Conductive Aversive Battery Coating for Ingestion Deterrence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coin cell batteries pose a serious safety risk due to accidental ingestion, as they can cause severe alkaline burns and perforations when coming into contact with bodily fluids, and existing anti-swallow features like bitter coatings may not deter children effectively while compromising cell performance.
Innovation Solution
Development of a conductive aversive coating comprising an aversive agent, water-soluble polymer, and conductive material, which is applied to at least a portion of the battery exterior to deter ingestion while maintaining electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-conductive aversive coating is applied to the battery exterior, then children are deterred from ingestion, but cell discharge performance is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a composite coating material comprising aversive agent particles embedded in a polymer matrix with added conductive material. This composite structure combines the protective function of the aversive coating with electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between ingestion deterrence and cell discharge performance by allowing both properties to coexist in a single multi-component material system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the coating material by incorporating conductive additives such as carbon black, graphite, or metal particles. This parameter modification transforms the coating from non-conductive to conductive, enabling it to maintain cell discharge performance while retaining its aversive function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a bitter coating is applied to the battery, then children are discouraged from putting it in their mouths, but the coating may not effectively deter ingestion and compromises cell performance
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is formulated as a composite material containing aversive agent particles, polymer binder, and conductive additive. This composite approach allows the coating to simultaneously provide bitter taste deterrence and maintain electrical conductivity for cell performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating is applied selectively to specific portions of the battery exterior, particularly the terminals, rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized application ensures adequate deterrence at critical contact points while minimizing impact on overall cell performance.
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 conductive aversive coating effectively deters children from ingesting the batteries while ensuring the electrochemical cell's performance is not significantly impacted, providing a safe and functional solution.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive material comprises carbon. In some embodiments, the conductive material is carbon black, graphite, expanded graphite, graphene, or carbon nanotubes.
Implementation Method 2
the water-soluble polymer is selected from: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyacrylamide, or polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Implementation Method 3
an electrical current from the battery generating hydroxide (high pH) on the negative side through an electrolysis reaction that occurs when the battery is in contact with bodily fluids
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are electrochemical cells with at least a portion of the exterior surface coated in a conductive aversive coating to deter children from eating the electrochemical cell. Described are compositions and methods for preparing electrochemical cells with aversive coatings capable of conducting electricity through the coating.