Battery Pre-Lithiation Using a Microfluidic Lithium Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion battery pre-lithiation processes face challenges such as high manufacturing costs, safety hazards, and reduced energy density due to the use of lithium metal powders and sacrificial electrodes, while existing methods are complex and difficult to scale for large applications.
Innovation Solution
A pre-lithiation process involving a lithium source half-battery with a single electrode and microfluidic pump for controlled electrolyte circulation and lithium transfer to the battery, ensuring safety and ease of operation by using a lithium-containing metal or oxide and optimizing parameters like current, temperature, and pump speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal powder is added to the negative electrode, then the energy density is improved, but safety hazards increase and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lithium source electrode as an intermediary device that contains lithium metal in a controlled environment. This intermediary releases lithium ions through electrolyte circulation without directly exposing reactive lithium metal to the battery interior, thus improving energy density while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the lithium metal from the direct contact with the battery interior by placing it in a separate lithium source electrode chamber. The lithium metal is taken out of the main battery structure and isolated, with only lithium ions being transferred through the electrolyte, thereby reducing safety hazards while preserving energy density benefits.
2Reliability
If a sacrificial electrode method is used, then pre-lithiation is achieved, but an additional assembly step is required and energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lithium source electrode with the battery assembly by connecting it to the negative electrode through a conductive connection. This integration allows the lithium source electrode to function as part of the battery structure without requiring separate assembly steps, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving effective pre-lithiation.
3Reliability
If lithium source material is added to the positive electrode, then pre-lithiation is achieved, but the remaining material becomes inert and energy density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the lithium source in a separate electrode chamber rather than mixing it with the positive electrode material. This inversion allows the lithium source to remain in a reactive state and continuously supply lithium ions through electrolyte circulation, preventing the material from becoming inert while maintaining high energy density.
4Reliability
If strict conditions are applied for adding lithium source to negative electrode, then pre-lithiation is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the lithium source electrode automatically regulates lithium ion release based on the battery's needs. The system uses the battery's own electrolyte circulation to transport lithium ions from the lithium source electrode to the negative electrode, eliminating the need for complex external control systems and reducing manufacturing costs.
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 process enhances the energy density and safety of lithium-ion batteries by efficiently replenishing lithium ions, improving coulombic efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs, while being simpler and more scalable than existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a microfluidic pump for controlling the flow of a fluid in the external conduit are provided on the casing
Implementation Method 2
the electrode active substance of the single electrode is a lithium-containing metal or a lithium-containing oxide
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a battery pre-lithiation process comprising the following steps: Step I: providing a lithium source half-battery, wherein the lithium source half-battery comprises a single electrode, an electrolyte, and a casing that encapsulates the single electrode and the electrolyte; an external conduit in fluid communication with the interior of the casing and a microfluidic pump for controlling the flow of a fluid in the external conduit are provided on the casing; Step II: providing a battery to be pre-lithiated and punching the battery to be pre-lithiated to form a pre-lithiation tunnel; Step III: connecting the external conduit to the pre-lithiation tunnel and turning on the microfluidic pump to realize circulation between the electrolyte of the lithium source half-battery and the electrolyte of the battery to be pre-lithiated; Step IV: connecting the electrode of the lithium source half-battery and the negative electrode of the battery to be pre-lithiated to an external power supply, and performing pre-lithiation on the battery to be pre-lithiated; Step V: after the pre-lithiation, removing the external conduit and sealing the pre-lithiation tunnel to obtain a pre-lithiated battery. The pre-lithiation process of the present disclosure is easy to operate and exhibits high safety and high applicability.