Fused Bicyclic Electrolytes for Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lithium-ion batteries require extended charging times, typically ranging from 30 minutes to 50 hours, which is inefficient for modern applications.

Innovation Solution

The use of an electrolyte solution containing a fused bicyclic compound, such as 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carbonitrile (BHCN), which enhances the solvation of lithium salts, thereby improving the charging speed of lithium-ion batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional electrolyte solutions are used, then battery stability is maintained, but charging time is excessively long (30 minutes to 50 hours)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging timeVSAvoidbattery stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing fused bicyclic compounds with specific functional groups (oxygen in cross bridge, halide groups) to optimize both charging speed and battery stability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The electrolyte uses a composite formulation combining fused bicyclic compounds with traditional carbonate solvents (EC, EMC) and lithium salts, creating a synergistic system that achieves fast charging while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If charging current is increased to reduce charging time, then charging speed improves, but cell capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidcell capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes electrolyte composition parameters to enable high charging currents (less than 5 C rate) to be applied without significant capacity loss, achieving both high productivity and quantity retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution allows lithium-ion batteries to be charged from 1 to 100% state of charge in less than 12 minutes, with an increased cell capacity of at least 10% compared to traditional batteries when charged at currents of less than 5 C.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12315881B2Electrolyte components for charging of lithium-ion batteries

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure includes bridged bicyclic compounds and other non-flat organic molecules that have the ability to solvate lithium salts in higher concentrations without significant changes to the electrolyte viscosity which assists in improving the fast charge capability of lithium-ion cells. Using non-flat polar molecules may enable higher solubility of the salts while minimizing viscosity changes to the electrolyte. In some embodiments, the fused bicyclic compound is 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carbonitrile (BHCN).