Methods for forming flow channels in metal inverse opal structures

US11220426B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC. · US
• The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois · US

Inventors

• Shailesh N. Joshi · Ann Arbor, US
• Paul V. Braun · Champaign, US
• Julia Kohanek · Champaign, US
• Gaurav Singhal · Champaign, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 2020
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2022
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C04B2111/40
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for forming a flow channel in a MIO structure includes positioning a plurality of sacrificial spheres along a base substrate, heating a region of the plurality of sacrificial spheres above a melting point of the plurality of sacrificial spheres, thereby fusing the plurality of sacrificial spheres together and forming a solid channel, electrodepositing material between the plurality of sacrificial spheres and around the solid channel, removing the plurality of sacrificial spheres to form the MIO structure, and removing the solid channel to form the flow channel extending through the MIO structure.