Lithium Microbattery Packaging Layer with Conductive Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium microbatteries face challenges in manufacturing cost and complexity due to the need for multiple layers for packaging and electronic conduction, which also complicates mechanical stress management and surface planarization during charging and discharging cycles.
Innovation Solution
A packaging thin layer formed by a matrix of polymer material with dispersed metallic particles that also constitutes part of the anodic current collector, providing both protection and electronic conduction, simplifying production and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate packaging layer and anodic current collector layers are used, then protection against contaminants is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the packaging layer and anodic current collector into a single integrated layer. This packaging layer is formed by a matrix of polymer material in which metallic particles are dispersed, allowing it to simultaneously provide protection against contaminants and serve as the anodic current collector for electron collection during battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging layer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the battery stack against external contaminants (water, air), collects electrons from the anode during discharge, and provides mechanical flexibility to accommodate volume changes during cycling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated layers.
2Reliability
If multiple layers are used for packaging and conduction, then protection function is improved, but manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the packaging layer and anodic current collector into a single integrated layer. This packaging layer is formed by a matrix of polymer material in which metallic particles are dispersed, allowing it to simultaneously provide protection against contaminants and serve as the anodic current collector for electron collection during battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging layer is constructed as a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix (such as polyimide, silicone, or epoxy) with dispersed metallic particles (such as aluminum, copper, or silver). This composite structure provides both the protective barrier properties of the polymer and the electrical conductivity of the metal particles, eliminating the need for multiple separate layers.
3Strength
If organic packaging material is used, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but electronic conduction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging layer is constructed as a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix (such as polyimide, silicone, or epoxy) with dispersed metallic particles (such as aluminum, copper, or silver). This composite structure provides both the protective barrier properties of the polymer and the electrical conductivity of the metal particles, eliminating the need for multiple separate layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging layer has non-uniform properties: the polymer matrix provides mechanical flexibility and protection throughout the layer, while metallic particles are dispersed locally to provide electronic conduction pathways. The metallic particles are distributed at sufficient concentration to ensure adequate electrical conductivity while maintaining the overall flexibility of the polymer-based structure.
4Reliability
If packaging layer totally covers the stack, then protection against contaminants is improved, but accommodation of anode deformations during cycling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging layer is made from flexible polymer materials such as polyimide, silicone, or epoxy that can accommodate volume expansions and contractions of the anode during charging and discharging cycles. This flexibility allows the layer to deform elastically with the battery components while maintaining complete coverage and hermetic sealing against external contaminants.
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
This solution simplifies the production of lithium microbatteries by integrating electronic conduction and packaging functions, enhancing mechanical flexibility and thermal stability while maintaining protection against contaminants and volume changes during cycling.
Implementation Method 1
the packaging thin layer is formed by a matrix of polymer material in which metallic particles are dispersed, and by the fact that the packaging thin layer constitutes at least a part of the anodic current collector
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium microbattery comprises a packaging thin layer formed by a matrix of polymer material in which metallic particles are dispersed. The packaging thin layer constitutes at least a part of the anodic current collector of the lithium microbattery. The polymer material is advantageously obtained from at least a photopolymerizable precursor material chosen from bisphenol A diglycidylether, bisphenol F butanediol diglycidil ether, 7-oxabicylco[4.1.0]heptane-3-carboxylate of 7-oxabicylco[4.1.0]hept-3-ylmethyl and a mixture of bisphenol A and epichloridine. It can also be a copolymer obtained from a homogenous mixture of at least two photopolymerizable precursor materials, respectively acrylate-base, such as diacrylate 1,6-hexanediol and methacrylate, and epoxide-base, for example chosen from bisphenol A diglycidylether, 7-oxabicylco[4.1.0]heptane-3-carboxylate of 7-oxabicylco[4.1.0]hept-3-ylmethyl and a mixture of bisphenol A and epichloridine.