About this Research Topic
Cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D-printing, is revolutionizing many applied domains (aerospace, constructions, electronics, biosensors, medicine, etc.) by allowing rapid prototyping of complex 3D structures with a wide range of materials. In parallel, electrochemical energy storage (batteries and capacitors) systems (EESS) also transfigure daily lives as they contribute to the building of an increasingly nomadic and environmentally friendly society. Fabricated with traditional manufacturing, the envelope of these energy storage devices consists of either cylindrical, prismatic, or rectangular geometries in which planar components are usually rolled or stacked. Alternatively, 3D printing can be leveraged for topological optimization of EESS with a view to both maximize energy storage within the object and to reach improved electrochemical performance in term of power due to the introduction of complex 3D electrode architectures.
Additive manufacturing, applied to electrochemical energy storage applications, should allow for: prototyping of electrodes by adjusting parameters such as geometry, stiffness and porosity; the production of full EESS of any shape; the direct integration of the EESS in electronics without the necessity to perform additional assembly or packaging steps and the printing of three-dimensional EESS architectures.
Based on preliminary research reported in the literature on the topic, the following enumerated concerns must be tackled with a view to reach 3D-printed EESS exhibiting electrochemical performances comparable to commercial systems. Namely and non-exhaustively:
- The printing resolution still inducing thick electrodes for now.
- The electrodes electrical conductivity.
- The development of 3D printed current collectors.
- The active material percentage within the electrode must be maximize without affecting the printability.
- The theoretical calculations on printable 3D architectures in order to enhance the electrochemical performances compared to conventional planar architectures.
This Research Topic welcomes original research and reviews based on electrochemical energy storage systems (EESS) 3D-printing through material extrusion, powder bed fusion, vat photopolymerization, binder jetting, material jetting, directed energy deposition or sheet lamination and related topics such as research on co-fabrication or direct integration of EESS and electronics in the final device will be addressed. As reported above, contributions on these specific themes are welcome:
· 3D printing of conductive materials
· 3D printing of electrodes, electrolytes, separators, current collectors
· 3D printing of full EESS
· Recent developments in 3D printing (resolution, multi-materials, …)
· 3D architectures for energy storage
· Integration of EESS and Electronics
· Simulation/modelling on 3D-printable architectures for EESS
Topic Editor Colm O'Dwyer holds a patent for a 3D Printed Battery. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: additive manufacturing, batteries, capacitors, composites, electrodes
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