Porous Silicon Electrodes for Stable Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy storage devices, such as batteries, face limitations including low energy densities, low charge capacities, low power density, structural integrity issues, and toxicity, particularly with lithium-ion batteries that suffer from stability problems due to high volume expansion during cycling.

Innovation Solution

The development of energy storage devices with electrodes comprising porous materials embedded in structural materials, where the structural material provides stability and higher ionic diffusion rates, allowing for high charging rates while maintaining structural integrity and supporting volume expansion, and the use of specific pairings of electrolytes, porous materials, and structural materials to achieve stable, high-capacity electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If lithium is used as electrode material to achieve high specific charge capacities and energy densities, then energy density is improved, but substrate stability deteriorates due to volume expansion during cycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsubstrate stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous silicon as the electrode substrate, which provides a three-dimensional network structure with high porosity. This porous structure accommodates the volume expansion of lithium during cycling, preventing substrate degradation while maintaining high energy density. The porous architecture allows lithium to diffuse throughout the material without causing structural collapse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrode structure combining porous silicon with conductive materials and electrolytes. This composite approach integrates the high energy density of silicon with the structural stability and ionic conductivity of other materials, resolving the contradiction between energy density and substrate stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If porous materials are used as electrode substrates to provide large surface areas, then charge capacity is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge capacityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous silicon with controlled porosity to maximize surface area for charge storage while maintaining structural integrity. The porous network provides extensive surface area for lithium intercalation without compromising the mechanical strength of the substrate, as the three-dimensional structure distributes stress evenly throughout the material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Quantity of substance

If conventional electrode materials are used to achieve high charge capacities, then energy storage is improved, but charge time deteriorates due to slow ion diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge capacityVSAvoidcharge time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The porous silicon structure provides short diffusion paths for lithium ions, enabling rapid charge and discharge rates. The three-dimensional porous network allows ions to access deep within the electrode material quickly, reducing charge time while maintaining high charge capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the porosity and pore size parameters of the silicon electrode to enhance ionic diffusion rates. By controlling these structural parameters, the material achieves both high charge capacity and fast charging performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly enhances energy density, longevity, and power output of energy storage devices by stabilizing electrodes and allowing for efficient ion diffusion and structural support during charging and discharging, thereby overcoming previous limitations.

Implementation Method 1

Porous materials, such as porous carbon and silicon have been considered for use as electrode substrates in energy storage devices due to their ability to provide large surface areas. These materials can hold charge carriers such as lithium.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

the structural material provides stability and higher ionic diffusion rates, allowing for high charging rates while maintaining structural integrity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11276853B2Particle-based silicon electrodes for energy storage devices

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Electrodes, energy storage devices using such electrodes, and associated methods are disclosed. In an example, an electrode for use in an energy storage device can comprise porous disks comprising a porous material, the porous disks having a plurality of channels and a surface, the plurality of channels opening to the surface; and a structural material encapsulating the porous disks; where the structural material provides structural stability to the electrode during use.