%). This parameter optimization allows the material to simultaneously provide electrical insulation and facilitate ion transport, balancing the two competing requirements.
2Productivity
If porosity of the electrically insulating material is increased to improve ion transfer, then ion conductivity increases, but electrical insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and optimizes the porosity parameter within a specific range (20-60%) to achieve the best balance between ion transfer efficiency and electrical insulation. This controlled parameter change allows the material to provide both functions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
By using porous electrically insulating material with controlled pore structure and porosity, the patent enables ion transport pathways while maintaining sufficient electrical insulation properties, resolving the trade-off between ion conductivity and insulation performance.
3Reliability
If carrier ions are replenished to restore capacity, then cycle life and energy density improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a replenishment mechanism where carrier ions are automatically transferred from the auxiliary electrode to the electrode assembly through the porous insulating material during battery operation. This self-service approach restores lost ions without requiring external intervention or complex additional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous electrically insulating material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation, enables ion transfer, and facilitates the replenishment of carrier ions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.
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 method effectively replenishes lost carrier ions, increasing the cycle life and energy density of secondary batteries by maintaining ion flow and reducing irreversible capacity loss.
Implementation Method 1
transferring carrier ions through the porous electrically insulating material from the auxiliary electrode to members of the unit cell population
Implementation Method 2
the porous electrically insulating material has a porosity in the range of from 20% to 60%
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transferring carrier ions from an auxiliary electrode comprising a source of carrier ions to an electrode assembly includes transferring carrier ions through a porous electrically insulating material from the auxiliary electrode to members of a unit cell population. The electrode assembly includes a population of unit cells stacked in series in a stacking direction and the porous electrically insulating material, wherein each unit cell includes an electrode structure, a counter-electrode structure, and an electrically insulating separator, the electrode structures, counter-electrode structures and electrically insulating separators have opposing upper and lower end surfaces separated in a vertical direction, and the porous electrically insulating material covers the upper or lower end surface(s) of the electrode or the counter-electrode structure(s) of the members of the unit cell population. The porous electrically insulating material has a porosity in the range of from 20% to 60%.