Partitioned Electrolyte Lithium Battery for Dendrite Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium secondary batteries face issues with dendrite growth and stability degradation, leading to reduced energy density and increased risk of explosion, as well as leakage with liquid electrolytes, which existing designs fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The battery divides electrolytes into multiple regions using partition walls made of polymer, ceramic, or oxide materials, limiting lithium ion movement and preventing dendrite growth, while allowing for flexible battery design and reduced leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If lithium metal is used as the cathode to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but dendrite growth occurs leading to stability degradation and explosion risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is divided into multiple independent battery units, each with its own electrolyte region separated by partition walls. This segmentation prevents dendrite growth from affecting the entire battery system, as dendrites are contained within individual units. The partition walls create physical barriers that block dendrite propagation while maintaining lithium ion transport functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If carbon materials are used as the cathode to prevent dendrite growth, then stability is improved, but energy density is remarkably decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into multiple units with partition walls that create independent electrolyte regions. This allows the use of lithium metal cathodes in each unit to achieve high energy density, while the segmentation prevents dendrite growth from compromising overall stability. The partition walls enable each unit to function independently regarding dendrite management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration significantly inhibits dendrite growth, enhances energy density by over 10 times compared to carbon-based cathodes, and reduces leakage risks, improving stability and cycle characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

divides electrolytes formed between electrodes of the lithium secondary battery into a plurality of regions... limiting lithium ion movement and preventing dendrite growth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon movement limitation:

Implementation Method 2

divides electrolytes formed between electrodes of the lithium secondary battery into a plurality of regions... reduces leakage risks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS8124267B2Lithium secondary battery having partitioned electrolyte

Publication Date: 2012.02.28 KANG BONG SUP

AI summary

A lithium secondary battery is provided. Electrolytes of the lithium secondary battery are divided between an anode and a cathode into a plurality of regions not to contact with each other, thereby limiting movement paths of lithium ions. In this way, the lithium secondary battery inhibits growth of dendrite and improves energy density. Also, the lithium secondary battery that has a partition wall structure reduces leakage even when liquid electrolytes are used and actively copes with pressure applied to the battery.