Implantable Battery Assembly With Recessed Anodes Against Lithium Plating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal batteries used in implantable medical devices experience undesirable lithium plating due to thermal gradients, leading to potential short circuits and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
The battery assembly design includes recessed anode and/or cathode active materials relative to their respective current collector tabs, increasing the distance lithium needs to plate and balancing the discharge rate to prevent short circuits and extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal batteries are used in implantable medical devices, then high energy density is achieved, but lithium plating occurs due to thermal gradients leading to short circuits and reduced battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The active material is pre-formed into a recessed shape before battery assembly, creating a built-in buffer zone that prevents lithium plating from reaching the current collector tab. This preliminary structural preparation addresses the thermal gradient issue before it can cause damage during battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed active material design creates a protective buffer zone between the lithium plating and the current collector tab. This cushioning structure absorbs the expansion and plating effects before they can cause short circuits, thereby extending battery life while maintaining high energy density.
2Reliability
If active material is recessed relative to current collector tabs, then lithium plating is mitigated and battery life is extended, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the active material from a flat surface to a recessed shape with specific depth and dimensions. This parameter modification creates the protective buffer zone while maintaining compatibility with standard battery manufacturing processes, balancing improved reliability with manufacturing feasibility.
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 recessed design mitigates lithium plating and expansion issues, enhancing the battery's operational stability and longevity by maintaining a balanced discharge rate and preventing separator damage.
Implementation Method 1
Lithium metal batteries used in implantable medical devices experience undesirable lithium plating due to thermal gradients, leading to potential short circuits and reduced battery life.
Implementation Method 2
Lithium metal batteries used in implantable medical devices experience undesirable lithium plating due to thermal gradients
Data Source
AI summary
In some example, a battery assembly for an implantable medical device includes a first anode plate comprising a first anode current collector and a first active material on the first anode current collector; a second anode plate comprising a second anode current collector and a second active material on the second anode current collector; and a cathode plate between the first anode plate and the second anode plate, wherein the cathode plate comprises a cathode current collector, the cathode current collector having an exposed portion, wherein the first active material is recessed relative to the exposed portion of the cathode plate such that a first nearest perimeter of the first active material is further from the exposed portion of the cathode current collector compared to a second nearest perimeter of the second active material.