Supercapacitor-Emitating Battery for Fast-Charging EVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional batteries and supercapacitors have limitations in terms of energy storage capacity, charging speed, and cycle life, which hinder their efficiency in electric vehicles and other applications where high power density and rapid energy delivery are required.
Innovation Solution
A fast-charging lithium ion battery system with Si, Ge, and/or Sn-based anode active material, a carbonate-based electrolyte, and control circuitry that maintains the anode within a specific lithiation state to optimize energy storage and delivery, emulating the performance of supercapacitors by operating within a narrow state of charge range and using mechanical barriers to prevent full expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional batteries are used to store energy, then energy storage capacity is improved, but charging speed and power density deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery into multiple independent channels, each with its own current controller and charging path. This allows different portions of the battery to be charged at different rates simultaneously, enabling fast charging of specific segments while maintaining overall energy storage capacity. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed charging in active segments while preserving total energy capacity across all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic charge control where the charging current is continuously adjusted based on real-time battery state monitoring. The system dynamically switches between charging modes and adjusts current distribution across segments, enabling the battery to accept high charging speeds when conditions permit while maintaining safety and longevity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between fixed energy storage design and variable charging speed requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional batteries are used, then energy storage is improved, but cycle life deteriorates due to electrode degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different charging strategies to different segments of the battery based on their individual states. Each segment can be charged at optimized rates appropriate to its current condition, temperature, and charge level. This localized charge management prevents uniform overcharging or excessive current stress across the entire battery, thereby reducing electrode degradation in each segment and extending overall cycle life while maintaining total energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of battery parameters including voltage, current, temperature, and charge state across multiple segments. This feedback information is used by the control system to adjust charging parameters in real-time, preventing conditions that lead to electrode degradation. The feedback mechanism ensures that charging is optimized to preserve cycle life while maintaining energy storage function, resolving the contradiction between capacity and reliability.
3Power
If supercapacitors are used to provide high power density, then charging speed is improved, but energy storage capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of supercapacitors (high power density, fast charging) with conventional batteries (high energy storage) by implementing a hybrid architecture where multiple battery segments work together. The system combines segments that can be rapidly charged with segments optimized for energy storage, creating a unified powertrain that delivers both high power density and substantial energy capacity. This merging resolves the contradiction by integrating complementary characteristics into a single system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the battery system to perform multiple functions simultaneously: energy storage, fast charging acceptance, and high power delivery. By configuring segments with different characteristics and using intelligent control, the same battery system can operate in different modes depending on requirements - sometimes prioritizing energy storage, sometimes prioritizing power density and charging speed. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between power and energy by making the system adaptable to different operational demands.
4Speed
If fast charging is implemented, then charging speed is improved, but electrode degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fast charging to only portions of the battery at any given time rather than charging the entire battery at maximum rate. By selectively applying high charging current to specific segments while charging others at lower rates, the system achieves overall fast charging capability while limiting the degradation stress on any single electrode. This partial application of excessive charging action resolves the contradiction between speed and electrode health.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors battery state continuously and adjusts charging parameters in advance to prevent conditions that would cause electrode degradation. The control system anticipates potential degradation risks and modulates charging current before damage occurs, cushioning the electrodes from excessive stress. This proactive protection enables fast charging to proceed while maintaining electrode integrity and extending 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 system achieves high power density, extended cycle life, and efficient energy storage, bridging the performance gap between batteries and supercapacitors by enabling rapid charging and discharging while minimizing electrode degradation.
Implementation Method 1
the operation of batteries is based on electrochemical redox reactions
Implementation Method 2
an anode of the modified fast-charging lithium ion battery comprises mechanical barriers configured to prevent full expansion of the anode material upon lithiation
Implementation Method 3
a carbonate-based electrolyte with lithium electrolyte salt(s)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Electric vehicles (EVs), power trains and control units and methods are provided. Power trains comprise a main fast-charging lithium ion battery (FC), configured to deliver power to the electric vehicle, a supercapacitor-emulating fast-charging lithium ion battery (SCeFC), configured to receive power and deliver power to the FC and/or to the EV, and a control unit. Both the FC and the SCeFC have anodes based on the same anode active material, and the SCeFC is configured to operate at high rates within a limited operation range of state of charge (SoC), maintained by the control unit, which is further configured to manage the FC and the SCeFC with respect to power delivery to and from the EV, respectively, and manage power delivery from the SCeFC to the FC according to specified criteria that minimize a depth of discharge and/or a number of cycles of the FC.