Ion Conducting Membrane with Expandable Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ion conducting membranes for secondary batteries lack improved workability, mechanical flexibility, and barrier properties to reactive materials like water and carbon dioxide, and are difficult to produce in large areas with existing methods.
Innovation Solution
An ion conducting membrane is developed with a membrane substrate comprising expandable material-based membrane-forming particles and ion conductive particles exposed on both surfaces, providing insulation and selective ion conductivity, manufactured through a simple process involving compression and heating, allowing for mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ion conducting membranes are used, then ion conductivity is provided, but mechanical flexibility and workability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining an insulating polymer matrix (providing mechanical flexibility) with ion-conductive ceramic particles (providing ion conductivity). This composite approach allows the membrane to simultaneously achieve mechanical flexibility for workability and ion conductivity for battery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a porous membrane structure with controlled pore sizes that allows ion transport while maintaining mechanical flexibility. The porous structure formed by the polymer-ceramic composite provides both the needed flexibility and the ion conduction pathways.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ion conducting membranes are used, then ion conductivity is provided, but barrier properties to reactive materials are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating polymer matrix combined with ceramic particles creates a composite barrier that effectively blocks reactive materials like water and oxygen while maintaining ion conductivity. The polymer provides the barrier matrix and the ceramic particles provide ion conduction pathways within the barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane structure provides different properties in different regions: the polymer matrix provides barrier properties against reactive materials, while the ceramic particle regions provide ion conductivity. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of barrier properties and ion transport.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex manufacturing processes are used, then membrane performance is improved, but mass production capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-synthesized ceramic particles with controlled ion conductivity and pre-selected polymer materials with appropriate mechanical properties. These preliminary preparations allow the final membrane assembly to achieve high performance through simple mixing and processing steps, enabling mass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as ceramic particle size, particle concentration, and polymer molecular weight to achieve the desired balance of ion conductivity and mechanical properties. By controlling these parameters within specific ranges, high-performance membranes can be produced through straightforward manufacturing processes.
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 membrane offers enhanced mechanical strength, flexibility, and barrier properties, improving ion conductivity and reducing side reactions in secondary batteries, enabling efficient and long-lasting battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane-forming particle include an expandable material
Implementation Method 2
ion conductive particle disposed on the membrane substrate, wherein the ion conductive particle is exposed on both an upper surface and an opposing lower surface of the membrane substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An ion conducting membrane includes: a membrane substrate including a membrane-forming particle and an ion conductive particle disposed on the membrane substrate, wherein the membrane-forming particle include an expandable material, and the ion conductive particle is exposed on both an upper surface and an opposing lower surface of the membrane substrate.