Three-dimensional electrodes with conductive foam for electron and lithium-ion transport
US8962190B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2011 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The current thickness limitations of battery electrodes are addressed. An electrode includes an electrically conductive porous foam layer, an energy-storage material in contact with the porous foam layer, and electrically conductive porous foam protrusions extending from the porous foam layer into the energy-storage material. The energy-storage material is not contained within the pores of the foam layer or the foam protrusions. These electrodes allow lithium ions (and other metal ions, if desired) to diffuse deeper into a thick energy-storage material layer, compared to conventional planar electrodes. In particular methods, fluidic foam precursors can be templated in a mold, followed by conversion into a solid conductive foam that includes the electrically conductive porous foam protrusions. The result is batteries with surprisingly high energy densities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.