Terahertz Electrode Sensing for Battery Dendrite Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery management systems fail to monitor internal structural changes and abnormalities in electrical batteries, leading to hazardous events such as short circuits, explosions, and performance degradation due to their reliance on external characteristics rather than internal state monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus utilizing Terahertz electromagnetic radiation to interact with the electrode surface, forming a waveguide region that changes with the battery's state-of-charge, allowing for the detection of temporal changes indicative of dendritic growths and other structural irregularities through a detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional battery management systems monitor only external characteristics, then the system complexity is low and ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement precision of internal battery state is insufficient and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (ionic conductor or electrolyte) that mediates between the battery's internal state and the external sensing system. This intermediary allows the detection system to indirectly measure internal battery conditions (such as dendrite formation, ion concentration, and electrode degradation) without requiring direct contact with or complex integration into the battery structure, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional electrical sensing methods with optical sensing using visible light or infrared radiation. This substitution allows non-contact measurement of battery internal state through optical properties (absorption, reflection, transmission) of the electrolyte and electrode materials, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of electrical probes and direct electrical contact systems
2Reliability
If conventional battery management systems use external characteristic monitoring, then the device complexity is low, but hazardous events such as short circuits and explosions cannot be prevented in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary detection of dangerous conditions (dendrite formation, electrode degradation, electrolyte decomposition) by continuously monitoring optical characteristics before they lead to hazardous events. The system detects early signs of battery failure through changes in light absorption, reflection, or transmission properties, allowing preventive action to be taken before short circuits, thermal runaway, or explosions occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical radiation (visible light or infrared) as an intermediary to safely probe battery internal state without introducing electrical contacts or mechanical probes that could themselves cause hazards. This non-contact sensing method improves safety by eliminating potential failure points while providing reliable detection of dangerous conditions
3Measurement precision
If Terahertz electromagnetic radiation is used to sense electrode structure, then measurement precision of internal abnormalities is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of electromagnetic radiation (frequency, power, pulse duration) to achieve effective electrode structure sensing with minimal energy consumption. By selecting appropriate Terahertz frequency ranges and using pulsed rather than continuous radiation, the system maintains high measurement precision for detecting dendrites and electrode degradation while significantly reducing the energy required compared to continuous high-power radiation sources
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
Enables precise identification of internal abnormalities, preventing hazardous events and ensuring safety by continuously monitoring the electrode's health, both in-situ and ex-situ, thereby extending the battery's operational lifespan and reducing safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
a source of Terahertz electromagnetic radiation, and a coupling arrangement that couples Terahertz electromagnetic radiation from the source into the waveguide region, whereat the Terahertz electromagnetic radiation interacts with one or more features present at the surface of the electrode
Implementation Method 2
the electrode is arranged to have one or more layers spatially adjacent to form a waveguide region that includes a surface of the electrode
Implementation Method 3
a detector that receives Terahertz electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted through the waveguide region, and processes the Terahertz electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted to determine temporal changes therein
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing apparatus that senses structure of electrode of electrical battery. The electrode is arranged to have layers spatially adjacent thereto that provide a waveguide region that includes a surface of the electrode that changes in structure. The sensing apparatus includes a source of Terahertz electromagnetic radiation, and a coupling arrangement that couples Terahertz electromagnetic radiation from the source into the waveguide region. The Terahertz electromagnetic radiation interacts with features present at the surface. The sensing apparatus includes detector that receives Terahertz electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted through the waveguide region, and processes the Terahertz electromagnetic radiation to determine temporal changes therein that are indicative of dendritic growths occurring at the surface of the electrode or any manufacturing or structural faults.