Cell breakdown
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers for "cell breakdown"
Cell Breakdown: Mechanisms and Implications
Mechanical and Electrical Stress-Induced Membrane Breakdown
Mechanical Tension and Electrical Stress
Cell membranes can undergo breakdown due to the combined effects of mechanical tension and electrical stress. Research using HEK293 cells has shown that short, high-voltage pulses (50 microseconds) require more than 0.5 V to cause membrane breakdown, which is dependent on the tension applied to the membrane. Conversely, longer pulses (50-100 milliseconds) require lower voltages (0.2-0.4 V) and are independent of tension. This indicates that two distinct processes can lead to membrane breakdown: one involving the lipid bilayer under short pulses and another mechanism for longer pulses1.
Dielectric Breakdown
Dielectric breakdown of cell membranes has been demonstrated in human and bovine red blood cells and Escherichia coli B. Using a Coulter Counter, it was found that the membrane potential at which dielectric breakdown occurs is approximately 1.6 V. This breakdown results in the complete loss of hemoglobin in red blood cells, indicating a significant structural failure of the membrane. The critical voltage for breakdown is influenced by the cell volume and membrane composition, with variations observed between different growth phases of E. coli2.
Degradation in Lithium-Ion and Solar Cells
Lithium-Ion Cell Degradation
In commercial LiFePO4 cells, capacity fade is a major issue. For high-power (HP) cells, the primary cause is the loss of lithium inventory. High-energy (HE) cells exhibit more complex degradation patterns, influenced by the rate of usage. Techniques such as rest-cell-voltage measurements and dQ/dV analysis have been used to trace these degradation modes. Initial capacity increases at higher rates are attributed to electrochemical milling, which increases active surface area and reduces polarization resistance3.
Solar Cell Breakdown Mechanisms
Multicrystalline silicon solar cells exhibit three types of breakdown under reverse bias: early breakdown due to aluminum contamination, defect-induced breakdown from metal-containing precipitates, and avalanche breakdown characterized by impact ionization. The onset voltage for these breakdowns can be influenced by the etching process used during manufacturing5. In monocrystalline silicon solar cells, similar breakdown types are observed, with defect-induced breakdown sites identified using electroluminescence imaging. The Zener effect is noted as a cause for early breakdown, often linked to metal stains like aluminum8.
Implications and Diagnostic Approaches
Diagnostic Techniques
Advanced diagnostic techniques such as electroluminescence imaging and distributed circuit modeling are crucial for identifying and understanding breakdown mechanisms in solar cells. These methods allow for precise localization and characterization of defect-induced breakdown sites, providing insights into the underlying causes and potential mitigation strategies7 8.
Performance Degradation in Fuel Cells
In solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), performance degradation is assessed using parameters like area-specific resistance (ASR) and degradation rate (DR). ASR increases with degradation and is a reliable metric for comparing performance differences due to design or material changes. DR is essential for evaluating efficiency changes over the cell's lifetime, which is critical for end users9.
Conclusion
Understanding the mechanisms behind cell breakdown, whether in biological membranes or energy storage and conversion devices, is essential for improving performance and longevity. Mechanical and electrical stresses, dielectric properties, and material composition all play significant roles in these processes. Advanced diagnostic tools and modeling techniques are invaluable for identifying breakdown causes and developing strategies to mitigate their effects.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The breakdown of cell membranes by electrical and mechanical stress.
Cell membrane breakdown can be caused by both mechanical tension and electrical stress, with the bilayer potentially holding 40% of the mean tension in a cell patch.
In Vitro Study
Highly CitedDielectric Breakdown of Cell Membranes
Dielectric breakdown of cell membranes can cause hemolysis in red blood cells and bacteria, with the critical detector voltage depending on cell volume and membrane composition.
Highly CitedCell degradation in commercial LiFePO4 cells with high-power and high-energy designs
Capacity fade in LiFePO4 cells is primarily due to loss of lithium inventory, while the degradation in high-energy cells is more complex and influenced by rate.
Highly CitedAdvancing the Understanding of Reverse Breakdown in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells
Reverse breakdown in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells can be modelled using Fowler-Nordheim tunneling and Poole-Frenkel conduction, with defects potentially playing a role in breakdown-related phenomena.
Understanding junction breakdown in multicrystalline solar cells
Junction breakdown in multicrystalline silicon solar cells can be categorized into three types: early breakdown (type 1), defect-induced breakdown (type 2), and avalanche breakdown (type 3).
Highly Cited