Ultracapacitor Electrolyte Composition for Extreme Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage cells, such as ultracapacitors, face challenges in maintaining performance and reliability at high and low temperatures due to the degradation of electrolytes, leading to issues with conductivity, capacitance, and leakage current.

Innovation Solution

The development of an advanced electrolyte system (AES) comprising ionic liquids with specific anions and cations, and a solvent, which maintains low halide and water content, is used within a hermetically sealed housing to create an ultracapacitor capable of operating between -40°C and 210°C, ensuring stable conductivity and low internal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrolytes are used in ultracapacitors, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but reliability and performance stability at high temperatures deteriorate due to degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using specific ionic liquids (imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium salts) with controlled halide and water content, enabling the electrolyte to maintain stability at high temperatures while remaining manufacturable through established electrochemical processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining multiple ionic liquid components with specific ratios, where the synergistic interaction between different ions provides both high-temperature reliability and manufacturability through controlled composition rather than complex processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If electrolytes are designed for high temperature operation, then reliability at elevated temperatures is improved, but performance at low temperatures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes electrolyte parameters including ionic liquid selection, halide content (0-100 ppm), water content (0-500 ppm), and viscosity control to achieve a balance where the electrolyte remains stable at high temperatures while maintaining sufficient fluidity and conductivity at low temperatures for wide adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures homogeneous distribution and stability of ionic liquid components throughout the electrolyte system, preventing phase separation or precipitation across the temperature range from -40°C to 210°C, which maintains both high-temperature reliability and low-temperature adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Device complexity

If traditional electrolytes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but conductivity and capacitance stability at elevated temperatures deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental chemical parameters of the electrolyte to ionic liquids with controlled impurity levels, which inherently provide high conductivity and capacitance stability at elevated temperatures without adding mechanical complexity or additional system components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Power

If electrolytes with high conductivity are used, then power density is improved, but leakage current increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower densityVSAvoidleakage current

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes electrolyte parameters including ionic liquid concentration, halide content (0-100 ppm), and water content (0-500 ppm) to achieve the optimal balance where high conductivity provides peak power density while controlled impurity levels minimize leakage current through reduced parasitic reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 AES enables ultracapacitors to maintain peak power density and durability over a wide temperature range, reducing leakage current and increasing the lifespan of the device while maintaining performance and stability.

Implementation Method 1

an advanced electrolyte system (AES) comprising an ionic liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

within an hermetically sealed housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12165806B2Advanced electrolyte systems and their use in energy storage devices

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 FASTCAP ULTRACAPACITORS LLC

AI summary

An ultracapacitor that includes an energy storage cell immersed in an advanced electrolyte system and disposed within a hermetically sealed housing, the cell electrically coupled to a positive contact and a negative contact, wherein the ultracapacitor is configured to output electrical energy within a temperature range between about −40 degrees Celsius to about 210 degrees Celsius. Methods of fabrication and use are provided.