Nanoparticle Pseudocapacitive Battery for Power-Energy Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage devices face challenges in achieving a balance between high power density and high energy density, with electrochemical capacitors excelling in power but lagging in energy storage, while batteries excel in energy but fall short in power.
Innovation Solution
The development of an energy storage device utilizing quantized capacitance, where nanoparticles, such as carbon or semi-metallic elements, are engineered to store electrons at different energy levels through Coulomb blockade, enhancing both power and energy density by employing a supporting medium and nanostructured electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If electrochemical capacitors use redox-active nanoparticles to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but understanding of the underlying physics becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the nanoparticles by utilizing quantized capacitance effects that become significant at the nanoscale. By engineering nanoparticles with specific size ranges and utilizing quantum confinement effects, the system achieves enhanced energy density while the quantized nature of capacitance provides a more tractable physical model for understanding and predicting behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex Faradaic redox mechanisms with a quantum mechanical capacitance model. Instead of relying on traditional electrochemical redox reactions that are difficult to model and control, the invention utilizes quantized capacitance effects where electron storage occurs through discrete quantum states, providing a more predictable and controllable system with better fundamental understanding.
2Quantity of substance
If batteries are used to achieve high energy density, then energy density is improved, but power density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage function into two distinct mechanisms: quantized capacitance for rapid charge/discharge (power density) and Faradaic redox for enhanced energy storage. By combining these segmented functions in a hybrid system, the invention achieves both high energy density and high power density that are mutually exclusive in conventional batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrode structures that integrate materials optimized for quantized capacitance with materials optimized for Faradaic energy storage. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously exhibit rapid response characteristics of capacitors and high energy density of batteries, resolving the power-energy density tradeoff.
3Power
If conventional capacitors are used, then power density is maintained, but energy density remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities by utilizing the quantized nature of capacitance in nanoparticles. The system can dynamically adjust its energy storage and release characteristics by controlling the quantum states of electrons in the nanoparticles, enabling rapid response for power density while accumulating energy for enhanced energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where quantized capacitance acts as a bridge between conventional capacitor behavior and battery behavior. The nanoparticle quantized capacitance serves as an intermediary that enables rapid electron transfer like capacitors while providing enhanced energy storage capacity, thus improving energy density without sacrificing power density.
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 enables the energy storage device to achieve high power density and high energy density, potentially surpassing conventional capacitors and batteries by leveraging the pseudocapacitive features of quantized capacitance, allowing for efficient electron storage and transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of nanoparticle elements configured to store the electrons therein at different energy levels using quantized capacitance
Implementation Method 2
engineered to store electrons at different energy levels through Coulomb blockade
Implementation Method 3
a supporting medium disposed in the volume between the first electrode and the second electrode, the supporting medium comprising at least one counterion species
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an energy storage device, comprising a first electrode having a plurality of electrons stored thereon, a second electrode having a plurality of holes stored thereon, the second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a volume therebetween, a supporting medium disposed in the volume between the first electrode and the second electrode, the supporting medium comprising at least one counterion species, and a plurality of nanoparticle elements provided in the volume, adjacent at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of nanoparticle elements configured to store the electrons therein at different energy levels using quantized capacitance.