Hybrid Electrochemical Capacitor Segmentation for Energy Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage devices, such as batteries and electrochemical capacitors, face limitations in energy density, power density, and efficiency, particularly in applications requiring rapid charging, high cycle lifetimes, and temperature stability.
Innovation Solution
The development of hybrid electrochemical capacitors with high surface-area porous materials for cathodes and battery-like electrodes, utilizing metals like Mg, Na, Zn, Al, and Sn, and porous silicon, combined with pseudocapacitive coatings, to enhance energy and power density, and integrate them into silicon devices for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional batteries are used to increase energy density, then energy storage capacity is improved, but charging speed and cycle lifetime are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the energy storage device into two distinct electrodes: a battery-type electrode for energy storage and a capacitor-type electrode for rapid charge/discharge. This segmentation allows each electrode to specialize in its optimal function, resolving the contradiction between energy density and charging speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite electrode structures combining battery-type materials (such as lithium metal oxide) with capacitor-type materials (such as porous carbon). This composite approach enables the device to achieve both high energy density from the battery component and rapid charging from the capacitor component.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional batteries are used to increase energy density, then energy storage capacity is improved, but cycle lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into battery-type and capacitor-type electrodes, the invention allows the capacitor component to handle the stress of repeated charge/discharge cycles, protecting the battery component from degradation and extending overall cycle lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite electrode structure combines the high energy density of battery materials with the exceptional cycle stability of capacitor materials, achieving both high energy density and long cycle lifetime simultaneously.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional batteries are used, then energy density is improved, but temperature sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor-type electrode component provides thermal stability that compensates for the temperature sensitivity of battery-type materials, enabling the hybrid device to maintain performance across a wider temperature range while achieving high energy density.
4Productivity
If electrochemical capacitors are used to increase charging speed, then power density is improved, but energy density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the device functionality between capacitor-type electrodes for rapid charging/power delivery and battery-type electrodes for energy storage, allowing the device to achieve both high charging speed and high energy density through the combined action of both electrode types.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid electrochemical capacitor merges the advantages of both capacitor and battery technologies into a single device, combining the rapid charge/discharge capability of capacitors with the high energy density of batteries to achieve superior overall performance.
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
Hybrid electrochemical capacitors achieve higher energy density, power density, and efficiency, with stable voltage discharge and reduced temperature sensitivity, making them suitable for diverse applications from mobile devices to automotive systems.
Implementation Method 1
a second electrode comprising a porous material or a nanostructure having a surface-area-to-volume ratio of at least 10 m2/cm3
Implementation Method 2
along with an electrolyte
Implementation Method 3
a first electrode that includes Mg, Na, Zn, Al, or Sn
Data Source
AI summary
Hybrid electrochemical capacitors, electronic devices using such capacitors, and associated methods are disclosed. In an example, a hybrid electrochemical capacitor can include a first electrode made from Mg, Na, Zn, Al, Sn, or Li, a second electrode made from a porous material such as porous carbon or passivated porous silicon, and an electrolyte. The hybrid electrochemical capacitors can have enhanced voltage and energy density compared to other electrochemical capacitors, and enhanced power density compared to batteries.