1. A thermal management-enabled electrochemical system comprising: a porous electrode structure formed of electrically conductive material having controlled porosity, permeability, and pore distribution; an integrated internal fluid flow network comprising one or more microchannels and/or interconnected pores configured to permit circulation of a cooling fluid within the electrode; and a control mechanism configured to regulate fluid flow parameters, wherein the combined porous structure and internal fluid flow are arranged to enable simultaneous electrochemical reactions and internal convective heat dissipation, thereby reducing temperature gradients and thermal hotspots within the system.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the porous electrode comprises a multi-scale pore architecture including micro-pores and macro-pores configured to enhance both electrochemical surface area and fluid transport.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal fluid flow network is configured to distribute coolant uniformly across the electrode volume to achieve spatially uniform temperature distribution.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling fluid comprises at least one of a liquid coolant, gaseous coolant, or electrolyte-based fluid adapted for simultaneous heat transfer and electrochemical compatibility.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode structure is configured to facilitate dual heat dissipation mechanisms comprising: (i) conductive heat transfer through the electrode material; and (ii) convective heat transfer via fluid flow within the porous network.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a predictive control module operatively coupled to the system, configured to receive input parameters including porosity, permeability, fluid flow rate, and operating conditions, and to generate optimized operating parameters for improved thermal performance.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predictive control module is implemented using a trained data-driven model configured to approximate thermal and fluid dynamic behavior of the system without requiring real-time multi-physics simulations.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal fluid flow network comprises embedded microchannels, permeable pathways, or a combination thereof, integrated during fabrication of the electrode structure.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrochemical system comprises at least one of a lithium-ion battery, solid-state battery, fuel cell, or supercapacitor.

10. A method for thermal management in an electrochemical system comprising: providing a porous electrode having controlled porosity and permeability; circulating a cooling fluid through an internal fluid flow network within the porous electrode; dissipating heat generated during electrochemical operation through combined conductive and convective mechanisms; and adjusting fluid flow parameters based on system conditions to maintain uniform temperature distribution and reduce thermal hotspots.

Description:The present invention relates to an advanced system for improving thermal management in energy storage and conversion devices through the integration of porous electrode structures with internal fluid flow mechanisms, further optimized using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based modeling and prediction techniques. The invention is designed to enhance thermal dissipation, improve electrochemical performance, and ensure safe and efficient operation of devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors.
General Configuration of the System: The system comprises a porous electrode structure formed from electrically conductive and thermally suitable materials. The electrode is engineered with a controlled porous microstructure characterized by optimized parameters such as porosity, permeability, pore size distribution, and tortuosity. These structural features enable efficient electrochemical reactions while also allowing the passage of a cooling or working fluid through the internal network of pores or dedicated microchannels.
An integrated fluid flow system is embedded within or coupled to the porous electrode. This system facilitates the circulation of a coolant or electrolyte-based fluid through the electrode matrix. The flow of fluid directly within or across the porous structure enhances heat removal from internal regions where heat is generated during electrochemical operation. Thermal Management Mechanism: During operation of the energy storage or conversion device, heat is generated due to electrochemical reactions and internal resistance. In the present invention, this heat is effectively dissipated through a dual mechanism: Conduction through the porous electrode material, and Convective heat transfer via fluid flow within the porous network. This combined mechanism reduces temperature gradients, prevents localized overheating, and maintains a stable operating temperature across the electrode structure. As a result, the system improves thermal uniformity and reduces the risk of performance degradation and thermal runaway.
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Integration: The invention further incorporates an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based computational framework to model, predict, and optimize system performance. The ANN is trained using datasets obtained from experimental measurements and/or numerical simulations such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermal analysis. The ANN model receives input parameters including electrode porosity, permeability, fluid velocity, thermal conductivity, and operating conditions. It outputs critical performance indicators such as temperature distribution, pressure drop, heat transfer efficiency, and electrochemical performance metrics. The trained ANN functions as a surrogate model, enabling rapid prediction of system behavior and eliminating the need for repeated high-cost simulations. Additionally, the ANN is used in conjunction with optimization techniques to determine optimal design configurations that minimize thermal hotspots and maximize overall efficiency.
Operation of the Invention: In operation, the porous electrode is subjected to electrochemical activity, during which heat is generated. Simultaneously, a cooling fluid is circulated through the porous structure. The ANN-based model continuously or periodically evaluates system parameters and predicts performance outcomes. Based on these predictions, design or operational parameters may be adjusted to maintain optimal thermal and electrochemical conditions.
Advantages:
The present invention provides several advantages, including:
• Improved thermal dissipation and temperature uniformity
• Enhanced electrochemical efficiency and system performance
• Reduction of thermal hotspots and associated safety risks
• Lower computational cost compared to conventional simulation methods
• Faster design optimization using ANN-based prediction
• Applicability across multiple energy storage and conversion systems
, C , C , Claims:1. A thermal management-enabled electrochemical system comprising:
a porous electrode structure formed of electrically conductive material having controlled porosity, permeability, and pore distribution;
an integrated internal fluid flow network comprising one or more microchannels and/or interconnected pores configured to permit circulation of a cooling fluid within the electrode; and
a control mechanism configured to regulate fluid flow parameters,
wherein the combined porous structure and internal fluid flow are arranged to enable simultaneous electrochemical reactions and internal convective heat dissipation, thereby reducing temperature gradients and thermal hotspots within the system.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the porous electrode comprises a multi-scale pore architecture including micro-pores and macro-pores configured to enhance both electrochemical surface area and fluid transport.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal fluid flow network is configured to distribute coolant uniformly across the electrode volume to achieve spatially uniform temperature distribution.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling fluid comprises at least one of a liquid coolant, gaseous coolant, or electrolyte-based fluid adapted for simultaneous heat transfer and electrochemical compatibility.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode structure is configured to facilitate dual heat dissipation mechanisms comprising:
(i) conductive heat transfer through the electrode material; and
(ii) convective heat transfer via fluid flow within the porous network.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a predictive control module operatively coupled to the system, configured to receive input parameters including porosity, permeability, fluid flow rate, and operating conditions, and to generate optimized operating parameters for improved thermal performance.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predictive control module is implemented using a trained data-driven model configured to approximate thermal and fluid dynamic behavior of the system without requiring real-time multi-physics simulations.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal fluid flow network comprises embedded microchannels, permeable pathways, or a combination thereof, integrated during fabrication of the electrode structure.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrochemical system comprises at least one of a lithium-ion battery, solid-state battery, fuel cell, or supercapacitor.

10. A method for thermal management in an electrochemical system comprising:
providing a porous electrode having controlled porosity and permeability;
circulating a cooling fluid through an internal fluid flow network within the porous electrode;
dissipating heat generated during electrochemical operation through combined conductive and convective mechanisms; and
adjusting fluid flow parameters based on system conditions to maintain uniform temperature distribution and reduce thermal hotspots.