scalable, directed assembly-based printing method has been developed for high-performance, stable all-solid-state Li metal micro-batteries, ideal for flexible electronics and RFID tags.
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Batteries that provide elevated energy capacities on smaller scales are in high demand for various applications such as wearables and flexible electronics as well as wireless sensor networks. Micro‑batteries have been investigated to address such a demand however, reducing the size of the battery and maintaining a high level of performance requires sophisticated design architecture. Different methods have been explored to achieve high-performance micro batteries, yet the low stability of these batteries significantly hinders their translation to real-world applications. To address the stability problem, complicated architectures have been designed, which increase cost and limit fabrication at a large scale. Therefore, new methods of fabrication are needed to overcome the current limitations of micro-battery design.
Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a novel approach to fabricating an all-solid-state Li metal micro‑battery. This micro‑battery is designed with the directed assembly-based printing of nanoparticles. This unique printing method facilitates the assembly and fabrication of all battery components including cathode, anode, and electrolyte at micro-scale dimensions. It obviates the need for implementing costly and complex fabrication techniques such as sacrificial templates. The porous cathode framework obtained using this approach provides enough space for the polymer electrolyte to be infiltrated within the cathode electrode, resulting in a cathode-supported electrolyte membrane. This innovation combines superior ionic transport and low interfacial resistance between the electrolyte and the cathode and provides an excellent electronic pathway through the cathode framework. The designed method of fabrication gives the micro‑battery an outstanding performance with long-term cycling stability. Finally, this approach paves the way for the mass production of high-performance all-solid-state micro‑batteries based on Li metal anodes and extends their application in miniaturized energy devices.