Holed Carbonaceous Supercapacitor Electrodes for High-Frequency Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercapacitors face limitations in operating frequency and charging/discharging speed due to high ionic impedance in carbon-based electrodes, which restricts their applications in electrical circuits.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of holes through the electrodes, aligned in a grid pattern, facilitates the rapid travel of electrolyte ions, reducing ionic impedance and enabling faster charging and discharging, and allowing operation at higher frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional carbonaceous electrodes are used without holes, then the electrode structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the ionic impedance is high which limits operating frequency to less than 1 Hz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by forming an array of holes through the carbonaceous electrode material. These holes create porous pathways that allow electrolyte ions to travel directly through the electrode thickness, reducing ionic impedance and enabling operation at frequencies greater than 1 Hz while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces holes that extend through the thickness dimension of the electrode, creating three-dimensional pathways for ion transport. This dimensional approach allows ions to bypass the tortuous two-dimensional path around particles or flakes, significantly reducing ionic impedance and increasing operating frequency
2Productivity
If holes are formed through the electrodes to reduce ionic impedance, then the charging and discharging speed increases 100-fold, but the electrode manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the array of holes through the carbonaceous material before final electrode assembly. This pre-formed hole structure is then impregnated with electrolyte, allowing the electrode to be prepared in advance with the necessary ion transport pathways already in place, facilitating faster charging and discharging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical structure of the electrode through the introduction of holes with specific dimensions and spacing. The holes have lengths and widths that are optimized to reduce ionic impedance while maintaining adequate structural support, achieving a balance between manufacturing complexity and performance improvement
3Strength
If electrolyte ions must travel around particles or flakes of carbonaceous material, then the electrode can maintain structural integrity, but the ion travel path becomes long and tortuous which increases ionic impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrode into regions separated by holes. The carbonaceous material is segmented into particles or flakes that are arranged around the holes, creating discrete segments that maintain structural integrity while the holes provide direct pathways for ion transport, reducing the harmful effect of ionic impedance
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
This approach results in a significant increase in operational frequency and discharge/charging speed, with supercapacitors capable of operating beyond 1 Hz, achieving a 100-fold improvement in speed compared to conventional supercapacitors.
Implementation Method 1
electrolytic ions must travel between particles or flakes of the carbonaceous material 20 in order to access the full surface area of the electrodes 18
Implementation Method 2
holes are formed through the electrodes 40 to provide a pathway for travel of the electrolytic ions
Implementation Method 3
an intervening separator made from a porous insulating material that prevents the electrical shorting of the electrodes, but allows electrolyte ions to move between the electrodes
Implementation Method 4
energy storage within the electrodes through the charge separation at the electrode surface with positive charges in one electrode attracting negative ions to that electrode's surface and with negative charges in the other electrode attracting positive ions to that electrode's surface
Data Source
AI summary
A supercapacitor or electrochemical capacitor includes spaced apart electrodes which are separated from each other by a separator made of an electrically insulating material. Each electrode is formed of carbonaceous material and capable of being impregnated with a liquid electrolyte. Metal current collectors are provided on the sides of the electrodes opposite from the separator. The electrodes have holes or elongated orifices extending through the electrodes to reduce ionic impedance in order to produce faster charging and discharging of the device.