Metal-Air Battery Cathode Cleaning Using Acoustic Electrolyte Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal-air batteries, such as lithium-air batteries, suffer from capacity fading and low current density due to the deposition of discharge products on the surface and inside pores of the cathode, which prevents continuous discharge.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating at least one acoustic device in a metal-air battery that produces acoustic waves at a specific frequency to pump the liquid electrolyte through and into flowing contact with the porous cathode, effectively removing the discharge product formed during discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If discharge products are allowed to deposit on the cathode surface and inside pores, then the battery structure remains simple, but capacity fading and low current density occur due to pore blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies acoustic waves (a form of mechanical vibration) to the liquid electrolyte to generate cavitation bubbles that physically remove discharge products from the cathode pores. The acoustic device vibrates the electrolyte at specific frequencies, creating micro-bubbles that collapse and dislodge deposited materials, thereby preventing pore blockage and maintaining high capacity and current density without complicating the battery structure
2Device complexity
If discharge products accumulate on the cathode, then no additional removal mechanism is needed, but continuous discharge is prevented due to inactivation of the cathode surface
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic device operates continuously or periodically during battery discharge to maintain the cathode surface active. By continuously generating acoustic waves in the electrolyte, the system prevents discharge product accumulation in real-time, ensuring uninterrupted electron transfer and maintaining continuous discharge capability throughout battery operation
3Reliability
If acoustic waves are used to pump liquid electrolyte and remove discharge products, then capacity fading is reduced, but device complexity increases due to the acoustic device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical stirring or pumping systems with an acoustic field-based approach. Instead of using rotating impellers or mechanical pumps to agitate the electrolyte, the system uses acoustic waves to generate cavitation and fluid motion, achieving discharge product removal through non-contact acoustic pressure fields rather than mechanical components
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 use of acoustic waves to remove discharge products from the cathode enhances the battery's capacity and current density by preventing pore blockage, allowing for continuous discharge and extended battery operation.
Implementation Method 1
The acoustic device produces acoustic waves at a frequency that pumps the liquid electrolyte through and into flowing contact with the porous cathode
Implementation Method 2
controlling at least one acoustic device to produce acoustic waves that cause a liquid electrolyte of the metal-air battery to flow into contact with a porous cathode
Data Source
AI summary
A metal-air battery includes an anode, a porous cathode, a separator between the anode and the porous cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and at least one acoustic device. The acoustic device produces acoustic waves at a frequency that pumps the liquid electrolyte through and into flowing contact with the porous cathode such that a discharge product is removed from the porous cathode. An accumulation compartment where the discharged product is collected after being removed from the porous cathode can also be included.