Conductive Sheet Material with Orthogonal Channels for Redox Flow Battery Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode materials for redox flow batteries, such as those described in JP 2003 308851 A and JP 2001 085028 A, have directed structures that hinder fluid flow, leading to increased electrical resistance and pressure drop, and are prone to abrasion, reducing their useful life.
Innovation Solution
An electrically conductive sheet material with channels in the main body, where the channels are orthogonal or form an acute angle with the frontal planes, enhancing fluid flow and reducing electrical resistance, and a fold-type structure with interconnected fold edges for increased stability and flexibility, achieved through methods like carbonization and graphitization under a protective gas atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If directed structures are used in electrode materials to provide mechanical stability, then mechanical strength is improved, but fluid flow is hindered leading to increased pressure drop and electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode material is segmented into a macro porous structure with channels and a micro porous structure with fibers, where the macro channels provide fluid flow pathways and the micro fibers provide mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and fluid flow
2Stability of the object's composition
If directed structures are used in electrode materials, then structural integrity is improved, but electrical resistance increases due to hindered electron exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode material utilizes a macro porous structure with interconnected channels that facilitate electrolyte flow and electron exchange, while the micro porous fibrous structure maintains structural integrity and provides additional conductive pathways, thereby reducing electrical resistance while maintaining structural stability
3Area of stationary object
If rough surfaces are present on electrode materials to increase surface area, then surface area is improved for reaction sites, but abrasion increases reducing useful life
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode material has different surface characteristics in different regions: the macro channel surfaces provide smooth surfaces for reduced abrasion and extended life, while the micro fibrous structures provide high surface area for electrochemical reactions, resolving the contradiction between reaction surface area and mechanical durability
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 sheet material exhibits low electrical resistance, high porosity, and extended useful life, enabling efficient electron exchange and energy storage with improved mechanical properties and reduced pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
The sheet material exhibits low electrical resistance, high porosity, and extended useful life, enabling efficient electron exchange
Implementation Method 2
The sheet material comprises a main body, the main body comprising: fibers comprising carbon fibers; and channels
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically conductive sheet material having a base body with fibers, at least part of the fibers having carbon fibers, optionally having channels extending through the base body, capable of providing an electrically conductive and flexible sheet material which has a low electrical resistance and which can be produced on a large scale in the most simple, cost-effective and reproducible manner possible.