Encapsulated Microbattery Getter Cavities Gas Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microbatteries, particularly those using lithiated materials, are sensitive to atmospheric elements like oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor, leading to mechanical and electrical degradation due to the release of gaseous species during charge/discharge cycles, which complicates encapsulation and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An encapsulated microbattery design with a cover that includes cavities to store gaseous species, featuring a deformable adhesive layer and getter materials to absorb gases, reducing stress on the encapsulation and maintaining integrity over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If LiCoO2 cathode material is used to achieve high capacity and operating voltage, then electrochemical performance is improved, but gaseous species are released during charge/discharge cycles causing mechanical deformation and encapsulation degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates getter materials within the encapsulation structure that actively capture and neutralize the gaseous species (oxygen, hydrogen, carbon monoxide) released by the LiCoO2 cathode during operation. This converts the harmful gas generation into a controlled process where the gases are captured by the getter, preventing mechanical deformation and encapsulation degradation while maintaining the high performance benefits of LiCoO2
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation structure with integrated getter materials serves as an intermediary between the LiCoO2 cathode and the external environment. The getter acts as a mediator that intercepts and captures the gaseous species before they can cause harm to the encapsulation or performance, allowing the high-voltage LiCoO2 system to operate reliably
2Reliability
If conventional encapsulation methods are used to protect microbattery from atmospheric elements, then sealing is achieved, but gas pressure causes mechanical deformation and bonding degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gaseous species from the battery system by incorporating getter materials that capture and sequester the gases within the encapsulation structure. This removes the harmful gas pressure that would otherwise accumulate and degrade the bonding between encapsulation layers, maintaining structural integrity over time while preserving the protective sealing function
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation structure is designed with integrated getter materials that provide beforehand cushioning against the expected gas generation. The getter is positioned and configured to capture gases before they can accumulate to problematic pressure levels, preventing mechanical deformation and bonding degradation before they occur
3Reliability
If monolithic encapsulation with alternating organic and inorganic layers is used to achieve desired sealing performance, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encapsulation and gas management functions into a single integrated heterogeneous structure. Instead of requiring separate monolithic barrier layers and separate gas management systems, the encapsulation cap incorporates getter materials directly within its structure, combining protection and gas capture into one simplified manufacturing process while maintaining high sealing 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
The solution provides enhanced long-term sealing resistance and durability by containing gaseous species within the encapsulation, preventing mechanical deformation and maintaining bonding integrity, thus extending the lifespan of microbatteries.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive layer, made of deformable polymer material, allows for elastic deformation of the hood under the pressure of generated gas
Implementation Method 2
In an advantageous example, elements are provided in the cavities or in the walls of the cavities capable of capturing the released gaseous elements, for example getter materials
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
An encapsulated microbattery comprising a microbattery (B) supported by a substrate (2), an encapsulation cap (C1), said encapsulation cap having a first face (13) in contact with the microbattery (B) and the substrate (2), said first face (13) having a central zone (Zc) and a peripheral zone (Zp) surrounding the central zone (Zc), the central zone (Zc) being in contact with the microbattery (2) and the peripheral zone (Zp) being in contact with at least the substrate (2). The encapsulation cap has cavities (18) in fluidic communication with the central zone (Zc) of the first face, and capable of retaining at least one gaseous element generated by the microbattery during its operation.