Porous Electrode Structure for High Surface Area Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
High surface area electrode materials for next-generation storage cells face challenges due to low structural integrity and high resistance caused by their particulate form, which increases costs and complexity in fabrication and may reduce storage density and capacity.
Innovation Solution
An open interconnected wall structure is used, where the electrolyte and second electrode are deposited within the pores of a first electrode material, enhancing surface area interaction and structural integrity while minimizing the need for binders and reducing electrical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high surface area materials in particulate form are used to increase electrode surface area, then electrical storage density and capacity are improved, but structural integrity of the electrode deteriorates and additional binders are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous substrate structure that provides high surface area for electrode material deposition while maintaining structural integrity. The porous architecture allows electrolyte penetration and ion transport while the substrate framework prevents particle aggregation and maintains mechanical strength without requiring additional binders.
2Strength
If binders are added to improve structural integrity of particulate electrodes, then structural integrity is improved, but fabrication cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for binders by using a porous substrate that inherently provides structural support. The electrode material is deposited directly onto the porous substrate, which maintains structural integrity through its framework rather than through binder adhesion, thereby simplifying the fabrication process.
3Strength
If binders are added to maintain structural integrity, then structural integrity is improved, but electrical resistance of the electrode increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes binders from the electrode structure, replacing their structural support function with a porous substrate framework. This eliminates the electrical resistance introduced by binder materials while maintaining structural integrity through the substrate architecture, thereby improving electrical conductivity.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrode structures are used, then fabrication process is simple, but storage density and capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a porous substrate with high surface area to volume ratio, which increases the active electrode material surface area available for energy storage. The porous structure allows for higher storage density while maintaining a straightforward fabrication process where electrode material is simply deposited onto the porous substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including an open interconnected wall structure having one or more pores, the open interconnected wall structure including a first electrode material, the pores including an electrolyte and a second electrode material, wherein the electrolyte and second electrode material are supported on the first electrode material within the pores such that the first electrode material is separated from the second electrode material by the electrolyte to enable the generation and/or storage of electrical energy using the apparatus.