Oxide-Coated Hydrogen Absorption Particles Against Agglomeration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Particles containing hydrogen absorption metals or alloys agglomerate due to heat generation during hydrogen absorption, reducing their absorption capability.

Innovation Solution

A structure is designed with a fixed member that keeps hydrogen absorption particles apart, surrounded by a high melting point film to prevent agglomeration, and a method involving multiple deposition steps to form and cover the particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the size of each particle is made small to increase the surface area, then the hydrogen absorption efficiency can improve, but the heat generation amount when absorbing hydrogen increases and particles can agglomerate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen absorption efficiencyVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An oxide film is formed on the surface of each hydrogen absorption particle to act as an intermediary layer. This film has low thermal conductivity that suppresses heat conduction between particles, preventing agglomeration caused by heat generation during hydrogen absorption while maintaining the high surface area-to-volume ratio of fine particles for efficient hydrogen absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the size of each particle is made small to increase the surface area, then the hydrogen absorption efficiency can improve, but the particles can agglomerate when heat is applied from the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen absorption efficiencyVSAvoidparticle arrangement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide film serves as a thermal barrier between particles, reducing heat transfer from external sources. This intermediary layer prevents heat-induced agglomeration and maintains the stable dispersion of fine particles throughout the hydrogen absorption medium

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A thin oxide film is formed on each particle surface to provide thermal insulation. This flexible protective shell maintains particle integrity and prevents agglomeration under thermal stress while allowing the particles to maintain their small size for high hydrogen absorption efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Suppresses agglomeration of hydrogen absorption particles, maintaining their absorption capability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the plurality of particles is surrounded by an oxide film having low thermal conductivity so as to suppress heat conduction between the plurality of particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction suppression: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a sputtering process is then performed in the vacuum container to form an oxide film on the surface of each of the plurality of particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSputtering deposition: Sputtering

Data Source

PatentUS12558671B2Structure and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 CANON ANELVA CORP

AI summary

A structure in which a plurality of particles each containing a hydrogen absorption metal element are arranged in a fixed member such that the plurality of particles are apart from each other. An entire surface of each of the plurality of particles is surrounded by the fixed member. The fixed member contains at least one of an oxide and a nitride.