Liquid Cathode Electrolyte for Metal Halide Battery Cost and Charge Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion and NiMH batteries, face limitations in charging speed and high manufacturing costs due to the use of heavy metal cathode materials, restricting their application range.

Innovation Solution

A rechargeable metal halide battery with an optimized active cathode electrolyte solution, comprising a solvent with a metal halide and its corresponding halogen mixture, where the metal halide to halogen molar concentration ratio is greater than 0.5, and an oxidizing gas, dissolved in a nitrile-based or heterocyclic-based solvent, facilitating ion transport and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional lithium-ion or NiMH batteries are used, then reliable electrochemical performance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to heavy metal cathode materials and charging speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcharging speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cathode material from conventional heavy metals (lithium compounds, nickel hydroxide) to metal halides (e.g., copper iodide, zinc iodide). This parameter change reduces manufacturing cost while the liquid electrolyte formulation with oxidizing gases optimizes charging kinetics to overcome the slow charging limitation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material formulation in the liquid electrolyte, combining metal halide salts with oxidizing gases (oxygen, ozone, or air) dissolved in the electrolyte solution. This composite approach enables both cost reduction through lighter metal halides and maintains fast charging capability through the oxidizing gas component that facilitates rapid electrochemical reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If heavy metal cathode materials are used, then stable battery performance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performance stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive heavy metal cathode materials with cheaper metal halide compounds such as copper iodide, zinc iodide, or cadmium iodide. These lighter, less expensive materials serve as the active cathode material, directly reducing manufacturing cost while the liquid electrolyte system ensures stable electrochemical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material composition parameter from conventional heavy metals to metal halides, and optimizes the electrolyte composition with specific metal halide to halogen molar ratios (greater than 0.5) and dissolved oxidizing gases, achieving both cost reduction and performance stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional electrolyte formulations are used, then standard battery operation is achieved, but energy density and charge transport kinetics are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge transport kineticsVSAvoidvolumetric energy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes electrolyte composition parameters by dissolving metal halides and oxidizing gases in liquid solvents, controlling the metal halide to halogen molar concentration ratio greater than 0.5. This parameter optimization enhances both charge transport kinetics and volumetric energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces strong oxidizing gases (oxygen, ozone, or air) dissolved in the liquid electrolyte. These oxidizing gases accelerate the electrochemical oxidation reactions at the cathode, significantly improving charge transport kinetics and enabling faster charging while increasing volumetric energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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 enhances energy density, reduces manufacturing costs, and allows for immediate discharge capability without an initial charge cycle, improving charge transport kinetics and volumetric energy density compared to conventional metal halide batteries.

Implementation Method 1

an electrolyte that facilitates transport of ions between the anode and the cathode current collector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon transport: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

an oxidizing gas dissolved in the solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS11515566B2Liquid cathode formulation for rechargeable metal halide battery

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 CENT GLASS CO LTD

AI summary

A rechargeable metal halide battery with an optimized active cathode electrolyte solution has high energy density and does not require charging following fabrication. The optimized active cathode electrolyte solution includes (i) a mixture of a metal halide and its corresponding halogen dissolved in an organic solvent at a concentration ratio greater than 0.5 and (ii) an oxidizing gas. The organic solvent is a nitrile-based compound and/or a heterocyclic compound. Glyme may be added to the organic solvent to improve battery performance.