Energy storage devices and methods of production thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitors face limitations in volumetric and mass energy storage density and high manufacturing costs, with materials exhibiting percolation phenomena and breakdown issues due to high dielectric permittivity and geometric factors, which restrict their application in high-voltage and compact energy storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A capacitor design featuring a solid multilayer structure with alternating insulating and polarization layers, comprising micro-dispersion of electro-conductive nano-particles in an insulator matrix, and using materials with high dielectric permittivity to enhance energy storage density while preventing percolation and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high dielectric permittivity materials are used to increase volumetric energy density, then energy storage density is improved, but percolation phenomenon and breakdown occur due to high dielectric permittivity and geometric factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a multilayer structure where different layers have different dielectric permittivity values. The first and second dielectric layers have lower permittivity (ε1, ε2) while the intermediate polarized layer has higher permittivity (ε3). This spatial differentiation of material properties allows the high-permittivity layer to contribute to energy density without causing system-wide percolation, as the low-permittivity barrier layers contain and isolate the polarized regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining dielectric layers with polarized layers containing electro-conductive nanoparticles dispersed in an insulator matrix. This composite structure achieves high volumetric energy density through the polarized layer's high permittivity while the insulator matrix and barrier dielectric layers prevent percolation pathways, resolving the contradiction between energy density and breakdown resistance.
2Force
If sharp edges or points are present in electrode geometry, then local electric field strength increases, but breakdown voltage decreases due to local field concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses electrode geometry issues by introducing a polarized layer with electro-conductive nanoparticles that can locally adapt to field distribution. This layer modifies the local electric field characteristics at the electrode-dielectric interface, reducing field concentration at sharp edges and points while maintaining overall field strength for energy storage.
3Reliability
If vacuum deposition is used for manufacturing all layers, then device performance is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into two categories: critical layers (electrodes and barrier dielectric layers) that require vacuum deposition for performance, and the polarized layer that can be manufactured by cheaper methods. This segmentation allows selective application of expensive manufacturing techniques only where necessary, reducing overall cost while maintaining device performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats the polarized layer as a component that can be manufactured by cost-effective methods such as screen printing, spray coating, or dip coating, rather than requiring expensive vacuum deposition. This approach accepts that this layer may have less stringent performance requirements compared to the barrier layers, allowing the use of simpler, cheaper manufacturing processes.
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 design significantly increases volumetric and mass energy storage density while maintaining high breakdown voltage and reducing material costs, making capacitors more practical for applications like electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Increase of dielectric permittivity allows increasing of volumetric energy density which makes it an important technical task
Implementation Method 2
B is a polarization layer comprising a micro-dispersion of electro-conductive nano-particles in an insulator matrix
Implementation Method 3
When a potential difference exists between two electrodes, an electric field is present in the dielectric layer. This field stores energy
Implementation Method 4
A capacitor is a passive electronic component that is used to store energy in the form of an electrostatic field
Implementation Method 5
A characteristic electric field known as the breakdown strength E bd , is an electric field in which the dielectric layer in a capacitor becomes conductive
Implementation Method 6
Materials with high dielectric permittivity which are based on composite materials and containing polarized particles (such as PANI particles) may demonstrate a percolation phenomenon
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an energy storage device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a solid multilayer structure disposed between said first and second electrodes. The solid multilayer structure can be in contact with said first and second electrodes. The solid multilayer structure can include layers disposed parallel to said electrodes, the layers have a sequence (A-B)m-A, wherein, A is an insulating layer and B is a polarization layer comprising a colloidal composite with a micro-dispersion of electro-conductive nano-particles in an insulator matrix, and 'm' is a number greater than or equal to 1. Layer A can have a breakdown voltage of at least about 0.05 volts per nanometer (nm), and layer B can have a dielectric permittivity of at least about 100.