Battery Separator Heat Dissipation Layer for Thermal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery separators fail to effectively manage thermal propagation and safety in high energy density batteries, leading to issues such as overheating, explosions, or fires due to inadequate heat dissipation and internal pressure changes during operation.
Innovation Solution
A battery separator comprising a microporous membrane with a heat dissipation layer, incorporating phase change materials or high thermal conduction materials, affixed to its surface to reduce thermal propagation and increase energy density, capable of dissipating heat within the normal operating temperature range of battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional battery separators are used in high energy density batteries, then energy density can be increased, but thermal propagation control deteriorates leading to safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is constructed as a composite structure combining a microporous polyolefin base layer with a heat dissipation layer containing phase change materials (PCMs) or high heat capacity materials. This composite structure enables the separator to simultaneously provide mechanical separation functionality and active thermal management, allowing high energy density batteries to operate safely by absorbing excess heat and reducing thermal propagation during thermal runaway events.
2Quantity of substance
If battery energy density is increased, then heat generation increases, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipation layer incorporates phase change materials (PCMs) that undergo phase transitions (e.g., solid-liquid transitions) at temperatures relevant to battery operation. During normal operation and thermal events, these PCMs absorb excess heat through phase change, effectively dissipating heat generated by high energy density battery operations without requiring active cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator design changes the thermal parameters of the battery system by introducing materials with high heat capacity and phase change characteristics. This modifies the thermal response of the battery, enabling it to withstand higher energy density while maintaining thermal safety through passive heat absorption and dissipation mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If conventional separators are used, then device complexity remains low, but safety performance deteriorates during thermal events
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipation layer acts as an intermediary thermal management system between the battery electrodes and the external environment. This intermediate layer absorbs and dissipates heat during thermal events, preventing direct thermal propagation between electrodes and reducing the severity of thermal runaway, thereby improving safety without requiring complex active cooling systems.
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 significantly reduces thermal propagation by up to 90% and enhances energy density, ensuring improved safety and performance in high energy density batteries by effectively managing heat dissipation and preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
The heat dissipation layer can comprise a phase change material and/or a high heat capacity material configured to dissipate heat in or above a normal battery cell operating temperature range
Implementation Method 2
The heat dissipation layer can comprise a phase change material and/or a high heat capacity material configured to dissipate heat in or above a normal battery cell operating temperature range
Data Source
AI summary
A battery separator is provided comprising a microporous membrane comprising one or more layers of a polyolefin and a heat dissipation layer affixed to a surface of the microporous membrane, wherein the heat dissipation layer is configured to dissipate heat and reduce thermal propagation within a battery cell. The heat dissipation layer can comprise at least one of a polymer, a phase change material, and/or a high thermal conduction material configured to dissipate heat in or above a normal battery cell operating range.