System and method of operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, during charge or discharge using microchannels and high thermal conductivity materials

摘要

A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes placing an electrical load to draw current from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes generating electricity by at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes thermal control of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device by transferring heat to a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components. The at least one microchannel is at least partially formed of or coated with a high thermal conductivity material. The high thermal conductivity material has a high k-value. The high k-value is greater than approximately 410 W/(m*K). Further still, the method includes transferring the collected heat through a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels. The thermal sink is configured to transfer heat energy to or from the microchannel and to receive a fluid flowing through the microchannels.