Power Storage Element with Solid Electrolyte and Oxidation Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium secondary batteries with organic electrolytes face safety risks due to leakage and fire hazards, and their manufacturing process is complex and costly due to the need for multiple layers and steps, including a separator, which increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
A power storage element with a positive electrode and negative electrode arranged in the same plane, using a solid electrolyte and oxidation treatment to form metal oxide active material layers on the electrodes, eliminating the need for a separator and simplifying the manufacturing process by forming the positive and negative electrode active material layers simultaneously through oxidation treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separator is used in the battery structure, then physical short circuit prevention is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the separator component from the battery structure entirely. By using a solid electrolyte layer that directly contacts both positive and negative electrodes, the separator is extracted from the system, simplifying the structure while maintaining safety through the inherent properties of the solid electrolyte material.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid electrolyte layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the electrolyte medium for ion transport, provides physical separation between electrodes to prevent short circuits, and serves as the interface for both positive and negative electrodes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate separator component.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers are stacked in order (positive electrode current collector layer, positive electrode active material layer, negative electrode current collector layer, negative electrode active material layer, and solid electrolyte layer), then electrode formation is achieved, but the number of steps increases leading to longer manufacturing process and higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the formation of positive and negative electrode active material layers into a single oxidation treatment step. By applying oxidation treatment simultaneously to both electrode structures, the manufacturing process is simplified, reducing the number of discrete steps while maintaining precise control over active material formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structures (current collector layers) are prepared in advance with their final configurations before the oxidation treatment. This preliminary preparation allows the subsequent oxidation step to directly form the active material layers without requiring additional positioning or assembly steps, improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Reliability
If organic electrolytic solutions are used, then lithium conductivity at room temperature is improved, but safety risks of leakage and fire increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid. By using a solid electrolyte layer instead of organic electrolytic solutions, the system maintains lithium ion conductivity while eliminating the safety hazards associated with liquid electrolytes, including leakage and fire risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid electrolyte layer is designed as a stable, non-leakable component that replaces the vulnerable liquid electrolyte. While solid electrolytes may have different conductivity characteristics, they provide inherent safety without requiring additional containment structures or safety mechanisms.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and enhances safety by minimizing physical short circuits and eliminating the need for a separator, while allowing for efficient lithium ion transfer and simplified production.
Implementation Method 1
a solid electrolyte layer in contact with at least the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer
Implementation Method 2
oxidation treatment to form metal oxide active material layers on the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a power storage element including a positive electrode current collector layer and a negative electrode current collector layer which are arranged on the same plane and can be formed through a simple process. The power storage element further includes a positive electrode active material layer on the positive electrode current collector layer; a negative electrode active material layer on the negative electrode current collector layer; and a solid electrolyte layer in contact with at least the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer are formed by oxidation treatment.