Hydrogen-Based Battery With Proton-Conducting Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage technologies, such as lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries, face limitations including short lifespan, low energy density, safety concerns, and environmental issues, while fuel cells like PEMFCs require expensive noble metals and pose safety risks due to the use of explosive hydrogen.
Innovation Solution
A battery design incorporating a proton and/or hydronium ion-conducting electrolyte and an anode capable of absorbing hydrogen species, with a cathode substance that forms a redox pair, eliminating the need for gaseous components and using earth-abundant metals to enhance safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lead-acid batteries are used for energy storage, then cost is reduced and reliability is improved, but lifespan is short and energy density is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the battery system by using zinc oxide and zinc as the redox pair instead of traditional lead-acid chemistry. This parameter change enables the battery to achieve both high reliability and extended lifespan through reversible zinc oxidation and reduction reactions that occur without degradation of the electrode materials over thousands of cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures including zinc oxide particles embedded in conductive carbon matrices, and zinc metal anodes with protective coatings. These composite structures combine the advantages of different materials to achieve both structural stability for long lifespan and efficient electrochemical reactions for high reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium-ion batteries are used for energy storage, then energy density is improved, but safety concerns increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and hazardous lithium-ion components with abundant, non-toxic zinc-based materials. The zinc oxide and zinc metal used in this battery are inexpensive, non-flammable, and environmentally benign, eliminating safety concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries while maintaining competitive energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the electrochemical parameters from lithium-ion to zinc-based chemistry. This parameter change results in aqueous electrolyte systems operating at lower voltages but with enhanced safety profiles, as zinc-based systems do not suffer from thermal runaway, dendrite formation, or electrolyte flammability issues that plague lithium-ion batteries.
3Power
If PEMFCs are used for energy conversion, then power density is improved, but cost increases due to noble metals and safety concerns increase due to explosive hydrogen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of hydrogen storage by using zinc metal as a solid hydrogen carrier instead of storing gaseous hydrogen. The zinc metal safely stores hydrogen in its metallic lattice structure, eliminating explosion risks while enabling high power density through controlled electrochemical reactions at the zinc anode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates expensive noble metal catalysts by using zinc-based electrochemistry that does not require Pt or other precious metals for the oxygen reduction reaction. The earth-abundant zinc and zinc oxide materials provide both high power density and cost-effectiveness, making the battery commercially viable without relying on scarce resources.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional batteries are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but environmental harm increases due to toxic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic lead and lithium components with abundant, non-toxic zinc materials that are environmentally benign. Zinc oxide and zinc metal are naturally occurring substances with low environmental impact, eliminating the need for complex hazardous material handling and disposal procedures while maintaining ease of manufacturing through simple aqueous electrolyte systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters from toxic heavy metals to environmentally friendly zinc-based materials. This parameter change enables the use of aqueous electrolytes instead of organic solvents, further reducing environmental harm while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through well-established wet chemistry fabrication techniques.
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 battery achieves high energy and power density, long cycle life, and safety by avoiding gaseous components and utilizing environmentally friendly materials, with fast charging and discharging capabilities suitable for grid-scale and vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte capable of conducting protons and/or hydronium ions
Implementation Method 2
an electrolyte capable of conducting protons and/or hydronium ions
Implementation Method 3
an anode comprising a material capable of absorbing protons and/or hydronium ions
Implementation Method 4
a cathode substance that forms a redox pair
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are batteries and methods of making batteries. The batteries disclosed herein generally comprise a cathode, an electrolyte capable of conducting protons and/or hydronium ions, and an anode comprising a material capable of absorbing protons and/or hydronium ions, wherein (i) the cathode is in contact with a cathode substance, or (ii) the electrolyte comprises a reduced cathode substance, or (iii) the cathode is in contact with a cathode substance and the electrolyte comprises a reduced cathode substance, and wherein the cathode substance is an oxide of one or more metals or an oxide of a halide.