Si-Ge-Sn Anode Battery Emulating Supercapacitors via Narrow SOC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercapacitors have limitations in energy density and self-discharge rates, while fast-charging batteries provide lower currents and shorter cycle life compared to supercapacitors, making them less suitable for applications requiring high energy bursts and long operation cycles.
Innovation Solution
A modified fast-charging lithium ion battery with Si, Ge, and/or Sn-based anode active material is designed to operate within a narrow partial operation range, using control circuitry to maintain a state of charge around a working point of 60-80% lithiation, emulating supercapacitor performance by configuring the battery to operate within a limited range similar to supercapacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If supercapacitors are used to provide high energy bursts and short term pulses, then the ability to deliver charge over short time and undergo many charging cycles is improved, but energy density is limited and self-discharge rates are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the battery's operational range into a narrow partial operation range (5% or less around a working point between 60-80% lithiation) rather than utilizing the full charge-discharge spectrum. This segmentation allows the battery to operate in a regime that mimics supercapacitor behavior, delivering high power bursts while maintaining stable energy density by avoiding the high self-discharge regions at extreme states of charge.
2Quantity of substance
If fast-charging batteries are used to provide higher energy density, then the stored energy per unit volume or mass is improved, but the ability to deliver high currents and sustain long cycle life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the battery by restricting it to a narrow state of charge window (60-80% lithiation with 5% or less tolerance) rather than allowing full charge-discharge cycles. This parameter change enables the battery to deliver high currents with extended cycle life by operating in a regime where electrochemical reactions are more reversible and less degrading, while still maintaining high energy density through the use of Si, Ge, and/or Sn-based anode materials.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the battery operates at full charge-discharge range, then the total energy capacity is maximized, but the degradation and electrode deterioration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial action by utilizing only a fraction (5% or less) of the battery's total charge-discharge range, specifically operating within 60-80% lithiation. This partial utilization of the battery's capacity prevents electrode degradation that would occur during full charge-discharge cycles, while still providing sufficient energy capacity for the intended application through high power delivery capability and extended cycle life.
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 modified battery achieves higher energy densities, lower self-discharge rates, and extended cycle life, enabling it to provide larger continuous currents and sustain more cycles than traditional batteries, bridging the gap to supercapacitor performance while maintaining stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a modified fast-charging lithium ion battery having Si, Ge and/or Sn-based anode active material and designed to operate at 5 C at least and within an operation range of 5% at most around a working point of between 60-80% lithiation of the Si, Ge and/or Sn-based anode active material
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and supercapacitor-emulating fast-charging batteries are provided. Methods comprise configuring a fast-charging battery to emulate a supercapacitor with given specifications by operating the fast-charging battery only within a partial operation range which is defined according to the given specifications of the supercapacitor and is smaller than 20%, possibly 5% or 1%, of a full operation range of the fast-charging battery. Devices are provided, which comprise control circuitry and a modified fast-charging lithium ion battery having Si, Ge and/or Sn-based anode active material and designed to operate at 5 C at least and within a range of 5% at most around a working point of between 60-80% lithiation of the Si, Ge and/or Sn-based anode active material, wherein the control circuitry is configured to maintain a state of charge (SOC) of the battery within the operation range around the working point.