Lithium-Ion Battery Regeneration via Voltage Window Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries experience performance degradation due to a decrease in free lithium ions over time, leading to reduced charge transport capabilities, which is a result of undesirable side reactions during aging.
Innovation Solution
A method for regenerating lithium-ion batteries involves operating the battery in a regeneration mode, where the cell voltage is taken out of its working window to initiate a chemical reaction using an additive that donates lithium ions, thereby increasing the number of free and mobile lithium ions, and potentially using substances like lithium salts or organometallic compounds to release bound lithium ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If lithium-ion batteries are operated over time in working mode, then the battery provides continuous energy storage and charge transport, but the number of free lithium ions decreases due to side reactions, leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery performs self-regeneration by operating in regeneration mode where it autonomously reverses the aging process. The battery uses its own internal resources (additive and bound lithium ions) to restore the number of free lithium ions, eliminating the need for external intervention or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery transitions between different operating modes (working mode and regeneration mode) by changing operational parameters such as voltage windows and current directions. This parameter switching enables the battery to alternate between energy delivery and self-regeneration, optimizing both performance and service life.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the battery operates in working mode continuously, then energy storage function is maintained, but undesirable side reactions consume free lithium ions, reducing charge transport capability
Solution Approach 1:
The battery converts the harmful effect of bound lithium ions (which would otherwise represent permanent loss) into a beneficial resource for regeneration. By reversing the aging process, bound lithium ions are released back into the free lithium ion pool, turning a degradation mechanism into a restoration mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery alternates between working mode (energy storage/delivery) and regeneration mode (self-restoration) in periodic cycles. This periodic switching allows the battery to accumulate energy during working mode and recover lithium ions during regeneration mode, maintaining long-term performance.
3Reliability
If regeneration mode is implemented to restore free lithium ions, then battery performance is improved, but additional operating cycles and time are required beyond normal working mode
Solution Approach 1:
The regeneration function is merged with the normal operating cycles of the battery. Instead of requiring separate dedicated regeneration time, the battery integrates self-regeneration into its regular charge-discharge cycles, utilizing portions of existing operational time for dual purposes (energy storage and ion restoration).
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 method effectively regenerates lithium-ion batteries by increasing the number of free lithium ions, thereby enhancing their performance and extending their lifespan by reversing the aging process.
Implementation Method 1
a chemical reaction is caused within the cell, in which an additive present in the cell is involved. The chemical reaction, which is typically a so-called reduction-oxidation reaction or redox reaction for short
Implementation Method 2
The chemical reaction, which is typically a so-called reduction-oxidation reaction or redox reaction for short, is caused by the cell voltage of the cell being taken out of a working window of the working mode
Implementation Method 3
the lithium-ion battery contains free and therefore mobile lithium ions, i.e. lithium ions that can freely migrate back and forth through the electrolyte between the negative electrode and the positive electrode
Implementation Method 4
lithium ions that can freely migrate back and forth through the electrolyte
Implementation Method 5
these hollow bodies are in contact with the electrolyte in the cell, so that the material of the hollow bodies dissolves over time by a chemical reaction with the electrolyte until the walls of the hollow bodies are destroyed
Implementation Method 6
the material of the hollow bodies dissolves over time by a chemical reaction with the electrolyte
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for regenerating a completed lithium-ion battery (2) after operation of the completed lithium-ion battery (2) in a working mode over a period of use, wherein the lithium-ion battery (2) comprises a battery cell (4) with a positive electrode (14), with a negative electrode (16), with a separator (20) and with an electrolyte (12), wherein the battery cell (4) is operated in a regeneration mode over a regeneration period, wherein a chemical reaction is induced within the battery cell (4) in the regeneration mode, in which an additive (24) present in the battery cell (4) participates, wherein the chemical reaction is induced by taking the cell voltage of the battery cell (4) out of a working window of the working mode.and wherein the chemical reaction increases the number of mobile lithium ions in the accumulator cell (4) and thereby regenerates the accumulator cell (4).