Printable Ionic Gel Separator for Energy Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices face challenges with discrete electrode separators that are costly, limit manufacturing throughput, and cannot be easily printed on irregular surfaces due to insufficient structural strength and electrical shorting issues.
Innovation Solution
A printable gel separator composition comprising particles, ionic liquid electrolyte, and polymer, which can be printed on various surfaces, providing structural strength, flexibility, and high ionic conductivity to separate electrodes effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete porous membrane separators are used and individually placed between electrodes, then electrode separation is achieved, but manufacturing throughput is limited and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the separator material with the electrode slurry into a single printable composition. This integration eliminates the need for separate placement and lamination of discrete membrane separators, enabling continuous printing fabrication that improves manufacturing throughput while maintaining electrode separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The printable composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the electrode material and the separator medium. This multi-functionality reduces the number of discrete components and assembly steps, directly addressing the throughput limitation caused by sequential processing of separate separator and electrode layers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gelatinous gel separators are used, then flexibility is improved, but structural strength is insufficient and electrical shorting occurs during printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite printable composition that integrates gel separator material with electrode slurry components. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for conformal coating on various surfaces and the structural strength required to withstand printing forces without causing electrical shorting between electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the gel separator by combining it with electrode materials and binders. This parameter change transforms the gel from a weak, printing-unsuitable material into a robust composite that maintains flexibility while gaining sufficient mechanical strength for the printing process.
3Reliability
If embedded separators are provided within separate electrode sheets, then electrode separation is maintained, but device complexity increases and assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separator function with the electrode structure by incorporating separator material directly into the printable electrode composition. This elimination of discrete embedded separators simplifies the assembly process, reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for separate lamination steps while maintaining effective electrode separation.
4Productivity
If printable separator composition is applied, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but ionic conductivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters of the printable separator material, specifically adjusting the ratio of gel separator to electrode slurry components. This parameter optimization ensures that the printed separator maintains high ionic conductivity necessary for device performance while preserving the manufacturing efficiency gains from the printable fabrication process.
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 enables the creation of energy storage devices with improved manufacturing efficiency, flexibility, and reduced impedance, allowing for the printing of additional layers and various configurations while preventing electrical shorting.
Implementation Method 1
have a comparatively high ionic conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Representative embodiments provide a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a supercapacitor. A representative liquid or gel separator comprises a plurality of particles, typically having a size (in any dimension) between about 0.5 to about 50 microns; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer. In another representative embodiment, the plurality of particles comprise diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, and/or diatomaceous fragments or remains. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the plurality of particles are comprised of silicate glass; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”). Additional components, such as additional electrolytes and solvents, may also be included.