Magnetic Capacitor with Anti-Ferromagnetic Exchange Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional energy storage devices such as capacitors and batteries face issues like low capacitance and current leakage, and memory effects leading to decreased performance.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic capacitor design utilizing anti-ferromagnetically exchange-coupled magnetic layers with an isolative layer to control magnetization direction, reducing leakage current and enhancing capacitance through the Giant Magnetoresistance Effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional capacitors are used for energy storage, then the device structure is simple, but the capacitance is low and current leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite multilayer structure consisting of ferromagnetic layers, nonmagnetic conductive layers, and dielectric or semiconductor layers. This composite material approach creates a magnetic capacitor that utilizes giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect to achieve low current leakage while maintaining energy storage capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter of the capacitor by controlling the magnetization orientation of ferromagnetic layers through external magnetic fields. By switching between parallel and anti-parallel magnetization configurations, the resistance changes dramatically, enabling the capacitor to operate in low-leakage states while maintaining structural feasibility
2Reliability
If batteries are used for energy storage, then the energy storage capacity is high, but memory effects occur and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrochemical storage mechanism of batteries with a magnetic field-controlled electrical storage mechanism. The magnetic capacitor uses GMR effect in multilayer structures to control charge storage and release, eliminating memory effects inherent in battery chemistry while maintaining high energy storage capacity through the reversible magnetization states of ferromagnetic layers
3Reliability
If magnetic layers are used to control leakage current, then the capacitance increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitor structure into multiple functional layers: ferromagnetic layers for magnetization control, nonmagnetic conductive layers for spin transport, and dielectric or semiconductor layers for electrical isolation and GMR enhancement. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving high capacitance through the collective effect of simplified individual components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nonmagnetic conductive layers as intermediaries between ferromagnetic layers. These intermediary layers facilitate spin-polarized current transport while maintaining magnetic isolation, enabling the GMR effect to manifest strongly without requiring direct ferromagnetic-ferromagnetic contact, thus achieving high capacitance with manageable structural complexity
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 significantly reduces leakage current and increases capacitance, improving the overall performance of energy storage devices by switching between high and low resistance states using external magnetic fields or spin-polarized currents.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second magnetic layers are substantially anti-ferromagnetically exchange coupled to each other through the isolative layer
Implementation Method 2
A Giant Magnetoresistance Effect (GMR) is a quantum mechanical effect observed in multilayer structures with alternating thin magnetic and nonmagnetic layers
Implementation Method 3
The mutual orientation of the magnetization directions in the magnetic layers can be controlled by an external magnetic field or by a spin-polarized current running through the multilayer structure
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for storing electrical energy comprising at least: a first multilayer section; a second multilayer section disposed above the first multilayer section; and a spacer layer disposed between the first and second multilayer sections and comprising a dielectric material, wherein each of the first and second multilayer sections comprising a pinned magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a free magnetic layer having a reversible magnetization direction, and an isolative layer disposed between the pinned and free magnetic layers, the pinned and free magnetic layers are substantially anti-ferromagnetically exchange coupled to each other through the isolative layer; and wherein the pinned magnetic layers of the first and second multilayer sections are electrically coupled in parallel with each other, and the free magnetic layers of the first and second multilayer sections are electrically coupled in parallel with each other.