Secondary Battery With Phase-Transitioning Active Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic cathode materials in secondary batteries face issues of irreversible secondary reactions and significant degradation due to active material dissolution into the electrolyte, limiting their cycling capacity and practical application.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery design featuring a cathode or anode body with a phase-transitioning active material, sealed by a solid electrolyte and polymeric layer, utilizing a composite of ionic liquid and silica as a solid electrolyte, which enhances charging-discharging capacity and cycle characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If organic cathode body materials are used, then high energy density and low cost are achieved, but irreversible secondary reactions and degradation occur due to active material dissolution into electrolyte

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcycle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A polymeric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the organic cathode body material and the electrolyte. This layer prevents direct contact and dissolution of the active material into the electrolyte, thereby eliminating irreversible secondary reactions while maintaining the high energy density benefits of organic materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A thin polymeric film is applied to encapsulate the organic cathode body material. This flexible shell provides a physical barrier that prevents dissolution and degradation of the active material during charge-discharge cycles, ensuring long-term reliability without compromising energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If organic cathode body materials are used, then resource efficiency is improved, but significant degradation occurs with increase in charging-discharging cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidcycle life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The polymeric layer serves as a protective intermediary that shields the organic cathode material from the electrolyte environment. This prevents degradation mechanisms during repeated cycling, thereby extending the operational lifespan of the battery while maintaining resource efficiency advantages of organic materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A polymeric thin film is applied to the organic cathode body material to create a protective barrier. This shell prevents direct interaction between the active material and electrolyte during cycling, thereby significantly extending cycle life while preserving the resource-efficient characteristics of organic materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If liquid active material is used, then degradation resistance is improved, but sealing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegradation resistanceVSAvoidsealing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A polymeric thin film is used to seal and encapsulate the liquid active material. This flexible film provides effective sealing and protection against degradation while maintaining a relatively simple battery structure, avoiding the need for complex sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 battery achieves initial discharge capacity of 70% to 100% of the theoretical value and remains unsusceptible to degradation, maintaining performance through repeated charge-discharge cycles.

Implementation Method 1

the cathode body and/or the anode body is/are sealed by the solid electrolyte, the polymeric layer, the cathode collector and/or the anode collector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the active material in the cathode body and/or the anode body is a liquid, or because the active material undergoes phase transition into a liquid phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a composite of ionic liquid and silica as a solid electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9583750B2Secondary battery

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 TOHOKU UNIV

AI summary

A secondary battery charged and discharged even after dissolution. The active material in the cathode body and/or the anode body is a liquid, or the active material undergoes phase transition into a liquid is provided. The secondary battery (1) includes: a cathode collector (2), a cathode body (3), a solid electrolyte (4), an anode body (5), and an anode collector (6). The cathode body and the anode body are sealed by the solid electrolyte, the cathode collector, and/or the anode collector. The cathode body and the anode body preferably contain an active material that undergoes phase transition from a solid to a liquid, or to a phase containing a liquid, due to charge and discharge. The cathode body or the anode body preferably contains a liquid active material. A polymeric layer may be inserted between the cathode body and/or the anode body and the solid electrolyte.