Super Dielectric Capacitor Using Ionic Liquid-Saturated Porous Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrostatic capacitors have seen limited advancements in dielectric constants over the past few decades, hindering their performance improvement, whereas super capacitors have reached a plateau in energy density due to the near-theoretical limit surface area of graphene electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A capacitor design incorporating a dielectric material with a dielectric constant greater than 105, comprising a porous material with a surface area greater than 0.5 m2/gm, saturated with a liquid containing ions, which forms giant dipoles when an electric field is applied, increasing capacitance by opposing the field and allowing for higher charge storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional electrostatic capacitor materials are used, then the device structure is simple, but the dielectric constant remains limited and cannot be improved significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite dielectric material system consisting of porous material (such as porous polymer or ceramic) saturated with ionic liquid. This composite structure combines the high surface area and porosity of the solid matrix with the high ionic conductivity and polarizability of the liquid, achieving a dielectric constant exceeding 10^5 while maintaining structural integrity and electrical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes porous materials with controlled pore structures to create a high-surface-area matrix that can accommodate and retain ionic liquid. The porous structure provides extensive internal surface area for charge separation and storage, while the interconnected pores allow uniform distribution of the ionic liquid, thereby achieving extremely high dielectric constants without requiring excessive material thickness
2Quantity of substance
If super capacitor electrode surface area is increased to the theoretical limit, then capacitance increases, but energy density reaches a plateau and cannot be dramatically improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the dielectric parameter (dielectric constant) from conventional values (typically 2-10 for traditional dielectrics) to ultra-high values exceeding 10^5 through the use of ionic liquid-saturated porous materials. This parameter change enables dramatic energy density improvement without being constrained by electrode surface area limitations, as energy density becomes proportional to the dielectric constant rather than just surface area
3Quantity of substance
If electrostatic capacitor thickness is reduced to increase capacitance, then capacitance increases inversely with distance, but the device becomes too thin and structurally challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent counteracts the limitation of thin-film structural stability by introducing a porous material matrix that provides mechanical support and structural integrity. The porous structure distributes mechanical stress throughout the volume, preventing collapse or deformation even when the overall capacitor thickness is reduced, thereby enabling thin-film designs without sacrificing structural robustness
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 capacitor achieves enhanced capacitance and energy density by utilizing a dielectric material with a high dielectric constant and porous structure, effectively increasing the charge/voltage ratio and enabling greater energy storage compared to conventional capacitors of similar size.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric material with a dielectric constant greater than 10^5
Implementation Method 2
forms giant dipoles when an electric field is applied, increasing capacitance by opposing the field
Implementation Method 3
a porous material having a surface area greater than 0.5 m2 of surface/gm of material
Implementation Method 4
a liquid containing ions within the pores of the porous material
Implementation Method 5
the first electrode and the second electrode comprise a ionically conductive material typically having both an electrical and ionic conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode where at least the first electrode comprises a ionically conductive material typically having both an electrical and ionic conductivity, such as an oxide. The capacitor further comprises a dielectric material contacting the first and second electrode and comprising a porous material having a surface area greater than 0.5 m2 of surface/gm of material, and further comprising a liquid containing ions within the pores of the porous material. In certain embodiments, the capacitor additionally comprises a first current collector in contact with the first electrode and a second current collector is contact with the second electrode, where the first and second current collector comprise an electrically conductive material.