Heat Capacitor Using Liquid Electrolyte for Thermoelectric Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoelectric devices have low conversion efficiency and complex structures, making them costly and difficult to manufacture, while existing solutions like nano-printed and doped semiconductors face challenges in controlling semiconductor properties and require expensive doping techniques.
Innovation Solution
A heat capacitor with a simple structure, featuring a pair of carbonaceous electrodes and a thermoelectric electrolyte disposed between them, with a distance of at most 1 mm, allowing for easy manufacturing and high thermoelectric conversion efficiency, using a fluid or gel-like electrolyte injected between the electrodes or absorbed by a porous membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional solid-state semiconductor devices are used, then the device structure is established, but the conversion efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the thermoelectric material from solid semiconductor to liquid electrolyte, fundamentally altering the operational parameters. The liquid electrolyte enables ion transport-based thermoelectric conversion, achieving higher conversion efficiency (ZT > 1.4) compared to conventional solid-state devices while maintaining stable electrochemical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining carbonaceous electrodes (graphene, carbon nanotubes, or activated carbon) with liquid electrolyte containing redox couples. This composite material system leverages the high conductivity of carbon materials and the ionic mobility of the electrolyte to achieve superior thermoelectric performance.
2Loss of energy
If nano-printed thermoelectric materials are used, then the conversion efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a liquid electrolyte system that can be easily filled into the device structure using simple hydraulic principles. The liquid electrolyte containing redox couples can be injected between electrodes without requiring complex nano-printing equipment, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from solid nano-printed materials to liquid electrolyte, the patent eliminates the need for precise nano-scale printing processes. The liquid state allows for easier handling, filling, and assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the high efficiency benefits.
3Loss of energy
If doped semiconductors are used, then the thermoelectric conversion efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermoelectric function from complex doped semiconductor structures and transfers it to a simpler liquid electrolyte system. By removing the need for doping mechanisms and solid-state semiconductor layers, the device achieves high conversion efficiency through ionic conduction alone, significantly reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational mechanism from electron-based conduction in doped semiconductors to ion-based conduction in liquid electrolyte. This parameter change eliminates the need for doping processes and complex semiconductor fabrication, simplifying the device structure while maintaining high thermoelectric performance.
4Loss of energy
If polymeric electrolytes with multiple components are used, then the thermoelectric function is achieved, but the device structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal liquid electrolyte system that simultaneously provides ionic conduction, thermoelectric conversion, and charge storage functions. The redox couples in the electrolyte perform multiple roles: transporting ions, generating thermoelectric voltage through concentration gradients, and storing electrical charge, eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the thermoelectric conversion function and energy storage function into a single integrated liquid electrolyte system. The redox couples in the electrolyte simultaneously enable thermoelectric voltage generation and charge storage, reducing the number of constituent components compared to conventional polymeric electrolyte devices.
5Loss of energy
If the distance between electrodes is reduced, then the conversion efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous carbonaceous electrode materials with three-dimensional structures that naturally create optimal spacing and surface area. The porous structure allows the liquid electrolyte to penetrate deeply, creating effective reaction interfaces without requiring precise control of electrode-to-electrode distance, thus reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
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 heat capacitor achieves high thermoelectric conversion efficiency, reducing the temperature difference required for charging and enhancing the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy, with a compact design that maintains performance through thousands of cycles and is cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
temperature gradient can be converted into molecular concentration gradient in a solution through thermal diffusivity effect (Soret effect)
Implementation Method 2
The thermoelectric voltage is determined according to ionic Seebeck coefficient αi and thermal gradient ΔT across the electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A heat capacitor with simple structure, easy to manufacture and high thermoelectric conversion efficiency is provided. The heat capacitor includes: a pair of electrodes, at least one said electrode being a carbonaceous electrode; and a thermoelectric electrolyte disposed between the pair of electrodes, wherein the distance between the pair of electrodes is at most 1 mm.