Corrugated Electrode Reserve Battery Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid reserve batteries require a substantial activation time due to the time needed for the electrolyte to penetrate and effectively contact the electrodes, even when introduced under pressure, which is a limitation in storage and usage scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrochemical devices with corrugation features on electrodes and separators allows for rapid electrolyte penetration and distribution, featuring first and second corrugation features that facilitate electrolyte flow and contact across the active surface of the electrodes, reducing activation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If liquid electrolyte is introduced into reserve battery under pressure, then electrolyte penetration speed is improved, but activation time is still substantial due to electrode structure limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into multiple functional layers including porous substrate, active material layer, and conductive additive layer. This segmentation allows electrolyte to penetrate through defined pathways in the porous substrate rather than attempting to penetrate dense active material, dramatically reducing activation time while maintaining penetration speed
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode employs a porous substrate structure with controlled porosity that facilitates rapid electrolyte infiltration. The porous architecture provides interconnected pathways for electrolyte flow, enabling quick wetting of the electrode structure without requiring high pressure, thus reducing activation time while maintaining penetration speed
2Loss of time
If electrolyte is introduced under pressure to reduce activation time, then penetration speed improves, but device complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is designed to be self-wetting through its inherent porous architecture and surface properties. When electrolyte is introduced, capillary forces and surface energy drive spontaneous infiltration through the porous substrate and active material layers without requiring external pressure or complex activation mechanisms, thereby reducing both activation time and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is pre-configured during manufacturing with optimized porous structure, layer arrangement, and surface properties that facilitate rapid electrolyte uptake. This preliminary structuring eliminates the need for complex activation mechanisms during use, as the electrode is already prepared to accept electrolyte quickly and efficiently
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional flat electrode structure is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but electrolyte contact efficiency with active surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into distinct functional layers (porous substrate, active material, conductive additives) that can be manufactured separately and assembled through simple lamination or coating processes. This layered segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving electrolyte contact efficiency, as each layer is optimized for its specific function including rapid wetting and electrochemical activity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode employs a porous substrate with controlled pore size and distribution that facilitates rapid electrolyte infiltration throughout the active material. This porous architecture increases the effective surface area for electrolyte contact and ion transport, thereby enhancing energy release rate while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional porous material fabrication techniques
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 approach significantly reduces the activation time of reserve batteries, enabling quicker and more efficient energy release, and can be applied to various electrochemical systems for improved performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of corrugation features comprising a first corrugation feature to pass an electrolyte through the corrugation electrode and a second corrugation feature in fluid communication with the first corrugation feature to contact the electrolyte across a portion of an active surface of the electrode
Implementation Method 2
an ion permeable separator positioned between the anode and cathode, wherein the ion separator comprises a plurality of passages extending through the separator to enable the electrolyte to flow freely through the ion permeable separator
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolyte is introduced into an electrochemical device, passed, via a first corrugation feature, through a first electrode of the electrochemical device, passed through an ion permeable separator, and contacted with a second electrode. The first or second electrode comprises a second corrugation feature in fluid communication with the first corrugation feature to contact the electrolyte across a portion of an active surface of the first or second electrode.