Composite Gel Electrolyte for Integrated Energy Harvesting Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrochemical devices, such as supercapacitors and solar cells, lack the ability to efficiently store energy within the device, which limits their effectiveness in harnessing and storing renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
The development of electrochemical cells with a composite gel positioned between electrodes, comprising an electrolyte, polyaryl amine, and oxidant, which enables easy production and use in various applications like electrochromic devices, supercapacitors, and hybrid photoactive supercapacitors, facilitating energy storage and harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional electrochemical devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy storage capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines energy harvesting and energy storage functions into a single integrated electrochemical cell. The composite gel electrolyte serves dual purposes as both the electrolyte medium and the energy storage medium through redox reactions, eliminating the need for separate energy storage components and achieving functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite gel electrolyte composed of multiple components including polyaryl amine, oxidant, and gel matrix materials. This composite structure provides both the ionic conductivity necessary for electrochemical operation and the redox-active species required for energy storage, thereby enhancing energy storage capability while maintaining device simplicity.
2Quantity of substance
If energy storage components are added to electrochemical devices, then energy storage capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the electrolyte and energy storage media into a single composite gel system, the patent eliminates the need for additional energy storage components such as separate batteries or capacitors. This integration reduces the number of manufacturing steps and component assembly requirements, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while achieving energy storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition and physical state of the electrolyte by incorporating redox-active polyaryl amine species into a gel matrix. This parameter change transforms the electrolyte from a passive ionic conductor to an active energy storage medium, enabling energy storage without adding separate components and keeping manufacturing processes simple.
3Use of energy by moving object
If composite gel with polyaryl amine is used, then energy storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating polyaryl amine and oxidant into the gel matrix. These compositional changes enable redox reactions that provide efficient energy storage. The gel structure maintains physical simplicity while the chemical composition provides the necessary energy storage mechanism through reversible oxidation and reduction reactions.
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 composite gel allows for efficient energy storage and harvesting, enhancing the performance of devices by enabling both electronic and ionic charge conductivity, leading to improved capacitance and energy storage capabilities at a low cost.
Implementation Method 1
the composite gel comprises an electrolyte, a polyaryl amine, and oxidant
Implementation Method 2
the composite gel comprises an electrolyte, a polyaryl amine, and oxidant
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical cells that include composite gel positioned between the first electrode and second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Electrochemical cells that include composite gel positioned between the first electrode and second electrode, where the composite gel comprises an electrolyte, a polyaryl amine, and an oxidant. The utilized composite gels are easy to produce at a low-cost, which makes them suitable in a number of different applications electrochromic devices, supercapacitors, solar cells, and hybrid photoactive supercapacitors.