Redox Flow Battery Current Collector Structure for Corrosion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current current collecting structures for redox flow batteries face challenges in suppressing galvanic corrosion between the conductive member and the current collecting member, especially when moisture penetrates between them.

Innovation Solution

A current collecting structure comprising a conductive member, an interposed member, and a current collecting member, where the interposed member is a porous body made of a composite material with a first and second conductive material, ensuring a small potential difference between the conductive member and the current collecting member to reduce corrosion, and is elastically deformable to maintain electrical connection despite pressure variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional current collecting structure with a single material interposed member is used, then the structure is simple, but galvanic corrosion occurs between the conductive member and current collecting member when moisture penetrates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interposed member is constructed as a composite material comprising a first conductive material and a second conductive material with different standard electrode potentials. This composite structure suppresses galvanic corrosion by creating a gradient of electrode potentials that reduces the overall potential difference between the conductive member and current collecting member, thereby minimizing corrosion current when moisture penetrates the battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different conductive materials at different locations within the interposed member. The first conductive material is positioned closer to the conductive member while the second conductive material is positioned closer to the current collecting member. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes corrosion resistance at each interface while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If rigid materials are used for the interposed member, then manufacturing is easy, but electrical connection is lost when pressure variations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The interposed member is designed with elastic deformability, allowing it to dynamically adapt to pressure variations within the battery cell. When pressure increases, the elastic material compresses while maintaining continuous electrical contact; when pressure decreases, it rebounds to restore contact. This dynamic response ensures stable electrical connection throughout the battery's operational pressure range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an elastic interposed member that functions as a flexible conductive element. This flexible design allows the interposed member to conform to dimensional changes and maintain reliable electrical contact between the rigid conductive member and current collecting member, overcoming the brittleness of rigid materials under pressure cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 structure effectively suppresses corrosion between the conductive and current collecting members, ensuring reliable electrical connection and prolonged battery performance by minimizing potential differences and using materials like carbon and copper or nickel for enhanced conductivity and corrosion resistance.

Implementation Method 1

suppressing galvanic corrosion between the conductive member and the current collecting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic corrosion:

Implementation Method 2

the standard electrode potential of the first conductive material is closer to the standard electrode potential of the conductive member than the standard electrode potential of the current collecting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrode potential:

Implementation Method 3

the interposed member is elastically deformable to maintain electrical connection despite pressure variations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240250274A1Current collecting structure for redox flow battery, redox flow battery cell, and redox flow battery system

Publication Date: 2024.07.25 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A current collecting structure for a redox flow battery comprises a conductive member, an interposed member, and a current collecting member sequentially stacked on one surface of a positive electrode or a negative electrode, wherein the interposed member is a porous body comprising a composite material comprising a first conductive material and a second conductive material, and the standard electrode potential of the first conductive material is closer to the standard electrode potential of the conductive member than the standard electrode potential of the current collecting member and the standard electrode potential of the second conductive material is closer to the standard electrode potential of the current collecting member than the standard electrode potential of the conductive member.