Sheet-like Discrete Element for Lithium Anode Barrier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-based thin film storage elements face challenges due to the high reactivity of metallic lithium, substrate material limitations, and diffusion issues, leading to instability and reduced storage capacity, along with high manufacturing costs and safety concerns related to organic electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
A sheet-like discrete element with a chemically reduced reactive surface, acting as a barrier layer against metal diffusion, is integrated into the storage system, using a plasma-assisted coating process to create an amorphous oxide, nitride, or carbide layer with elements like Si, Al, Cr, Ta, Zr, and Ti, which enhances thermal stability and adhesion while reducing permeability and reactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If metallic lithium is used as anode material to achieve high energy density, then storage capacity is improved, but chemical reactivity increases leading to instability and safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
A sheet-like discrete element is introduced as an intermediary component between the metallic lithium anode and the electrolyte. This element acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact and unwanted reactions between the highly reactive lithium and the electrolyte, while still allowing lithium ion transport. The intermediary layer thus enables the use of metallic lithium for high capacity while maintaining chemical stability and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet-like discrete element is applied in advance to prevent harmful reactions before they can occur. By pre-establishing this protective barrier on the lithium anode surface, the system prevents spontaneous reactions between lithium and the electrolyte that would otherwise compromise stability and safety, thereby enabling reliable operation of high-capacity lithium-based storage devices.
2Reliability
If solid electrolyte is used to replace organic electrolyte to improve safety, then inflammability is reduced, but ionic conductivity decreases by several orders of magnitude
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a composite structure combining solid electrolyte material with the sheet-like discrete element. This composite approach allows the solid electrolyte to provide safety benefits while the integrated sheet-like element compensates for the conductivity loss, creating a hybrid system that achieves both safety and acceptable ionic transport performance.
3Volume of moving object
If thin film structure is used to achieve miniaturization for mobile applications, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film storage device is segmented into distinct functional layers including the sheet-like discrete element, electrodes, and electrolyte. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured separately using appropriate techniques, then assembled into the final thin film structure. The modular approach reduces overall manufacturing complexity while achieving miniaturization for mobile applications.
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 improved durability, flexibility, and cost-effective manufacturing of thin film storage elements with enhanced thermal stability, reduced contamination risk, and effective barrier properties against lithium and other alkali ions, maintaining storage capacity and extending the battery's functional integrity.
Implementation Method 1
using a plasma-assisted coating process to create an amorphous oxide, nitride, or carbide layer
Implementation Method 2
A sheet-like discrete element with a chemically reduced reactive surface, acting as a barrier layer against metal diffusion
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical storage system is provided that has a thickness of less than 2 mm and includes comprises at least one sheet-like discrete element. At least one surface of the at least one sheet-like discrete element is designed to be chemically reactive to a reduced degree, inert, and/or permeable to a reduced degree, and/or impermeable with respect to materials coming into contact with the surface. Also provided are a sheet-like discrete element and to the production and use thereof.