Vacuum-Capacitor Energy Storage with Engineered Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage technologies, such as Li-ion batteries and Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors, fail to meet the requirements of high energy density per volume and mass, low cost, unlimited charge/discharge cycles, fast charging, temperature insensitivity, and non-toxic materials, with Li-ion batteries being costly and EDLCs having low energy density.
Innovation Solution
The development of a vacuum-capacitor apparatus with engineered electrodes and a non-uniform permittivity region, utilizing a vacuum gap instead of a dielectric medium to maximize electric field strength and energy density, and employing high-K thin-film dielectrics to minimize leakage currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Li-ion batteries are used to achieve high energy density, then energy density per volume is improved, but cost increases and charge/discharge cycle life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the capacitor by using a vacuum gap instead of a dielectric material, enabling operation at extremely high electric fields (10^9 to 10^11 V/m) without dielectric breakdown. This parameter change allows achieving energy densities comparable to Li-ion batteries while avoiding their cost and cycle life limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrode structures with engineered surfaces including ultra-smooth coatings (e.g., tungsten, molybdenum, or dielectric layers like SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3) combined with vacuum gaps. This composite approach minimizes leakage currents while maintaining high energy density, resolving the contradiction between performance and manufacturing cost
2Quantity of substance
If dielectric material is used in capacitor to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but leakage currents increase reducing retention time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dielectric material from the capacitor structure entirely, replacing it with a vacuum gap. This elimination of dielectric material removes the source of leakage currents while maintaining or enhancing energy density through the ability to sustain extremely high electric fields without breakdown
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vacuum as an inert environment between the electrodes, which prevents any material-based leakage paths. The vacuum gap creates an environment where no charge carriers can exist to conduct leakage current, thereby improving retention time while maintaining high energy density
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional capacitor structures are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but energy density per volume is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the operating parameters of the capacitor by eliminating the dielectric gap and using a vacuum environment, enabling operation at electric fields 100-1000 times higher than conventional capacitors. This parameter change achieves high energy density with simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing that avoids expensive dielectric materials and complex assembly processes
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 solution achieves energy densities comparable to or exceeding those of lithium-ion batteries, with improved retention time and cost-effectiveness, enabling applications in various temperature ranges and energy storage demands.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a vacuum gap instead of a dielectric medium to maximize electric field strength and energy density
Implementation Method 2
maximize electric field strength and energy density
Implementation Method 3
employing high-K thin-film dielectrics to minimize leakage currents
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and associated method for an energy-storage device (e.g., a capacitor) having a plurality of electrically conducting electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a non-electrically conducting region, and wherein the non-electrically conducting region further includes a non-uniform permittivity (K) value. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a substrate; fabricating a first electrode on the substrate; and fabricating a second electrode such that the second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a non-electrically conducting region, wherein the non-electrically conducting region has a non-uniform permittivity (K) value. The capacitor devices will find benefit for use in electric vehicles, of all kinds, uninterruptible power supplies, wind turbines, mobile phones, and the like requiring wide temperature ranges from several hundreds of degrees C. down to absolute zero, consumer electronics operating in a temperature range of −55 degrees C. to 125 degrees C.