Hydrogel Battery Electrolyte Recharged by Mechanical Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional batteries pose environmental and sustainability challenges due to the use of hazardous materials, limited recyclability, and high energy consumption in production, leading to pollution and waste.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable, moldable hydrogel battery utilizing a sodium chloride, water, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and borax electrolyte, which can be recharged through external mechanical force, eliminating the need for precious metals and allowing for flexible shape formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional batteries use hazardous materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, then they can provide high energy density and power, but they cause environmental pollution and health risks when disposed of
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the battery by replacing hazardous materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel) with non-toxic alternatives (sodium chloride, water, PVA, borax). This parameter substitution maintains functional performance while eliminating environmental harm, directly resolving the contradiction between energy density and environmental pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite hydrogel electrolyte system combining PVA, borax, and sodium chloride that provides both structural integrity and ionic conductivity. This composite material approach enables the battery to achieve functional performance comparable to traditional batteries while using environmentally benign components.
2Reliability
If traditional batteries are manufactured with complex materials and processes, then they can achieve high performance, but the manufacturing process generates greenhouse gas emissions and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available materials (table salt, water, PVA, borax) that can be easily manufactured and replaced. This approach simplifies the supply chain and manufacturing process, reducing the energy consumption and emissions associated with extracting and processing rare metals, while maintaining adequate battery performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the manufacturing parameters by eliminating complex material synthesis steps. The hydrogel electrolyte can be prepared through simple mixing and gelation processes, dramatically reducing manufacturing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions while achieving reliable battery performance.
3Reliability
If batteries are designed with fixed shapes for specific devices, then they can optimize performance for those devices, but they become difficult to recycle efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible hydrogel electrolyte that can be molded into various shapes and forms. This flexibility allows the battery to adapt to different device geometries while maintaining a standardized internal structure that simplifies recycling processes. The moldable nature enables both device optimization and recycling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal battery platform using standardized components (electrodes, hydrogel electrolyte, housing) that can be configured in different shapes and sizes for various applications. This modular universal design maintains device-specific optimization while enabling centralized recycling facilities to process all variants efficiently.
4Reliability
If traditional batteries use precious metals, then they can provide stable electrical conductivity, but the cost of production increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive precious metals with inexpensive conductive materials such as carbon-based compounds and conductive polymers in the electrodes, and uses abundant sodium chloride as the electrolyte. This substitution dramatically reduces material costs while maintaining sufficient electrical conductivity for practical applications through optimized electrode structure and surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameters by optimizing the hydrogel electrolyte composition (PVA concentration, borax content, salt concentration) and electrode structure (surface area, porosity, thickness) to achieve high conductivity without relying on precious metals, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining reliable 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
The hydrogel battery offers environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, versatility, safety, and efficiency by reducing waste, lowering production energy, and providing a longer lifespan compared to traditional batteries.
Implementation Method 1
the battery is configured to recharge in response to external mechanical force applied to the battery... applying an external mechanical force to the battery such that the electrolyte is physically manipulated, wherein physically manipulating the electrolyte increases the electric potential between the anode and the cathode to recharge the battery
Implementation Method 2
the electrolyte comprises sodium chloride, water, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and borax... an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode
Data Source
AI summary
A battery with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte may be disposed between the anode and the cathode. The electrolyte may comprise sodium chloride, water, polyvinyl alcohol, and borax. The anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte may be disposed within a housing. The battery is configured to recharge in response to external mechanical force applied to the battery. A method of recharging the battery may comprise providing the battery with a reduced charge and applying an external mechanical force to the battery such that the electrolyte is physically manipulated. Physically manipulating the electrolyte increases the electric potential between the anode and the cathode to recharge the battery.