Graded Battery Electrode Structure for Overpotential Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for optimizing electrode structure in lithium-ion batteries are inefficient, often relying on trial and error, leading to manufacturing inefficiencies and sub-optimal electrode performance due to the complexity of optimizing non-monolithic graded electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to design electrodes using a model that optimizes energy density, power density, and thermal response by applying a compound mixture of electrochemically active, conductive, and binding materials, with a convex semi-definite program to determine the optimal distribution of active material across the electrode thickness, minimizing overpotential and maximizing battery health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional trial and error methods are used to optimize electrode structure, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but optimization efficiency deteriorates and manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using computational models to predict and optimize electrode microstructure parameters before actual manufacturing. The model calculates optimal porosity, tortuosity, and active material distribution in advance, allowing the manufacturing process to proceed directly with optimized parameters without time-consuming trial and error iterations.
2Reliability
If graded electrode structures with continuous variations are implemented, then battery performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying microstructure parameters (porosity, tortuosity, active material weight fraction) through the electrode thickness according to mathematically optimized gradients. The model determines specific parameter distributions that maximize performance while maintaining manufacturability, transforming the complex graded structure into controlled parameter variations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If non-uniform microstructure distributions are optimized, then energy density and power density improve, but model complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the microstructure parameters at different locations through the electrode thickness. The model determines that porosity, tortuosity, and active material distribution should vary locally to maximize energy density and power density, with specific parameter values optimized for each position rather than using uniform structures throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to graded electrodes for an electric battery cell, and to methods of designing and manufacturing such electrodes. Example embodiments include a method of designing an electrode for an electric battery cell, the electrode comprising a compound mixture of an electrochemically active material, an electrically conductive material and a binding material, the method comprising: applying a model for an electrochemical response of the electric battery cell; and optimising parameters of the model to maximise one or more of an energy density, power density, battery health and thermal response of the electric battery cell.