Porous Solid Electrolyte Sheet for Thin Self-Supporting Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solid electrolyte sheets for lithium ion solid state batteries are either too thick, leading to potential short circuits, or use materials with poor heat resistance and inadequate thickness for high energy density.

Innovation Solution

A solid electrolyte sheet with a support having a porosity of 60% to 95% and a thickness of 5 μm to 20 μm, made from heat-resistant fibers like aramid or Al2O3, filled with a lithium ion-conducting sulfide-based electrolyte, such as Li2S—P2S5, to maintain self-supporting properties and enhance ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the solid electrolyte sheet thickness is reduced to improve energy density, then the energy density increases, but the sheet loses self-supporting property and causes short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidself-supporting property
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous support structure with controlled porosity (30-80%) that provides mechanical strength and self-supporting properties even at reduced thickness (10-20 μm). The porous structure allows adequate lithium ion transport while maintaining structural integrity to prevent short circuits between electrodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining a porous support (such as porous polyolefin or heat-resistant fiber) with a solid electrolyte layer. This composite approach allows the thin sheet to maintain self-supporting properties through the support structure while achieving high energy density through reduced overall thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional polyethylene terephthalate is used for the support, then the manufacturing is easy, but the heat resistance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the support by selecting heat-resistant materials such as heat-resistant fibers (aramid, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone) or porous ceramics instead of conventional polyethylene terephthalate. This material substitution maintains manufacturability while significantly improving heat resistance to enable high-temperature processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the support thickness is reduced below 10 μm to improve energy density, then the energy density increases, but the sheet becomes too thin to maintain structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous support materials with optimized pore structure that provide high specific strength. The porous structure allows the support to maintain adequate mechanical strength and structural integrity at thicknesses of 10-20 μm, preventing sheet rupture while enabling high energy density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hot pressing or sintering processes that rapidly consolidate the solid electrolyte and support structure, creating a mechanically robust thin film in one step. This rushed consolidation process achieves sufficient structural integrity at thin dimensions without requiring gradual thickness reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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 provides a self-supporting, thin, and flexible solid electrolyte sheet that prevents short circuits, improves heat resistance, and enhances the energy density of solid state batteries while allowing high-temperature processing without interfacial resistance issues.

Implementation Method 1

The solid electrolyte layer has a function of conducting lithium ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the support has a porosity of 60% or more and 95% or less and a thickness of 5 μm or more and less than 20 μm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS11749835B2Solid electrolyte sheet and solid state battery
Publication Date: 2023.09.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a solid electrolyte sheet having a self-supporting property while having a small thickness and flexibility. The solid electrolyte sheet is formed using a support having a specific porosity and a specific thickness. Specifically, the solid electrolyte sheet is formed in which a solid electrolyte is filled in a support having a porosity of 60% or more and 95% or less and a thickness of 5 μm or more and less than 20 μm.