Lithium-Free Secondary Battery Anode Edge Insulation for Uniform Plating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal batteries face issues with non-uniform growth of the lithium metal layer during charge and discharge, leading to a high risk of short circuits, reduced safety, and poor capacity retention rates due to the large volume change of the anode and uneven lithium metal layer growth.
Innovation Solution
A lithium-free secondary battery design incorporating an insulating layer along the outermost side of the anode current collector to control the growth of the lithium metal layer, preventing non-uniform growth and potential short circuits by limiting the stacking area of lithium ions, thereby enhancing safety and capacity retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the anode area is designed to be wider than the cathode area to suppress short circuit, then the safety is improved, but the lithium metal layer grows non-uniformly to the outermost side causing short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated structure on the anode: the outermost side has an insulating layer preventing lithium deposition, while the inner region allows uniform lithium metal layer growth. This local differentiation solves the contradiction by ensuring safety through controlled growth boundaries while maintaining manufacturing precision in the active region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the anode surface into two functional zones: an insulating outermost side that prevents short circuit and a conductive inner region that accommodates lithium metal layer growth. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by spatially separating the safety function from the energy storage function.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium ions are allowed to stack freely on the anode current collector, then the capacity is improved, but non-uniform growth of lithium metal layer occurs leading to short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making the outermost side insulating to prevent harmful lithium deposition while keeping the inner region conductive to allow beneficial lithium ion stacking. This enables high capacity through充分的 lithium ion accommodation in the inner region while eliminating short circuit risk at the boundaries.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the lithium metal layer grows to the outermost side of the anode, then the energy density is improved, but the short circuit between electrodes occurs reducing safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the anode width into an active inner region for energy storage and an inactive outermost side for safety. This segmentation allows the lithium metal layer to grow fully in the inner region, maximizing energy density, while the insulating outermost side prevents short circuit, maintaining safety.
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 suppresses non-uniform lithium metal layer growth, reducing the risk of short circuits and improving the battery's safety and capacity retention rates, while maintaining high energy density and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
lithium ions moving from cathode to the anode at the time of charge and discharge are stacked on lithium metal layer of the anode
Implementation Method 2
an insulating layer formed in contact with the anode current collector in a predetermined width along the outermost side of the anode current collector
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium-free secondary battery is provided. The lithium-free secondary battery includes an anode, an electrolyte, a separator, and a cathode, the anode comprising an anode plate composed of an anode current collector and an insulating layer formed in contact with the anode current collector in a predetermined width along the outermost side of the anode current collector, and is capable of suppressing non-uniform growth of lithium metal layer from the anode at the time of charge and discharge and thereby providing improved safety and capacity retention rate.