Button Cell Battery Coating for Rapid GI Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery designs do not adequately prevent tissue damage when ingested, as they continue to generate hydroxide ions and cause electrolysis in biological environments, leading to severe injuries and fatalities, despite efforts to mitigate these risks through various materials and coatings.
Innovation Solution
The use of a battery design featuring a cathode or anode case with a deactivating metal layer, such as Nb, Ta, or their alloys, which suppresses or reduces electrolysis by forming an oxide layer when exposed to aqueous environments, thereby minimizing tissue damage upon ingestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional battery designs are used, then battery power and energy density are high, but tissue damage and electrolysis occur when ingested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the battery case with oxide-forming metals (Nb, Ta, W, Ti, Re) that will automatically form protective oxide layers when exposed to aqueous environments. This preliminary protective layer is established before ingestion occurs, preventing electrolysis and tissue damage from the outset while maintaining full battery power and energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxide-forming metal coating acts as an intermediary between the battery and biological tissue. This intermediate layer forms a stable oxide barrier that mediates the interaction, preventing direct contact between the battery case and conductive biological fluids, thereby eliminating electrolysis and tissue damage while allowing the battery to function normally.
2Reliability
If chrome-based alloy or polymer fuse mechanisms are used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but deactivation is not rapid enough and volumetric capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the battery case by using oxide-forming metals (Nb, Ta, W, Ti, Re) with specific oxide formation kinetics. These metals rapidly form stable oxide layers in aqueous environments, achieving both high corrosion resistance and rapid deactivation without the need for polymer fuses or other volume-reducing mechanisms.
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 deactivating metal layer effectively reduces or eliminates electrolytic current within a short timeframe when the battery is immersed in a conductive aqueous environment, significantly lowering the risk of tissue damage and injuries associated with battery ingestion.
Implementation Method 1
which suppresses or reduces electrolysis by forming an oxide layer when exposed to aqueous environments
Implementation Method 2
Current flow in conductive GI fluids can cause electrolysis and generate hydroxide ions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides batteries that have a reduced risk or no risk of esophageal or gastrointestinal damage in a conductive aqueous environment, such as when accidentally swallowed. The batteries are, in some embodiments, nominally 9V, 3V or 1.5V coin or button cell-type batteries.