In-Operation Lithiation for Battery Cycling Lifetime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries face challenges in maintaining a long cycling lifetime, enhanced safety, and higher charging rates due to lithium depletion and dendrite formation during the formation and operation processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves electrochemically lithiating electrodes of lithium ion batteries using a lithium source embedded within the battery, optimizing metal ion sources such as magnesium and sodium to form a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and regulating metal ion levels in situ to compensate for lithium loss, thereby enhancing the state of health (SoH) and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional lithium ion batteries are operated without additional lithium sources, then the battery structure remains simple, but lithium depletion occurs during cycling leading to reduced lifetime and capacity loss
Solution Approach 1:
A lithium source is incorporated into the battery structure before operation begins. This preliminary provision of lithium compensates for future lithium depletion during cycling, allowing the battery to maintain its cyclable lithium inventory throughout extended operation and thereby extending cycling lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The lithium source acts as a reservoir that releases lithium ions during cycling to replace those lost to irreversible processes. This recovering mechanism continuously replenishes the cyclable lithium inventory, counteracting lithium depletion and maintaining battery performance over extended cycles.
2Productivity
If high charging rates are applied to lithium ion batteries, then charging speed increases, but lithium depletion accelerates and dendrite formation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lithium source is pre-positioned in the battery structure to provide a reserve of cyclable lithium. This preliminary preparation enables the battery to withstand high charging rates by having additional lithium available to compensate for the accelerated depletion that occurs during fast charging, thereby maintaining reliability and safety.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If lithium sources are incorporated into the battery to compensate for lithium loss, then cycling lifetime extends, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lithium source is integrated with existing battery components such as the current collector or electrode structure. This merging approach combines the lithium reservoir function with structural elements already present in the battery, extending cycling lifetime while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lithium source serves multiple functions: it provides cyclable lithium to extend lifetime, acts as a structural component when integrated with current collectors or electrodes, and can be designed to work with various battery chemistries. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If metal ion sources such as magnesium and sodium are optimized to form stable SEI, then battery stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composition and properties of the lithium source are optimized to promote the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers. By adjusting parameters such as lithium source material composition, morphology, and distribution, stable SEI formation is achieved that improves battery stability while the manufacturing process remains feasible through controlled deposition or incorporation 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
This approach improves the cycling stability and safety of lithium ion batteries by mitigating lithium depletion, reducing dendrite formation, and extending the battery's operational life through controlled lithiation and SEI formation, resulting in improved capacity retention and increased cycle life.
Implementation Method 1
lithiating electrodes of a lithium ion battery during its operation, carried out electrochemically between the electrodes and a lithium source
Implementation Method 2
optimizing metal ion sources such as magnesium and sodium to form a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided, in which the level of metal ions in cells stacks and lithium ion batteries is regulated in situ, with the electrodes of the cell stack(s) in the respective pouches. Regulation of metal ions may be carried out electrochemically by metal ion sources in the pouches, electrically connected to the electrodes. The position and shape of the metal ion sources may be optimized to create uniform metal ion movements to the electrode surfaces and favorable SEI formation. The metal ion sources may be removable or comprise a lithium source for lithiating the anodes or cathodes during operation of the battery according to SoH parameters. Regulation of metal ions may be carried out from metal ion sources in separate electrolyte reservoir(s), with circulation of the metal-ion-containing electrolyte through the cell stacks in the pouches prior or during the formation.