Quasi-Solid Zn-Fe Redox Battery Electrolyte for Leak-Safe Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rechargeable batteries for portable applications face challenges due to the use of liquid electrolytes, which can lead to leakages and hazards, and often incorporate toxic or environmentally harmful chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A Zn-Fe quasi-solid redox battery utilizing plasticized polymer electrolytes or composite polymer electrolytes as quasi-solid electrolytes, avoiding toxic chemicals and enhancing safety with earth-abundant materials, includes a quasi-solid anolyte and catholyte with dispersed electroactive particles and a proton conductive membrane for ionic flow and electron blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If liquid electrolytes are used in rechargeable batteries, then high ionic conductivity is achieved, but leakage and safety hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to quasi-solid gel form while maintaining high ionic conductivity through optimized gel composition and structure, thereby eliminating leakage hazards while preserving electrical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite gel electrolytes combining organic and inorganic components to achieve both high ionic conductivity and enhanced safety, creating a material that integrates the advantages of different electrolyte types while mitigating their individual disadvantages
2Power
If conventional batteries are designed to increase power output, then higher energy delivery is achieved, but device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous electrode structures with high surface area to volume ratio, enabling increased power output through enhanced reaction sites without proportionally increasing device volume, thus maintaining compact form factor while boosting power delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-layered electrode and electrolyte configurations that maximize space utilization, nesting functional components efficiently to achieve high power output in a compact volume through optimized spatial arrangement
3Use of energy by moving object
If toxic chemicals are used in battery electrolytes, then electrochemical performance is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs environmentally benign gel electrolytes composed of non-toxic, biodegradable materials that can be safely disposed of or recycled, sacrificing some long-term durability for reduced environmental impact and improved sustainability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the limitation of gel electrolytes (lower conductivity compared to liquid) into an advantage by using eco-friendly materials that provide sufficient performance for portable applications while eliminating toxicity, turning an environmental constraint into a sustainable solution
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 Zn-Fe quasi-solid redox battery offers high efficiency, safety, and environmental friendliness with low toxicity, supporting high power applications and extended cycle life, while maintaining a high surface area for redox reactions without increasing device dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
the electrolyte, or ionic conductor, which provides the medium for transfer of ionic charge, i.e. ions inside the cell to the anode or to the cathode
Implementation Method 2
a membrane or separator acting as physical barrier in between the electrodes, necessary to prevent physical contact of the two electrodes and to guarantee ionic flow while blocking electrons
Implementation Method 3
the anode, or negative electrode, which gives up electrons to the external circuit and is oxidized during the electrochemical reaction
Implementation Method 4
the cathode, or positive electrode, which accept electrons from the external circuit and it is reduced during the electrochemical reaction
Implementation Method 5
In the two half-cells oxidation and reduction reactions occur to charge and discharge the battery
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
It is described a Zn-Fe quasi-solid redox battery (QSRB) making use of low cost and earth abundant materials as reactive species, comprising: - a first half-cell comprising a first quasi-solid electrolyte in which are dissolved Zn2+ ions or a first quasi-solid electrolyte in which are dispersed organic and/or inorganic electroactive particles containing zinc ions in different oxidation states, and a current collector and an electrode disposed within the first half-cell; - a second half-cell comprising a second quasi-solid electrolyte in which are dissolved Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions or a second quasi-solid electrolyte in which are dispersed organic and/or inorganic electroactive particles containing Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions, and a current collector and an electrode disposed within the second half-cell; and - a separator between the two half-cells.