3D Printing Apparatus for Microsupercapacitor Electrode Fabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fabricating microsupercapacitors fail to achieve sufficient storage capacity due to thin electrode thickness and wide intervals between positive and negative poles, limiting their energy storage capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A 3-D printing apparatus that uses specialized inks to form electrodes, electrolytes, and packaging with precise control over thickness and spacing, allowing for the creation of thicker electrodes with narrower intervals between poles, thereby enhancing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional fabrication methods (photolithography, screen printing, plasma etching) are used to create microsupercapacitors, then the device size is reduced, but the electrode thickness becomes too thin to achieve sufficient storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar 2D electrode fabrication to 3D vertical stacking, creating multiple electrode layers (positive and negative poles) stacked in the thickness direction. This dimensional change allows the electrode structure to achieve greater effective surface area and storage capacity within a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between small device size and sufficient storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a stacked configuration where multiple electrode layers are nested vertically, with positive and negative poles alternating in the thickness direction. Each layer is positioned within the overall device structure, allowing compact arrangement of multiple functional elements to maximize space utilization and storage capacity in a small volume
2Quantity of substance
If the interval between positive and negative poles is reduced to increase storage capacity, then the energy density improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode structure into discrete, alternating layers of positive and negative poles stacked in sequence. This segmentation into standardized layers with consistent spacing allows for systematic manufacturing and precise control of intervals between opposing poles, reducing the complexity of achieving tight tolerances while maintaining high storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the interval distance between positive and negative poles to a specific range (10-100 μm) that balances manufacturing feasibility with performance requirements. By establishing this optimized parameter range, the invention achieves high storage capacity without requiring extreme manufacturing precision, resolving the contradiction between reduced interval and manufacturing precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively increases the electric capacity of microsupercapacitors by forming electrodes with a wider surface area and narrower intervals, leading to improved energy storage performance.
Implementation Method 1
a dispenser (300) connected to the ink supply unit (110) by a gas supply tube (350), for supplying gas having controlled pressure to the ink supply unit (110) through the gas supply tube (350)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a 3-D printing apparatus. The apparatus includes an ink output module including an ink supply unit having an ink for forming an electrode portion, electrolyte or packaging portion received therein and an ink discharge unit coupled to the ink supply unit; a driving unit having the ink output module mounted thereon to move the ink output module in an X, Y, Z axis direction with respect to a substrate where a supercapacitor or secondary battery will be formed; a dispenser connected to the ink supply unit to supply gas having controlled pressure to the ink supply unit through a gas supply tube and to supply the ink within the ink supply unit through the ink discharge unit; and a controller controlling the output of the ink by transmitting a control command for fabricating the supercapacitor or the secondary battery to the dispenser and the driving unit.