DNA Hydrogel Electrode for Biocompatible Supercapacitors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current supercapacitor technologies face challenges in achieving high conductivity and large specific surface area while maintaining biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness, particularly for implantable devices, as existing materials are either expensive or vulnerable to damage and have limited energy storage capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A conductive layered structure is developed using a DNA hydrogel with a composite layer of a polymer electrolyte and a conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes or reduced graphene oxide, which is biocompatible and has a multi-layer structure, allowing for high conductivity and large specific surface area without the need for binder materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If carbonaceous materials are processed into various forms with high pore density through high-temperature process, then specific surface area is increased, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature (800°C or higher) to low-temperature (room temperature or mild heating) processing. The DNA hydrogel template method enables pore formation without high-temperature treatment, thereby increasing specific surface area while reducing manufacturing complexity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces DNA hydrogel as an intermediary template material that self-assembles into porous structures. This intermediary enables pore formation and surface area expansion without requiring complex high-temperature processing equipment or multi-step manufacturing procedures.
2Strength
If insulating binder material is added to carbonaceous materials to manufacture electrode, then electrode structural integrity is improved, but conductivity and specific surface area are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the insulating binder material from the electrode structure. By using DNA hydrogel as a self-supporting porous template, the electrode maintains structural integrity without requiring insulating binders, thereby preserving conductivity and specific surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs DNA hydrogel as a porous template material that provides structural framework. The porous structure of DNA hydrogel itself serves as the electrode matrix, eliminating the need for additional binder materials while maintaining both mechanical integrity and electrical conductivity through the conductive material filling the pores.
3Reliability
If de-alloying method is used to create porous metal structure, then conductivity is improved, but the structure is highly vulnerable to damage during etching process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies beforehand cushioning by using DNA hydrogel as a protective template structure. The robust DNA hydrogel framework protects the conductive material from damage during the formation process, eliminating the vulnerability to etching damage while maintaining high conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where conductive material (such as metal nanoparticles or conductive polymers) is embedded within the DNA hydrogel matrix. This composite structure provides both high conductivity from the conductive material and structural stability from the DNA hydrogel framework, avoiding the fragility of purely metal-based porous structures.
4Reliability
If precious metals are used to achieve oxidation resistance in electrolyte solution, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive precious metals with cost-effective DNA hydrogel and common conductive materials. The DNA hydrogel provides oxidation resistance through its stable deoxyribose-phosphate backbone structure, eliminating the need for costly precious metal coatings while maintaining reliability in electrolyte environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material composition parameter from precious metals to DNA-based biocompatible materials. The DNA hydrogel's inherent chemical stability and oxidation resistance, combined with biocompatible conductive materials, provide the same reliability at significantly lower manufacturing cost.
5Quantity of substance
If high specific capacitance is achieved through increased surface area, then energy storage capability is improved, but power density may be reduced due to increased resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by filling the porous DNA hydrogel structure with conductive material that provides localized high conductivity pathways. This ensures that even though the overall surface area is increased for energy storage, the local conductivity remains high, preventing resistance increase and maintaining power density.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a nested structure where conductive material is embedded within the porous DNA hydrogel matrix. This nested configuration creates conductive networks throughout the high-surface-area structure, ensuring that increased energy storage capacity does not compromise power delivery 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
The solution enhances the cycle lifetime and electrical characteristics of electrodes, enabling the creation of high-specific-capacitance supercapacitors that are stable in physiological environments and suitable for implantable devices, with improved power density and energy storage capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a DNA hydrogel; and a composite layer of a polymer electrolyte and a conductive material on the DNA hydrogel
Implementation Method 2
a composite layer of a polymer electrolyte and a conductive material on the DNA hydrogel
Implementation Method 3
a conductive layered structure having a large specific surface area
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a conductive layered structure including a DNA hydrogel and a composite layer disposed on the DNA hydrogel. The composite layer may include a polymer electrolyte and a conductive material. Also provided are an electrode and a supercapacitor, each including the conductive layered structure. Further provided is a method of manufacturing the conductive layered structure. Thus, a biocompatible, implantable electrode having a large specific surface area and a high conductivity may be manufactured through simple processes.