Liquefied Gas Electrolyte Solidification to Stop Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical devices with liquid electrolytes are prone to thermal runaway when damaged or punctured, leading to uncontrolled discharge and safety hazards due to maintained ionic conductivity between electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A novel ionically conducting electrolyte comprising a liquefied gas solvent, a solidifying agent, and a salt that precipitates into a solid material upon removal of the liquefied gas solvent, significantly reducing ionic conductivity and preventing short circuit discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid electrolyte is used in electrochemical devices, then ionic conductivity between electrodes is maintained for normal operation, but thermal runaway occurs when the device is punctured or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte composition is changed from a conventional liquid to a liquefied gas mixture containing a solidifying agent. This parameter change enables the electrolyte to undergo phase transition from liquid to solid upon venting, thereby eliminating ionic conductivity and preventing thermal runaway while maintaining normal operation during intact conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of the electrolyte from liquid state during normal operation to solid state upon damage. The solidifying agent causes the electrolyte to solidify when the liquefied gas vents, transforming the harmful maintained conductivity into a safe non-conductive solid state, thus converting the harmful effect into a protective mechanism
2Reliability
If the electrolyte remains in liquid phase during damage, then ionic conductivity is maintained, but uncontrolled discharge and thermal runaway occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte is designed to undergo phase transition from liquid to solid when the device is damaged and the liquefied gas vents. The solidifying agent ensures rapid solidification, which eliminates ionic conductivity and stops uncontrolled discharge, converting the harmful liquid state into a safe solid state
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of maintained ionic conductivity during damage into a beneficial safety mechanism. By incorporating a solidifying agent, the electrolyte transforms from a harmful conductive liquid into a beneficial non-conductive solid, using the damage event itself as the trigger for the protective phase transition
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 solution effectively terminates discharge processes and prevents thermal runaway by creating a highly resistive solid material within the separator, enhancing the safety of electrochemical devices upon damage or defect.
Implementation Method 1
The salt and solidifying agent create a solid material at 100 kPa and 293.15K when the liquified gas solvent is removed from the mixture
Implementation Method 2
The salt and solidifying agent create a solid material at 100 kPa and 293.15K when the liquified gas solvent is removed from the mixture
Implementation Method 3
If the housing's seal is broken due to damage or defect, the liquefied gas solvent components of the electrolyte vaporize and vacate the device
Data Source
AI summary
An ionically conducting electrolyte is disclosed that includes a mixture of a liquefied gas solvent, a solidifying agent, and a salt. The liquefied gas solvent has a vapor pressure above 100 kPa at 293.15K. The solidifying agent may be a solid, liquid, or a gas at 100 kPa and 293.15K. The salt is soluble in the ionically conducting electrolyte at 100 kPa and 293.15K, thereby maintaining the ionically conducting electrolyte in a liquid phase. The salt and solidifying agent create a solid material at 100 kPa and 293.15K when the liquified gas solvent is removed from the mixture. Also disclosed are electrochemical devices including two electrodes in contact with this electrolyte. The device has a housing enclosing the electrolyte and electrode.