Laser-Etched Thick Film Electrodes for Lithium Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thick film electrodes in lithium secondary batteries face challenges with increased electrical resistance and decreased ion conductivity due to extended lithium ion pathways, leading to reduced charge and discharge capacities and lower output characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The electrodes are laser-etched to form grooves on their surfaces, increasing the surficial area and reducing electrical resistance, while maintaining or enhancing energy density by adjusting the thickness and groove depth within specific ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the electrode thickness is increased to hold battery components and increase energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the lithium ion conductivity decreases and electrical resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the two-dimensional flat electrode surface into a three-dimensional structured surface with grooves. By creating grooves with specific depth and width dimensions, the electrode provides multiple pathways for lithium ion transport, effectively reducing the diffusion distance and improving ion conductivity while maintaining the thick film structure for high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode surface is segmented into multiple regions by creating grooves that divide the continuous surface into distinct segments. This segmentation creates multiple independent ion transport channels, allowing lithium ions to travel through shorter paths and reducing the overall electrical resistance of the thick electrode.
2Quantity of substance
If the electrode thickness is increased to increase energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the output characteristic decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing vertical grooves into the thick electrode, the invention creates a three-dimensional network of ion transport pathways. This dimensional transformation reduces the effective diffusion distance for lithium ions, enabling faster ion transport rates and improving the battery's output characteristic while maintaining high energy density through the thick film structure.
3Quantity of substance
If the electrode thickness is increased to hold battery components, then the component holding capacity is improved, but the electrical resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves segment the thick electrode into multiple regions, creating a network of conductive pathways. This segmentation reduces the electrical resistance by providing multiple parallel routes for electron and ion transport, allowing the thick electrode to maintain both component holding capacity and low electrical resistance.
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 enhances the lithium ion conductivity and maintains high performance even at increased electrode thicknesses beyond the limit for unprocessed electrodes, improving energy density and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
laser-etched to form one or more grooves on a surface
Data Source
AI summary
A thick film electrode for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The lithium secondary battery includes a thick film electrode including a cathode including a cathode active material and an anode including an anode active material. The cathode and the anode have a thickness in a range of 250 μm to 1500 μm, and are laser-etched such that one or more grooves are formed in the cathode and the anode.