All-solid-state battery including a porous composite membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anodeless all-solid-state batteries exhibit low energy density and short lifespan due to non-uniform lithium deposition on the current collector, leading to capacity limitations and thermal instability.

Innovation Solution

A composite membrane with a conductive linear carbon material, metal powder alloyable with lithium, and a porous structure is used as a substitute for the anode current collector, allowing for bidirectional lithium ion storage and reducing thickness variations, thereby enhancing energy density and capacity retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a current collector is used in an anodeless all-solid-state battery, then lithium ions can be stored, but lithium is non-uniformly deposited leading to low energy density and short lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium storage capacityVSAvoidlifespan and energy density

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous composite membrane as the anode current collector, where the porous structure provides numerous nucleation sites for lithium deposition. The pores with controlled size distribution enable uniform lithium ion distribution throughout the membrane, preventing non-uniform deposition and improving both energy density and lifespan while maintaining high lithium storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite membrane composed of multiple materials including conductive carbon materials, metal powders alloyable with lithium, and porous substrate materials. This composite structure combines the advantages of each material: carbon provides conductivity, metal powders enhance lithium alloying capability, and the porous substrate ensures uniform ion distribution, collectively resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If lithium is deposited on the current collector to increase capacity, then capacity per unit volume increases, but thickness variations occur leading to low capacity and short lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity per unit volumeVSAvoidthickness uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The porous composite membrane provides a three-dimensional network of pores that distributes lithium deposition throughout the entire volume of the membrane rather than concentrating it on the surface. This volumetric distribution maintains thickness uniformity while increasing the effective lithium storage capacity per unit volume, preventing the thickness variations that lead to capacity loss and shortened lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface deposition on a flat current collector to three-dimensional volumetric deposition within the porous membrane structure. This dimensional change allows lithium to be stored throughout the bulk of the membrane, increasing capacity per unit volume while maintaining uniform thickness and avoiding the degradation issues associated with surface-only deposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a porous composite membrane is used instead of a current collector, then uniform lithium storage and high energy density are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity retention and thermal stabilityVSAvoidmembrane structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The porous composite membrane, while structurally complex, is manufactured using established porous material synthesis techniques. The porosity and pore size distribution are controlled during fabrication to achieve the desired performance, balancing the complexity of the structure with the benefits of uniform lithium storage, high energy density, and thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The composite membrane integrates multiple functional materials into a single integrated component that simultaneously provides conductivity, lithium storage, and structural support. This multi-functionality in one component reduces the overall device complexity compared to using separate layers for each function, while achieving superior capacity retention and thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution results in an anodeless all-solid-state battery with improved capacity retention, high energy density, and extended lifespan by uniformly storing lithium in the composite membrane's pores, preventing thickness variations and thermal issues.

Implementation Method 1

the composite membrane may include a first layer configured to form the first main surface, a second layer configured to form the second surface, and an intermediate layer located between the first layer and the second layer, and the first layer and the second layer may include metal powder configured to be alloyable with lithium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlloying:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20240250269A1All-solid-state battery including a porous composite membrane

Publication Date: 2024.07.25 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an anodeless all-solid-state battery including a porous composite membrane in place of an anode current collector.