Deformable Metamaterial Battery Structure for Anode Swelling Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery units, particularly Li-ion batteries, exhibit swelling behavior due to cycling, environmental effects, and aging, which can negatively impact their lifetime.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating deformable metamaterial units around the anode to control and limit expansion, thereby mitigating swelling behavior and enhancing battery durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional battery units are used without additional structural components, then the device complexity is low, but the anode exhibits uncontrolled swelling behavior that reduces battery lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifetimeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable metamaterial unit is integrated within the battery unit structure, nesting the swelling-control mechanism inside the existing battery architecture. The metamaterial unit is positioned between the anode and cathode, allowing it to directly interact with and constrain the anode expansion while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable metamaterial unit functions as a flexible constraint structure that can dynamically adapt to anode swelling. The metamaterial's deformable nature allows it to flexibly resist expansion forces while accommodating volume changes, preventing rigid structural failure that would occur with fixed constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If deformable metamaterial units are added to control anode expansion, then the swelling behavior is reduced improving battery lifetime, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery state of healthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable metamaterial unit operates autonomously to control anode swelling without requiring external control systems. The material's inherent deformable properties enable it to automatically adjust and counteract expansion forces based on real-time mechanical conditions, eliminating the need for sensors, actuators, or control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The metamaterial unit changes its mechanical parameters (deformability, stiffness) in response to swelling forces. This parameter adaptation allows the structure to maintain optimal constraint characteristics throughout the battery's operational cycles, improving reliability without adding complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the anode is allowed to expand freely during cycling, then the manufacturing and assembly process is simple, but the mechanical stress and fatigue increase reducing battery durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstrength of battery cell constituents

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable metamaterial unit is pre-installed within the battery unit to provide cushioning against future anode swelling. This preventive measure is incorporated during manufacturing, creating a protective structure that will absorb and distribute mechanical stresses before they can cause damage to electrode constituents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery unit combines conventional electrode materials with deformable metamaterial to create a composite structure. This composite approach integrates the electrochemical functionality of standard battery materials with the mechanical swelling-control properties of the metamaterial, achieving both ease of manufacture and improved strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 deformable metamaterial units effectively manages mechanical stress and swelling, leading to improved battery state of health, extended lifespan, and reduced fatigue in battery cell constituents.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one deformable metamaterial unit may be configured such that it may be compressed by at least one applied force and return to its precompression shape after the applied force is removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the at least one deformable metamaterial unit may therefore be configured to counteract an occurring force, for example, to control a movement of the occurring mechanical response

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the at least one deformable metamaterial unit may be configured to counteract an occurring moment and/or shear, for example, to control a movement due to the occurring mechanical response

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear Stress: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP4456223B1Battery with deformable metamaterial unit

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 VOLVO CAR CORP

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Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3d

AI summary

Battery unit for storing electrical energy, comprising: at least two electrodes, whereby one of the electrodes is an anode (12) and one of the electrodes is a cathode; and at least one deformable metamaterial unit (14).