Inverted Battery Ionic Current Generation for Biological Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional batteries cannot directly interact with ionic systems, such as biological systems, as they require electrochemical reactions that can be unstable and harmful, and they cannot provide suitable low current and voltage for biological processes.

Innovation Solution

An inverted battery design where ions travel externally to interface with an ionic system without electron-exchange electrochemical reactions, allowing electrons to travel internally and generate an ionic current in the ionic system, enabling direct interaction and energy supply to biological systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional batteries are used to power ionic systems, then electrical current can be provided, but electrochemical reactions occur that cause instability and harm to biological systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical currentVSAvoidtissue damage from electrochemical reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional battery design by making ions the external charge carriers instead of electrons. In a conventional battery, electrons travel externally while ions travel internally through electrolyte. This patent reverses that: electrons travel internally through the battery's electrolyte while ions travel externally through the biological system, eliminating harmful electrochemical reactions at the battery interface with biological tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion process where the battery generates electrons internally that then drive ion transport externally. The internal electron-generating electrochemical reactions are contained within the battery's sealed structure, while the external interface only involves inert ion transport, mediated by the battery's internal electron-to-ion conversion mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If conventional batteries are used to interface with ionic systems, then current can be supplied, but the current is too high and voltage too high for delicate biological processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent supplyVSAvoidexcessive current and voltage for biological systems

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using ion transport instead of electron transport as the external current mechanism. Ions in aqueous biological systems can be transported at much lower currents and voltages compared to electron flow in metallic conductors, matching the delicate requirements of biological processes while still providing sufficient power for stimulation and sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If electrons travel externally in conventional batteries, then electrical power can be delivered, but electrons cannot be transported by ionic systems requiring electrochemical reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power deliveryVSAvoidcompatibility with ionic biological systems

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the charge carrier roles: instead of electrons traveling externally and ions internally (conventional battery), the patent has ions traveling externally through the biological system while electrons travel internally through the battery's electrolyte. This inversion makes the external interface compatible with ionic biological systems while maintaining internal electrochemical power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 inverted battery provides a stable and controlled ionic current without electrochemical reactions, allowing for fine-tuning of ion flow and energy application to biological systems, avoiding tissue damage and enabling applications like muscle or nerve stimulation.

Implementation Method 1

ions travel external to the battery rather than through an internal medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon transport: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

without a corresponding electron-exchange electrochemical reaction in the ionic system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

An electrical conductor extends between the first and second volumes to couple the pair of electrodes to each other such that electrons travel between the pair of electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11724024B2Inverted battery devices, and systems and methods for use thereof

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 UNIV OF MARYLAND

AI summary

An inverted battery device has a pair of electrodes, first and second volumes, and an electrical conductor. One of the pair of electrodes is configured as an anode and the other is configured as a cathode. A first electrolyte solution and the anode are disposed in the first volume, while a second electrolyte solution and the cathode are disposed in the second volume. The electrical conductor extends between the first and second volumes to couple the pair of electrodes to each other such that electrons travel between the pair of electrodes. The device is constructed to produce ions rather than electrons such that an ionic current can be generated in a separate system, such as a biological system or other ionic system, when coupled between the anode and cathode.