Gel Electrolyte Supercapacitor for Flexible Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing supercapacitors face challenges with liquid electrolytes, including high weight, integration difficulties, and potential leakage, which lead to increased costs and environmental concerns, necessitating the development of eco-friendly, high-capacity, and cost-effective alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A flexible energy storage device utilizing a gel electrolyte composed of glycerol, redox-active molybdenum-containing ions, and a secondary ionic substance, which maintains greater than 95% of its unbent energy storage capacity when bent and has a specific capacitance of 275 to 350 F/g and energy density of 40 to 50 Wh/kg.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid electrolyte is used in supercapacitor, then ionic conductivity is improved, but weight increases and leakage risk occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to gel form by incorporating glycerol and gelating agents, thereby reducing weight and eliminating leakage while maintaining ionic conductivity through optimized gel composition and structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite gel electrolyte system combining glycerol, gelating agents (such as sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose), and ionic liquids or salts, which integrates the benefits of each component to achieve low weight, high ionic conductivity, and structural stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If liquid electrolyte is used in supercapacitor, then energy storage capacity is improved, but integration difficulty increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidintegration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gel electrolyte forms a flexible, self-contained structure that can be directly integrated into flexible supercapacitor devices, eliminating the need for rigid encapsulation and simplifying manufacturing processes while maintaining high energy storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cost-effective, environmentally benign materials such as glycerol (a byproduct of biodiesel production) and natural polymer gelating agents, replacing expensive and hazardous ionic liquids while achieving comparable or superior performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If polymer/IL blend gel electrolyte is used, then mechanical performance is improved, but production cost increases and environmental harm occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical performanceVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts potentially harmful ionic liquids into environmentally benign gel electrolytes by using glycerol and natural polymers, eliminating toxicological concerns while maintaining or improving mechanical performance through optimized gel network structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive and environmentally harmful ionic liquids with inexpensive, biodegradable materials such as glycerol and natural polymer gelating agents, reducing both production costs and environmental impact while achieving desired mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution provides a flexible energy storage device with enhanced mechanical robustness, high capacitance, and temperature tolerance, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective, with improved integration and safety features.

Implementation Method 1

The gel electrolyte contains a redox-active molybdenum-containing ion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS12142428B2Dual electrode energy storage device with gel electrolyte support

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 IMAM ABDULRAHMAN BIN FAISAL UNIV

AI summary

A flexible energy storage device with a glycerol-based gel electrolyte is provided. The flexible energy storage device can include a pair of electrodes separated by the gel electrolyte. The electrolytes can be in gel form, bendable and stretchable in a device. The gel electrolyte can include glycerol, redox-active molybdenum-containing ions, and a secondary ionic substance. The secondary ionic substance can include a salt. The gel electrolyte can have a density of 1.4 to 1.9 g/cm3 and an ionic conductivity of 2.3×10−4 to 3.2×10−4 Scm−1. The flexible energy storage device may retain greater than 95% of an unbent energy storage capacity when bent at an angle of 10 to 170°.