Battery Electrode Apertures for Faster Electrolyte Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery electrode configurations face challenges in electrolyte distribution due to reduced space and material properties, leading to dry spots and impaired charging efficiency, as the pressure and temperature during manufacturing can block pores in the separator, limiting electrolyte penetration and causing impedance and capacity degradation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of apertures through the electrodes provides additional diffusion paths for electrolyte, ensuring complete wetting and reducing the time required for electrolyte to reach all regions of the electrode stack, thereby improving electrolyte distribution and preventing dry spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If pressure and temperature are increased during manufacturing to improve electrode density, then electrode density is improved, but pores in the separator are blocked, limiting electrolyte penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is segmented by introducing apertures (through-holes) that divide the electrode into multiple regions. This segmentation creates multiple independent electrolyte penetration paths, ensuring that even if some pores are blocked during manufacturing, electrolyte can still reach all electrode regions through the aperture network, thereby resolving the contradiction between electrode density and electrolyte penetration reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the porous structure of the separator and electrode materials in combination with apertures to create a hierarchical pore system. The apertures serve as macro-channels while the material pores provide micro-pathways, ensuring multi-scale electrolyte distribution that maintains penetration reliability even under high pressure and temperature manufacturing conditions
2Volume of moving object
If electrode configurations are modified to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but electrolyte distribution is impaired, causing dry spots
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional electrode surfaces to three-dimensional aperture structures that extend through the electrode thickness. This dimensional change creates vertical electrolyte distribution channels that ensure complete wetting of electrode regions, preventing dry spots even in compact device configurations where horizontal electrolyte distribution is limited
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture structure is nested within the electrode body, with apertures extending through the electrode thickness. This nested configuration allows the electrode to maintain its external compact dimensions while containing an internal three-dimensional network of electrolyte pathways, resolving the contradiction between device size reduction and electrolyte distribution reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If manufacturing tolerances are reduced to improve precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the apertures (size, distribution, orientation) to optimize electrolyte distribution while maintaining manufacturability. By carefully selecting aperture parameters such as diameter and spacing, the design achieves improved effective surface area and electrolyte access without requiring excessively tight manufacturing tolerances, thus balancing manufacturing precision with production complexity
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 enhances battery performance by ensuring complete electrolyte penetration, reducing impedance, preventing lithium dendrites, and maintaining capacity, while accommodating various device geometries and reducing production tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
The introduction of apertures through the electrodes provides additional diffusion paths for electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
The separator may form a physical barrier between each first aperture of the first apertures and each second aperture of the second apertures
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode stack is described. The electrode stack may include an anode electrode having an anode current collector, and an anode active material disposed on the anode current collector. The anode electrode may define one or more first apertures through the anode electrode. The electrode stack may also include a cathode electrode having a cathode current collector, and a cathode active material disposed on the cathode current collector. The cathode electrode may define one or more second apertures through the cathode electrode.