3D Printed Micro-Supercapacitor Electrodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing micro-supercapacitors result in devices with insufficient storage capacity due to thin electrodes, limiting their energy storage capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a 3D printer to form electrodes in multiple layers on current collectors, with conductive ink and subsequent metal coating to enhance conductivity, allowing for thicker electrodes and increased surface area, thereby enhancing energy storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional methods (photolithography, plasma etching) are used to manufacture micro-supercapacitors, then the device size is reduced to micro-scale, but the electrode thickness becomes insufficient leading to low storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies 3D printing technology to manufacture electrodes in three dimensions rather than conventional two-dimensional planar structures. This enables the creation of thick, multi-layered electrodes with complex 3D architectures that significantly increase the volume and quantity of active materials while maintaining micro-scale device footprint, thereby resolving the contradiction between small size and low storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures by combining conductive inks with metal coatings to create multi-material electrodes. The 3D printed conductive ink provides the base structure and conductivity, while subsequent metal coating enhances electrical properties and structural integrity, enabling both thin and thick electrode configurations to achieve high storage capacity in micro-scale devices
2Quantity of substance
If electrode thickness is increased to improve storage capacity, then manufacturing complexity increases due to limitations of conventional methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical manufacturing methods (photolithography, plasma etching) with 3D printing technology that uses digital modeling and additive manufacturing. This substitution enables straightforward control of electrode thickness through software parameters rather than complex multi-step mechanical processes, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity while enabling thick electrode structures for high storage capacity
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 method significantly increases the energy storage capacity of micro-supercapacitors by thickening the electrodes and improving conductivity, while also allowing for on-board processing and minimizing material waste.
Implementation Method 1
forming a pair of current collectors by discharging conductive ink on a substrate surface with a 3D printer
Implementation Method 2
forming an electrode consisting of an anode and a cathode by stacking an electrode constituting material in the form of a plurality of layers on each of the pair of current collectors using the 3D printer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a micro-supercapacitor with an increased storage capacity of electrical energy. The method is a method of manufacturing a high-capacity micro-supercapacitor including an anode and a cathode separated from each other, which includes forming a pair of current collectors by discharging conductive ink on a substrate surface with a 3D printer, and forming an electrode consisting of an anode and a cathode by stacking an electrode constituting material in the form of a plurality of layers on each of the pair of current collectors using the 3D printer.