In-Situ Gel Electrolyte Composition for Flexible Leak-Resistant Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery technologies face limitations in achieving increased energy density, safety, and flexibility, particularly in portable devices, where traditional electrolytes are flammable, prone to leakage, and lack structural integrity and adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A tough and ionically conductive polymer electrolyte composition is developed, which includes polymer precursors, salts, plasticizers, and additives, allowing for in-situ polymerization within battery cells to form a stable, flexible, and non-flammable electrolyte that enhances structural integrity and ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional liquid electrolytes are used in batteries, then ionic conductivity is achieved, but safety deteriorates due to flammability and leakage risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidflammability and leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the electrolyte from liquid to gel state by incorporating polymer networks and crosslinking agents, fundamentally changing the physical state parameter to eliminate flammability and leakage while maintaining ionic conductivity through the gel structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite gel electrolyte system combining polymer matrices (such as PEO, PANI, or PSS), lithium salts, and crosslinking agents to achieve both structural integrity for safety and ion transport pathways for conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If rigid battery structures are used, then structural integrity is improved, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible polymer gel electrolytes that can bend and deform without fracturing, enabling the battery to conform to various shapes and surfaces while maintaining structural integrity through the viscoelastic properties of the gel matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the mechanical properties of the electrolyte by adjusting polymer concentration, crosslinking density, and plasticizer content to achieve optimal balance between structural strength and flexibility for form-fitting applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If polymer electrolyte precursor solutions are used, then in-situ polymerization enables structural integrity, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates polymerization initiators and crosslinking agents in advance within the electrolyte precursor solution, allowing the polymerization reaction to occur in-situ during battery assembly or initial charging cycles, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the electrolyte to self-polymerize and form its own gel structure within the battery cell through in-situ polymerization, eliminating the need for separate electrolyte filling and curing steps, and allowing the battery to self-assemble its functional electrolyte structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 polymer electrolyte composition provides improved battery stability, flexibility, and safety by maintaining capacity under bending and reducing fracture risks, while eliminating the need for external pressure and minimizing leakage, thus enabling the creation of form-fitting batteries for diverse applications.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for in-situ polymerization within battery cells to form a stable, flexible, and non-flammable electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

tough and ionically conductive polymer electrolyte composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12191447B2Gel electrolyte composition for a battery and a method of implementation

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 ANTHRO ENERGY INC

AI summary

A method can include: receiving a gel electrolyte precursor solution comprising a polymeric precursor (such as monomers or oligomers), an initiator, and a plasticizer; adding the gel electrolyte precursor solution to a battery stack; wetting the battery stack with the gel electrolyte precursor solution; and curing the gel electrolyte precursor to form a covalently bonded gel electrolyte network interspersed throughout the battery stack.