The document discusses 3D printing technologies for electrochemical energy storage devices (EESDs). It outlines several 3D printing techniques that can be used to produce EESD components like electrodes, electrolytes, and separators. Specifically, it discusses inkjet printing, direct ink writing, stereolithography, and fused deposition modeling. It notes that 3D printing allows for customized and micro-sized EESDs with controllable architectures. However, it also points out challenges like limited printable materials and the need to address safety issues with printed battery materials.

1. 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES FOR
ELECTROCHEMICAL
ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES
By Gyanendra Vaishya, MNNIT Allahabad

3. INTRODUCTION
▪ 3D printing is a layer by layer deposition technology with a computer
aid.
▪ Developed to achieve mainly two goals.
(i) Reducing production time
(ii) Avoiding the constraints of conventional production methods.
▪ There are many advantages of 3D printing like on demand
customization, avoiding material loss.

4. ▪ Energy storage devices are required to
ensure the full utilization of renewable
intermittent (steady) resources.
▪ Such energy storage devices must be
reliable and cost effective.
▪ 3D Printing processes such as
photopolymerization issued in production
of EESDs through the direct construction
of multi-materials and controllable
architectures such as a robotic arm

5. 3D PRINTING TECHNIQUES FOR EESDS

10. ❖ Most supercapacitors and batteries are composed of four components :
1. Electrodes (Anode and Cathode)
2. Electrolyte
3. Separator
4. Current collector.
❖ The processing of electrolyte and current collector is less complicated
compared to electrode in conventional methods.

13. Processes Input material Output material
Multi-material
capability
Inkjet printing
Low Viscosity Newtonian
Liquid
Porous Solid/Solid Very good
Direct Ink Writing
High viscosity Non-
Newtonian
Paste
Varies Good
Stereolithography Photosensitive resin Mainly Hard Solid Challenging
Fused Deposition
Modelling
ABS or PLA Filament
doped
with active material
Hard Solid
Possible but not applicable
to EES

14. APPLICATIONS OF 3D PRINTED EESDS

15. Architecture of EESDs devices can be highly
controlled
Customized EESDs devices down to micro-size
can be achieved by 3D printing
With the improvements brought about in the
design of architectures, the 3D printed EESDs
devices have the following superiorities.

16. Advantages & Disadvantages of 3D Printing
Techniques
Technique Advantages Disadvantages
Inkjet Printing
High printing resolution, low material
waste and ability to print large areas
Limited variety of printable inks, low
printing speed, poor long term
durability
Direct Ink Writing
Easy operation, low cost, wide choice
of materials, highly accurate and
complex 3D Architectures
Harsh requirements on the
rheological properties of inks
Stereolithography Low cost, high efficiency, high
resolution, good surface quality
Input materials are primarily limited
to photocurable resins with low
viscosity
Fused Deposition Modelling
Low operating cost, high speed
and large size capability
Low printing precision, needed
surface finishing treatment

17. ❖ The technology of 3D printing has emerged as a versatile technique for the
development of smart materials utilizing the designing software.
❖ The commercialization of the fabrication techniques is expected to minimize
man power with extreme perfection in the manufacturing process.
❖ Although significant progress has been made in 3D printed battery
components, there still exist numerous hurdles that need to be solved for
making printed batteries with acceptable metrics.
❖ The reactive nature of electroactive battery materials needs to be addressed.

18. ❖ Also, anodes and cathodes are very complex structural materials which
sometimes, for the better performance, may need special ordering like crystals
or porous structure akin to molecular sponges.
❖ Also, the printed batteries must pass strict safety standards.
❖ A major hurdle is still the synthesis of suitable materials for printing.
❖ Despite the above mentioned problems, we believe there is a strong case for
pursuing novel and promising 3D printed batteries.