Electrochemical Cell Interface With Entangled Nanostructures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical cells face high contact resistance between components, which hinders efficient energy conversion and storage due to insufficient physical contact and potential delamination.
Innovation Solution
A layered structure with mechanically entangled elongated nanostructures, such as carbon nanofibers or metal nanostructures, is introduced to improve mechanical and electrical contact between layers, reducing contact resistance and delamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional planar contact interfaces are used between layers, then the device structure is simple, but the contact resistance is high and mechanical contact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional planar (2D) contact interfaces to three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure-based interfaces. Elongated nanostructures extend vertically between layers, creating multiple contact points and increasing the effective contact area from a flat surface to a volumetric interlocking structure, thereby reducing contact resistance while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous or textured layer surfaces that accommodate elongated nanostructures. The porous structure allows nanostructures to penetrate and interlock between layers, increasing mechanical contact and electrical conductivity without adding significant structural complexity. The porosity enables the nanostructures to establish multiple contact pathways through the interface.
2Stability of the object's composition
If layers are directly contacted without interlocking structures, then the manufacturing process is simple, but delamination occurs during operational changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical (3D) elongated nanostructures that extend perpendicular to the layer surfaces, creating interlocking bonds between layers. This dimensional transition from planar to volumetric contact provides mechanical anchoring that prevents delamination during expansion, contraction, or bending, while the self-aligning nature of vertical structures simplifies the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite interface structure combining elongated nanostructures with the base layer materials. The composite nature provides both mechanical interlocking for delamination resistance and electrical conductivity for reduced contact resistance, while the integrated growth of nanostructures from layer surfaces streamlines manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the contact area between layers is increased, then the electrical contact resistance is reduced, but the mechanical complexity of the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates electrical contact functionality at localized regions where elongated nanostructures make contact between layers. Rather than requiring uniform planar contact across the entire interface, the high-conductivity nanostructure contact points provide sufficient electrical pathways, allowing the rest of the interface to maintain simpler geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure surrounding the elongated nanostructures provides additional contact pathways without requiring dense solid filling. The porous matrix allows the nanostructures to establish electrical contact while maintaining an open, low-complexity overall interface geometry that facilitates manufacturing and assembly.
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 mechanical entanglement of nanostructures enhances the contact area between layers, significantly lowering electrical contact resistance and maintaining stability during operational changes, such as volume or shape alterations in battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
The first plurality of elongated nanostructures and the second plurality of elongated nanostructures are mechanically entangled. The mechanical entanglement of the first and second plurality of elongated nanostructures can also be described as the first and second plurality of elongated nanostructures forming an interlocking structure.
Implementation Method 2
the electrical contact resistance between the layers can be reduced due to the disclosed mechanical entanglement
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical cell comprising a layered structure, the layered structure comprising at least a first layer and a second layer. The first layer and the second layer are arranged adjacent to each other and form a first interface, wherein the first interface comprises a first plurality of elongated nanostructures connected to a first surface of the first layer facing the second layer, and a second plurality of elongated nanostructures connected to a second surface of the second layer facing the first layer. The first plurality of elongated nanostructures and the second plurality of elongated nanostructures are mechanically entangled.