Biodegradable Gel Polymer Electrolyte Layer With Bubble-Free Casting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery technologies lack environmentally friendly and biodegradable options, and existing methods for producing gel polymer electrolyte layers in electrochemical devices suffer from non-uniform thickness, air bubbles, and inadequate pile height, leading to structural issues and performance irregularities.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing a biodegradable electrolyte layer involves preparing a substrate with an electrode, forming a cavity, depositing an electrolyte composition, applying a release layer, and curing it under uniform pressure, using a gel polymer electrolyte composed of a hydrogel with a copolymer and salt, and applying UV radiation to achieve a bubble-free, uniformly thick layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If screen printing method is used to deposit GPE material, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to non-uniform thickness, air bubbles, and inadequate pile height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screen printing process with a centrifugal casting process. The GPE material is deposited into a mold cavity and then subjected to centrifugal force during rotation, which automatically distributes the material uniformly and eliminates air bubbles through the centrifugal action, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and high thickness uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the GPE material from a viscous state during deposition to a solidified state during centrifugal casting and curing. The material is deposited in a liquid/viscous state, then solidified through the centrifugal process and UV curing, which helps achieve uniform thickness and eliminate defects
2Ease of manufacture
If screen printing method is used to deposit GPE material, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to air bubbles and structural defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screen printing process with a centrifugal casting process. The centrifugal force automatically distributes the GPE material uniformly and eliminates air bubbles through the centrifugal action, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and high structural integrity without defects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a release agent to the mold cavity before depositing the GPE material. This preliminary action prevents the cured GPE from adhering to the mold, enabling easy removal without damaging the structural integrity of the electrolyte layer
3Productivity
If conventional batteries are produced and disposed, then power supply demand is met, but environmental harm increases due to toxic waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the battery components, using biodegradable materials such as polylactic acid substrates, gel polymer electrolytes with biodegradable polymers, and environmentally friendly electrode materials. These parameter changes maintain power supply capacity while eliminating toxic waste generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials throughout the battery structure, including biodegradable polymer composites for the substrate and electrolyte, and composite electrode materials. These composite materials provide the necessary electrochemical performance while being environmentally friendly and biodegradable
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 method results in a biodegradable electrolyte layer with consistent thickness and absence of bubbles, improving structural integrity and performance consistency in electrochemical devices.
Implementation Method 1
The electrolyte composition may include a crosslinked, biodegradable polymeric material that is radiatively curable prior to being crosslinked
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrochemical device is disclosed, which may include an anode, a cathode, and a molded electrolyte composition disposed between the anode and the cathode. Implementations of the electrochemical device may include where the cathode and/or the anode are disposed in a stacked geometry. The electrolyte composition may include a gel polymer electrolyte, which can include a hydrogel of a copolymer and a salt dispersed in the hydrogel of a copolymer. The electrolyte composition may alternatively include a crosslinker or a photoinitiator. A method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device is also disclosed, including preparing a substrate having an electrode for an electrochemical device, preparing a gasket to form a cavity on the substrate for the electrolyte layer, and depositing an electrolyte composition onto the substrate