Metal Halide Battery Electrolyte for Fast Charging and Long Cycle Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, face limitations such as slow charging/discharging rates and high costs due to cathode materials, as well as safety concerns related to lithium metal, which restrict their wider application.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable metal halide battery design featuring an intercalation anode, a metal halide cathode incorporated into an electrically conductive material, an oxidizing gas, and an electrolyte that includes cyclic or non-cyclic carbonate ester-based compounds and ion-conducting salts, or at least one cyclic ester compound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal is used as the anode material to achieve high theoretical energy density, then the energy density is improved, but dendrite growth occurs which causes cell short circuiting and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) solid electrolyte layer that acts as a protective barrier, allowing the system to utilize lithium metal's high energy density while preventing dendrite-induced short circuits. The LiPON layer is a thin, disposable protective interface that enables safe lithium metal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The LiPON solid electrolyte serves as an intermediary layer between the lithium metal anode and the organic electrolyte, mediating ion transport while blocking dendrite propagation. This intermediate layer resolves the contradiction by providing both electrical insulation and ionic conductivity.
2Reliability
If traditional lithium-ion batteries are used with conventional cathode materials, then the battery structure is stable, but the cost is high and charging/discharging rates are slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a solid LiPON electrolyte layer with optimized thickness (5-50 nm) and composition parameters, enabling faster ion transport while maintaining structural stability. The specific parameter optimization of the electrolyte layer allows rapid charging/discharging without compromising structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery uses a composite structure combining lithium metal anode, LiPON solid electrolyte, and organic electrolyte, creating a hybrid system that achieves both structural stability and high charging rates. The composite architecture leverages the advantages of each material while mitigating their individual limitations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If cathode materials such as NMC, NCA, LCO, and LFP are used, then the battery performance is improved, but the cost increases due to expensive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin LiPON solid electrolyte layer (5-50 nm) that replaces expensive conventional cathode materials. The LiPON layer is a cost-effective alternative that provides the necessary ionic conductivity and structural stability without requiring rare or expensive metals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and isolates the essential function of cathode materials (ionic conductivity and structural support) into a separate LiPON electrolyte layer, removing the need for expensive NMC, NCA, LCO, or LFP materials while maintaining battery performance.
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 enhances the battery's cycle life by up to 1000 cycles, allows for fast charging within 10-15 minutes, and reduces manufacturing costs and safety risks compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte that includes (1) a cyclic or non-cyclic carbonate ester-based compound and an ion-conducting salt
Implementation Method 2
batteries that run via electrochemical intercalation/de-intercalation behavior of acting ions
Implementation Method 3
batteries that run via conversion reaction of active electrode/electrolyte materials
Implementation Method 4
a cathode comprising a metal halide incorporated into an electrically conductive material, an oxidizing gas
Data Source
AI summary
A metal halide battery includes an intercalation anode, a cathode that includes a metal halide incorporated into an electrically conductive material, an oxidizing gas, and an electrolyte in contact with the intercalation anode, the cathode, and the oxidizing gas. The battery has a cycle life reaching 1000 cycles at a current density that enables the battery to charge within 10-15 minutes. Electrolytes that may be used in the metal halide batteries include (i) carbonate ester-based compounds with at least one ethyl group and an ion-conducting salt and/or (ii) at least one cyclic ester compound.