Lithium Supercapattery Electrode Stack for High Power and Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage systems struggle to achieve a balance between high power capability and high energy density, often requiring external hybridization of batteries and supercapacitors, which increases mass and volume, and necessitate pre-lithiation processes.
Innovation Solution
An internally integrated lithium supercapattery with stacked or wound anode and cathode electrode sets, using a porous separator and electrolyte, eliminates the need for pre-lithiation and allows for variable electrode dimensions, operating voltage, and high discharge rates, assembled in commercially available capacitor cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If external hybridization of battery and supercapacitor is employed, then high power capability and high energy density are achieved, but mass and volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines battery electrode and supercapacitor electrode into a single integrated structure where the supercapacitor electrode is deposited directly on the battery electrode. This merging eliminates the need for separate battery and supercapacitor components, reducing overall mass while maintaining both high power capability (from supercapacitor) and high energy density (from battery) in one unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The supercapacitor electrode is nested on the battery electrode, creating a multi-layered structure where one electrode system is contained within another. This nesting approach allows the supercapacitor to utilize the battery electrode as its substrate, thereby reducing the total material required and minimizing the device's overall mass and volume.
2Power
If external hybridization of battery and supercapacitor is employed, then high power capability and high energy density are achieved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the battery and supercapacitor into a single integrated electrode structure, the patent eliminates the volume occupied by separate components and their interconnections. The supercapacitor electrode is formed directly on the battery electrode, creating a compact unified structure that achieves both high power and high energy density without increasing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration where the supercapacitor electrode is deposited on the battery electrode allows for efficient space utilization. This nesting reduces the device volume by eliminating gaps and inter-component spaces that would exist in external hybridization configurations.
3Power
If conventional supercapacitor with ion adsorption-desorption mechanism is used, then high power density and long cycle life are achieved, but energy density remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fast ion adsorption-desorption mechanism of supercapacitors with the high energy storage capability of battery electrodes. The resulting hybrid electrode structure enables the device to achieve high power density through supercapacitor-like ion adsorption while simultaneously attaining high energy density through the battery electrode's capacity for chemical energy storage.
4Use of energy by moving object
If lithium battery with Faradaic reactions is used, then high energy density is achieved, but power density decreases due to slow reaction kinetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the high energy density advantage of lithium batteries with the high power density advantage of supercapacitors in a single integrated electrode structure. The battery electrode provides high energy density through Faradaic reactions, while the supercapacitor electrode deposited on it enables fast ion adsorption-desorption for high power density, thus resolving the kinetic limitation of pure battery systems.
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 lithium supercapattery achieves high energy densities (40 to 80 Wh/kg), power densities (2 to 5 kW/kg), excellent charge retention, and extended cycle life (>1000 cycles), while reducing mass and volume compared to traditional systems, and is suitable for various applications requiring high current for short durations or low current for long durations.
Implementation Method 1
a first porous separator layer placed in between negative electrode and positive in each negative electrode and positive electrode set
Implementation Method 2
lithium based rechargeable batteries offer high energy density but lower power density due to their slow process involving Faradaic reactions in the bulk of electrode active materials
Implementation Method 3
lower power density due to their slow process involving Faradaic reactions in the bulk of electrode active materials
Implementation Method 4
storage mechanisms based on ion adsorption-desorption in electrode/electrolyte interface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a supercapattery that includes a housing having a plurality of negative electrodes and a plurality of positive electrodes, a first porous separator layer placed in between a first negative electrode and a first positive electrode, and a second porous separator layer placed in between a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, the first group of electrodes including the first negative electrode and the first positive electrode, and the second group of electrodes including a second negative electrode and a second positive electrode. At least one negative electrode includes a first current collector coated with a porous layer of an active material of variable thickness on two sides of the current collector. At least one positive electrode includes a second current collector coated with a porous layer of different active materials on two sides of the current collector.