Solid-State Cell Production Using Heat-Resistant Insulating Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing solid-state cells face challenges such as thinning of the solid electrolyte layer and potential short circuits due to the softening of the electrolyte during heat-compressing, and are limited in flexibility for varying cell sizes and shapes, particularly in producing sheet-shaped cells.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the stacking of electrode and solid electrolyte material powder layers, surrounded by a heat-resistant insulating member, which is heat-compressed to prevent electrolyte leakage and ensure uniform pressure, allowing for the production of reliable sheet-shaped solid-state cells with controlled thickness and reduced short circuit risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat-compressing is applied to the solid electrolyte layer to improve ion conductivity and electrode contact, then the ion conductivity and contact are improved, but the solid electrolyte layer thins and short circuits occur due to softening and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A holder is introduced as an intermediary tool to apply heat-compression to the solid electrolyte layer. The holder maintains precise positioning and applies uniform pressure without causing excessive localized heating or deformation, thereby improving ion conductivity and electrode contact while preventing electrolyte layer thinning and short circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-compression process parameters (temperature, pressure, time) are precisely controlled and optimized. By adjusting these parameters within specific ranges, the solid electrolyte layer achieves improved ion conductivity and electrode contact without undergoing excessive softening that would cause thinning or leakage
2Reliability
If heat-compressing is applied to improve electrode and electrolyte contact, then the contact is improved, but the cell production is limited to specific sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with universal applicability to accommodate various cell sizes and shapes. It can be configured to hold different types of solid electrolyte layers and electrode assemblies, making the heat-compression process adaptable to diverse cell designs while maintaining reliable electrode contact
3Reliability
If the solid electrolyte is softened during heat-compressing to improve ion conductivity, then the ion conductivity increases, but the electrolyte leaks from between the electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The holder acts as a mediator that confines the solid electrolyte layer during heat-compression. It provides mechanical support and boundaries that prevent the softened electrolyte from leaking out while still allowing sufficient pressure to improve ion conductivity and electrode contact
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
This method effectively prevents electrolyte layer thinning and short circuits, enabling the production of highly reliable, flexible, and uniformly thick solid-state cells suitable for various sizes and shapes, including sheet-shaped designs.
Implementation Method 1
by press-forming a solid electrolyte layer when the electrolyte is softened, the solid electrolyte particles inside the solid electrolyte layer are connected to each other in surface contact, thereby forming a solid electrolyte layer with small grain boundary resistance
Implementation Method 2
a heat-compressing step for heat-compressing the structure and heat-resistant insulating member, at least an inner periphery of the heat-resistant insulating member and a region which is inside the inner periphery, in the stacking direction of the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a solid-state cell which makes it possible to produce a highly reliable solid-state cell that suppresses a decrease in the thickness of the solid electrolyte layer and a short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes, and which is highly flexible in the size and shape of the solid electrolyte layer and electrodes. The method comprising: a structure preparing step for preparing a first structure, a second structure, or a third structure, a solid electrolyte material powder layer, and a positive electrode material powder layer are stacked, in this sequence; an insulating member disposing step for disposing a heat-resistant insulating member which is in contact with an outer periphery of the structure in the stacking direction of the structure and surrounds the outer periphery; and a heat-compressing step for heat-compressing the structure and heat-resistant insulating member, in the stacking direction of the structure.