Electric Field Anode Coating for All-Solid-State Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-solid-state batteries face challenges in achieving high energy density due to the use of solid electrolytes with higher specific gravity, interface bonding issues, dendrite growth, high cost, and difficulty in scaling, particularly with non-uniform metal distribution and coating layer defects in anodeless-type batteries.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for manufacturing an anode using an electric field to uniformly coat a carbon material and metal alloyable with lithium on an anode current collector, suppressing solvent-induced metal movement and eliminating the need for additional pressing processes, by applying a voltage difference between spaced coating members to generate an electric field for coating the slurry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a slurry coating method is used to form a coating layer on the anode current collector, then the coating process can be performed using conventional techniques, but metal distribution becomes non-uniform due to solvent volatilization and material flocculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical slurry coating method with an electric field-based coating method. By applying a voltage between the anode current collector and a coating member, the coating slurry is deposited uniformly without relying on mechanical spreading, thereby eliminating the non-uniform metal distribution caused by solvent volatilization and material flocculation in conventional mechanical coating processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the coating process by introducing an electric field (voltage application) to control the deposition of coating materials. This parameter change enables precise control over metal distribution uniformity while maintaining coating process feasibility, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If a pressurizing process is applied to the coating layer, then coating density can be increased, but cracks are generated leading to internal short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressurizing process with an electric field-based coating method. The uniform deposition achieved through electric field control inherently produces a dense coating layer without the need for subsequent pressurizing, thereby preventing crack formation and internal short-circuits while maintaining high coating density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the density-enhancing action during the coating deposition itself rather than as a separate post-processing step. The electric field-controlled deposition directly forms a dense, crack-free coating layer, eliminating the need for subsequent pressurizing that would cause cracks and internal short-circuits.
3Reliability
If solid electrolyte is used to increase ion conductivity, then battery safety is improved, but energy density decreases due to higher specific gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter by using a metal alloyable with lithium instead of conventional solid electrolyte in the coating layer. This parameter change reduces the specific gravity of the coating materials, thereby increasing energy density while maintaining the all-solid-state battery structure and ion conductivity through the solid electrolyte layer between cathode and anode.
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
This approach results in a uniformly distributed, high-density coating layer without flocculation, reducing the risk of internal short-circuits and enabling efficient lithium precipitation, thereby enhancing the energy density and manufacturing simplicity of all-solid-state batteries.
Implementation Method 1
coating the coating slurry on the current collector by using an electric field generated between the first coating member and the second coating member by applying voltages to the first coating member and the second coating member
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus of manufacturing an anode for an all-solid-state battery by using an electric field. The manufacturing method includes: preparing a first coating member and a second coating member spaced apart from the first coating member by a predetermined distance; preparing a coating slurry, the coating slurry including a carbon material and a metal alloyable with lithium; feeding the coating slurry to the first coating member; feeding a current collector between the first coating member and the second coating member; and coating the coating slurry on the current collector by using an electric field generated between the first coating member and the second coating member by applying voltages to the first coating member and the second coating member.