Metal-Air Battery Segmented Cathode for Gas Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal-air batteries face issues with discharge capacity decrease and internal resistance increase due to gas accumulation at the interface between the cathode and electrolyte layer, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A metal-air battery structure is designed with a cathode comprising multiple layers arranged at intervals, where the lamination direction of the cathode, electrolyte layer, and anode intersects at a right angle, incorporating a conductive porous body to facilitate gas diffusion and removal, and using lithium metal for the anode to enhance discharge capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If gas collection regions and discharge pores are formed in the battery case, then gas discharged from the battery case can be removed, but gas accumulated at the interface between the cathode and electrolyte layer cannot be effectively discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode is divided into multiple cathode materials arranged at intervals, creating multiple interfaces between cathode materials and electrolyte layer. This segmentation allows gas to be discharged at multiple locations rather than accumulating at a single interface, effectively resolving the gas discharge problem while maintaining battery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by arranging cathode materials at intervals rather than forming a continuous layer. This dimensional change creates vertical spacing that facilitates gas escape paths from the cathode-electrolyte interface to the battery case, enabling effective gas removal in addition to the existing horizontal discharge paths
2Productivity
If cathode material is increased to improve energy density, then battery capacity increases, but gas generation during charge and discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode is segmented into multiple cathode materials arranged at intervals rather than using a single continuous layer. This segmentation maintains high energy density by preserving total cathode material quantity while creating multiple small interfaces that reduce gas accumulation volume at each interface and facilitate easier gas discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The interval arrangement of cathode materials creates a porous-like structure with void spaces between the cathode materials. These spaces act as gas collection and discharge channels, allowing gas generated during charge-discharge to escape easily while maintaining high cathode material content for energy density
3Reliability
If gas accumulates at the interface between cathode and electrolyte layer, then cell reaction is inhibited, but existing structures cannot effectively remove this accumulated gas
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode is segmented into multiple cathode materials arranged at intervals, creating multiple cathode-electrolyte interfaces distributed throughout the battery. This segmentation prevents gas accumulation at any single interface by providing multiple discharge paths, ensuring continuous cell reaction while effectively removing gas that would otherwise inhibit reaction
Solution Approach 2:
The interval arrangement introduces vertical spacing between cathode materials, creating a third dimension for gas escape. This dimensional change allows gas to be discharged not only horizontally through the battery case but also vertically through the spaced interfaces, effectively removing accumulated gas and maintaining reliable cell reaction
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 configuration effectively inhibits the increase in contact area between the cathode and gas bubbles, preventing discharge capacity decrease and internal resistance rise, enabling smooth oxygen and electrolyte reaction and improved discharge performance.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a conductive porous body to facilitate gas diffusion and removal
Implementation Method 2
redox reaction of oxygen as the cathode active material is carried out in the cathode, and redox reaction of a metal constituting the anode is carried out in the anode; thereby charge and/or discharge can be performed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a metal-air battery which can inhibit decrease of discharge capacity and increase of battery's internal resistance caused by the repeated charge and discharge. The metal-air battery comprises: a cathode; an electrolyte layer; and an anode, wherein the cathode, the electrolyte layer, and the anode are laminated in the order mentioned; the cathode comprises a plurality of cathode material layers arranged at intervals; and the direction for laminating the cathode, the electrolyte layer, and the anode intersect with the array direction of the plurality of cathode material layers.