Rechargeable Battery Hydrogen Scavenger Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery designs face issues with hydrogen gas buildup, which can lead to mechanical damage and reduced capacity or cycle life, as vents allow other materials to escape and modifications do not effectively remove the gas.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hydrogen scavenger material within the battery cells, which reacts with hydrogen at specific temperatures and pressures to absorb or react with hydrogen gas, reducing buildup without compromising cell integrity or capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If vents are used to release hydrogen gas, then hydrogen buildup is reduced, but other materials escape and cell integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes hydrogen gas from the battery system using a scavenger material that selectively absorbs hydrogen through chemical reaction, preventing its harmful accumulation without allowing other materials to escape. The scavenger material is incorporated into the battery structure to continuously remove hydrogen as it is generated during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful hydrogen gas byproduct into a beneficial state by having it react with the scavenger material to form stable compounds. The hydrogen that would otherwise cause mechanical damage and reduce battery life is transformed into a harmless or useful form through the scavenging reaction, eliminating the harmful effect while preserving cell integrity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrogen scavenger material is incorporated, then hydrogen gas accumulation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydrogen scavenging function with existing battery components by incorporating the scavenger material into the battery structure where it can effectively interact with hydrogen. The scavenger is integrated into the battery architecture, combining multiple functions (hydrogen removal, structural support, and chemical reaction capability) into a unified system rather than adding separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen scavenger material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs hydrogen gas, maintains cell pressure, prevents mechanical damage, and potentially contributes to electrode structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving effective hydrogen management.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional modifications are made to remove hydrogen, then hydrogen buildup is reduced, but capacity and cycle life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrogen scavenger material as an intermediary substance that mediates between the hydrogen gas produced during battery operation and the battery components. The scavenger material selectively reacts with hydrogen to form stable compounds, preventing hydrogen from causing mechanical damage or interfering with electrochemical reactions, thereby preserving battery capacity and cycle life while effectively managing hydrogen buildup.
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 hydrogen scavenger material effectively reduces hydrogen gas accumulation, maintaining standard form factors and capacity while preventing mechanical damage and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogen scavenger material may absorb or react with hydrogen at a temperature above or about 20° C.
Implementation Method 2
The hydrogen scavenger material may be configured to react with hydrogen at a pressure of greater than or about 0.1 bar.
Implementation Method 3
The hydrogen scavenger material may include a base material and a catalyst.
Data Source
AI summary
Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector and a second current collector. The batteries may include an anode material coupled with the first current collector. The batteries may include a cathode material coupled with the second current collector. The batteries may also include a separator positioned between the cathode material and the anode material. The batteries may include a hydrogen-scavenger material incorporated within the anode active material or the cathode active material. The hydrogen scavenger material may absorb or react with hydrogen at a temperature above or about 20° C.