3D Trench Lithium Microbattery with Solid Polymer Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-solid-state Li-ion batteries face commercial limitations due to leakage, dielectric breakdown, and parasitic cell degradation, particularly in 3D microbattery fabrication, which affects their practicality and safety in miniaturized energy storage devices for IoT and healthcare applications.
Innovation Solution
A novel method involving the formation of lithium energy storage devices with trench structures in silicon substrates, using solid polymer electrolytes and a bi-layer of lithium metal and interphase layer to prevent lithium ion entry or exit, ensuring structural integrity and low resistive pathways for charge movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thin film encapsulation and packaging techniques are used in all-solid-state Li-ion batteries, then manufacturing control is maintained, but leakage, dielectric breakdown, and parasitic cell degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
A solid polymer electrolyte is introduced as an intermediary layer between the anode and cathode, replacing conventional liquid electrolytes. This solid polymer electrolyte prevents leakage and dielectric breakdown while maintaining ionic conductivity, directly addressing the harmful factors generated by conventional battery structures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid polymer form. This parameter change eliminates leakage risks and improves dielectric properties while maintaining the necessary ionic conductivity for battery operation, resolving the contradiction between reliability control and harmful factor prevention
2Quantity of substance
If 3D microbattery fabrication is pursued for miniaturization, then energy density increases, but fabrication failures and structural integrity issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The battery structure is segmented into distinct functional layers (anode, solid polymer electrolyte, cathode) deposited sequentially in a trench structure. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently and reduces fabrication complexity, lowering failure rates while maintaining high energy density through the 3D trench configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional 2D planar battery structures to 3D vertical trench structures. This dimensional change increases energy density by utilizing vertical space while maintaining manufacturing precision through standard thin film deposition techniques applied in the vertical dimension
3Quantity of substance
If lithium metal electrode material is used to increase specific capacity, then theoretical capacity increases to 3860 mAh/g, but mechanical stress and structural degradation during charge/discharge cycles increase
Solution Approach 1:
A bi-layer structure consisting of a thin film anode and a flexible solid polymer electrolyte is employed. This structure accommodates the volume changes of lithium metal during charge/discharge cycles while maintaining structural integrity, preventing degradation despite the high specific capacity of lithium metal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining lithium metal anode material with a solid polymer electrolyte. This composite approach leverages the high capacity of lithium metal while the solid polymer matrix provides mechanical stability and prevents structural degradation during cycling
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 approach enhances the durability and performance of energy storage devices by reducing interfacial resistance, increasing energy density, and preventing mechanical stress during charge/discharge cycles, thereby improving the longevity and efficiency of miniaturized energy storage solutions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) are deposited on the anode materials... The electrolyte has an electrolyte top interface with the cathode and an electrolyte bottom interface with the anode
Implementation Method 2
a bi-layer of lithium metal and interphase layer to prevent lithium ion entry or exit, ensuring structural integrity
Implementation Method 3
One or more trenches are formed in a solid silicon substrate... Each trench has a trench bottom, one or more trench sides, and a trench cavity defined by the trench bottom and trench sides
Data Source
AI summary
Making a rechargeable Lithium energy storage device begins by forming one or more trenches in a solid silicon substrate. One or more region interface precursors are deposited in the trench followed by one or more anode materials, one or more solid polymer electrolytes (SPE), and one or more cathode materials. Electrically cycling transforms the battery structures prior to full operation of the battery. Some, or all, of the process steps can be performed while the materials are within the trench, i.e. in-situ.