UV-Cured Printed Solid Electrolyte for Flexible Electrochromics
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective methods for producing solid electrolytes using inkjet deposition in electrochromic devices, which are essential for flexible electrochemical applications, as existing technologies do not adequately address the need for high ionic conductivity and durability.
Innovation Solution
A UV photopolymerization process is employed to create a solid polymeric electrolyte using a solution comprising ionic compounds, polymerizable monomers, photoinitiators, and polar solvents, which is deposited via inkjet printing, allowing for the formation of a flexible, high-ionic-conductivity electrolyte that is restricted to the electrochromic material area, reducing energy consumption and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrolyte production methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision and control over electrolyte properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inkjet printing to precisely control the deposition parameters of electrolyte solution, including drop size, deposition speed, and layer thickness. This enables accurate control of electrolyte properties such as ionic conductivity and composition distribution, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte solution is prepared in advance with specific composition ratios of lithium salts, carbonates, and additives before deposition. This preliminary formulation ensures that the inkjet-printed electrolyte achieves desired properties without complex in-process adjustments, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving precision
2Use of energy by moving object
If inkjet deposition is used to restrict electrolyte to electrochromic area, then energy consumption is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet printing system uses self-aligned deposition where the electrolyte solution naturally confines to the electrochromic material area through capillary action and surface tension. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for high-precision alignment control while achieving the energy-saving benefit of restricted electrolyte placement
Solution Approach 2:
The inkjet process deposits electrolyte solution with locally optimized composition and thickness specifically at the electrochromic material area. By varying deposition parameters locally rather than requiring uniform high precision across the entire substrate, the system reduces overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining energy efficiency
3Reliability
If solid polymeric electrolyte is formed through UV photopolymerization, then ionic conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrolyte deposition and solidification processes into a single integrated step: inkjet printing of the electrolyte solution followed immediately by UV photopolymerization. This merging of operations achieves high ionic conductivity through solid polymeric structure formation while minimizing device complexity by eliminating separate handling steps
4Reliability
If photopolymerizable electrolyte solution is used, then durability is improved, but manufacturing precision control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical or thermal polymerization methods with UV photopolymerization. This substitution enables precise control of the polymerization process through light exposure parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength) rather than difficult-to-control mechanical mixing or heating, achieving both improved durability and manageable manufacturing precision control
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 resulting electrolyte exhibits high ionic conductivity, excellent durability under extreme conditions, and superior optical memory, with over 80% contrast retention after 100,000 cycles, making it suitable for flexible electrochemical devices with reduced energy consumption and fabrication costs.
Implementation Method 1
In a photopolymerization process the energy provided to the reaction (ultraviolet radiation) is used in the cleavage of the photoinitiator with the formation of free radicals
Implementation Method 2
the monomers are added sequentially, one by one, with the propagation of the radical
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The composition and method for depositing and processing a solid transparent electrolyte polymerized by ultraviolet (UV) radiation are described. The electrolyte composition includes, at least, an ionic compound, a polymerizable material, a photoinitiator and a polar solvent. The electrolyte is deposited by printing techniques, such as inkjet printing.