Secondary Battery Cell Structure With Hole-Assisted Pre-Lithiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pre-lithiation processes for secondary batteries are cumbersome, expensive, and inadequate in reducing initial active lithium loss and improving local voltage uniformity and stability.
Innovation Solution
A battery pre-lithiation assembly with aligned or misaligned holes in the anode and cathode, along with a lithium metal electrode or coating, facilitates the movement of Li+ ions through channels formed by the electrolyte, promoting a redox reaction to transfer active lithium to the anode, thereby reducing initial lithium loss and enhancing battery performance and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional pre-lithiation processes are used, then lithium loss is reduced, but the process is cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a lithium metal electrode or coating on the anode before battery operation begins. This pre-lithiation structure is built into the battery during manufacturing, allowing lithium ions to be readily available for the initial cycles without requiring separate pre-lithiation processing steps. The lithium metal layer serves as a reservoir that compensates for initial lithium loss during formation cycles, eliminating the need for complex external pre-lithiation equipment and procedures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional pre-lithiation processes are used, then voltage uniformity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-lithiation function with the anode structure itself by coating lithium metal directly onto the anode or integrating it as part of the anode assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate pre-lithiation components and processing steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The lithium metal coating is applied during standard anode fabrication processes, combining multiple functions into a single structural element that provides both electrochemical activity and pre-lithiation functionality.
3Speed
If lithium metal electrode is used with holes in anode and cathode, then Li+ ion movement is enhanced, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials by incorporating holes or porous structures in the anode and cathode electrodes. These porous features create channels and pathways that facilitate the rapid transport of lithium ions between electrodes during charge and discharge cycles. The porous structure increases the surface area available for ion exchange and provides multiple diffusion pathways, significantly enhancing ion movement speed compared to dense, non-porous electrode structures.
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 solution achieves improved local voltage uniformity, reduced initial active lithium loss, and enhanced battery performance and stability at a lower cost compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
disposing an electrolyte in the enclosure such that the electrolyte passes through first holes in the anode and second holes in the cathode to form channels enabling movement of Li+ ions
Implementation Method 2
reaction of the Li+ ions with the anode in a pre-lithiation process
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pre-lithiation assembly includes an anode having first holes and a cathode having second holes. The first holes and the second holes are configured to enable an electrolyte to pass therethrough. Further, the first holes and the second holes are configured to enable movement of Li+ ions associated with the lithium metal during a pre-lithiation process. The lithium metal may be coated on the anode (e.g., on active material of the anode), or the lithium metal may correspond to at least one lithium metal electrode, such as first and second lithium metal electrodes disposed on opposing sides of an electrode stack (e.g., a jelly roll) including the anode, the cathode, and a separator.