Metal-Oxygen Battery Solid Electrolyte Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Current metal-air batteries require a counter anion reservoir, increasing their size, weight, and decreasing energy density due to the need for a catholyte, which limits their energy storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

A battery design that generates oxygen ions at the cathode and uses an oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte and an anode active medium with elemental metals, eliminating the need for a catholyte reservoir by forming metal oxides directly at the anode, thereby increasing mass-based energy density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a catholyte reservoir is used in metal-air batteries to capture metal ions, then the battery can function properly, but the size and weight of the battery increase, decreasing energy density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery functionVSAvoidbattery weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the catholyte reservoir from the battery system by using a solid oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte that allows oxygen ions to pass through directly from the cathode to the anode, removing the need for liquid catholyte and its associated reservoir infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid (catholyte) to solid (oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte), fundamentally altering how ion transport occurs in the battery and enabling elimination of the reservoir system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a catholyte reservoir is used in metal-air batteries, then ion transport can occur, but the volume of the battery increases, decreasing energy density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion transportVSAvoidbattery volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the catholyte reservoir from the battery system by using a solid oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte that allows oxygen ions to pass through directly from the cathode to the anode, removing the need for liquid catholyte and its associated reservoir infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a porous anode structure that allows oxygen ions to be received and distributed throughout the anode material, enabling efficient ion transport without requiring a separate liquid reservoir

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If additional liquid components are added to the battery, then the battery can operate, but the mass-based energy density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operationVSAvoidmass-based energy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the catholyte reservoir from the battery system by using a solid oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte that allows oxygen ions to pass through directly from the cathode to the anode, removing the need for liquid catholyte and its associated reservoir infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solid oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte performs the dual function of both electrolyte and structural component, eliminating the need for separate liquid components while maintaining battery operation through direct solid-state ion conduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design enhances energy density by eliminating the need for a catholyte reservoir and reducing internal resistance, allowing for more efficient energy storage and utilization without the need for additional liquid components.

Implementation Method 1

an oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte that receives the oxygen ions from the cathode during discharge of the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The anode active medium includes an elemental metal that reacts with the oxygen ions to form a metal oxide during discharge of the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation reaction: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS9269956B1High energy density metal-oxygen battery

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 QUALLION LLC

AI summary

The battery includes a cathode configured to generate oxygen ions during discharge of the battery. The battery also includes an oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte that receives the oxygen ions from the cathode during discharge of the battery. The battery further includes an anode that has an anode active medium positioned in the pores of a porous anode current collector. The anode active medium receives the oxygen ions conducted through the oxygen ion conducting electrolyte during discharge of the battery. Additionally, the anode active medium includes an elemental metal that reacts with the oxygen ions to form a metal oxide during discharge of the battery.