Multilayer Dielectric Electrodes With Nano-Channels for Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery and capacitor technologies face limitations in energy density, operating voltage, and lifespan, particularly for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles, due to chemical degradation and metal migration issues in dielectric materials.
Innovation Solution
The development of dielectric energy storage devices using multilayer electrodes with nano-channel electric pathways around internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) particles, which enhance capacitance and restrict leakage current, combined with a resistive shell and SiO2 coating to control metal migration and increase charge storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional battery technologies are used to increase energy density, then operating voltage and lifespan are limited due to chemical degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental energy storage mechanism from chemical reactions in batteries to electrical field storage in dielectric materials. By using IBLC particles with high permittivity and resistive shells, the system achieves high energy density through electrical polarization rather than chemical reactions, enabling extended charge cycles without degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite dielectric materials consisting of IBLC particles with resistive shells embedded in a dielectric matrix. This composite structure combines the high permittivity of IBLC materials with the insulation properties of the resistive shell, achieving both high energy density and long lifespan by preventing leakage current and chemical degradation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional capacitor structures are used, then high energy density is achieved but leakage current increases and charge dissipation is rapid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dielectric material into discrete IBLC particles, each acting as an independent capacitor unit with its own resistive shell. This segmentation isolates charge storage in individual particles, preventing leakage current from propagating through the bulk material and reducing overall energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive shell acts as an intermediary layer between the high-permittivity IBLC core and the external dielectric matrix. This intermediate resistive barrier restricts leakage current while allowing the high energy density benefits of the IBLC material to be realized, solving the contradiction between energy storage capacity and charge retention.
3Reliability
If metal electrodes are deposited on dielectric material, then electrical contact is achieved but metal migration occurs causing shorting and decreased insulation resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nonmetallic conductive material as an intermediary between the metal electrode and the dielectric material. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact between metal ions and the dielectric, eliminating the migration pathway that causes shorting and insulation degradation, while still providing effective electrical contact for charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional metal electrodes with nonmetallic conductive materials that do not suffer from ion migration. This substitution eliminates the harmful metal migration effect entirely while maintaining the necessary electrical conductivity for charge storage and retrieval.
4Use of energy by moving object
If operating voltage is increased to improve energy density, then charge storage capacity increases but insulation resistance decreases and breakdown risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-voltage stress across multiple discrete IBLC particles rather than applying it to a bulk dielectric. Each particle experiences localized electric fields that are contained by its resistive shell, allowing higher operating voltages to be applied to the overall device without proportionally increasing the breakdown risk in any single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite dielectric structures with IBLC particles embedded in an insulating matrix. This composite architecture allows the system to withstand higher operating voltages by distributing the electric stress across multiple phases, with the resistive shells providing localized insulation that prevents breakdown even at elevated voltage levels.
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 approach significantly boosts capacitance by up to 100 times, enabling high energy density, extended recharge cycles (up to 500,000), and higher operating voltages (potentially up to 800 VDC), while preventing metal migration and maintaining insulation resistance.
Implementation Method 1
These nano-channel electric pathways extend the electric field into the dielectric material and directly charge the IBLC particles enhancing capacitance
Implementation Method 2
a highly resistive layer can be applied to IBLC to restrict leakage current from passing out of the IBLC
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage element and method of fabrication thereof are disclosed. An energy storage element includes a set of electrodes where one or more electrodes have extended conductive paths through nano-channel electric interconnections with ceramic particles in one or more dielectric layers. The electrode's electric field is extended into the dielectric material providing increased capacitance. The set of electrodes can include a pair of electrode layers respectively attached directly to opposing sides of one dielectric layer. The set of electrodes, which can also be referred to as multi-layer electrodes, can include a plurality of electrode layers interleaved between, and directly attached to, a plurality of stacked dielectric layers.