Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte for Steam Sterilization Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries used in medical devices face challenges in withstanding steam autoclaving temperatures due to component degradation and poor power performance at ambient conditions, as common separators and solvents fail under autoclavable conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lithium ion battery design using lithium metal oxides, graphitic anodes, high-melt temperature separators, and electrolytes with a combination of high and low boiling point solvents and specific lithium salts like LiDFOB, enabling autoclavability and maintaining capacity and power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If common lithium ion battery components (separators, solvents) are used, then the battery operates well at ambient temperatures, but the components evaporate, degrade, or decompose under autoclavable temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte by using high boiling point solvents (bp > 140°C) such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate instead of common low boiling point solvents. This parameter change enables the electrolyte to withstand autoclavable temperatures without evaporation or decomposition, directly resolving the contradiction between ambient performance and high-temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining high boiling point cyclic carbonate solvents with specific lithium salts (LiPF6, LiBF4, LiDFOB) and using specialized separators with melting points above 150°C. This composite approach creates a battery system where multiple components work together to maintain stability at autoclavable temperatures while preserving electrochemical performance.
2Reliability
If high boiling point solvents (bp > 140°C) are used to achieve autoclavability, then the battery can withstand sterilization temperatures, but the solvents have very high viscosities and low ionic conductivities at ambient temperatures, resulting in poor power performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of the high boiling point solvents and combines them with specific lithium salts to adjust the viscosity and ionic conductivity parameters of the electrolyte. By carefully controlling these parameters, the electrolyte maintains acceptable power performance at ambient temperatures while retaining autoclavability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrolyte formulations combining high boiling point cyclic carbonates (EC, PC) with lithium salts and potentially other additives. This composite approach balances the high viscosity of pure cyclic carbonates with the ionic conductivity provided by lithium salts, achieving both autoclavability and acceptable ambient power performance.
3Reliability
If the battery is designed for high temperature operation, then it can survive steam autoclaving, but it requires specialized components not commonly available and has poor power delivery at ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects electrolyte components with specific parameter ranges (boiling points > 140°C, melting points of separators > 150°C) that are achievable with commercially available materials. This parameter-based approach allows manufacturers to source components from standard suppliers rather than requiring specialized high-temperature components, improving ease of manufacture.
4Reliability
If common separators are used, then the battery is easy to manufacture, but the separators deform or melt at autoclavable temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies separators with melting points above 150°C, which is a parameter change from common separators that melt at lower temperatures. This parameter specification maintains manufacturing simplicity by using commercially available high-temperature-resistant separator materials while ensuring stability during autoclaving.
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 battery achieves good capacity retention and power delivery after high-temperature sterilization, with improved consistency across cells.
Implementation Method 1
a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of at least 150° C.
Implementation Method 2
high boiling point solvent and a salt... A high boiling solvent is one having a boiling point of at least 140° C.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery that may be exposed to high temperatures such as when steam sterilizing that retains its capacity may be comprised a cathode comprised of lithium metal oxide, an anode comprised of graphitic carbon, a separator comprising a material having a melt temperature of at least 140° C. and an electrolyte comprising a low boiling point solvent, a high boiling point solvent and a salt, wherein the battery may contain two or more high boiling point solvents or the salt be comprised of lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate.