Fibril Materials in Electrochemical Cells for Structural Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical cells face performance issues due to fragile electrodes and electrolytes that can be compromised by anisotropic forces, leading to reduced porosity, short circuits, and decreased cycling lifetime, particularly when using binders that are easily deformed or ruptured.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of fibril materials, such as cellulose or cellulose derivatives with small cross-sectional diameters and high aspect ratios, into electrodes and electrolytes to provide structural reinforcement, reducing the need for binders and maintaining porosity while withstanding anisotropic forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If binders are used to hold electrode materials together, then electrode structural integrity is improved, but porosity decreases and cycling lifetime reduces due to binder deformation and rupture under anisotropic forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode structural integrityVSAvoidcycling lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional polymeric binders to nanocellulose fibrils with specific dimensional parameters (aspect ratio ≥10:1, diameter ≤1 micrometer). This parameter change enables the binder to maintain structural integrity while resisting deformation under anisotropic forces, thereby improving cycling lifetime without sacrificing electrode strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system where nanocellulose fibrils are integrated with electrode active materials and conductive agents. This composite structure provides both mechanical reinforcement and maintains porosity, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and cycling reliability by using a material combination that resists binder failure modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If reinforcement materials are added to strengthen electrodes and electrolytes, then structural stability is improved, but volume increases reducing energy density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous nanocellulose fibril structures that provide mechanical reinforcement while maintaining high porosity. The fibrillar network creates void spaces that preserve electrolyte access and ion transport pathways, enabling structural stability without significant volume increase, thus maintaining energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies reinforcement locally through nanocellulose fibrils positioned at critical stress points within the electrode and electrolyte structures. Rather than uniformly distributing bulk reinforcement materials, the fibrils provide targeted structural support where anisotropic forces are most problematic, minimizing overall volume addition while maximizing structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10461333B2Electrochemical cells comprising fibril materials

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 SION POWER CORP

AI summary

The use of fibril materials, such as fibril cellulose materials and other similar materials, in electrochemical cells and components thereof is generally described.