Coplanar Electrochemical Cell for Varying Current Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical cells with coplanar electrodes reach performance limits when powering components with different current requirements, leading to increased production costs and circuit area usage due to the need for separate energy sources.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical cell configuration featuring a first electrode of one polarity and two or more electrodes of the same opposite polarity, arranged coplanarly on a non-conductive substrate with an ionically conductive electrolyte, allowing for efficient energy distribution and adaptation to specific energetic requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate electrochemical cells are used to power components with different current requirements, then the current requirements of each component can be met, but the production cost increases and the circuit surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides a single electrochemical cell into multiple independent electrode systems, where each system consists of a first electrode of one polarity and a second electrode of opposite polarity. These systems share a common electrolyte layer but can be electrically isolated through the non-conductive substrate, allowing each system to independently power components with different current requirements while maintaining a compact single-cell structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate electrochemical cells are used to power components with different current requirements, then the current requirements of each component can be met, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple electrode systems into a single integrated electrochemical cell structure. All systems share common components including the electrolyte layer, the non-conductive substrate, and the sealing structure, while maintaining electrical isolation between positive and negative electrodes through the substrate. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate cells needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing production costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electrochemical cells are used, then components with different current requirements can be powered, but the required surface area of the circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the third dimension (vertical stacking) to accommodate multiple electrode systems within a single planar footprint. By stacking electrode layers vertically and using a non-conductive substrate for isolation, the design achieves multiple independent power sources without proportionally increasing the circuit's surface area, thus maintaining compactness while providing diversified energy supply capability.
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
This configuration enables efficient energy supply to components with varying current needs, reducing production costs and optimizing substrate area usage by allowing independent operation and tailored energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
This ion current is ensured by an ionically conductive electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
During the discharge of an electrochemical cell, an energy-releasing chemical reaction takes place, consisting of two electrically coupled but spatially separated partial reactions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
AI summary
An electrochemical cell (10) comprises a first electrode (10a) of a first polarity, a second electrode (10b) of a second polarity opposite to the first, and a third electrode (10c) of the same polarity as the second electrode (10b). The first, second, and third electrodes (10a, 10b, 10c) are arranged separately in a coplanar arrangement adjacent to one another on the surface of a substrate (12). The first electrode (10a) is connected to the second and third electrodes (10b, 10c) via an ion-conducting electrolyte (10d). It can be used in circuits (11) to supply power to electrical components (20, 30).