Binder-Free Thermal Battery Electrolyte Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal battery electrolytes require binders to prevent dispersion and short circuits, but these binders increase impedance, necessitating a binder-free solution that maintains electrolyte containment and conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A substantially binder-free electrolyte material comprising at least 25 wt% lithium bromide, 4 wt% lithium chloride, 42 wt% lithium fluoride, and 1-12 wt% potassium bromide, which maintains electrolyte flowability and conductivity without binders by utilizing high melting point lithium fluoride to maintain viscosity upon activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If binder materials are added to the electrolyte, then the electrolyte is contained within the battery assembly upon melting, but the impedance of the battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the binder component from the electrolyte formulation, achieving binder-free electrolyte compositions that eliminate the impedance-increasing effect of binders while maintaining electrolyte containment through optimized eutectic mixture properties and battery assembly design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the compositional parameters of the electrolyte by using specific ratios of lithium chloride (3-15 wt%), potassium chloride (75-95 wt%), and lithium bromide (0.5-5 wt%), which alter the melting point and viscosity characteristics to enable binder-free operation while maintaining effective electrolyte containment
2Reliability
If binder materials are added to the electrolyte, then the electrolyte is contained within the battery assembly upon melting, but the electrolyte material may still disperse throughout the battery causing undesired shunts or short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes binder materials from the electrolyte composition, achieving binder-free formulations that eliminate the impedance increase associated with binders while maintaining effective electrolyte containment through optimized eutectic mixture properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite electrolyte formulations combining multiple salts (lithium chloride, potassium chloride, and lithium bromide) in specific ratios to create a eutectic mixture with optimized melting point and viscosity characteristics that enable binder-free operation while preventing electrolyte dispersion and short circuits
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 reduces cell impedance and prevents short circuits while maintaining effective ion conduction and flowability, enhancing thermal battery performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
maintains electrolyte flowability and conductivity without binders by utilizing high melting point lithium fluoride to maintain viscosity upon activation
Implementation Method 2
Heat produced from the pyrotechnic material causes the previously solid electrolyte to melt and become conductive, which allows the battery to provide power
Implementation Method 3
The external stimulus causes the pyrotechnic material to ignite and begin to heat
Implementation Method 4
which assists in containing the electrolyte within the thermal battery assembly upon melting, such as by capillary action, surface tension, or both
Implementation Method 5
which assists in containing the electrolyte within the thermal battery assembly upon melting, such as by capillary action, surface tension, or both
Data Source
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AI summary
Ternary or quaternary electrolyte material for use in thermal batteries that is substantially free of binders is disclosed. Composites of electrodes and electrolytes that contain the electrolyte material and batteries that contain the electrolyte material are also disclosed.