Flexible Zinc-Ion Battery Shape Memory Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible rechargeable batteries, such as zinc-ion batteries, face mechanical fragility and performance degradation under external deformation, limiting their cyclic life and stability for use in wearable electronics.
Innovation Solution
The development of flexible zinc-ion batteries with shape memory capabilities, utilizing Nickel-Titanium alloy wire coated with zinc and stainless steel yarn coated with manganese dioxide, along with a gelatin-borax polymer gel electrolyte, enables these batteries to restore shape and energy storage capacity after mechanical deformation through a temperature-triggered shape memory effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible substrates such as carbon cloth or polymeric elastomers are used to deposit electrochemical active materials, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but the battery becomes fragile and shows negligible recoverability after serious mechanical deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies shape memory alloy (SMA) wires that can change their physical state between martensite (deformed) and austenite (recovered) phases through temperature changes. This parameter change enables the battery to recover from serious mechanical deformation, transforming it from a fragile structure to a self-healing system with enhanced reliability while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure integrating shape memory alloy wires with flexible battery components (electrodes, electrolyte, current collectors). This composite material approach combines the flexibility of polymeric substrates with the recoverability of SMA wires, achieving both mechanical flexibility and structural reliability simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rigid metallic current collectors such as copper and stainless steel are used, then structural stability is improved, but mechanical flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid metallic current collectors with flexible polymeric current collectors that can bend and deform without breaking. These flexible current collectors maintain electrical conductivity while enabling the battery to achieve mechanical flexibility, allowing it to be integrated into wearable and flexible electronic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates flexible polymeric current collectors with shape memory alloy wires to create a composite structure that combines structural stability with mechanical flexibility. The SMA wires provide recoverability and structural support, while the polymeric current collectors provide flexibility and electrical conductivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the battery undergoes serious mechanical deformation, then adaptability to flexible applications is improved, but energy storage performance deteriorates due to fragile structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the shape memory effect, where the battery automatically recovers its original shape and structural integrity after deformation through temperature-triggered phase transformation. This self-recovery mechanism eliminates the need for external intervention and restores energy storage performance, enabling the battery to maintain reliability while adapting to flexible applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature-induced parameter changes in shape memory alloy wires to transform the battery from a deformed state to a recovered state. By changing the temperature parameter, the battery can switch between flexible/deformed and stable/recovered configurations, maintaining energy storage performance across different application scenarios.
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
These batteries exhibit enhanced cyclic life and stability, maintaining electrochemical performance and mechanical flexibility, with the ability to recover shape and energy storage capability multiple times, making them suitable for flexible and wearable electronics.
Implementation Method 1
smart yarn-based flexible and rechargeable Zn-ion batteries with shape memory function, which enables the batteries to restore the shape and energy storage capability against mechanical deformation (e.g., by temperature triggered shape memory effect)
Implementation Method 2
a gelatin-borax polymer gel electrolyte
Implementation Method 3
a gelatin-borax polymer gel electrolyte
Implementation Method 4
Nickel-Titanium-based alloy wire may be coated (e.g., using an electrodeposition process) with a zinc material (e.g., zinc, zinc alloy, zinc composites, etc.) to provide a flexible anode electrode
Implementation Method 5
flexible stainless steel (SS) yarn may, for example, be coated (e.g., using an electrodeposition process) with a manganese dioxide (MnO2) material (e.g., MnO2 nanocrystallines) to provide a flexible cathode electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods which provide flexible zinc ion (Zn-ion) battery configurations with shape memory are described. For example, embodiments of flexible shape memory yarn batteries (SMYBs) may be fabricated using shape memory material wire, filament, and/or fiber and flexible conductive material yarn as flexible substrate materials. In accordance with some embodiments, Nickel-Titanium-based alloy wire may be coated with a zinc material to provide a flexible anode electrode for a SMYB. Additionally or alternatively, flexible stainless steel (SS) yarn may be coated with a manganese dioxide (MnO2) material to provide a flexible cathode electrode for a SMYB of embodiments. An aqueous electrolyte may be combined with the flexible cathode and anode electrodes to provide a SMYB in accordance with the concepts herein. The aqueous electrolyte may, for example, comprise a polymer gel electrolyte (e.g., gelatin-borax polymer gel electrolyte).