Perforated Battery Electrode Structure for Uniform Electrolyte Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries experience non-uniform electrolyte distribution between the edge and center, leading to lithium precipitation and reduced battery life due to ineffective electrolyte wetting.
Innovation Solution
The electrodes feature a substrate with an active material layer containing holes that deepen from the edge to the center, arranged in a matrix configuration, and connected by varying connection portions, enhancing electrolyte wettability and uniform impregnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrolyte is injected into a sheet-shaped laminated electrode assembly, then the edge portion is advantageous for electrolyte wetting, but electrolyte wetting becomes less effective as the electrolyte moves toward the center, resulting in non-uniform electrolyte distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is designed with locally differentiated features: the edge portion includes a first active material layer with higher porosity to enhance electrolyte absorption at the injection point, while the center portion includes a second active material layer with lower porosity to maintain electrolyte distribution uniformity deeper in the structure. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between effective wetting at the edge and uniform distribution throughout the center.
Solution Approach 2:
The active material layer is segmented into multiple layers with different porosity characteristics - a first active material layer at the edge with higher porosity and a second active material layer at the center with lower porosity. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function in the electrolyte impregnation process, achieving both effective initial wetting and uniform overall distribution.
2Reliability
If electrolyte is not uniformly distributed between edge and center, then lithium precipitation occurs, but this shortens battery life and makes rapid charging difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By creating local quality differences in porosity between edge and center regions, the electrode structure ensures uniform electrolyte distribution throughout, which prevents lithium precipitation and extends battery life while simultaneously enabling rapid charging capability through improved electrolyte accessibility to all active material regions.
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 improves electrolyte adhesion at the interface, reduces lithium precipitation, and ensures uniform electrolyte distribution, thereby increasing battery life and impregnation speed.
Implementation Method 1
the wettability of the active material layer with respect to the electrolyte is improved
Implementation Method 2
the electrolyte quickly wets not only the edges but also the center, the electrolyte impregnation of the edges and the center may become substantially uniform
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode for a rechargeable battery may include a substrate, and an active material layer formed on the substrate. The substrate has a plurality of holes, where a depth of the holes increases from an edge of the substrate to a center of the substrate.